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The Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Dorset and East Devon coast is classified as a world heritage site, in recognition if its extraordinary geology. This is Britain's first natural World Heritage Site. Along this ninety five mile stretch of coast-line there is a complete set of geological deposits spanning 185 million years, from Kimmeridge Clays, laid down at least 150 million years ago, to the the chalk of the Cretaceous period, dating 65 million years ago. About 30 million years ago the earth movements which created the Alps tipped the rock layers in this area on their sides. Today those layers sit like volumes of a book in the cliffs of the beautiful bays and coves of this coast.

A good way to explore the heritage coast is to take the A352, and then the B3071, and park at Lulworth Cove, pictured above. This beautiful circular bay has a sweep of millions of years of earth history in its cliffs. The light coloured rocks on the left of the picture are greensands, the sandy coloured rocks in the middle are Wealden Beds, followed by Purbeck Beds, and finally the dark ancient rocks of Portland Beds at the mouth of the bay. These were laid down around 140 million years ago and reveal the remains of a forest. Walk east along the coast path from Lulworth Cove and you will soon come to the fossilised forest, where late Jurassic tree stumps and fallen trunks are preserved in the Portland Limestone. Note that the path along this stretch of coast-line passes through a military training area. It is open most weekends, but check at the Lulworth Cove visitors' centre for details. Click here for an interactive road and satellite map centred on the Jurrassic Heritage Coast.

Durdle Door

Walk west along the spectacular coast path from Lulworth Cove and you will come to Durdle Door, where the remains of lost cliff line of Portland stone stands as a ridge reaching out into the present bay. The sea has broken into the softer rocks behind the Portland stone to produce a bay. The sea has also beaten out a gap in the ridge resulting in the famous Durdle Door formation.

The walk between Lulworth and Durdle Door takes about forty five minutes. The path is steep.

A visitors centre at Lulworth Cove describes the geology of the area with the help of exhibits and audio visual displays. There is also a gift shop and restaurant.

 

 

Geological progression on the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.

 

Chalk - best seen at Lulworth Cove, St Oswalds Bay and Durdle Door. Laid down in clear sea far from land.

Greensand - best seen at Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door.Laid down in Shallow, clear sea

Wealden Beds - best seen at Mupe Bay, Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door. Laid down in freshwater rivers, swamps and lakes.

Purbeck Beds - best seen at Mupe Bay, the Fossil Forest and Stair Hole. Laid down in freshwater and brackish lagoons.

Portland Beds - best seen at Stair Hole and Dungy Head. Laid down in shallow, clear sea.

Kimmeridge Clay - best seen at Kimmeridge Bay. Laid down in shallow to moderately deep muddy sea.

 

Access: there are adapted toilet facilities at Lulworth Cove, and access to the beach is fairly easy, although the path is rather steep. Access to the coast paths would be very difficult for those with mobility problems.

Contact:

phone Lulworth Castle: 01929 400352

web site: www.lulworth.com