Zero Waste Dorset (The Jurassic Coast and Durdle Door)
Durdle Door by Ava Lily
Dorset is known for its dramatic coastline, chalk downs, heathland, ancient woodland, rivers and farmland. The Jurassic Coast, the Dorset National Landscape and the county’s wetlands and nature reserves support a rich variety of wildlife, including seabirds, bats, butterflies, amphibians, wildflowers and marine life.
Nature benefits people as well as wildlife. Wetlands can help manage water, trees provide shade and shelter, and green spaces offer places to walk and relax.
If out walking, follow the Countryside Code to keep all creatures safe. Keep dogs away from steep banks, mushrooms, cliffs and toxic plants/trees. If at the coast, read how to keep dogs safe by the seaside.
Why protecting nature in Dorset matters
Healthy habitats support wildlife and provide important benefits for people. Rivers and wetlands sustain aquatic life and can help hold water. Woodlands provide shelter and shade, while healthy soils support food production. Coastal habitats, heathland and grasslands support distinctive communities of plants and animals.
Dorset’s natural environment is varied. The Jurassic Coast includes cliffs, beaches and marine habitats. Inland, chalk downland, heath, woodland, river valleys and farmland create a rich mosaic. Ponds, hedgerows, parks and gardens add further habitat, especially around towns and villages.
Nature areas to explore in Dorset
Dorset has many places where people can experience nature. Access, facilities and seasonal restrictions vary, so check the relevant land manager’s guidance before visiting.
- The Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site stretches along Dorset’s coastline and is known for its geology, cliffs, beaches and coastal habitats. It is a popular destination for walking, fossil hunting and enjoying the sea.
- The Dorset National Landscape includes chalk hills, valleys, farmland, woodland and villages. Its diverse habitats support wildlife and provide opportunities for walking and nature watching.
- RSPB Arne, on the edge of Poole Harbour, includes heathland, woodland, mudflats and coastal habitats. It offers opportunities to explore and watch wildlife.
Durdle Door & Lulworth Cove: coastal wonders in Dorset
Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove are situated on the south coast of Dorset in south-west England. They lie within the Purbeck region, an area known for its dramatic coastline, rolling countryside, villages, forests, cliffs, and rich geological heritage.
The two landmarks are connected by paths along the coast. Lulworth Cove lies to the east of Durdle Door, while the famous arch is situated on a section of coastline facing the English Channel.
The area is relatively rural, which adds considerably to its appeal. Instead of being surrounded by a large urban development, the landmarks are set within an expansive landscape of hills, fields, cliffs, beaches, and sea.
The Jurassic Coast
Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove form part of the Jurassic Coast, which stretches along the Dorset and Devon coast. The coastline is internationally important because rocks exposed along its cliffs represent approximately 185 million years of Earth’s history.
Different sections of the coast reveal rocks formed during different geological periods. The Jurassic Coast is particularly valuable to scientists because erosion continually exposes new rock surfaces.
Fossils can be found in various parts of the coastline, providing evidence of ancient marine environments and extinct organisms. The landscape therefore acts almost like a geological history book.
How the Dorset Coast Was Formed
The rocks around Lulworth and Durdle Door were formed millions of years ago. During different periods of Earth’s history, the region experienced changing climates and environments.
At various times, it was covered by shallow seas, coastal environments, lagoons, and land surfaces. Sediments accumulated in these environments. Over time, layers of sand, mud, shells, and other material became compressed and cemented into rock.
Later geological movements tilted and folded the rocks. The result is the unusual arrangement of rock layers visible along the Dorset coast today. The sea then became the dominant force shaping the exposed coastline.
The Geology of Lulworth Cove
Lulworth Cove is famous for its almost circular shape. The cove developed where the sea was able to exploit weaknesses in the underlying rocks.
The entrance to the cove is relatively narrow, while the interior opens into a broad sheltered bay. Different types of rock erode at different rates. Softer rocks are generally worn away more quickly than harder rocks.
This process of differential erosion helped create the distinctive shape of the cove. The result is a remarkable natural amphitheatre surrounded by steep hills and cliffs.
The Rock Layers at Lulworth
One of the most interesting features of Lulworth Cove is the sequence of different rocks exposed around it.The rocks vary considerably in their resistance to erosion.
Some layers are relatively soft and easily worn away, while others are harder and more resistant. The sea has gradually exploited these differences. The resulting coastline provides a clear demonstration of differential erosion.
Stair Hole
Just west of Lulworth Cove is another fascinating geological feature known as Stair Hole. It contains caves, arches, rock layers, and folds produced by erosion and geological movement.
Stair Hole demonstrates how a coastline can develop through several stages. Sea caves can form where waves attack weaknesses in cliffs.
If a cave becomes larger and breaks through a headland, it can develop into an arch. Continued erosion may eventually cause the arch to collapse, leaving a stack or other isolated rock feature.
Tess Country: Discover the Dorset That Inspired Thomas Hardy
Few English landscapes are as closely connected with literature as the Dorset countryside of Thomas Hardy. Rolling hills, ancient villages, country lanes, fields, woods and dramatic cliffs provided the inspiration for many of Hardy’s novels and poems. Among his most famous characters is Tess Durbeyfield, the heroine of Tess of the d’Urbervilles, whose tragic story unfolds across a fictional landscape strongly influenced by real places in Dorset and neighbouring counties.
Today, visitors can explore the countryside that inspired Hardy and discover the landscapes behind his fictional world of Wessex. Although Hardy changed the names of many places and adapted locations for his stories, much of the landscape remains recognisable.
Who Was Thomas Hardy?
Thomas Hardy was born in 1840 in the village of Higher Bockhampton, near Dorchester. He grew up surrounded by the countryside that would later become such an important influence on his writing.
Hardy initially trained as an architect before eventually establishing himself as a novelist and poet. His novels often explore relationships between people and the landscapes in which they live.
Although Hardy created the fictional region of Wessex, it was heavily based on the real counties of south-west England.
What Is Tess Country?
“Tess Country” is a term used to describe the Dorset landscapes associated with Tess of the d’Urbervilles and the wider world created by Hardy.
The novel was published in 1891 and tells the story of Tess Durbeyfield, a young woman whose life is shaped by poverty, social expectations, family circumstances and relationships.
Although the locations in the novel often have fictional names, readers familiar with Dorset can recognise many of the landscapes behind them.
The Blackmore Vale
The Blackmore Vale is one of the landscapes most strongly associated with Hardy’s rural Wessex. The area stretches across parts of Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire and is characterised by rolling countryside, farmland and small villages.
Hardy knew the region well, and its landscapes appear repeatedly throughout his writing. The rural character of the Blackmore Vale makes it easy to understand Hardy’s fascination with the countryside.
Traditional farms, winding lanes and distant hills create the kind of scenery that features throughout his novels. The landscape has changed since Hardy’s lifetime, but many aspects remain recognisable.
For walkers, the area offers opportunities to experience the countryside at a slower pace, much as Hardy would have done during his own life.
Hardy’s Wessex
Hardy’s fictional Wessex is one of the most famous literary landscapes in English literature. Rather than simply reproducing Dorset, Hardy created an imagined version of south-west England.
He borrowed real locations, changed names and sometimes combined different places. The result is a landscape that feels familiar but is also fictional.
Looking after New Forest ponies (never disturb them)
New Forest ponies are one of England’s most distinctive native ponies. Closely associated with the New Forest landscape in Hampshire/Dorset, they are known for their hardiness, intelligence, adaptability, and ability to thrive in challenging conditions.
The New Forest Ponies are cared for by commoners (who benefit from right to graze animals). The New Forest Verderers employ five Agisters who ensure commoners abide byelaws, and oversee grazing ponies, livestock, cattle, donkeys, pigs and sheep (but not deer or other wild animals).
Do not touch or feed semi-wild New Forest ponies. Don’t let dogs approach or chase ponies or any other animals. Never use flash photography (use a zoom lens if taking photos). Read more on happy healthy horses.
Sick and injured animals can be reported to the Verderer and Agisters website. This page includes numbers to call and details of penalties, for failing to report incidents.
Ponies wander onto lanes and streets, so drivers must slow down and pay attention. Local signs warn visitors to watch out for ponies, especially at dawn and dusk, when they often cross busy roads.
Road Traffic Accidents involving ponies, cattle, donkeys, pigs and sheep must always be reported immediately to the Police on 999.
Dorset by the sea: sunny seaside resorts to explore
Dorset is one of England’s most beautiful coastal counties, with a shoreline that combines sweeping sandy beaches, dramatic cliffs, traditional seaside towns, quiet harbours and some of the most spectacular scenery in the country.
Part of the famous Jurassic Coast, Dorset’s coastline is also a place where history and geology come together. Fossils can be discovered along the shore, ancient cliffs reveal millions of years of Earth’s history, and picturesque coastal towns have welcomed visitors for generations.
Bournemouth – the classic seaside resort
The town is famous for its long sandy beaches, attractive seafront and lively atmosphere. With miles of coastline, gardens, cafés, restaurants and traditional seaside attractions, Bournemouth offers everything you might expect from a classic English resort.
The golden sand is the main attraction, which reaches nearby Boscombe and provides space for swimming. The pier is another famous landmark, which provides amazing views.
Weymouth – a curved sandy beach and sheltered bay
Ava Lily
This has a seafront lined with Georgian buildings, hotels, cafés and restaurants, giving Weymouth a traditional holiday atmosphere. The beach is particularly popular with families. The gently shelving sand and sheltered bay provide ideal conditions for swimming when the weather is suitable.
Weymouth’s harbour is another major attraction. Colourful boats fill the water, while restaurants and pubs line the waterfront. This is also an excellent base for exploring the Jurassic Coast.
Swanage – Victorian charm and Purbeck coast
This town sits on the Isle of Purbeck and has a very different atmosphere from the larger resorts. The town grew as a seaside resort during the Victorian era and retains much of its traditional character.
Its sandy beach is the centre of the town, with the promenade providing easy access to the seafront. Swanage Pier is one of the town’s most recognisable landmarks. Originally opened in the nineteenth century, it extends into the bay and provides wonderful views of the coastline.
Lyme Regis – fossil and the Jurassic coast
Lyme Regis is one of the most famous coastal towns in Dorset. Situated on the Jurassic Coast, the town has a rich history and is internationally known for its fossils.
The town’s waterfront is dominated by the historic Cobb, a harbour wall that curves out into the sea. The Cobb is one of the most recognisable landmarks on the Dorset coast and has appeared in literature and film.
Bridport and West Bay – a coastal escape
West Bay is a small coastal settlement near Bridport that provides one of the most dramatic seaside landscapes in Dorset. The village is surrounded by towering golden cliffs, giving the coastline a spectacular appearance.
West Bay is particularly famous for its appearance in the television series Broadchurch, which brought the landscape to a huge audience. The harbour and beach create a traditional coastal setting.
Studland – beaches and wild coastal scenery
Studland is a wonderful choice for visitors looking for a more natural seaside experience. The area is famous for its long sandy beaches and beautiful coastal landscape.
Studland Bay is backed by heathland and dunes, creating an environment that feels quite different from the built-up resorts of Bournemouth and Weymouth. Walking routes lead through heathland and along the coast, providing views across the bay and towards Old Harry Rocks.
Portland – a dramatic coast and maritime heritage
The Isle of Portland is connected to the mainland by Chesil Beach and offers some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in Dorset.
Portland is famous for its distinctive limestone, which has been quarried here for centuries. Portland Stone was used in important buildings across Britain, including major landmarks in London. The island has a strong maritime history and is surrounded by rugged coastline.
Portland Bill, at the southern tip, is one of the most spectacular places to visit. The famous lighthouse stands above the rocky shoreline and provides an excellent viewpoint.
Exploring the Jurassic Coast
Several of Dorset’s seaside destinations sit along the Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site extending along the coast of Dorset and Devon. The coastline is internationally important because its rocks record around 185 million years of Earth’s history.
Walking along the coast can therefore feel like travelling through geological time. The cliffs reveal layers of rock formed during different prehistoric periods, while fossils provide evidence of creatures that lived millions of years ago.
The Jurassic Coast is also one of Britain’s finest walking destinations. The South West Coast Path provides access to many of its most spectacular sections, although walkers should be prepared for steep climbs and changing weather.
Sandbanks – some of England’s most expensive homes
Ava Lily
Just outside Bournemouth and Poole the peninsula at Sandbanks, home to some of England’s most expensive homes.
However, some people say the area is a little sterile, as it’s all new luxury mansions, rather than old interesting houses. The beach is nice, but again a lot of it is cordoned off for luxury property owners.
