2 days in the Jurassic Coast: a weekend itinerary
A World Heritage coastline of fossils, arches and cliffs, from Devon to Dorset.
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- Updated October 2026
The Jurassic Coast is a World Heritage Site that runs for 95 miles along the Devon and Dorset coast, showing 185 million years of geological history. This plan uses two of its best sections, with fossil hunting and Lyme Regis on day one and the famous rock formations on day two.
Cliffs are unstable, and tides change quickly, so follow safety advice.
Day 1: Lyme Regis and Charmouth
- Morning: Walk along the Cobb, Lyme Regis's famous curving harbour wall, and visit the Lyme Regis Museum.
- Lunch: Eat fish and chips at the harbour.
- Afternoon: Join a guided fossil walk at Charmouth, where ammonites and other fossils wash out of the cliffs.
- Evening: Have dinner in Lyme Regis.
Day 2: Durdle Door and Corfe Castle
- Morning: Walk to Durdle Door, a natural limestone arch, and the circular bay at Lulworth Cove.
- Lunch: Eat at a cafe at Lulworth Cove.
- Afternoon: Visit Corfe Castle, a dramatic ruin on a hill, and ride the Swanage steam railway if time allows.
- Heading home: Leave in the late afternoon.
Where to stay
Lyme Regis is a lovely base for the west, Weymouth and Swanage suit the middle and east, and Lulworth is a small village near the main sights.
Prices change daily, so check a few sites. These are affiliate links.
Getting there and around
- 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.
A car is the easiest way to link the sections, though buses and the Swanage railway help. Parking is expensive in summer.
If it rains
If it rains, visit the museums and the Corfe Castle visitor centre, and stop for a cream tea.
Packing list for Jurassic Coast
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More kit guides: Beach and coast gear Walking gear Wet-weather gear
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to fossil hunt?
Only on guided walks or in safe areas, and always away from unstable cliffs, so follow local advice.
Can I keep the fossils I find?
Small finds from the beach can usually be kept, but valuable specimens should be reported, and rules apply in some areas.
Is Durdle Door always open?
The beach is public, but access can be restricted for safety, so check signs.
Keep planning
A World Heritage coast of cliffs, fossils and natural arches
Fossil hunting on the Jurassic CoastLyme Regis and Charmouth, DorsetThe 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.
Seven Sisters cliff walkSeven Sisters Country Park, East SussexThe Seven Sisters are a row of white chalk cliffs on the Sussex coast, between Seaford and Eastbourne.
New Forest ponies walkLyndhurst and Brockenhurst, HampshireThe 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.
Last reviewed October 2026. Prices, opening times and travel details change, so check before you go. Report an error or share a tip.