The Jurassic Coast is an incredibly beautiful part of England, full of natural wonders.

If you’re looking for places to see on the Jurassic Coast, this is the perfect article for you.

Keep reading to discover 21 amazing places to see on the Jurassic Coast!

21 incredible places to see on the jurassic coast pinterest

 

The Jurassic Coast in Dorset, England

The Jurassic Coast is located in the area of Dorset, the south coast of England, 2 hours south from Bristol, as you can see on the map below:

All the way East from Orcombe Point, Exmouth to Studland Bay in the West, the Jurassic Coast is 100 miles (160km) of incredible beauty. The coast of Dorset is 185 million years old, and it’s pretty crazy to think that the beautiful cliffs and rock formations you see took millions of years to be what they are now.

In 2001, the Jurassic Coast was listed as World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and after road-tripping along the Dorset coast, it’s easy to see why. All along the coast you can find magnificent things to see: cliffs, rock formations, churches, castles, lighthouses, beaches, … Definitely something to add to your England itinerary!

The 21 places to see on the Jurassic Coast are not ranked: they are all equally beautiful, and it comes down to personal preferences to decide which ones to visit first.

(not a fan of written words? Explore the Jurassic Coast with these 72 photos)

If you need to plan your trip, you can download my FREE private map of all these places right below:


 

Ok, enough talking. Let’s dive right into the 21 amazing places to see on the Jurassic Coast.

 

21 amazing places to see on the Jurassic Coast

  • Durdle Door
  • Lulworth Cove
  • Worbarrow Bay
  • Tyneham Village
  • Lulworth Castle
  • Pulpit Rock
  • Cheddar Gorge
  • Corfe Castle
  • Corfe train station
  • Saint Catherine’s Chapel
  • Castles on the Isle of Portland
  • Kimmeridge Bay and Clavell Tower
  • Studland Beach
  • Dorchester quaint streets
  • Portland Bill Lighthouse
  • Old Harry Rocks
  • Sandbanks
  • Chesil Beach
  • Chapman’s Pool
  • Winspit Quarry
  • The Blue Pool

As you can see above, there are a lot of places to see on the Jurassic Coast, and some definitely rank in the most beautiful places in Britain. This guide is not exhaustive, as there are plenty of other places to see on the Jurassic Coast, and you can definitely spend a lot of the time exploring the whole coast.

The places I’ve listed are either places I’ve personally visited during my 3 days road trip in Dorset or that I planned to visit but couldn’t due to a lack of time. Either way, there are all worth seeing, and I’m sure you’ll agree with me once you actually get there on location. 

And if you need extra help planning your trip, check out this local guide to Dorset.

 

1- Durdle Door

Durdle Door is the most famous place to see on the Jurassic Coast. The idea of going to explore Dorset actually stemmed from seeing Durdle Door photos on Instagram, and then researching more about the location.

 

durdle door on the jurassic coast

 

The place is grand. All the words I would use to describe it would not do it justice, but maybe the picture above can help you visualize how beautiful Durdle Door really is. The rock formation, arching over the sea, is even more impressive when you’re standing right in front of it, and you fully take in its size.

When you get to Durdle Door, you can either get down to the beach via stairs, and then chill on the sand and pebbles beach, or you can go for a stroll along the top of the cliffs, with a sublime view of the place from above.

Read more here: How to discover Durdle Door.

 

2- Lulworth Cove

Lulworth Cove is close to Durdle Door (45 minutes walk), and you can explore both locations at the same time, by hiking from Durdle Door to Lulworth Cove

 

lulworth cove on the jurassic coast

 

What really makes Lulworth Cove unique is the particular shape of the bay, with the beach going in a U-shape, with cliffs around on the eastern and western parts. It’s a pretty popular place in the area, and it can get pretty crowded during summer, with locals coming down to the beach to swim and relax. It’s also the perfect place for outdoor activities, such as snorkeling, diving, or kayaking.

 

3- Worbarrow Bay

East of Lulworth Cove lies Worbarrow Bay, a large bay with a long shingle beach. You’ll find the best view of the place from up the hill, in Flower’s Barrow.

 

worbarrow bay from flower's barrow

 

To get to the top of the hill, you’ll need about 1 hour. Be warned though, it’s a very steep hike to the top. If you’re going after it has rained, you might want to wear boots as the hiking trail turns into mud in some places.

The place is now managed by the Ministry of Defence, and you thus can’t access it at all times. It’s open on the weekends and during school holidays. You can find the opening times here: Worbarrow Bay opening times

Read more here: Worbarrow Bay

 

4 – Tyneham Village

On your way to Worbarrow Bay, you will most likely pass by a ghost village: Tyneham Village.

tyneham village in dorset

Image by David Packman 

In 1943, inhabitants of Tyneham Village were given 28 days by the British government to leave, in order to let space for D-Day preparations. No one lived in the village ever since.

If you’re interested in more history about this place, check out this nice detailed guide about Tyneham Village in Dorset.

 

5- Lulworth Castle

Lulworth Castle is a beautiful 17th-century castle, built in 1609. It was in ruins since 1929 and got completely restored in 1998. From then, you can visit the castle and its park all year-round.

lulworth castle in dorset

CC BY-SA 4.0 

The castle is located really close to Worbarrow Bay, Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door, and it can be a good idea to add it as a quick stop to enjoy its architecture.

 

6- Pulpit Rock

Pulpit Rock is another impressive rock formation on the Jurassic Coast, part of all the recommended places to see on the Jurassic Coast. At the southern point of the Jurassic Coast is where you can gaze upon this massive pile of rocks.

pulpit rock on the isle of portland

Image by Nikolay Dimitrov 

Due to the weather and tides in the United Kingdom, this place is often very impressive to see, standing against crashing waves and ominous weather. It’s also a popular spot for cliff jumping, although I would definitely not recommend it given how dangerous the water is down there.

 

7- Cheddar Gorge

Cheddar Gorge is a place that I had never heard about before actually going in Dorset and exploring the area. I was initially planning to go around Weymouth, but I was short on time and couldn’t quite make it.

I met with local photographer Arran Witheford for a café, and he suggested I stop in Cheddar Gorge on my way back to Bristol (where I was catching my plane back to Paris).

 

cheddar gorge in dorset

 

After seeing Arran’s photos of the place, I was hooked: my girlfriend and I drove straight to the location. On the way, as we were approaching, all the land was flat, and I remember telling myself « where is this place? Everything here is flat, is it going to appear out of nowhere? »

And indeed it almost appeared out of nowhere; you soon find yourself driving on a tiny road, in between massive cliffs. There are parking spots to park at different points in the Gorge, so you can leave your car and go for a walk around, or even try to climb the Gorge!

Read more here: Cheddar Gorge Guide

 

8- Corfe Castle

Corfe Castle is another epic castle, built in the 11th century, nestled on top of a hill, that you don’t want to miss when you explore Dorset!

 

corfe castle in dorset

 

You can see Corfe Castle from pretty much everywhere in the area, from the town and from the hills around. You can also go inside the castle and visit the ruins. Find all the info about times and prices here.

 

9- Corfe train station

Corfe is most famous for its castle, but that’s not all there is to it. The town of Corfe is also a charming city, and meandering in its streets transports you back in time. To complete the immersion into another century, make sure to visit Corfe train station.

 

corfe train station

 

Corfe train station still has an old feel to it; that feel is made even stronger by the fact that there are old steam strains still circulating on the tracks. The Swanage railway trains stop in Corfe train station in average every 1h20.
Plan your visit according to the train times, come early and enjoy stepping back in time for a few minutes as the steam train enters the station. You can also hop in the Swanage train to explore more places to see on the Jurassic Coast.

Read more here: Step back in time in Corfe Castle

 

10- Saint Catherine’s Chapel

Located in Abbotsbury, Dorset, Saint Catherine’s Chapel is a graceful chapel, positioned right on top of a hill, with nothing else around.

saint catherine's chapel in abbotsbury

Image by Graham Hunt Photography

You can admire the chapel from down the hill, and you can also go for a walk up to the hill to visit the chapel, which is open to the public, free of charge. The walk takes you through fields where you will probably see a lot of sheep, adding to the charm of the place.

 

11- Castles on the Isle of Portland

On the Isle of Portland, there are many castles and forts that you can visit, or simply go see.

Here are the different castles and forts that you can see:

 

Blacknor Fort

blacknor fort

 © Copyright Tony Atkin and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Blacknor Fort, also called West Weares Battery, was built in the 20th century. It is situated on Blacknor Point, above the cliffs.

 

Portland Castle

portland castle

Image by Willhsmit

Portland Castle is way older than Blacknor Fort, as it was built around 1540 by Henri VIII to fend off French and Spanish invaders.

 

Rufus Castle

rufus castle on the isle of portland

[Rufus Castle, II., Portland, England] [graphic]. [between ca. 1890 and ca. 1900]

Rufus Castle is even older than Portland Castle; sitting on top of a cliff, it dates from around the 11th century.

 

12- Kimmeridge Bay and Clavell Tower

Kimmeridge Bay is another stunning seascape location of the Jurassic Coast. There are many reasons why I recommend visiting Kimmeridge Bay.

It has a very special geological shape, with layers of thin rock going in the water. You can even walk on them and feel like you’re walking on water (be careful though, it’s very slippery!)

 

kimmeridge bay

Image by Diego Torres under CC0 Creative Commons

There is also a waterfall on the beach, how awesome is that?

In addition to these, you can also find the Clavell Tower in Kimmeridge Bay: the Clavell Tower  is a marvelous tower overlooking the Jurassic Coast, and you can even spend a few nights in it! (well I’ve heard that it’s booked until 2020 but hey, maybe after :D)

 

clavell tower in kimmeridge bay

© Copyright Rob Noble and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

 

13- Studland Beach

Studland Beach is a beautiful sand beach that stretches for 4 miles (6,5km) on the Dorset coast.

 

studland beach on the jurassic coast

 

The place is often designated as the best beach in England; if you need even more reasons to visit, there’s also a classic red phone booth on the beach ?

If you want to know more about Studland Beach, and all the activities you can do in the area, click here: what to do in Studland Bay

 

14- Dorchester quaint streets

Dorchester is the main city of Dorset, England, and I think the best way to truly discover the heart of Dorset is to visit Dorchester, even if only for a short time.

 

quaint streets of dorchester

© Copyright Gary Rogers and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

The quaint streets of Dorchester looked to me as I had always pictured classic British villages in my mind, and it really added to the overall experience of discovering Dorset and the places to see on the Jurassic Coast. You’ll also get a feel of how people live in this part of the world, which I believe is an important part of travelling and discovering new places.

 

15- Portland Bill Lighthouse

And yet another reason to visit the Isle of Portland: the Portland Bill Lighthouse.

 

portland bill lighthouse on the jurassic coast

Image by Steve Bryant under CC0 Public Domain

The Portland Bill Lighthouse is a sightly 141 feet (43 meters) tall lighthouse, that is fully functional. With its red and white colors, it looks really good, and is to me the perfect representation of a classic lighthouse. You can also go up the lighthouse if you want to explore it from inside, and you’ll have a fantastic view of the Isle of Portland. Find out the fees here: Portland Bill fees

 

16- Old Harry Rocks

Old Harry Rocks is, with Durdle Door, one of the most famous places to see on the Jurassic Coast. The chalk cliffs and rock formations standing proudly in the sea are really a sight to behold during your trip to the Jurassic Coast

 

old harry rocks on the jurassic coast

 

Formed about 65 million years ago, Old Harry Rocks is a pretty singular place. The rock formation is nothing like I’ve seen before, and it’s even more impressive when seen from the air. To get to Old Harry Rocks, it’s an easy 40 minutes walk from Studland, on mostly flat terrain.

On the way to Old Harry, make sure you stop at Studland Viewpoint for another grand view of the area.

Read more here: Discover Old Harry Rocks

 

17- Sandbanks

Sandbanks is technically not part of the Jurassic Coast, but it’s so close to Studland and Old Harry Rocks that if you visit Old Harry, you might as well just swing by

 

sandbanks from the air

Photo by Victor Ochieng under CC BY-SA 2.0

Sandbanks is the rich part of Dorset; the land value by area in Sandbanks is the 4th highest in the world. You can visit the island and Sandbanks beach (« Britain’s Palm Beach ») by taking the ferry. Ferry timetable

 

18- Chesil Beach

Chesil Beach is an absolutely stunning beach with a unique shape, starting from the Isle of Portland and going all the way to Abbotsbury (where lies Saint Catherine’s Chapel, where you can also see Chesil Beach from)

 

chesil beach dorset

Image by Jim Linwood under CC BY 2.0

The beach is a 18 miles (29km) long thin piece of land that seems to stretch forever into the horizon. One of the best views of Chesil Beach is from the Isle of Portland (check the free private map for the exact spot!)

 

19- Chapman’s Pool

You were fascinated by Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove, but you could do with less people? Well then look no further, Chapman’s Pool is the perfect place for you!

 

chapman's pool on the jurassic coast

Image by Tanya Hart under CC BY-SA 2.0

Chapman’s Pool is a bit more difficult to reach than the other places to see on the Jurassic Coast; you’ll have to walk a good 45 minutes to reach it. Going down to the beach is tough as the path is pretty steep, with rocks sticking out. Take your time to go down and watch your step.

One of the best viewpoint in the area is Houns Toot. From upthere, you’ll have a nice vantage point to gaze upon the raw unspoilt beauty of Chapman’s Pool on one side, and Egmont Bight on the other side.
 

20- Winspit Quarry

Winspit Quarry is one of these unusual locations that are so fun to explore. It’s an old, abandoned quarry situated near Worth Matravers, that was used before World War II to produce stone.

 

winspit quarry on the jurassic coast

© Copyright Jim Champion and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

 

The interesting thing about this quarry is that it’s located on the edge of the cliffs of Dorset, and it’s a really cool place to explore. Also, you can go in the underground galleries, and it just makes the whole experience better!

 

21- The Blue Pool

The last location on this list of 21 amazing places to see on the Jurassic Coast is the Blue Pool. The Blue Pool is a place where an interesting natural phenomenon appears: the color of the water changes all the time due to clay in the water.

 

the blue pool in dorset

Image by Alwyn Ladell under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

You can go on a nice afternoon stroll around the lake, watching the water change color as time passes. There are benches along the banks of the Blue Pool where you can sit down to relax and take in the view.
For more info about the Blue Pool, including times and fees, check here: The Blue Pool infos

 

—

 

So there you have them, the 21 amazing places to see on the Jurassic Coast! As I stated before, there are way more interesting places to discover in Dorset, but I had to make a choice and list what I believe are the best ones among all, and that you will enjoy exploring.

To help better prepare for your trip to Dorset and the Jurassic Coast, I’m giving away for free my private map of the area, which I use during my road trip. You can use it to easily navigate around Dorset and find the best places to see on the Jurassic Coast.


 

If you want to learn more about specific places on the Jurassic Coast, you can check these other articles:

Discovering Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove

Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove photo series to inspire adventures

Most beautiful places to see in the UK

 

What are your favorite places to see on the Jurassic Coast? Is there any place worth mentioning that I forgot in this list? Either way, let me know in the comments below!