The Jurassic Coast stretches from Orcombe Point, near Exmouth in East Devon, to Old Harry Rocks near Swanage, in East Dorset, a distance 95 miles, a truly stunning, and majestic coastline. And with the rocky cliffs, recording 185 million years, of the Earths history. It is a  microseisms of the earths development. Yes believe me it this is truly a journey of discovery. For no-where else in the country has that process been so vividly captured than here, on the Dorset-Devon coast. It takes one on a fantastic magical journey through time. From the Triassic period, through the Jurassic, to Cretaceous, and on to the present day. Geology: unfolds before your eyes as you discover the very distinct different strata of sections of the rocks and understand how they have been formed over millions of years - first through geological events, and later by climate change, and the relentless action of the sea. The coast was rightly designated England first natural World Heritage Site 

The Jurassic Coastline, contains a number of unique geological features, and shows excellent examples of different landforms, including the natural arch at Durdle Door, the cove and limestone folding at Lulworth Cove, and an island, the Isle of Portland. Chesil Beach, is a fine example of both a tombolo, and a storm beach. The site has stretches of both concordant, and discordant coastlines. Due to the quality of the varied geology, geologists from all over the world visit to study, and the site is the subject of many international field studies. This area was home to Mary Anning, a paleontologist who studied the fossils of the coastline around Lyme Regis, and discovered the first complete Ichthyosaur fossil. The highest point on the Jurassic Coast, at 191 meters (627 ft), is Golden Cap. For more information you can visit the official Jurassic Coast website by clicking the link on right of screen

Dorsets Jurassic Coast

The site was featured on the television programme; Seven Natural Wonders, as one of the wonders of the South West (of the UK), and in a poll of Radio Times reader sin 2005, the Jurassic Coast was named as the 5th, greatest natural wonder in Britain. During World War II, several sections of the Jurassic Coast became property of the then Ministry of War. One of the Royal Navys largest bases was at Portland Harbour, though it has since closed. A major army base at Bovington, remains in use today, and large areas of land, including the coast between Lulworth Cove, and Kimmeridge, including Tyneham ghost village was taken over by the military, for training purposes: the villages were served an expulsion order and had to leave. Arather poignant message was left  (“Please treat the church and houses with care. We have given up our homes where many of us lived for generations to help win the war to keep men free. We shall return one day and thank you for treating the village kindly.”) these words were written by one of the residents at the time, named Helen Taylor. Tynham which dates prior to the medieval period, is still only partially accessible, and was never inhabited again. Areas of the coast near Exmouth, was also taken over, The Fleet was at Weymouth and the beaches at Studland were also used for training during the war, but at least have since been returned to civilian use, All these actions gives one an idea of just how important the area was during the 2nd World War. Parts of the coast, especially around Portland, can be very dangerous, and frequent shipwrecks have been a feature of the coast throughout recorded history. In January 2007, the coast experienced its most environmentally damaging wreck when the MSC Napoli, a 2,400, capacity container ship, was beached at Branscombe, near Sidmouth, losing oil, and cargo.

There are many small coastal towns and villages that provide holiday accommodation, on this wonderful stretch of the West Country coast, some of the most popular being in West Bay, which has a fairly small picturesque harbour, two piers and two beaches. The east beach is part of the Chesil Beach. West Bay and Chesil Beach make up part of the Jurassic Coast world heritage site, a title that has been much vaunted locally and rightly so, since it was conferred by: UNESCO on the beautiful, and varied geography of the southern coast. Located near to West Bay, is the town of Bridport, which is near the coast at the Western end of Chesil Beach, at the confluence of the rivers Brit, and the river Asker.  Bridport originally thrived as a fishing port, and was also a very important center for manufacturing rope, it was the fact that because rope for the hangman was made in Bridport that gave birth to the curios saying "stabbed with a Bridport dagger". Alas The Port is no longer in existence, although the harbour at the afore mentioned West Bay is only a mile away. Delightful Exmouth in East Devon, is a port and very  busy holiday resort. Lying on the Dorset-Devon border. Lyme-Regis nicknamed "the Pearl of Dorset it is an ideal place for fossil hunters, to base themselves, for the coast around Lyme Regis is very unstable, and subject to large landslides resulting in Jurassic age fossils being exposed, and they can be also regularly found just lying on the beaches. Swanage is the gateway to the Jurassic Coast and this makes it a popular destination for holiday makers and fossil hunters alike.

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