Dorset National Landscape and the Jurassic Coast Trust have pulled together a series of lovely short walks for you to enjoy. All of them start and finish at bus stops along the Jurassic Coaster bus route in West Dorset.
Leaving the car behind and taking the bus means you can relax and enjoy the stunning views across coast and countryside from the top deck as you travel.
Eype Mouth and Downhouse Farm / Village
Crumbling cliffs of sand reveal falling sea levels some 180 million years ago. Fossil brittle stars found here and
on display at Bridport museum offer a vivid glimpse of that long lost sea. Almost 500 years ago a blazing fire on
Thorncombe beacon helped to warn the queen of the approaching Spanish armada.
Distance: 4.5 miles
West Bay to Bridport
Two different views, east and west, created by ancient movement in the geology. Layers moved up and down
next to one another on a faultline beneath West Bay.
Follow the river that carved its way along this natural weakness, creating opportunities for the community
that grew to flourish here.
Distance: 2.5 miles
Clifftop South West Coast Path
Golden cliffs of sandstone and limestone that tell us a tropical sea existed here 170 million years ago. A mighty beach finds its western end at West Bay – Chesil Beach, 15 miles long, was born from landslides that eroded after the last ice age around 20,000 years ago.
Distance: 3.2 miles
Burton Bradstock East
Chesil Beach is 15 miles long and born from landslides that eroded after the last ice age, 20,000 years ago.
Protected habitats nestle at the back of the beach where the melodious song of the linnet can be heard all year round.
Distance: 1.6 miles
Swyre to West Bexington Circular
No cliffs form behind the mighty Chesil Beach, born from landslides that eroded after the last ice age, 20,000
years ago. As the sea claws against the shingle, rich wildlife nestles in protected habitats behind the beach
and hopeful anglers cast their lines into the waves.
Distance: 2.8 miles
Beach & Gardens / Around Chapel Hill
No cliffs form behind the mighty Chesil Beach, born from landslides that eroded after the last ice age, 20,000 years ago. As the sea claws against the shingle, rich wildlife nestles in protected habitats behind the beach and hopeful anglers cast their lines into the waves.
Distance 3.4 miles or 2 miles
Circular via White Hill
Ancient landscapes marked with strip lynchets – ancient field systems, commonly seen in this area and the white chalk of White Hill, part of the South Dorset Ridgeway.
Distance: 2.5 miles
Knights to Moonfleet
Chesil Beach – 15 miles long and born from landslides that eroded after the last ice age, 20,000 years ago
– protects the special habitat of the Fleet Lagoon.
The crashing, open sea is safely distant, a faint accompaniment to the calls of birds that find refuge in the tranquil waters.
Distance: 3.5 miles
We are really grateful to all the volunteers who gave up their time to research, check (and re-check!) the walks.
If you are interested in researching and checking more walks please get in touch.
We hope you enjoy the walks as much as we do. If you find any issues with any of the routes, please do let us know
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