Jurassic Coast Is England’S First and Only Natural World Heritage Site

Home , Abbotsbury, Ballard Down, Exmouth, Golden Cap, Jurassic Coast, Kimmeridge

Museum National Trust 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 km 0 1 2 3 4 5 Miles View Point Railway Station South West Coast Path Tourist Information Centre National Trail (please see main list for contact details) National Cycle Network X53 Bus Route Route 2 (Proposed) National Cycle Network Linked Bus Route Route 2 (Open) The Jurassic Coast is England’s first and only natural World Heritage Site. Visitor Centre The 95 mile (155km) stretch Boat Trips of coast was designated by UNESCO in 2001. It is a Studland World Heritage Site because it offers a unique insight into the Earth Sciences – the rocks which make up the Site Dorset and Bus/walk (2 miles): The views of Old Harry record 185 million years of East Devon Rocks – at the eastern extreme of the Jurassic the Earth’s history. Coast Coast – are magnificent from the South West Coast Path. The Swanage to Bournemouth 150 The rocks have been tilted bus goes through Studland, allowing you to pick up the South West Coast Path ‘Studland Village to the east which means that the oldest rocks are found to Old Harry’ walk from here. Make this a circular in the west and the youngest in the east. Following the walk by heading back to Studland from the top South West Coast Path National Trail you can literally of Ballard Down. Check the South West Coast ‘walk through time’ along the coast – 185 million years Path website for details of this walk. in 95 miles!

The DIGS (Dorset’s Important Geological Sites This story is explained in much more detail in the Group) ‘Beneath Your Feet’ walks pack for Jurassic Coast Mini Guide leaflet and the Jurassic Coast Purbeck is available from the TICs at Wareham Official Guide, both available from Tourist Information and Swanage. and Visitor Centres.

Swanage Jurassic Coast Team % 01305 225101 Email [email protected] www.jurassiccoast.com Weymouth Bus/walk (5 miles): You can reach Swanage by the 142 or 143 bus by changing from the USEFUL CONTACTS

CoastlinX53 bus or alighting from the train at explore without your car your without explore Train/boat: Travel to Weymouth by train, West Lulworth Wareham, or by taking the steam train from

Contacts listed below relate to the itineraries suggested

then head for the Clock Tower on the seafront Norden near Corfe Castle. Take the earliest 144 in this leaflet. JURASSIC COAST JURASSIC and make your way towards the harbour. This bus from Swanage to Worth Matravers (this walk should take about 15 minutes and has far should allow enough time to walk and get the reaching coastal views on a clear day. There are Bus/walk: You will need to get a connecting last bus back) and follow the South West Coast Train/bus many boat trips operating from the harbour bus from the CoastlinX53 bus at Wool – there Path ‘Worth Matravers and St Aldhelm’s Head’ www.traveline.org.uk % 0871 200 22 33 for all public – look out for those with a commentary about is a bus service called Door to Dorset 103 walk. This walk takes in the high cliffs and transport enquiries the Jurassic Coast. From the sea, notice how which can be booked in advance. Follow the headlands and can be especially good for bird www.tram.co.uk % 01297 20375 for Seaton Tramway the rocks dip down at Portland Bill, or if your South West Coast Path from the top of the watching. Check the South West Coast Path Door to Dorset Bus Service % 0845 602 4547 trip takes you eastwards you can enjoy views of timber steps which lie east partway along the website for details of this walk. www.discoverdorset.co.uk % 01202 557 007 for Discover Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove. Cove (use the higher path if the tide is in). Go Dorset Day (minibus) Tours through a gate into Lulworth Ranges (they Boat: Alternatively, take a boat from Swanage for The suggested itineraries listed in this leaflet will help www.swanagerailway.co.uk are typically open during holidays and most a fabulous view of the 80 million year old chalk everyone to enjoy the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site % 01929 425800 for Swanage Steam Railway Portland weekends - check opening times % 01929 stacks of Old Harry Rocks. to the full, without causing unnecessary harm to the 404819) and take the steps down to the Fossil Walk local – or global – environment. Forest. This consists of doughnut shaped layers www.nationaltrail.co.uk/southwestcoastpath % 01392 383560 of algae and mud (now compressed to form – for Geology themed walks and information to help you plan limestone) that built up around the base of The Tourist Information Centres (TICs) listed below are Bus/walk (3 miles and 5 miles): Change your own Coast Path walks the ancient trees when they were drowned a good point of contact for further details about routes from the CoastlinX53 bus to the X10 bus www.nationaltrust.org.uk within a swamp 135 million years ago. Today, (or the open top 501 bus in the summer) www.walkswithwheelchairs.com – for wheelchair friendly routes covered. the fossilised tree stumps form a strange and at Weymouth (Kings Statue) to Portland Bill www.dorsetrigs.org.uk – Dorset’s Important Geological Sites unworldly landscape. For the return route and where you can pick up the South West Coast Group for walks that give you an insight to the ‘geology Also listed in this leaflet are useful contacts/websites further details of this circular walk, check the Path which circles the island. The scenery beneath your feet’ South West Coast Path website. which relate to the itineraries that have been suggested. is wild and rocky with examples of Portland Lulworth Ranges % 01929 404819 Stone quarrying in the landscape. Portland is www.eastdevonaonb.org.uk an ‘Island of Stone’ and the 140 million year www.dorsetaonb.org.uk TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRES (TICs) old Portland Limestone is one of the most Kimmeridge famous building stones in the world. There are Cycle two recommended short walks ‘Around the www.sustrans.org.uk % 0845 113 00 65 – the UK’s leading Exeter Visitor Info, Exeter City Council, Dix’s Field, Exeter Isle of Portland’ parts 1 and 2. Check the South sustainable transport charity, helping people benefit their % 01392 665700 West Coast Path website for details of this Minibus tour: Kimmeridge Bay can be reached health and the environment. Exmouth TIC, Temple Road (Alexandra Terrace), Exmouth, recommended walk. via the South West Coast Path or by the weekly % 01395 222299 (Tuesdays) 275 bus from Corfe Castle and Boat Budleigh Salterton TIC, Fore Street, Budleigh Salterton, Swanage. Another option is to join a ‘Jurassic www.stuartlinecruises.co.uk % 01395 222144 % 01395 445275 Coast Day Minibus Tour’ with Discover Dorset All boat operators listed on map Day Tours which picks up passengers in Sidmouth TIC, Ham Lane, Sidmouth, % 01395 516441 Boat Operators Bournemouth & Poole and includes a visit to Whilst every effort has been made to provide accurate Ottery St Mary TIC, 10b Broad St, Ottery St Mary, this remote bay. The Jurassic rocks here are 155 information, the authors can accept no responsibility for any % 01404 813964 Weymouth million years old and consist of Kimmeridge errors or omissions. Honiton TIC, Lace Walk Car Park, Honiton, % 01404 43716 Ferry Step Cruises % 01305 789761/777521 or Clay. The bay is particularly good for Seaton TIC, The Underfleet, Seaton,% 01297 21660 07773 299383 rockpooling. A ‘nodding donkey’ can be seen All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be Axminster TIC,The Old Courthouse, Church St, Axminster, Weymouth Whitewater % 01305 781146 or on the cliff top, which has been producing oil reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means % 01297 34386 07899 892317 since 1959 – the oil is held in a layer of rock including photocopying or recording, without the permission Lyme Regis TIC, Guildhall Cottage, Church St, Lyme Regis, The Fleet Observer % 01305 759692 called the Cornbrash Limestone. of the copyright holder. % 01297 442138 MV Freedom (equipped for people with a Bridport TIC, 47 South Street, Bridport, % 01308 424901 disability) % 07976 528054 or 01305 826199 Photographs: Richard Edmonds and Mark Simons Dorset County Council, Weymouth TIC, Pavilion Complex, Weymouth, Discoverer % 07780 600233 Wareham - Brenscombe Rib Charter % 01929 White Motor Boats Ltd % 07749 732428 or 481222 or Pequod 0779 2334879 First Bus Company and Ross Simmonds % 01305 785747 % 01305 785000/814225 Poole - The Dorset Belles % 01202 558550 Dorchester TIC, 11 Antelope Walk, Dorchester, UK Sea Safari % 01935 477585 or 07701 059407 Blue Line Cruises Ltd % 01202 467882 Funded by Dorset and Devon County Councils and the South % 01305 267992 Second Wind Jurassic Coast Kayak Tours Brownsea Island Ferries Ltd % 01929 462383 West Regional Development Agency. Swanage TIC, The White House, Shore Road, Swanage, % 01305 835301 Greenslades Ferry Service % 01202 669955 or % 01929 422885 GB Yachts Jurassic Kayak Tours % 0845 2072078 631828 Wareham TIC, Trinity Church, South Street, Wareham, Lulworth Cove Dolphin III (equipped for people with a % 01929 552740 Lulworth Marine % 01929 400560 disability) % 01929 550006 Poole Welcome Centre, Enefco House, Poole Quay, Poole, Swanage Bournemouth Pier - The Dorset Belles % 01202 253253 Marsh’s Boats % 07807 735486 or % 01202 558550 01929 427309 The Waverley paddle steamer (seasonal) Visitor Information Bureau, Westover Rd, Bournemouth, Western Lady III % 07807 249649 % 0845 130 4647 % 0845 051 1700 Designed and produced by Dayfold Ltd % 01202 812203 Christchurch TIC, High Street, Christchurch % 01202 471780 www.jurassiccoast.com Museum National Trust 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 km 0 1 2 3 4 5 Miles View Point Railway Station South West Coast Path Tourist Information Centre National Trail (please see main list for contact details) National Cycle Network X53 Bus Route Route 2 (Proposed) 885 National Cycle Network b Linked Bus Route Route 2 (Open)

Visitor Centre P a Boat Trips

Beer Fine Foundation Heritage Centre

Sidmouth Lyme Regis

Boat/bus: The 2-3 hour Coastal Hopper Cruise with Stuart Line Cruises between Sidmouth and Exmouth (board at either town) lets you travel through 30 million years of Earth Bus/boat: Travel eastwards to Lyme Regis on the West Bay history showcasing the oldest (Triassic) period of the Jurassic CoastlinX53, and as the bus descends into the town you Coast with its stunning red, sandstone cliffs. You will be are treated to spectacular views of the cliffs and coastline. provided with a full commentary on the geology, history Take a boat trip from the Cobb harbour to view the dark and wildlife of this particular stretch of coast. Disembark clay cliffs which surround Lyme Bay. The cliffs here are 200 Boat/bus: The striking, sandstone cliffs here are about 180 at either Exmouth or Sidmouth. The return journey on the million years old and mark the start of the Jurassic section of million years old. From the sea they are particularly dramatic Exmouth CoastHopper 157 bus is included in the fare. the World Heritage Site. The beaches between Lyme Regis – especially in the evening sun. Take a boat trip to see the and Charmouth are famous for fossils. amazing fractures in the rock face or take the water taxi to Lyme Regis returning to Bridport or West Bay on the Beer and Seaton CoastlinX53 bus. Train/bike: From the mainline train at Exeter, take the Charmouth Avocet Train Line to Exmouth along the Exe Estuary. This Jurassic Coast Bus Service local service takes its name from the bird which winters on Abbotsbury CoastlinX53 the estuary and the 25 minute journey offers great estuary views of this Site of Special Scientific Interest. Take your bike Walk (3miles)/bus: Walk along the South West Coast Path Bus/walk: Join the circular DIGS (Dorset’s Important and cycle on to Budleigh Salterton via the National Cycle westwards over the white cliffs of Beer Head – most of the Travelling by bus lets you Geological Sites Group) ‘Golden Cap and Hardown Hill’ Network Route 2 traffic-free cycle route. chalk has been eroded in East Devon but here the rocks Bus/walk: As the CoastlinX53 bus drops down into sit back, relax and enjoy the walk from the bus stop at Morecombelake on the A35 – get were folded and faulted downwards level with the older Abbotsbury, stunning views unfold towards the Isle of views (much of the landscape details of this walk from the ‘Beneath Your Feet’ walks pack rocks, so the chalk is still visible today. You will see the Portland. Pick up the circular DIGS (Dorset’s Important is an Area of Outstanding from Bridport TIC. From the top of Hardown Hill you will spectacular Hooken Landslide, created in 1790 when part Geological Sites Group) ‘Abbotsbury Area’ walk from the Natural Beauty). Hop on or see distant views of Golden Cap, which at 191 metres is the Budleigh Salterton of the cliff broke away. Follow the path into the chasm and CoastlinX53 bus stop at the Ilchester Arms hotel – get hop off at any of the stops highest cliff on the south coast of England. You will reach on to Branscombe Mouth. Catch the CoastHopper 899 bus details of this walk from the ‘Beneath Your Feet’ walks along the route. back to Beer or walk back on the inland footpath which Golden Cap halfway through this walk – the steep climb is well worth the stunning views eastwards from the top. pack from Bridport TIC. The walk includes an iron ore climbs steeply back up the valley side and stop off at the quarry, outcrops of iron ore in-situ (Site of Special Scientific Wheelchair/buggy friendly walk (I mile): From Lime Kiln impressive Beer Quarry Caves and join one of their guided Interest), an Iron Age hill fort and the remains of an Abbey – The CoastlinX53 and CoastHopper157 and car park walk up to the sea front then turn left along a tours. Check the South West Coast Path website for details although the most stunning feature has to be Chesil Beach. 899 services are ideal for walkers - combine gravel path following the sea front. You can see the famous of this walk. Chesil Beach is one of the best examples of a barrier beach Cycle Routes walking along a section of the South West pebble beds from here – the pebbles were transported by in the world. It is made up of 17 miles (28km) of pebbles Coast Path National Trail with the option of Bus/walk/tram: Travelling east to Seaton you will get one of the giant rivers that flowed into the Triassic Desert South West Coast Path and shingle. The beach and the Fleet Lagoon behind it are a Explore the Jurassic Coast either travelling out or back by bus. your first real views of the cliffs from the CoastlinX53 bus. about 240 million years ago. The pebbles have been falling nature reserve. on two wheels - the The strenuous 7 mile hike eastwards along the South West National Trail from the cliffs on to the beach, but please don’t take any healthy, non-polluting Some of the areas not visited by the Coast Path, runs through the Undercliff of the giant Bindon home with you or you will be contributing to the depletion way to travel. Look out CoastlinX53 or the CoastHopper 157 and Landslide. This is a National Nature Reserve and offers the The South West Coast of the beach. The path loops round to the left and you can for those routes which 899 services are accessible by linking to other keen walker an amazing wilderness experience. A more Path National Trail offers walk back along the River Otter to where you started. There are recommended by buses – the 31 bus service offers links from leisurely way to explore the area is by taking a tram ride stunning views of the The Rail Network is a small steep slope at the end of this walk. Visit the ‘walks Sustrans, the co-ordinator Axminster and Dorchester down to the coast, inland along the serene Axe Valley. Jurassic Coast, with a with wheelchairs’ website for further information. of the National Cycle and in the summer, the 501 open-top bus superb view of many Let the train take the strain Network. runs hourly/daily from Weymouth down to coastal features with - from you and from the Portland Bill. much of the countryside environment. Take your bike on the train – you will be able to designated as an Area Boat Trips Boat Operators travel further and see the landscape from a different Pick up the CoastlinX53 or CoastHopper 157 of Outstanding Natural From some stations you perspective while you take a rest from pedalling. timetable from any TIC listed on this leaflet or Beauty (AONB). can combine your train contact Traveline. Travelling by boat provides Exmouth journey with the CoastlinX53 or other bus services. Look Please note parts of the National Cycle Network Route 2 impressive views from the Stuart Line Cruises % 01395 222144 The Coast Path is easy to follow - just look out for the out for the Jurassic Coast signs at the following stations: are still only proposed. sea of the geology exposed Avocet Cruises % 01803 898280 acorn symbol as you make your way along the path Exmouth, Axminster, Weymouth and Wareham – all in the cliffs. Look out for Exeplorer Water Taxi Ltd % 07970 918418 have good bus connections. those boat operators who Beer Remember the CoastlinX53 and the other bus services Find out more about national and local cycle routes on provide a commentary Sambe % 07989 631321 Lillie May % 07779 040491 which link from this, stop at points along or near the Remember you can take your bike on the train (check the Sustrans website. about the rocks and cliffs Blue Lady % 07815 669796 Abrenat % 07779 875507 Coast Path, giving more scope when planning linear or with the operating company first regarding space), and you will see on your trip. Barbara Jean % 07968 032557 circular walks. continue your exploration of the Jurassic Coast from any Lively Lady % 07779 076347 station on route. Branscombe Beach A network of local footpaths links with the Coast Path There is a wide range of boat trips to chose from – the Branscombe Pearl II % 01297 680369 or 07971 519163 making circular walks possible. Descriptions of many of Contact Traveline for help in planning your journey contact details of the boat operators are listed on both Lyme Regis these – including most of those mentioned in this leaflet – for non-scheduled local services such as the Seaton sides of this leaflet. Kraken % 0797 4796002 - can be downloaded from the official South West Coast Tramway and the Swanage (Steam) Railway, contact Marie F % 07974 753287 Path website. The website also has detailed information them directly. Lyme Regis Pleasure Boat Company % 07765 501539 about suitability for people with impaired mobility. Susie B % 07850 180331 Jozilee % 07958 492953 Joint Venture % 01297 442656 or 07720 900235 Visit the South West Coast Path website for further Frances Jane Boat Trips % 07890 739625 information or call in at any TIC for details West Bay of which guide books and OS maps you Huntress II % 07720 328251 will need for the walks – you can also Lyme Bay Rib Charter % 07971 258515 or 01308 423479 buy the National Trust walks leaflets here. Also visit the East Devon AONB and the Dorset AONB websites for more information about walks.