Old Harry Rocks – The Jurassic Coast Dorset

I’m lucky enough to live on the doorstep of England’s first natural World Heritage Site, The Jurassic Coast. The Dorset and East Devon coastline has plenty of stunning scenery and incredible features which I want to share with you.

The Jurassic coastline is 95 miles long and was given World Heritage status due to the areas unique insight into earth sciences. The rocks along the coastline record 185 million years of the earth’s history and give a clear geological look at the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. Fascinating to say the least! Also its great for fossil hunting, on certain beaches you can pretty much guarantee to find a fossil within 5 minutes of searching!

Beginning in Dorset the Jurassic Coast starts here at Old Harry Rocks, just outside one of the worlds largest natural harbours in Poole.

Old Harry Rocks Jurassic Coast

Its a stunning and breathtaking start to the Jurassic Coast.

I spent a Sunday morning recently walking along the cliff tops on a cold winters day. Whilst it wasn’t clear and sunny the scenery was still fantastic.

Old Harry Rocks from the cliff topOld Harry Rocks Clifftop Walk

If you ever come to Dorset and do the walk yourself I would highly recommend a stop off at The Bankes Arms in Studland nearby. It has fantastic views and is a lovely old worldy pub. Whilst I have never eaten there the beers are great! The run their own micro brewery and serve a good range of other UK brewed ales http://www.bankesarms.com/micro.html

Studland is also a beautiful beach with clear waters and large sand dunes. If you are here in the summer its a great beach to chill out on and catch some rays. if the sun shines that is!

Bankes Arms Studland

So the beginning of the Jurassic Coast has a lot to offer but there is a whole lot more as we move down the coast line.

You can see the second post about The Jurassic Coast here at Durlston Country Park Jurassic Coast Dorset

photo credits: trekker308
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