Cottages on the Jurassic Coast

The Jurassic Coast offers an incredible journey back in time with unique fossil strata and 185 million years of history. The Purbeck Peninsula and its majestic cliffs offer a truly dramatic scene together with mighty stacks of rock plunging into the sea. Around here you can enjoy the Durdle Door, the unique horseshoe-shaped Lulworth Cove and Old Harry Rocks connected by the incredible coastal path. Walk along the Undercliffs National Nature Reserve or take in the views from the highest cliff in South England, the Gold Cap. Don’t miss the opportunity to walk by the water along the 18-mile pebble beach of Chesil Beach. Admire Portland Island and its incredible limestone rock or go fossil hunting in Charmouth and Lyme Regis. Walks in the incredible Jurassic Coast will make you enjoy nature at its best as you walk along stretches of pristine coastline.

From pebbles to sandy stretches, the Jurassic coast has a wide array of beaches to enjoy. Chesil Beach is one of the most popular ones among walkers and anglers.This beach runs for 18 miles so it’s a nice stroll to enjoy the views. Once frequented by King George III, Weymouth Beach is also a popular choice for basking in the sun and swimming because it is quite sheltered due to its curving shape. Enjoy your summer days or long strolls in the morning along Lyme Beach and find some fossils. Walk your dog in Hive Beach, a well-maintained pebble beach ideal to play and run with your four-legged companion. Enjoy the beaches of Bridport or South Beach in Swanage. The Jurassic Coast is waiting for you!

Does Durdle sound familiar to you? Maybe when you see the impressive natural limestone arch it will ring a bell. The Durdle door is probably the most popular stone arch in the entire world. The waters of the sea pierced the Portland limestone over 10,000 years ago together with wave cut notches, little caves nestled along the base of the white cliffs. This spectacular scenery, its beach and the incredible views have been the backdrop in many films including Nanny McPhee starring Colin Firth and Emma Thompson or Wilde, starring Stephen Fry. Take in the views and spend a beautiful day on the beach, have a picnic, play in the sand and enjoy a fabulous day out.

Corfe Castle is nestled in Dorset, dominating the Purbeck landscape. Its first stone was laid more than 1,000 years ago. It could be seen from several miles away. At some point it was destroyed by an Act of Parliament and later on, returned to the Bankes family who owned it for three centuries and a half, until the early 1980s before giving it to the National Trust. Visit the castle, its grounds and enjoy a walk around and discover the best of Purbeck. By the way, watching the sunrise over the castle from West Hill is a unique experience that will remain in your memory forever more. As the sun goes up, the ruins seem to rise from a golden mist. Don’t miss it!

Have you ever been to an abandoned village? In the mid 1900s, the last residents of Tyneham were evacuated during WWII. Military training was done in the area and when the war was over, none of the residents were allowed to return to their homes. The church and schoolhouse are standing and you can see them although the rest is in ruins. Weekends and bank holidays are the most popular times to visit.

Windsurfing and paddle board in Exmouth, go kayaking in Studland, swimming in Swansea or surfing in Dorset. Every little spot along the Jurassic coast gives you the option to practice your favourite water sports. Spend days in the water and have tons of fun with friends riding the waves, with the little ones looking for fossils or making sand castles, exploring the little coves coasteering along the coastline in Lulworth. Get ready!

Fancy a fresh pint after a long day walking and visiting the incredible Jurassic Coast? Dorset is home to many local breweries that offer great tours and time sampling their best ales and beers. Try an IPA at Dorset Brewing Company, book a tour at Palmers Brewery or buy some gifts in Badger’s Beers shop. Years of tradition and beer brewing are behind these great companies and its products. Come and try them!

Are you familiar with Maiden Hill? It is home to the largest iron age fort in the United Kingdom. A big part of the heritage and culture of the country is represented by Maiden Castle in Dorset. It was built with white chalk ramparts to protect all the residents of the area. Now you can just see how these ramparts were the base of this magnificent hillfort. Admire the landscape and then, consider visiting the prehistoric Nine Stones, the Bronze Age Winterbourne Poor Lot Barrows burials and the village of Abbotsbury.

Charmouth is a pretty village by the sea with impressive cliffs but these are softer than most of the cliffs along the Jurassic Coast, making them crumble easily. And here is when fossils appear! Take a walk on Charmouth Beach and see what fossils you can discover! It is an exciting way of spending some time with children and learning about prehistory while having fun. There are also organised fossil walks with lots of information of the area if you would like to delve deeper into its history.