A weekend in Jurassic Coast (Lyme Regis)

A World Heritage coast of cliffs, fossils and natural arches

Independent UK guide
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Updated October 2026

The Jurassic Coast stretches for about 95 miles along the Dorset and East Devon coast and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is famous for fossils and for natural features such as Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove.

Lyme Regis is a charming base for fossil hunting, while the coast path offers walks for every level.

Best forBeach days, Walkers, Families, Dog owners

Best time to goSpring to autumn for walking and beaches. Winter storms uncover fossils.

Typical budget (2 people, 2 nights)£420–£730, excluding travel

Getting thereLondon: About 3 hours by car, or 2 hours 45 minutes by train to Weymouth.

Check prices for a weekend in Jurassic Coast

Plan your weekend in Jurassic Coast

Top attractions in Jurassic Coast

Lyme Regis and the Cobb

A pretty seaside town with a curving harbour wall, linked to Mary Anning.

Charmouth Beach

A good beach for fossil hunting with a heritage centre.

Durdle Door

A famous natural limestone arch and beach.

Lulworth Cove

A near-perfect horseshoe bay.

Chesil Beach

A vast shingle bank stretching along the coast.

Best things to do in Jurassic Coast

Guides to the activities most people plan a weekend around.

Fossil hunting on the Jurassic Coast

The Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the best places in the world to find fossils, particularly around Lyme Regis and Charmouth, where the pioneering fossil collector Mary Anning worked. Allow 2 to 3 hours.

Seven Sisters cliff walk

The Seven Sisters are a row of white chalk cliffs on the Sussex coast, between Seaford and Eastbourne. Allow 3 to 5 hours.

New Forest ponies walk

The New Forest is one of the few places in England where ponies, cattle, pigs and deer roam freely on open heath and ancient woodland, under a system of rights known as commoning. Allow 2 to 4 hours.

Best areas to stay in Jurassic Coast

Lyme Regis

A pretty harbour town with the best choice of places to eat.

Charmouth

A quieter village close to the fossil beach.

Weymouth

A lively resort with a broad sandy beach.

Best hotels in Jurassic Coast

These are well-established hotels often recommended for the area, listed in no particular order. They are not paid placements. Check current ratings, prices and availability before you book.

Hotel Alexandra

Mariners Hotel

Compare places to stay in Jurassic Coast

Prices change daily, so check a few sites. For dog-friendly or quiet stays, use the pet and review filters. These are affiliate links.

Best time to visit Jurassic Coast

Spring to autumn for walking and beaches. Winter storms uncover fossils.

Seasons that suit Jurassic Coast well: spring, summer, autumn.

Estimated budget for a weekend in Jurassic Coast

Hotel or B&B, per night for two	£130–£220
Food and drink, per day for two	£65–£100
Activities and extras for the weekend	£30–£90
Estimated total, 2 people, 2 nights, excluding travel	£420–£730

Higher-priced destination. These are rough 2026 estimates and vary by season and room type. Add the cost of getting there. For a personalised figure, use the BritBreaks finder.

Getting to Jurassic Coast

From London: About 3 hours by car, or 2 hours 45 minutes by train to Weymouth.
From Bristol: About 2 hours by car.
From Winchester: About 1 hour 20 minutes by car.

Journey times are rough guides. Check live train and road times before you travel.

A sample weekend in Jurassic Coast

Friday evening: Arrive, settle in and have dinner in Lyme Regis.
Saturday: Start with Lyme Regis and the Cobb, then Charmouth Beach. In the afternoon, head to Durdle Door.
Sunday: Visit Lulworth Cove or Chesil Beach, then head home.

Packing list for Jurassic Coast

Handy things people often forget. These are Amazon links, so prices and availability are set by Amazon.

More kit guides: Beach and coast gear Walking gear Wet-weather gear

Good to know

Cliffs are unstable. Stay well back from cliff edges and cliff bases.
Check tide times for beach walks.

Jurassic Coast weekend FAQs

When is the best time to look for fossils?

After winter storms and at low tide, when fresh rock falls expose new fossils. A guided walk helps.

Is the Jurassic Coast good for dogs?

Many beaches allow dogs, but there are seasonal restrictions, so check the signs.

More weekend ideas

ExmoorSomerset and Devon

Moorland, dramatic sea cliffs and a famous dark sky

New ForestHampshire

Ancient woodland and heath with free-roaming ponies

South DownsSussex and Hampshire

Rolling chalk hills, white cliffs and country pubs

Explore more: Best weekend breaks from London · Best coastal weekend breaks in the UK · Best dog-friendly weekend breaks in the UK · Best family weekend breaks in the UK

Browse popular weekend activities or use the BritBreaks finder to match a weekend to your budget and travel time.

Last reviewed October 2026. Please check opening times and prices with each attraction before you go.