Dorset and East Devon Coast

The Dorset and East Devon Coast, commonly called the Jurassic Coast, is a World Heritage Site on England’s southern shore inscribed in 2001 that exposes a continuous geological record of roughly 185 million years.

The coastline runs for about 95 miles (around 155 kilometres) and includes a wide range of landforms - cliffs, coves, arches, stacks and barrier beaches - that reveal Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous strata. Popular highlights include the natural limestone arch Durdle Door, the near-circular Lulworth Cove, the chalk stacks of Old Harry Rocks and the shingle barrier Chesil Beach which extends about 29 km. The Lyme Regis and Charmouth sections are among the most visited for fossil hunting and interpretation facilities.

The cliffs and foreshore yield abundant marine fossils and other remains; many important finds were made in the 19th century and public fossil collecting continues in managed ways today. The site is valued for its continuous stratigraphic succession and the variety of coastal geomorphology.

The coast stretches roughly from Exmouth in East Devon eastwards to Studland Bay in Dorset, running along a varied landscape of headlands and bays. It lies on the south coast of England, with the cities of Exeter and Bournemouth among the nearest major urban centres.

• Fossil hunting: Excellent fossil hunting is along the Lyme Regis and Charmouth beaches at low tide; local museums and guided fossil walks explain identification and conservation rules.
• Best times and safety tips: Early morning and late-afternoon light give the best photographic views of sea arches and stacks; some cliff-top paths can be steep and slippery, so wear sturdy footwear.

What to See #

• Geological sequence: A sequence of coastal landforms and fossil sites including natural arches, coves, stacks, barrier beaches and fossil-bearing cliffs that together illustrate continuous Mesozoic strata from the Triassic through the Cretaceous.
• Durdle Door: **Durdle Door** - a natural limestone arch on the Jurassic Coast formed by coastal erosion and popular for coastal walks and photography.
• Lulworth Cove: **Lulworth Cove** - a nearly circular bay formed by differential erosion, noted for its compact size and clear exposure of rock layers at the cove and adjoining Stair Hole.
• Old Harry Rocks: **Old Harry Rocks** - chalk sea stacks at the eastern end of the coast marking the Dorset-Isle of Purbeck coastline.
• Chesil Beach: **Chesil Beach** - a shingle barrier beach that links the Fleet Lagoon to Portland, stretching for about 29 kilometres along the Dorset coast.
• Lyme Regis and Charmouth: **Lyme Regis and Charmouth fossil beds** - coastal sections famous for abundant marine fossils and public fossil-hunting at low tide.