Running 155km from Exmouth in Devon to Studland in Dorset is the Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage Site, selected by UNESCO because of its outstanding earth science interest. It joins a prestigious list of global natural and cultural sites that includes the Great Barrier Reef and the Taj Mahal. Also known as the Jurassic Coast, this unspoilt stretch of coastline reveals a unique geological portrait of 185 million years of the Earth’s history sequentially exposed in dramatic cliffs, secluded caves, coastal stacks and barrier beaches. The tilt of the rocks creates a ‘walk through time’ that includes the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous Periods, and the whole site is of tremendous aesthetic, educational and research importance.
Just over the county border at Lyme Regis and Charmouth, the Jurassic Coast has long been a source of fascination for the amazing fossils to be found, from ammonites to ichthyosaurs! In places, the rapidly eroding cliffs mean that fossils can sometimes be found loose on the beach, especially after bad weather. If left, these fossils will be lost to the sea and broken apart. However, if you decide to hunt down a fossil or two, please abide by the Code of Conduct (see www.jurassiccoast.com). In particular, do not dig into the cliffs or beach, observe local signs, only take what you need and be safe!
Where: SY 019 795- SY 329 907
When: Winter is the best time for fossil hunting, and to see many of the birds, including the Avocet. Spring is a good time to observe the Kittiwake cliffside colony and also to take in the regions unique geology either on foot of by boat for the best views.
Facilities: Bus Stop, Car Park, Dogs Allowed, Information Boards, Resfrshments, Shop, Toilets, Visitor Centre, Walks.
Access: Cycleway and walkway available. Walk on Coastal Path. Boat is another option. Stuart line run Jurassic Coast cruises from Exmouth that offer the best vantage point for birds and geology alike. Bus route available.