Protecting 185 Million Years of History

The Jurassic Coast is one of the most popular destinations in Britain, drawing visitors from all over the world. Explore the multitude of unforgettable places and unique attractions that this World Heritage Site has to offer.

The Jurassic Coast is a hugely diverse and beautiful landscape underpinned by incredible geology of global importance. Find out more about what makes it so special.

Help the Jurassic Coast Trust to look after the World Heritage Site by becoming a Member, Business Partner or Ambassador.

What is the Jurassic Coast?

The Jurassic Coast begins in Exmouth, East Devon, and continues for 95 miles to Old Harry Rocks, near Swanage, Dorset. It is England’s only natural World Heritage Site, and was inscribed by UNESCO in 2001 for the outstanding universal value of its rocks, fossils and landforms.

Explore the Jurassic Coast’s iconic towns and natural sites using the map, and find out what makes this place so special.

What is the Jurassic Coast?

Who are the Jurassic Coast Trust?

The Jurassic Coast Trust is the independent charity responsible for managing the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.

Our vision is that everyone loves, understands and values the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.

Our mission is to enable everyone to have the best possible experience of the Jurassic Coast, whether they want to learn, enjoy, work or study.

Learn more About Us and What We Do.

Looking After the Jurassic Coast What is World Heritage? Our Earth History Support the Jurassic Coast Trust

Fossil Collecting

Read our suggestions for anyone wanting to give fossil hunting a try on the Jurassic Coast.

The Jurassic Coast Collection

Read about this fascinating geological heritage project led by the Jurassic Coast Trust.

Jurassic Coast Shop

Browse our online shop for a range of books, maps and other products.

Home Learning Activities

Check out our range of free downloadable Jurassic Coast home learning activities.

#MyJurassicCoast

#MyJurassicCoast is a celebration of what the Jurassic Coast means to you in 2020. We know for many it is an important part of mental well being and want to remind you to get out there, if you can, and take in the view and salty sea air.

For those too far away we can only offer you the images, but the coast will still be here for you after Lockdown.

To be featured in the campaign, share your story of what the Jurassic Coast means to you on Instagram, and tag your photo with #myjurassiccoast; we will try and feature as many contributions as possible.

Tell us who you are, what your favourite view, walk, moment or memory of the Jurassic Coast means to you, and how it helps you get through this challenging year. You can also send us a Direct Message (DM) on Instagram of the photo and words.

SUPPORT US BY DONATING HERE

Help us protect the Jurassic Coast for everyone to enjoy.

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My Jurassic Coast by @nwaigee

“The Jurassic Coast is one of my favourite coastlines to explore in the UK. I absolutely love it, and being a geologist I find the history of this place fascinating.”

#myjurassiccoast

Nwai visited Mupe Bay and the Fossil Forest, third photo courtesy of @benosbornephotography

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My Jurassic Coast by @robhillsphotography.

“I love the ruggedness and the sheer variety of colours, from the Jurassic right down to the Triassic parts of the coast. Such a great coastline; I never tire of it”.

First photo Weston Mouth, second photo Ladram Bay.

#myjurassiccoast

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My Jurassic Coast by @derryclimbs.

“I moved from New Zealand to Weymouth in 2012 and started work as a ranger at Lulworth and Durdle Door, two of the busiest locations along the whole stretch of the incredible geology and landscapes of the Jurassic Coast.

From fossil hunting to sea kayaking and rock-climbing to hiking, I love the variety of opportunities this coastline possesses. With two young girls, it is a treasure trove of adventures and exploration nearly every weekend.

During the past summer I was tasked with working on a publicity campaign, and on-the-ground operation of keeping this area in a pristine condition. Next weekend I am running the entire 95 miles of the Jurassic Coast in one go to raise money for a fantastic bunch of environmental campaigners - Clean Jurassic Coast. These people have answered the call when I needed volunteers, and they also travel up and down the coast dealing with litter that has been left behind or washed in.”

Clean Jurassic Coast recently acquired a rib which takes them to coves that are hard to access. In the photos you can see the enormous amount they can clear in one go. If you hate seeing litter on the beach but feel powerless to do anything you can donate to Derry’s run for @cleanjurassiccoast via the link in our bio.

#myjurassiccoast

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My Jurassic Coast by @lukephua who found Exmouth soon after he moved to work as a nurse at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital a couple of years ago.

“Exmouth is my go to beach, easily accessible by bike, car and bus. Surrounded by the loveliest local people, food shops and the addition of the new sideshore was a definite success. 🙂”

#myjurassiccoast

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My Jurassic Coast by @coffeethentravel.

“Spending time at the ocean each day is one of my non negotiables. Whether it’s in it or near it, being at the ocean seems to reset my head and brings me new motivation and ideas.

The Jurassic Coast is an incredible place that I’m lucky enough to call home. I’ve given up predicting what comes next so for now I’ll just keep walking the South West Coast Path and watch in awe as it falls into place”.

#myjurassiccoast

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My Jurassic Coast by @raider_zero

“I chose Jurassic Coast as the location for this fashion shoot after researching areas of natural beauty.

Still, neither I or the crew were prepared for the overwhelming sense of peace and healing we would feel as we arrived to recce. I at once wanted to share it with the world and keep it a secret.”

Photo by @amyllovett - for more shots and video see their accounts.

#myjurassiccoast

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My Jurassic Coast by @mattfay87.

“Pre pandemic I would spend every day off over the past 15 years without fail exploring and hiding amongst the quieter spots of the Purbeck coastline. I love the hidden histories and I'm a lover of finding out everything about this coastline.

Whilst working all through last year and feeling the pressure on the influx of tourism on these spots its had a huge impact on my wellbeing. No hidden gem is quiet anymore. But that said I've realised this coast has so much love to give and we should share this to everyone who wants to visit in a safe and thoughtful way.”

#myjurassiccoast

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My Jurassic Coast by @amodernadventure

“Humble Exmouth is often overlooked when you consider the region’s many beaches, but the views are stunning and I’ll never get tired of watching the sun set across the estuary.”

#myjurassiccoast

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Lyme Regis couple Esme and Duncan celebrated their Jurassic Coast wedding on Monday after the 5th time of rescheduling!

With the relaxation of lockdown rules which allowed two households to come together, they were able to celebrate on Cobb Gate beach with a family picnic and fantastic back drop.

Duncan and Esme grew up by the sea and can’t imagine living anywhere else. As a child Esme spent hours on the beaches of Hive, West Bay and Eype as her mother was a big sea swimmer before it became fashionable. She would also swim on the coast near Lyme with her school.

As you can see it was a perfect sunny day in Lyme for them to finally tie the knot.

Congratulations from all of us to them! 👰🏼

#myjurassiccoast

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My Jurassic Coast by team member Sam Scriven @jurassic_coast_sam.

“When I was a boy, out on the coast between Bowleaze and White Nothe, I learned the smell of Oxford clay as it baked in the summer sun, felt it slide on my skin as I washed it from 160-million-year old oyster shells.

I walked the coast path through ancient landslides, shaded by willow and hawthorn, accompanied by unseen song birds and distant breaking waves. I dared the seaweed thickets for a glimpse of a fish. Saw drama in a rockpool and beauty in the wide scope of my entire world spread before me from the wind-scoured tops of the chalk downs.

Sitting here, I close my eyes and I can smell the sweet coconut of the gorse flowers, feel the dried clay on my fingertips. I can see the blue of the sky as I squint to find the lark singing overhead. The salt in my hair, the winding path, the span of deep time that opens in my minds eye.

It’s hard to speak of ‘my’ Jurassic coast when the opposite is closer the truth. The coast isn’t mine… I belong to it. There are pieces of me strewn along the shore. I find them out there. I go looking for a swim, a fossil, a picnic and find a half-forgotten part of myself forever bound to that place.

Amid two horizons, one blue the other green, I followed the pebble-line from my childhood into my life today. My boots still beat the same path and, in one way or another, always will.

#myjurassiccoast

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My Jurassic Coast by team member Helen Akerman who we rarely see without her dog Poppy.

“Living in Somerset, my opportunities to visit the Jurassic Coast have been very limited over the past year. I am now starting to yearn for a view of the sea and a walk along the coast especially as we head into Spring and lockdown is eased.

One place that will be on the top of my list of places to walk will be to Houns-tout Cliff in Purbeck. You can access this by parking in Kingston village and walking along the ridge, looking down onto the picturesque Encombe Estate, to the headland. At this point there is a bench for you to sit, take a moment, eat your picnic and enjoy the stunning view towards Portland.

If you are looking to make this a longer walk you can either head west which will take you towards Swyre Head or east passed Chapmans Pool to St Aldhelm’s Head. Both will take you downhill before a climb but the views at the top are definitively worth the effort!

#myjurassiccoast

Thanks to @johnescapades for letting us use his fabulous photo (first one).

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My Jurassic Coast by team member Chris Reedman @fossils_of_dorset.

“As the Jurassic Coast Collection Development Officer my role involves helping the wider public audience to engage with and access important fossils from the World Heritage Site; it should therefore come as no surprise that I would pick Black Ven, the stretch of coast between Lyme Regis and Charmouth, to share with you today.

This beach has been scoured for fossils continuously for over 200 years and was the preferred hunting ground of Mary Anning!

I have been collecting fossils on the Jurassic Coast for around 10 years and despite the fact that so much in my life has changed in that time, I still get the same sense of wonder when I find a fossil now as I did all those years ago. I have been very lucky to have found ammonites, fish and ichthyosaurs, but I am keeping my fingers crossed that the next big fossil find will be something no-one has ever seen before!

I believe that this sense of discovery and the connection it provides to a period of time separated from us by millions of years is most important since it helps to inspire future earth, ocean and climate scientists.

It is my hope that we can keep creating opportunities to share this incredible Site and its palaeontological heritage with people around the world whilst acting to protect it for future generations.”

#myjurassiccoast

First photo by @stevebelasco whose Dorset From the Sea book is available via the link in our bio.

#fossil #maryanning #fossilhunter

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Visit the Jurassic Coast

The Jurassic Coast is one of the most popular destinations in Britain, drawing visitors from all over the world.

Whether you want to hunt for fossils, visit a museum, or simply take in the stunning scenery on a good walk, you’ll find there’s plenty of things to do, whatever the time of year.

Seatown and Golden Cap in west Dorset, as seen from the South West Coast Path.

News and Events

Latest News

31 March 2021

The future of the Jurassic Coast Volunteer Network

The future is bright for volunteering on the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site! Two and a half years seem to have gone by in…

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21 May 2021 - 11:00 am

Event

21 May 2021

Exeter Canal Cruise

Reminisce as you travel through time along Europe's oldest working ship canal, with a choice of departure from Exmouth or Exeter. Sailing through two working…

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Latest News

17 March 2021

Seaton Jurassic News Update

As reported today, Devon Wildlife Trust has taken the decision to stop operating Seaton Jurassic due to "unprecedented financial…

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