Dorset - The Jurassic Coast - 185 million years of history

185 million years of history

By day, you’ll explore the fabled Jurassic Coast, a stunning 96-mile stretch of UNESCO-listed coastline that encapsulates 185 million years of the Earth’s history. By night, you’ll relax to the soothing sound of the sea in your four-star seafront hotel. A fascinating guided walk will introduce you to the Jurassic Coast’s most famous sights, including the iconic Durdle Door. Pay a visit to Corfe Castle, which played a key role in the English Civil War. Included excursions to Swanage, Weymouth and a local brewery complete a revitalising and refreshing break. An optional full-day excursion to Beaulieu, in the heart of the New Forest, brings the opportunity to head inland to discover a patchwork of rolling hills, historic villages and wild woodlands.

Highlights

Make your own way to Dorset, and spend five days exploring the UNESCO-listed Jurassic Coast, including Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door
Discover Swanage and Corfe Castle, on the Isle of Purbeck
Tour of Weymouth and visit to Piddle Brewery, with tasting session
Included Welcome Drink at your hotel and orientation tour of Bournemouth on the first day
Optional full-day excursion to Beaulieu Palace and National Motor Museum in the New Forest
Optional half-day Conker Spirits distillery tour

Inclusions

Full-day excursion to some of the Jurassic Coast’s most iconic sights, including a gentle walk from Lulworth Cove to Durdle Door
Visits to Swanage and Corfe Castle, on the Isle of Purbeck
Tour of Weymouth and visit to Piddle Brewery, with tasting session
Welcome Drink at your hotel and orientation tour of Bournemouth on the first day
Four nights' bed and breakfast accommodation at the four-star Hermitage Hotel, Bournemouth
The services of a friendly, experienced tour manager

Day Day 1

Make your own way to your four-star traditional seafront hotel in Bournemouth. If you’re driving, there is free on-site parking available. Otherwise, the hotel is located just over 1 mile from Bournemouth’s train station. Alternatively, you can fly to Bristol airport and meet your tour manager for the transfer to Bournemouth. Your hotel boasts a stunning location, opposite Bournemouth Pier beach and right by the beach. Settle in and soak up the incredible sea views with an included Welcome Drink, bringing opportunities to meet your fellow guests. Later on, join your tour manager for a guided orientation walk of Bournemouth. Your hotel is a short distance from the beach, pier, several award-winning gardens and Bournemouth’s lively town centre. Enjoy a walk along the sweeping promenade or, weather-permitting, the long, sandy beach, which is backed by picturesque cliffs. Spend the evening at leisure, doubtless in anticipation of a wonderful break ahead.

Day Day 2

Today you will enjoy a guided tour of England’s first natural UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Jurassic Coast. Stretching for 96 miles, the Jurassic Coast encompasses 185 million years of the Earth’s history, covering the Triassic, Jurrasic, Creataceous and Mesozoic periods. Masterfully carved by time, this stunning stretch of coastline is an absolute must-see! Keep an eye out for fossils as you begin at Lulworth Cove, a picturesque bay known for its unique geological features, for a gentle walk along the coast to Durdle Door, one of the Jurassic Coast’s – and indeed the UK’s – most iconic sights. Formed over millennia, Durdle Door is a picture-perfect limestone arch that juts out into the sea, believed to be 140 million years old. Re-board the coach for the journey to Pulpit Rock, near Portland, where you’ll see the unique, man made rock formation that resembles an open bible resting on a pulpit that was carved in the 1870s. Continue to the pretty seaside town of Weymouth for a brief tour. Here, you’ll have some free time, perhaps pausing to enjoy some fish and chips on the promenade or taking a gentle walk on the long, sandy beach, backed by colourful beach huts and Georgian houses. After lunch, the tour continues to Piddle Brewery, a local independent brewery where they brew ales, craft lager and cider. The brewery is named after the village in which it resides – Piddlehinton. Enjoy a fascinating introduction to the brewing process, as explained by the friendly staff, before a chance to taste some of the finished product! If you like what you taste, why not buy some to take home? Return to your hotel after a fascinating – and tasty – day to enjoy a relaxing evening at leisure.

Day Day 3

Join your tour manager as you board the coach to the nearby Isle of Purbeck, and to Swanage, the most easterly town on the Jurassic Coast. Although in close proximity to Bournemouth and Poole, the easy-going town of Swanage feels a million miles away. Soak up the fantastic coastal views and enjoy a relaxing stroll around the town’s charming streets and winding lanes, before you continue to the village of Corfe Castle. If you’re visiting between mid-March to October, you can catch the steam-powered Swanage Railway for the short but scenic journey to the village. If not, you’ll transfer to Corfe Castle by coach. Watched over by the ruins of the eponymous castle, Corfe Castle is a delightful small village, perfect for exploring on foot. Perhaps stop for a cup of tea or visit the local art gallery, before taking a stroll around the castle ruins. The castle was built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, and went on to play a key role in the English Civil War, holding out as one of the last Royalist strongholds in southern England until it was finally destroyed in 1645. This afternoon, you’ll have the chance to join the optional gin distillery tour and tasting at the Conker Spirit distillery in Bournemouth. Conker Spirit was Dorset’s first gin distillery, and specialises in small-batch flavoured gin and cold press coffee liqueur. Everyone who goes on the distillery tour will receive a complimentary bottle of gin or liqueur!

Day Day 4

Today you have the choice of joining the optional excursion to the New Forest, where you’ll visit the charming town of Beaulieu, or spending the day at leisure. Those who opt to join the tour will visit the National Motor Museum and Palace House, both of which are in Beaulieu. Located just under one hour away, the delightful town of Beaulieu sits at the heart of the New Forest, a serene and peaceful land of outstanding natural beauty and wild horses. Founded in 1953 with just five cars, the National Motor Museum has grown into a collection of around 250 vehicles, motoring books and other automobila. Among its most notable exhibits are a collection of cars used in the James Bond films, Del Boy’s Reliant Regal from Only Fools and Horses and a Top Gear exhibition, created by former presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hamond and James May. The tour continues to Palace House, a 13th-century house that was one of the first historic houses to open its doors to the public. The house was originally part of Beaulieu Abbey but was bought by the Earl of Southampton in the 16th century, following the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Enjoy a tour of the resplendent house, which was remodelled in the 1880s and is now a fine example of a Victorian country house, overlooking the picturesque Beaulieu River millpond. However you chose to spend today, enjoy a final evening at leisure, no doubt reflecting on a wonderful, reinvigorating break.

Day Day 5

Begin your journey home after a fantastic few days on the Jurassic Coast.

Hermitage Hotel, Bournemouth

Located just metres from Bournemouth Beach and opposite the pier, this traditional seafront hotel offers cosy rooms, with tea/coffee-making facilities, TV and complimentary Wi-Fi. Other facilities at the hotel include an AA Rosette award-winning restaurant that serves modern British cuisine in elegant surroundings and a cosy lounge bar, offering light snacks and beverages.

Further Information

Flight timings

At this time, exact outbound and inbound departure times have not been confirmed. Where applicable, times shown are our best estimate based on current information. Final timings will be confirmed to you in your Final Travel Documents, approximately 10 days prior to departure, though we will make every effort to secure timings close to those indicated when you book.

Combining hotel transfers

We sometimes need to combine transfers to and from your hotel. We always try to keep any wait to a minimum, but, where applicable, you may be asked to wait at the airport for up to an hour, while other incoming flights arrive, before the transfer to your hotel. Similarly, we may need to transfer you back to the airport up to three hours before your flight home departs.

Special requirements

If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.

Disabled access

The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.