explore the Jurassic Coast with us
- holidays
- places to visit
The Jurassic Coast is a huge 95-mile stretch of coastline in the south of England within the counties of Devon and Dorset.
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers incredible views, beaches, museums and hidden gems perfect for exploring on holiday. And in this blog, we have put together a list of some of the top things to do whilst exploring the Jurassic Coast. If you are looking for places to stay, we have two resorts that are located perfectly to use as bases for exploring, one in Devon and one in Dorset.
where does the Jurassic Coast start and end?
The Jurassic Coast stretches across 95 miles and starts in Orcombe Point in Exmouth, Devon and ends at Old Harry Rocks near Swanage in Dorset. It is the only place on Earth that you can find rocks from the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods in one place offering 185 million years of history to explore, which is how the area got its name.
where to stay near the Jurassic Coast?
To fully enjoy the Jurassic Coast, you would want to stay in the area for around a week, especially if you are looking to cover the most popular areas. We have 26 holiday resorts across the UK and two of them are perfectly placed for exploring either end of the Jurassic Coast.
Hawkchurch Resort & Spa
Devon
The perfect getaway for couples, families and groups that want a relaxing escape in Devon. Hawkchurch has plenty of choice when it comes to the self-catering options from one-bedroom lodges all the way to four bedrooms. On the resort you will find a spa, bar and bistro and plenty of outdoor space to sit and relax in the evening. And location wise, Hawkchurch is only an hours drive away from the starting point of the Jurassic Coast, or 10 minutes away from Lyme Regis which is a seafront location on the coast.
Wareham Forest Lodge Retreat
Dorset
Wareham Forest offers the perfect peaceful escape for all. With each lodge coming with a fully equipped kitchen, spacious living areas and bedrooms that sleep between two and eight people. Some of the lodges also feature a private hot tub perfect for relaxing in between exploring the area. There are no facilities on site either which means it really does a place for you to relax and unwind. Wareham Forest is only half an hour away from Old Harry Rocks on the Jurassic Coast and half an hour away from the iconic Durdle Door.
things to do on the Jurassic Coast
As you can probably imagine, there are hundreds of things to do along the huge 95 mile stretch of the Jurassic Coast. And if you have never explored the area before we can imagine it would be a little overwhelming deciding what you want to see, so we’ve put the top 12 areas of the Jurassic Coast you don’t want to miss!
Durdle Door
West Lulworth, Wareham, BH20 5PU
closest resort: Wareham Forest
Probably one of the most photographed landmarks on the Jurassic Coast. Durdle Door is the perfect place for a beach day, a swim or paddleboard in the ocean or to walk along the coast path. The limestone arch had formed naturally from the sea around 10,000 years ago and today is still an iconic tourist hotspot along the West coast.
Old Harry Rocks
Handfast Point, BH19 3AN
closest resort: Wareham Forest
Old Harry Rocks is the most eastern point of the Jurassic Coast and marks the end of the 95 mile stretch. Consisting of three chalk formations on Handfast Point, you can enjoy impressive views from the mainland out to sea where the chalk stack and stump sit. There is plenty of open grassland where you can sit and enjoy the view or enjoy a walk along the coast from here.
West Bay Cliffs
Station Rd, Bridport, DT6 4EW
closest resort: Hawkchurch
The West Bay Cliffs are golden sandstone cliffs along the beach front in West Bay that sit around 50 meters high. The cliffs have around 180 million years of history within them and the shingle beach that lies beneath. The area itself is great for exploring with plenty to see and do you can easily spend the full day here. With plenty of shops, eateries and parking in the area.
Corfe Castle
The Square, Corfe Castle, Wareham, BH20 5EZ
closest resort: Wareham Forest
Corfe Castle is a village in Dorset which is also named the same as the castle ruins that are in the village too. The castle is right in the middle of the village and has some impressive history that you can learn about during your visit. As well as various events that go on throughout the year. There are also plenty of cafes and shops to explore whilst you’re in the area too.
Charmouth Beach
Bridport, DT6 6LS
closest resort: Hawkchurch
If you are after a beach day, Charmouth Beach could be the perfect choice on the Jurassic Coast. The beach is about a mile and a half long and is known for its fossil hunting and rock pooling. Many visitors hire beach huts that line the beach and use them as their base. There is also a Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre which is worth visiting as you can learn about the fossils and how you can find your own to take home.
Lulworth Cove
West Lulworth, Wareham, BH20 5RS
closest resort: Wareham Forest
Lulworth Cove is located just down from the iconic Durdle Door and is worth a visit if you are in the area (both can easily be done in a day). The cove is world famous for its unique geology and landforms that create the huge curved cove that you can either see from the coastal path or by heading down into the cove. There are also plenty of places to eat and drink in Lulworth Cove making it a great day out.
Lyme Regis
Lyme Regis, DT7 3RD
closest resort: Hawkchurch
Lyme Regis is a charming seaside town on the Jurassic Coast that offers an abundance of things to see and do. Whether you’re after a beach day, a coastal path walk, or a town where you can explore the many shops and eateries available. There have been a variety of unique fossils found along this part of the coast and is a great place to go if you want to learn more about the history of the Jurassic Coast.
Golden Cap
Bridport, DT6 6EP
closest resort: Hawkchurch
The Golden Cap is known for being one of the highest points along the south coast and is a great place to see views for miles across the coastline. If you are after a walk there are various paths that can take you up to the Golden Cap and there are a few towns and villages nearby that are great to stop and explore whilst you’re in the area.
Weymouth
Esplanade, Weymouth, DT4 8DG
closest resort: Wareham Forest
Weymouth is a seaside town in Dorset with a harbour, beach and plenty of things to see and do around the town. As well as the Weymouth Sealife Park where you can see a range of sea life from sharks and turtles to stingrays. The pebbly Chesil Beach is extremely popular for fossil and sea glass hunting.
Beer
Beer, Seaton, EX12 3BZ
closest resort: Hawkchurch
Beer is a picturesque village on the Jurassic Coast and is surrounded by white chalk cliffs. Jacob’s Ladder Beach is located in Beer and is a sand and shingle beach perfect for a beach day. As well as the beach there is various places to eat and drink, shops to browse and walks to enjoy locally.
Abbotsbury
Abbotsbury, Weymouth, DT3 4JL
closest resort: Wareham Forest
Abbotsbury is known for being a unique old village full of history, some going back around 6000 years. You will find the 14th century St Cathrine’s Chapel high above the village on a hill by itself offering incredible views of the beach below. It’s a great village to explore along the Jurassic Coast with plenty to see and do including the Abbotsbury Swannery.
Sidmouth
Sidmouth, EX10 8RZ
closest resort: Hawkchurch
Enjoy views of the amazing red sandstone cliffs during a visit to the seaside town of Sidmouth. Here you can have a beach day on the pebble lined beach which is popular for swimming and rock pooling, or take a stroll along the Millennium Walkway that stretches the length of the beach. There are also various things to do in the surrounding area of Sidmouth like the Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary.