Trip Highlights:
Corfe Castle
Durdle Door
Chesil Beach
Beer Quarry
DAY 1 HEATHROW—POOLE—STUDLAND—WAREHAM
Meet your coach and driver on arrival for transfer via Studland, to a 3* hotel in the ancient market town of Wareham, “the gateway to the Isle of Purbeck”, where accommodation has been reserved on a bed and full English breakfast basis for three nights.
Travel through the large coastal town of Poole, taking in views of one of the worlds largest natural harbours. Aboard your coach take the short trip via the Sandbanks chain ferry to Studland.
Enjoy lunch overlooking the famous “Old Harry Rocks”.
This evening enjoy a 3-course welcome dinner at your hotel.
WAREHAM—CORFE—SWANAGE DAY 2
This morning enjoy a short scenic coach journey to the nearby village of Corfe, overlooked by the majestic, medieval Corfe Castle, famous for its prominent role as one of the country’s greatest strongholds in the English civil War.
Depart Corfe Castle aboard the Swanage steam railway train for a unique journey through 5 miles of beautiful Dorset scenery. Arrive in Swanage, best known for the stacks, caves and chalk arches with "Old Harry Rocks" at the northern most point. Swanage is an ideal base from which to explore the Eastern half of the World Heritage coastline.
Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant.
This afternoon, join a local guide at Durlston Country Park situated 1 mile from Swanage. This is a fabulous 280 acre countryside paradise, consisting of sea-cliffs, coastal limestone downland, haymeadows, hedgerows and woodland. Take a 2 hour guided walk westwards along the South West Coast Path. This is a beautiful section of coastline, boasting several sea quarries including the famous Dancing Ledge.
Return to Wareham this evening for dinner at a local restaurant. WAREHAM—LULWORTH COVE—KIMMERIDGE—DURDLE DOOR DAY 3 This morning visit the pretty little village of West Lulworth, where you will join your local guide and visit the fascinating horseshoe shaped Lulworth Cove, comprised of alternating bands of rock and formed over 10,000 years ago, look around the visitor centre before continuing on a guided walking tour to Lulworth crumple. Here you will witness a natural phenomenon formed at least 147 million years ago, a result of climate change, which produced layered Purbeck rock strata, later pulled upwards and folded over by the meeting of the continental plates.
Make your way back to West Lulworth for lunch situated next to the cove.
This afternoon travel to Kimmeridge Bay, meet at the Marine Information Centre and Aquaria, which contains displays on the special wildlife and geology. From the centre meet your guide for guided walk to the bay itself, made of Jurassic shale which erodes easily and the floor of the bay, the flats has been washed by the sea to create wave-cut platforms.
Enjoy a 3-course dinner in the local restaurant .
WAREHAM—PORTLAND DAY 4
This morning, transfer to the bustling seaside resort of Weymouth nestled perfectly alongside the intriguing ‘isle’ of Portland, made from world famous Portland stone, and encompassing a fascinating history.
Upon arrival in Weymouth board Whites Ferry bound for Portland, Portland Castle and Portland Marina. Take a guided tour of the castle and discover one of Henry VIII’s finest coastal fortresses.
Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant, where you can view 18 miles of pebbled beach linking the Isle of Portland with the mainland. Chesil beach, also known as the largest Tombolo in the U.K has generated specific interest among geographers and geologists who are baffled by the complex mix of rock types in the pebbles which differ dramatically in size from one end of the beach to the other.
This afternoon visit Portland Bill lighthouse visitor centre, where for nearly 300 years a lighthouse has stood guiding vessels heading for Portland and Weymouth and acting as a way mark for vessels navigating in the English Channel. Following a short walk around the visitor centre, explore the area, viewing popular points of interest including, Portland blow hole, waterfall and museum.
Return to Weymouth, where accommodation is reserved for one night on a dinner bed and breakfast basis.
WEYMOUTH— ABBOTSBURY—CHARMOUTH—LYME REGIS DAY 5 This morning check out of your hotel and depart for the unspoiled seaside resort and fishing port of Lyme Regis, famous for its geology and fossil finds.
En route stop for a morning visit to the pretty seaside village of Abbotsbury, approximately 6000 years old this thriving community still retains much of its historic charm, and encourages its many ancient trades and crafts to reflect its prosperous heritage. Visit the sub-tropical gardens, established in 1765, and developed further into a 20 acre, magnificent woodland valley. Enjoy charming walks and spectacular views, most significantly a stunning outlook of the Dorset Jurassic coast from the view point at the top of Magnolia Avenue.
This afternoon continue along the coast stopping off in Charmouth for lunch at leisure. Charmouth is one of the most studied and scientifically rewarding areas in England, for investigating and collecting Jurassic and cretaceous fossils. Explore the beach and The Charmouth Heritage Coast centre, admiring the towering cliffs at the base of Stonebarrow Hill, and Black Venn famous for being the sight of Europe’s largest mudslide ever.
Continue to Lyme Regis, where accommodation is reserved in a 3* hotel for two nights on a bed and breakfast basis.
A 3 course dinner will be served in the hotel’s restaurant.
LYME REGIS—CHARD DAY 6 This morning visit the magnificent Forde Abbey set in spectacular gardens on the banks of the River Axe. Forde Abbey is a former medieval monastery encapsulating over 900 years of history. Take a guided tour of the House and spend the rest of the morning discovering the charms of the beautifully tranquil and infinite grounds.
Return to Lyme Regis, where lunch will be at leisure.
This afternoon take a journey through history by joining a local professional in a fossil hunting walk and discover the fossilised remains of giant ichthyosaur, plesiosaur, belemnites and ammonites.
This evening enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. LYME REGIS—BEER—SIDMOUTH—EXETER DAY 7 This morning check out of the hotel and depart for Exeter.
Stop off at the little village of Beer, once famous for smuggling, and well-liked to- day for the natural harbour cove and white chalk cliffs. Take part in an hour long guided tour conducted by a trained guide, who will direct you through a vast artifi- cial cluster of underground caverns created by centuries of quarrying the famous Beer stone. The quarry, originally produced by the Romans, is said to have sup- plied stone for famous cathedrals including St Pauls, Westminster Abbey, and the Tower of London.
Continue to Sidmouth for lunch, Sidmouth is a record winning floral town, nestled beneath magnificent, 240 million year old red cliffs and the rolling green hills of the Sid Valley.
Arrive in Exeter, where accommodation has been reserved in a 3* hotel for two nights on a bed and breakfast basis.
Join a local guide for a late afternoon guided walking tour of this varied and vibrant city. With architecture spanning back 900 years, a majestic gothic cathedral, a historic quayside and a bustling high street offering many more attractions; Exeter has plenty to offer.
Dinner is at leisure this evening. EXETER—EXMOUTH DAY 8 This morning visit the 18th century town of Exmouth, one of the oldest holiday resorts in Devon, and the Western most point of the Jurassic coastline. Exmouth attracts visitors all year round for its long golden beaches, splendid River Exe estuary which, due to it being an important habitat for wading and migrating birds, has become a sight of special scientific interest, and the surrounding area full of historical architecture and delicate countryside.
On arrival at Exmouth, meet at the marina to embark on a 2 hour Jurassic coast cruise with Stuart line cruises. Enjoy a full commentary, whilst viewing some of the oldest parts of the coastline, some of which are approximately 250 millions years old. Start off at Orcombe Point the most westerly boundary of the world heritage site, and travel through the ages witnessing key geological coastal features of the constantly changing coastline.
Lunch will be at local restaurant.
This afternoon visit Powderham Castle the family home of the Earl of Devon for a guided tour of the Castle and informal walks through the intriguing gardens and grounds. Powderham Castle with views through the ancient oaks of the River Exe, amazing 600 hundred year old architecture, a choice of garden experiences from the Victorian walled to the terraced rose, a steam railway.
Return to your hotel this evening for a farewell dinner.
DEPART LONDON HEATHROW DAY 9 Depart this morning to LHR for return flight.