Jurrasic Coast (Villages & Resorts in Dorset in general)

Member Name: thespurs

Product:	Villages & Resorts in Dorset in general
Date:	08/05/05 (1950 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Dramatic Scenery, Range of Activities, Great Walks

Disadvantages: Gets Busy at Certain Times

-Introduction-

The Purbeck coast, runs from Lulworth to Swanage and Studland. It is well renowned for being one of the most versatile and active coastlines in the Britain and even the world. It is home to some of the most spectacular coastal landforms and anywhere and is generally very picturesque. It is somewhere that is quite local to me and I have recently visited the area on a geography field trip with the school. I do feel that it somewhere that pretty much any type of tourist will enjoy, for one reason or another. I will say this now so that you know to expect it, but there will be numerous geographical references, that I will make sure that I explain in an easily understandable fashion.


-Durdle Door-

This is one of the most prominent and outstanding coastal formations along the coast. It has been formed over hundreds of thousands of years, the sea has slowly shaped it into the form that we see today. Softer rock, sands and clays, have been eroded away by the power of the sea, both landward and seaward of Durdle Door. With the removal of this natural protection, the harder limestone rocks have been exposed to the erosive powers of the sea. Over time, faults in the rock alignment have been slowly exploited and made bigger. The rock is weakened and some of cliff falls away into the sea, leaving the arch formation that we see today.

It is a great site to see, especially on a sunny day at around sunset, with the backdrop of crisp blue skies. It is just simply a piece of land just jutting out into the sea, with a gaping hole in its centre. It is however so much more than that, it is very rare and a spectacular site. For any photographers, it is a great site to get a few shots of and there are many different angles and perspectives that you can take photos from. It will one day simply be a stack, when the arch becomes too heavy or unstable and collapses into the sea. Even then, it will be spectacular in its own right and will be talked about for generations to come.


-Lulworth Cove-

This is in my opinion, a most spectacular site and location. It is evidence of the immense powers of nature and more specifically the strength of the sea and its erosion capabilities. It has again, formed over thousands of years in a slow but efficient process that leaves us with a true sight to behold. The process is a fairly simple one to understand.

The most seaward rocks are the Portland Limestone and they are aligned vertically in strong formation. The provide a sturdy protective barrier for the more vulnerable soft rocks that lie behind. The clay and greensands are very prone to erosion when the sea is allowed to attack them. Although the Portland rock is well formed and very strong, in time the sea has been able to exploit breaches and cracks. Over many hundreds of year these gaps have grown in size and the sea has further widened the front of the cove. As soon as the softer rock is exposed then the erosional process is much faster. The rocks behind are pushed back and the rocks are even eroded sideward. The cove will continue to increase in sizes in the future.

There are quite substantial tourist facilities on offer at the cove. There is an extensive car park that is quite fairly priced considering the high demand for spaces in the summer. The overflow car park usually provides enough space for everyone to get their cars in. To one side is the tourist visitor centre. It offers a wealth of information on the area, with leaflets regarding all of the attractions available for free. The incorporated museum, offers a small insight into the history of the cove and its formation over time. It does help you to get to grips with how the cove turned out how it has done. There are toilets located at the end of the building. Across the other side is the café and small shop that are open throughout the year. There is also a quite substantial wine store, that says it offers more different wines than any other shop.

There is the possibility for visitors to the cove, to take a boat trip, at certain times of the year. It is a very limited season and the services are often very rare. The sailings are also dependant on the weather conditions at the time and also the number of people wishing to go on the trip. It is available on Saturdays between July and August and the boat leaves at 10am from the slipway. It travels to Gad Cliff and back, with a guided tour on board. There are boat trips throughout the year at various times of the day, but they do tend to vary, so you would have to check when you are in the area.

As I have said before, I really think that the cove looks quite spectacular from any angle. It is a quite dramatic landform and you can really appreciate how it has formed and the history behind it. The water is very clear, aided by the shallow depth and the wave cut platforms below the surface. It is a very active piece of coastline and all around, there is evidence of erosion taking place. It is a must see and you will have an image of the cove firmly engraved on your mind as soon as you set eyes on it.


-Lulworth Village-

Upon entering the village you pass a pub come restaurant, the name of which escapes me, which serves quite exquisite food. In the evenings they tend to opt for a more restaurant orientated menu which will be a lot more familiar. During the day, the food includes all your favourite home made dishes, made with local produce. I have been told that in the winter, their soup is to die for. If you carry on towards the cove, you will come across a delightful duck pond. It is a good idea to have a bit of spare bread with you, just to feed the little duckies. It will certainly be a bit of enjoyment for the kids, should you choose to take them with you.

The village itself is actually relatively small and is still very traditional in terms of the buildings, services and infrastructure. There are a few traditional local shops and a couple of quite wonderful little gift shops. They sell some fantastic souvenirs and also some of the local crafts. There a few commercial products on sale which is a shame, but they still serve as a reminder of your visit. The roads are of course very small and there isn't any pavement. The houses are very compact and very nice to look at.


-Fossil Hunting-

There are many people, who are immensely keen on finding and examining fossils. There is the chance to do this here too. If the army are not practising, you can walk eastbound from Lulworth along the cliff top to Chapmans Pool. It is a favourite fossil hunting ground of and can be found to be very tranquil and peaceful when it isn't too busy. It is a great place to sit and admire the view and examine any fossils that you think you may have discovered.


-Tyneham Village-

Although I haven't had the chance or the pleasure to visit myself, the small village of Tyneham is a must for any visitor to the area. The village went under military occupation six days before Christmas 1943 for the training of American and British tank crews. It was needed as a practise range and a place to harvest fresh troops for the war. The whole village was kept under occupation and although the authorities pledged to return the village to the inhabitants, they went back on their word. To this day, it remains deserted and is a ghost village.

The village is still used by the military today, as a practice range for the troops stationed nearby. It is now mostly in ruin, but it is still somewhere worth visiting. It is preserved and relatively uninfluenced by humans, giving you a chance to look back 50 years in time and imagine what life may have been like. It is open to the public for most of the year and has some of the best walks in the area. It is only a short drive from Lulworth Cove, or a pleasant walk.


-Other Areas-

Stair Hole, Man O' War Bay and Old Harry Rock are all other places worth a visit. Lulworth Castle also provides a good bit of enjoyment and the ruins of Corfe Castle also have a rich history. Ballard Down is a truly spectacular place to visit, if you have the energy to tackle the huge hills that give you access the area. The views are quite spectacular and you can look out to see both in front and behind you. To one side are Bournemouth and Poole and to the other you look down upon Swanage. That it is another place well worth visiting, especially if you have children who may want to play on the beach.


-When to Visit-

In the summer months, this area can get extremely busy. It is advisable to visit in the off season where possible, but you can still get much enjoyment from a trip to the area in high season. The spring time is probably my preferred time to visit, everything is at its best. There may be a little bit of mist and haze out to sea and the sun is a bit lower in the sky, making viewing of the landforms much more spectacular. The facilities are all open at this time of the year, so you won't be missing out on that account. There are also no restrictions as to where you can walk at different times of the year.

The roads are very thin and windy for the most part and during busy periods the traffic can be a nightmare. There are often lengthy tailbacks and getting in and out of the area can be a lengthy and frustrating process.

I would go to Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door and the other areas in the morning and early afternoon, in early spring or at this time of year (April/May). I would start with a nice walk along the coast, in either direction just to soak up the atmosphere and get the wind in your hair. I would then look down on Lulworth Cove, before proceeding to beach level. It may be time for a spot of lunch or just a quick coffee so I would go into the little visitor complex and grab a drink or a bit food from the café. It is nice to know a bit about the area and its history, so the perfect place to visit is the little museum. There should be plenty of time just to go off and explore the village and then decide what you want to do next.


-Accessibility-

The public transport in the area is very poor. It is pretty much non-existent, so the other feasible way of getting into the area and travelling within it is by car. The roads aren't fantastic but you can get by with relative ease. As far those with wheelchairs and walking aids are concerned, accessing some of the natural attractions will prove to be difficult. The man made facilities do cater for wheelchairs and there are disable toilets.


-Advice to Visitors-

These areas of countryside and natural beauty are often very fragile and susceptible environments. It is important to treat such locations with a lot of respect and care, in order that they can be enjoyed by everyone for many, many years to come. There are a few things that you can do to make sure that you aren't causing any damage to the area.

The first and possibly most obvious measure to take is to make sure that you take any litter home with you. There aren't many bins because of the wildlife that may be affected, so it is very tempting just to leave your rubbish on the floor. Rubbish that you do leave lying about, may harm wildlife and in the longer term won't go away. In time it may build up and become a real problem for the area.

There is often a problem with footpath erosion in more rural areas. People can tend to wander off the set paths, trampling grass and vegetation in the process. In busy periods, hundreds if not thousands of people will walk around and if they all stray from the path it will widen over time. It is a continuous process and before you know it, the area becomes a mud and dust track. If the path is muddy or boggy, try to tread carefully and only leave the track if absolutely necessary. There are a number of paths that do have stones and chippings on, so there should be no need to stray. The other problem that can arise from managed paths, is that people remove the stones or wood chippings, making the path smaller and then more prone to people not sticking to it.

Any damage that does occur to such a delicate environment is likely to be very difficult to reverse and in some cases it can be very damaging. A couple of simple steps and precautions by everyone can mean the difference between preserving and spoiling a beautiful area of natural beauty. It isn't fair that we use primary attractions for our own enjoyment and benefit and not ensure that they remain for future generations.


-Conclusion-

I would certainly recommend this area of the Dorset coast to pretty much any type of holiday maker or 'outdoor' person. There is scenery that really can't be seen in such great splendour, in any other area of the world. The walks are also extensive and enjoyable for those who like a good stroll. It is certainly somewhere that all of the family can go out to and get a good bit of fresh air and soak up a few rays if the weather is fine.

I wouldn't describe the Purbeck Coast as being somewhere to holiday for a week, but it is certainly good for a short break or day trip. If you are visiting Bournemouth or Poole and just want to get away for a day, then you could perhaps head out towards Swanage and Lulworth. It is something different to do and it is very educational and informing in its way. There are a number of different things to do, but you can probably exhaust all possibilities in a day or two. All in all, I would certainly recommend that you try and find some time to visit this area once in your life. It has to be one of the more attractive areas of the UK to visit. It is a stretch of coastline that illustrates each and every stage in the development of bays and headlands. It is a must see!

There really aren't too many downsides or criticisms that I have of the area. It has so much to offer any type of visitor and you will always find something to do. The roads are a bit of an issue, but I wouldn't be in favour of any widening of the exisitng routes. The presence of no high street shops is a plus point from my point of view, but there may be some people who would like a newsagent or a supermarket to buy a few things from. All in all, you will really struggle to find fault with such a beautiful area of the world.


-More Information-

There are a number of different websites that you can visit for further details on the area and information on accommodation, eating out and other travel arrangements. There are a few sites that I have found to be of great help and they can be found at:

Local Sites: www.purbeck.gov.uk/tourism and www.lulworthonline.co.uk

Summary: