Jurassic Coast

Jurassic Coast is a stretch of shoreline in southern England running roughly 95 miles (150 kilometers) from Exmouth in Devon to Studland Bay in Dorset. Limestone cliffs alternate with sandy coves, natural stone arches, and rock formations that stand directly at the water's edge.

The rock sequences along this coast formed over a span of roughly 185 million years, covering the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods. Scientific study of the fossil finds began in the 18th century and later became a foundation for modern palaeontology.

The name refers to the rock layers from the Jurassic period that lie exposed along many beaches and cliffs. Visitors often search for fossils themselves, especially at Charmouth beach, where ammonites and other remains appear regularly in the pebbles.

The coastal path can be entered at several points, with parking available in larger towns such as Lyme Regis or Charmouth. Some sections are steep and slippery, especially after rain, so sturdy footwear helps.

The layers here do not lie flat but have been tilted and folded by earth movements, so a walk along the coast literally takes you through geological time. At some beaches, a few steps separate rocks that are millions of years apart.