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Old Harry Rocks on the Jurassic Coast
Explore

The Jurassic Coast

The Jurassic Coast
The Jurassic Coast
The Jurassic Coast
The Jurassic Coast
Explore

The Jurassic Coast

The Dorset coastline runs from the sandy beaches of Bournemouth to the East Devon border. A millennia in the making, this rare coastline is dotted with dinosaur footprints and geographical marvels, earning it the title of the Jurassic Coast. The UK boasts only 25 World Heritage Sites, and the Jurassic Coast holds the distinction of being the first ‘natural’ World Heritage Site, making it the sole coastline in the UK to receive this status. What makes this coastline so exceptional? It offers an almost uninterrupted timeline spanning the Mesozoic Era, encompassing the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous ages, totaling 185 million years of coastal history. The Jurassic Coast showcases natural marvels such as Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door, providing laypeople with breathtaking geographical wonders, extensive sandy beaches, fossils, and a rugged coastline.

 

Coastal Holiday Cottages

Dorset Coasts Geographical Features

Geologists and geomorphologists consider this coast one of the world’s most significant sites for teaching and research. The rocks within the World Heritage Site are arranged from oldest to youngest as you move from west to east. This arrangement is somewhat unusual, as these rock layers originally formed atop one another. If they had remained undisturbed, we would have had to drill deep into the Earth to observe them. However, around 100 million years ago, massive tectonic forces tilted the rock layers, revealing the older rocks and creating a continuous sequence along the coast—an extraordinary event that allows us to witness these layers today.

Lyme Regis Harbour

Lyme Regis & Charmouth

These closely linked areas are world famous for their fossils. Lyme Regis has a lovely pebble beach where you can enjoy a stroll along the promenade, which is home to antique shops, crystal shops, eateries and ice cream parlours.  Parking is available in the town.  From the main car park you can walk along the coastal path, with fantastic views back to Charmouth, freshwater bay and Lyme Regis beach. Charmouth is a lovely little village with good eating pubs and a fossil beach to explore.

Dorset's Chisel Beach on The Jurassic Coast

Chesil Beach

Finest barrier beach in Europe.  The beach protects Weymouth Bay from the Portland race.  Its not suitable for batheing but its a great spot for fishing and walking.  The beach links Wyke Regis and Portland.

 

Durdle Door on The Jurassic Coast

Durdle Door

The Jurassic Coast harbors the world-famous, breathtaking natural arch, located at its heart. Visitors can walk from the car park to the beach, though there are numerous steps to navigate, and spend a leisurely day on the pebble beach. Please be aware that this beach does not have any restroom facilities. Durdle Door represents a highly unusual natural landmark. Ordinarily, limestone, which constitutes the arch, rests horizontally. However, the powerful geological forces that shaped the Alps extended to Dorset, causing the stone to become steeply vertical. Subsequently, the softer rock beneath eroded, giving rise to the arch we observe today. Kayakers also frequent this location.

 

Lulworth Cove on the Jurassic Coast

Lulworth Cove

Lulworth Cove is a quintessential location for the study of different rates of erosion in the formation of bays and headlands. It is also a beautiful and popular tourist destination.  The same forces which created Durdle Door also created the Cove with layer upon layer of Jurrasic rocks on display. You can take a rib ride from Lulworth and take a trip along the Jurassic Coast.

 

Old Harry Rocks on the Jurassic Coast
Take a look at

Old Harry Rocks

Brilliant white chalk has been eroded into steep cliffs and the famous collection of sea stacks known as ‘Old Harry Rocks’.  There used to be an Old Harrys wife but this has sadly been eroded away.

The Jurassic Coast

Jurassic Coast

Jurassic Coast on TV

The Dorset Coast has served as a backdrop for major Hollywood blockbusters and television productions.

The award-winning series “Broadchurch” filmed in West Dorset and featured David Tennant and Olivia Coleman. This gripping thriller, written by Chris Chibnall, showcases some of the dramatic cliffs that West Dorset is renowned for.

In 2015, “The Big Blue,” hosted by River Cottage favorite Hugh Fearnly Whittingstall, aired on the BBC. The show was anchored from the top of Durdle Door in Dorset.

ITV1’s “Harbour Lives” was partially filmed in Dorset, exploring life by the sea. Ben Fogle ventured along the Jurassic coast, engaging with those who live and work by the sea.

Portland Harbour provided the setting for the film “The Boat that Rocked,” featuring Bill Nighy.

Lulworth Cove appeared in the Hollywood blockbuster “World War Z,” starring Brad Pitt. One of our diligent housekeepers, responsible for ensuring the cleanliness of the sea view cottages, waited all day in the rain to catch a glimpse of the Hollywood ‘A Lister.’

The South West Coast Path

Walk the South West Coast Path

You can walk along the vast majority of the Jurassic Dorset coast, as the South West Coast Path ranks as the longest in England. Most individuals can relish the clifftop walks, but please remember not to approach the edge. These coastal walks provide excellent opportunities for bird watching, spotting dolphins, indulging in painting, and savouring the awe-inspiring beauty of the Jurassic coast. Be mindful that the paths may become slippery after rainfall, increasing the risk of landslides. To stay safe, stick to the marked tracks and keep dogs on leashes.

You can explore the Jurassic coast by bus if you hop on the X53, you can walk sections and then go back on the bus, a perfect day out.

Stay in a

Jurassic Coast Holiday Cottage

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Woodland Lodge
Poole
5/5
One of a small selection of superior lodges that overlook Poole Bay on Rockley Park. This detached holiday lodge offers a tranquil retreat in an exclusive gated area. The idyllic enclave is just a leisurely stroll away from Lytchett Bay, a charming small sandy beach, and in close proximity to the renowned Poole Harbour. For those seeking entertainment within the holiday park, tickets can be conveniently procured, with detailed pricing available on the Rockley Park website.
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Winspit View
Worth Matravers
4.8/5
3 Bedrooms. The bungalow is located on the edge of the village of Worth Matravers, in a rural idyll with fantastic views across open farmland to Winspit and the sea. A lovely holiday cottage to rent in Worth Matravers, an exclusive village in Dorset.
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Holiday prices from  £682
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Seashell View
Swanage
4.9/5
A stunning 3 bed apartment with sea views – perfect for a family beach holiday in the coastal town of Swanage, Dorset.
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Holiday prices from  £475
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Froxfield Cottage
Langton Matravers
4.9/5
3 Bedrooms. Froxfield Cottage is a cosy renovated quarryman’s cottage built in the 1850’s, sympathetically decorated in a mix of contemporary and traditional style.
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Holiday prices from  £465
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Seaspray
Swanage
5/5
Located steps away from the sandy beach and traditional promenade in Swanage, Seaspray is a three-bedroom, 1930s-style apartment with panoramic sea views. Situated on the wonderful seafront parade, this town centre location is perfect for families or friends seeking a relaxing coastal escape within a stone’s throw of many of Dorset’s prolific attractions.
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Holiday prices from  £449
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Greenhayes
Langton Matravers
4.8/5
Lovely, traditional cottage with stunning country views to the coast. Ideal for a romantic getaway or for small families. Pet friendly.
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Holiday prices from  £428
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Balcony Apartment
Swanage
5/5
2 Bedrooms. Fabulous seaside apartment in Swanage. Stunning views from the balcony across the bay to the Isle of Wight. This spacious and comfortable property is equipped with all you might need for a family get away.
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Holiday prices from  £622
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Newton Manor Grange
Swanage
4.6/5
3 bedrooms. This beautiful four star holiday home is the ideal choice for a self catering holiday in Swanage. This home boasts large picture windows and is an unusual upside down house that takes full advantage of the views, across the seaside town of Swanage to the sea and the Isle of White beyond. WIFI.
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Holiday prices from  £435
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Tilshead
Langton Matravers
4.9/5
4 Bedroom, 3 bathrooms. Stunning countryside views with sea glimpses. Tilshead is a beautifully designed home nestled within the lovely village of Langton Matravers. This exceptional, bespoke house was created to offer a practical yet luxurious, contemporary residence complete with large relaxing garden. Graded four star gold by Visit England, this luxury Dorset holiday cottage is ideal for large parties or families.
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Holiday prices from  £620
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White Sands
Swanage
4.9/5
4 Bedrooms. This stunning property is set on the cliff top in a secluded part of Swanage, boasting panoramic sea views over the bay toward Peveril Point, the Isle of Wight and Ballard Down. Situated just outside of the town centre and well away from any main road, it is beautifully quiet, ideal for those of you wishing to escape it all.
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Holiday prices from  £1,367
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Canaan
Worth Matravers
4.9/5
4 bedrooms. A wonderful architecturally designed, large family holiday home in Worth Matravers. Completed to the highest standard and incorporating a sumptuous interior. It’s open plan design, galleried first floor landing and very large kitchen makes this the ideal choice for the extended family, walkers and those of you who wish to relax in this stylish property set in the heart of the English coastal countryside.
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Holiday prices from  £959
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