Things to do in Dorset: Visit Jurassic Coast

The Jurassic Coast starts in Exmouth, East Devon, and runs for 95 miles to Old Harry Rocks, near Swanage, Dorset.

England's only natural World Heritage Site, the Jurassic Coast is a diverse, beautiful landscape, stretching for 95 miles through East Devon, West Dorset, Weymouth and Portland, and Purbeck.

During your visit, you can:

Visit Old Harry Rocks

Old Harry Rocks is an impressive limestone rock standing proud at the eastern end of the Dorset coast. Hike along the clifftops, kayak around the rocks, or take a scenic boat tour to enjoy the picturesque view.

Take the South West Coast Path

The South West Coast Path runs along the length of the Jurassic Coast, making it a great way to see the amazing landmarks and coastal views across Dorset.

Go fossil hunting

There are lots of opportunities for fossil hunting along the Jurassic Coast. The rock cliffs contain thousands of fossils of animals that once swam in the Jurassic seas, so why not take part in a supervised fossil hunting guided walk around Lyme Regis and Charmouth?

Walk around West Bay Cliffs

When you reach West Bay, the limestone cliffs are replaced by sandstone, creating rippling honey-toned silhouettes above the beach. Walk along the beach and absorb the stunning scenery or hike over the cliffs to observe the coastline.

If you visit during the early morning or late afternoon, the mist of the crashing waves is truly breathtaking.

Explore Lulworth Cove

Lulworth Cove is a stunning, circular cove surrounded by cliffs. Here you can take your time and explore the rock pools, pebble beach, and Lulworth Crumple, or use it as the ideal starting point for a walk along the Jurassic Coast to Durdle Door. While here, you can take advantage of the Visitor Centre and car park, along with the area's numerous restaurants.

Visit Weymouth Harbour

Weymouth Harbour is a true gem along Dorset's Jurassic Coast. The harbour is home to pubs, hotels, and breweries, colourful houses and fish and chip shops.

Discover the history of the Jurassic Coast

The Jurassic Coast has a fascinating history. Here you can find many museums and visitor centres dotted along the coast, providing more information about the history and geology of the cliffs.

Charmouth Heritage Centre and Lyme Regis Museum in particular are both worth a visit.

Durlston Country Park

Durlston Country Park boasts a lovely coast and beautiful wildflower meadows. There is a free visitor centre, easy parking, and a café to enjoy. The centre is ideal for walks, picnics and finding out more about the geology and wildlife of the area.

The Jurassic Coast has so much to offer, that it's simply a question of how much time you have to fill!

When you're visiting the Jurassic Coast in Dorset, why not explore some of the other attractions in the area?

Popular attractions close by include:

• Weymouth Sea Life Adventure Park
• Swanage Railway
• Fore Adventure
• Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens
• The Tunnel Tree Tops
• Lulworth Castle and Park
• Studland Bay
• The Marine Theatre
• Bennetts Water Garden
• Symondsbury Estate

Facilities at the Jurassic Coast include:

• Toilets
• Tourist Information Centres
• Restaurants and cafés
• Parking
• Dog-friendly attractions
• Accessible attractions

There are many car parks along the coast. Check the available parking for the location or attraction you're visiting. Many of the car parks are pay and display and can get busy during the summer.

• Walking along the coastal paths can be muddy and slippery in places, so make sure you wear appropriate footwear, stay on official routes and follow warning signs at all times.
• The hop-on-hop-off Jurassic Coaster bus is a great way to visit one of the Jurassic Coast attractions, walk a section of the South West Coast Path, or sit back and take in the views from the top deck!
• Check the weather forecast before you go.
• Be aware of tide times to avoid getting forced up against the cliffs or cut off by the incoming tide.