Visit Dorset Business Support Hub Jurassic Coast landmarks

Top 10 Jurassic Coast Points

1. Durdle Door

One of the most iconic features of the Jurassic Coast, Durdle Door's stunning rock formation was due to the magnificent natural limestone eroding through millions of years from the power of the waves. It has been likened to a sea dragon bending over to sip water from the sea, why not see for yourself!

2. Old Harry’s Rocks

Old Harry Rocks are the chalk sea stacks, located near Studland village in the Purbeck district, form the eastern starting point of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. At 65 million years old, these are the youngest rocks in the Walk Through Time - the smaller one is known as Old Harry’s wife!

3. Kimmeridge

The rocks here were once the floor of a deep tropical sea; there is an underwater diving trail in the waters of the bay for people to explore the amazing marine life and its rocky reef habitat and a Visitor Centre.

4. Lulworth Cove & the Fossil Forest

Lulworth Cove is a perfect horseshoe shaped bay. On a cliff ledge to the east are fossils left by trees that are 145 millions years old. There is a Heritage Centre at the Cove to find out more.

5. Tyneham Village

Abandoned by its inhabitants during the Second World War on the instructions of the Ministry of Defence, the village was never reoccupied and remains a museum to a time past (accessible most weekends and school holidays).

6. Portland Bill

The southernmost tip of Dorset, famous for its lighthouse and Bird Observatory. The island itself is the source of Portland Stone, which has been used in the construction of many famous buildings, including St Paul’s Cathedral.

7. Chesil Beach

One of the world’s finest and longest natural barrier beaches which protects the Fleet Lagoon’s abundant birdlife. Most easily accessed from the Portland causeway or Abbotsbury near the Gardens.

8. West Bay

A lively fishing harbour featured in the TV Series, Broadchurch and the perfect place to eat fish’n’chips on the Jurassic Pier and admire the stunning honeycomb cliffs along the beach.

9. Golden Cap

Lying within a National Trust estate, at 191 metres this is the highest point of the south coast of England.

10. Black Ven at Lyme Regis

This was the site of one of Europe’s largest landslides. Both Charmouth Heritage Centre and Lyme Regis Museum have excellent displays about the Jurassic Coast and offer guided fossil walks on the beach.