THE ULTIMATE JURASSIC COAST TOUR!
Join us as we traverse 95 miles of Jurassic coastline, visit 10+ stops on the south-coast, experience 185 million years of prehistoric history and explore 1000 year old Castles!
The largest Jurassic Coast tour in the South-West!
On this tour we cover a whopping distance from Old Harry Rocks (Durlston Park) to West Bay Sands, including the famous town where Broadchurch was filmed!
Be sure to view the itinerary and map for in depth detail.
TOUR TYPE: Shared Small Group – up to 15 passengers
GUIDE: Part Guided
TIME: 7-9 hours
Sites Include:
Durlston Park
Corfe Caslte
Lulworth Cove
Durdle Door
Weymouth
Portland
Abbotsbury
St Catherine Hill
Broadchurch Location
WEYMOUTH TRAIN STATION – 9AM
DORCHESTER TRAIN STATION – 9.30AM
WEYMOUTH TRAIN STATION – 9AM
DORCHESTER TRAIN STATION – 9.30AM
This is a shared group tour from Weymouth or Dorchester train station with guide to the big three attractions on the Jurassic Coast! See the below itinerary for more detailed information.
Vehicle Size: Up to 15 Passengers
Guide: Part Guided Tour
HOW DOES THIS TOUR WORK?
All tours are “Part Guided”
At each sight your guide will give you a brief description of the area, orientate you, talk to you about its history and explain its geology. You will then have FREE TIME to explore the area as you wish before moving on to the next sight.
What is the Jurassic Coast?
The Jurassic Coast is 95 miles of coastline on the south of England, stretching from Old Harry Rocks to Exmouth in Devon. Formed over 185 million years mainly known for its rock formations, stunning coastline and fossils.
Durlston Park
First stop is Durlston Park. Known for its wildlife, again the gateway to the Jurassic Coast. You will see the castle built in the Victorian period and the Great Globe, which is one of the largest globed in the world. The globe was situated in 1891. And the start of the Jurassic Coast Old Harry Rocks.
Corfe Castle / Village of Corfe
Then it’s off to Corfe Castle. The castle was built by William the Conqueror, during the 11th century, for defensive purposes. It was one of the first stone castles in England; most earlier castles were built with wood and earth. During Medieval times, Corfe became a Royal castle and King John kept his crown jewels there.
Abandoned Tyneham Village
*Tyneham Village is still owned by the MOD and has scattered opening times
From Corfe we make our way to Tyneham Village. Tyneham Village where time stopped in 1943. In November 1943 notice was given to the villagers that they would be required to leave within 28 days as the area was needed for forces’ training. On 17 December 1943 the last villagers left believing that one day they would be able to return. Sadly this was never to happen.
Lulworth Castle
After Tyneham it’s a quick drive through the valley to Lulworth Castle. Built in the early 17th Century as a hunting lodge, became a country house at the heart of a large estate. Thomas Howard, 3rd Lord Bindon, built the Castle in order to entertain hunting parties for the King and Court. The Howards owned it until 1641 when it was purchased by Humphrey Weld, the direct ancestor of the present owners. Gutted by fire in 1929.
Durdle Door
Selfie Alert! Get those selfie sticks out as we reach one of the most well known sights on the Jurassic Coast! Durdle Door is a natural arch cut into the Portland Stone (Limestone) found on the south coast of England in the county of Dorset. The rocks that the arch is made up of is thought to be approximately 140 million years old! Originally the arch would have been a series of caves along the coast, made from cracks in the layers of rock that have been hollowed out. It first appeared on the first edition of the Ordnance Survey map, dated 1811, spelt Dirdale Door.
Lulworth Cove
We then head down to Lulworth Cove and see the famous Lulworth Crumple rock formation in Stair Hole. Lulworth Cove formed over 1000’s of years to form a perfect horse shoe shape into the hill side. Perfect for the photographer in you!
Weymouth & Portland
On to the ‘isle’ of Portland, located on the World Heritage Coast, is an explorer’s Island with curiosities of history and folklore just waiting to be discovered. We look west over the 18miles of Chesil beach and the southernmost tip of the Jurassic Coast. With its 3 castles and 3 lighthouses, this little island packs a punch!
Abbotsbury
The picturesque village of Abbotsbury steeped in history, yet a village where the present is very much alive and the future perpetually evolving. There’s much more than first meets the eye when you visit Abbotsbury, it was once home to a richly endowed abbey, founded in 1044. The remains are still visible and date from the 13th and 14th centuries.
St Catherine’s Mount
High on Abbotsbury hilltop sits St Catherine’s Chapel, a barrel-vaulted 14th century chapel built by the monks of Abbotsbury Abbey as a place of pilgrimage and retreat. We take in the fantastic views of the abbey ruins and the 22 mile look back over Chesil Beach and the Fleet.
Broadchurch & Westbay
Then we visit the famous town where Broadchurch was filmed! On our way to Westbay in the Market town of Bridport. The golden strata of nearby East Cliff are one of the most distinctive features of the Jurassic Coast, and the area is very popular with walkers. East Beach has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and forms one end of Chesil Beach, which extends 18 miles south east to the Isle of Portland. The cliffs here are very unstable, so it’s important to keep well clear of the cliff edges and bases.
We then drive back through the Dorset countryside where you’ll be dropped at your start location or near to your accommodation.
Phhheeew! What a day!
Awesome! Didnt know what to expect but this exceeded my expectations! You do see a lot of sites on the coast, be prepared it can feel like a long day! Really enjoyed it!
WOW! Im a photographer and wanted to get a few shots of the coastline, I didnt expect to see so much! Brilliant day. Thank you DT!