Lulworth Cove

Chapman’s Pool near

St Adhelm’s Head

Chesil Beach near Abbotsbury, looking towards the Fleet.

Chesil is in the centre of the Jurassic coast, an 18-mile shingle tombolo stretching from Portland to Abbotsbury. For much of its length it is separated from the mainland by an area of saline water called the Fleet Lagoon.

Both the beach and the lagoon provide an important range of habitats for wildlife.

 

Hillyground Cottage Holidays

Self-Catering Holiday Cottages in the Heart of the Blackmore Vale

Self-catering holidays

in Dorset

More information and photos

 

 

Jurassic Coast

Durdle Door

The Jurassic coast is an 85-mile stretch of coastline from East Devon to Swanage, and is England’s first natural World Heritage Site.  Its rocks hold a unique record of the development of life on earth.  The coastline includes attractive beaches and scenery, including Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove.  There are various walks and cycleways along this stretch of the coast.

 

Approximate distances and driving times from Hillyground to:

Lyme Regis: 46 miles, 1 hr 10 mins

West Bay: 37 miles, 1 hr

Abbotsbury: 30 miles, 50 mins

Portland Bill: 38 miles, 1 hr 10 mins

Weymouth: 30 miles, 50 mins

Lulworth: 25 miles, 45 mins

Swanage: 33 miles, 1 hr

Wareham: 23 miles, 40 mins

Poole: 24 miles, 40 mins

Bournemouth: 29 miles, 50 mins

Christchurch: 32 miles, 1 hr.

 

 

The photos below show some highlights going from west to east.

 

Pebbles on Chesil Beach

Weymouth

At the heart of the Jurassic Coast: picturesque harbour, Georgian seafront with golden sands, historical buildings, modern shopping centre, RSPB nature reserve, Sealife and Marine Sanctuary, Nothe Fort.

Seafront

Nothe Fort

Portland

The Isle of Portland is a limestone tied island, 4 miles long by 1.5 miles wide, in the English Channel, 5 miles south of Weymouth, forming the southernmost point of the county of Dorset. Chesil Beach connects it to the mainland. Portland is a central part of the Jurassic Coast.  At the south of the Isle is Portland Bill, a narrow promontory of Portland Stone, with three lighthouses, a visitor centre and a cafe.  It’s also on the South West Coastal Path.

Portland Bill Lighthouse

West Bay

Christchurch

The most easterly coastal town in Dorset, lying between the Rivers Avon and Stour which flow into Christchurch Harbour.  The harbour is a protected wildlife refuge and is home to large populations of swans, waders and other bird life. On the south side the harbour is enclosed by Hengistbury Head which was the site of the earliest settlement here dating back to the Neolithic.   The town centre is dominated by Christchurch Priory, which dates back to the 11th century.  There is also a ruined castle of Norman origin.

Christchurch Priory