Take a Road Trip & Discover Dorset
DISCOVER THE JURASSIC COAST BY CAR
WHY VISIT THE JURASSIC COAST BY CAR?
With miles of pristine coastline, historic market towns, and swathes of wildlife-filled countryside, the Jurassic Coast is ripe for exploring by car. Whether you are visiting Weymouth - or wider Dorset - for a last minute staycation, minibreak, adventure-fueled escape, or just-because-you-want-to, a road trip is the perfect way to explore the coast. Stay somewhere central - like Weymouth - and you’ll discover beautiful ever-changing scenery and dramatic seascapes. You can also be sure of a warm ‘Dorset welcome’ in the pretty towns and villages you come across.
The Jurassic Coast is a legendary 95-mile stretch of coastline which takes you from Old Harry Rocks at Studland Bay in Dorset, concluding in Exmouth in East Devon. It gets its name name thanks to the millions of years of history imprinted into the cliffs that hug this epic coastline. Even today you’ll see fossil hunters scouring the coast for pre-historic fossils! Mammals dating back 145-million years were discovered only a few years ago. From pre-historic history to beaches so dreamy they could be straight out of a fairytale romcom, this is one road trip not to miss. Forget Jurassic Park, the Jurassic Coast is where it’s at!
HOW DO YOU GET TO THE JURASSIC COAST?
If you’re planning to travel by public transport and hire a car when you arrive in Dorset, you can travel from London (or other parts of the UK) by train. Weymouth is a good starting point from which to explore the coastline, as it’s very central. Trains from London take around 2.5 - 3.5 hours, usually with just one connection at Bournemouth. Some European airlines fly into Bournemouth and Southampton, and coaches/trains are available from the main London Airports.
One important thing to keep in mind when you are planning your Dorset road trip is where you will park your car while you stay. On-street and Pay and Display Car Parks, at Gloucester House B&B in Weymouth are free (with a few exceptions) between 6.00pm and 8.00am. The local paid for car parks, within easy reach are :
THE ROYAL YARD CAR PARK – Gloucester Mews, DT4 7DA (Directly behind our property – a couple of minutes’ walk)
PARK STREET CAR PARK - Park Street, DT4 7DQ (Directly behind our property – a couple of minutes’ walk)
THE PAVILION THEATRE CAR PARK - The Esplanade, DT4 8DZ (about 8 minutes’ walk)
THE SWANNERY CAR PARK - Radipole Park Drive, DT4 7BG (near Retail Park KFC/McDonalds) – 5 minutes’ walk)
Swanage coastline, Dorset
jurassic coast drive
There’s something endearingly romantic about a road trip. Miles of winding roads to explore; your favourite songs on the stereo; epic views; freedom to go wherever your heart takes you… And these last few years, exploring by car has become the mainstay of the minibreak! It’s a private, flexible and self-contained way to see the coast.
If you’re ready to take to the road, this is one of our favourite driving routes!
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This is up to you! We’d recommend leaving time for some short hikes, photo stops and foodie treats. Actual time spent driving is around 3-4 hours, if you are starting from Weymouth.
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Spring, summer or early autumn will mean you can make the most of the longer daylight hours. But this route is perfectly do-able in the winter! The roads will be quieter and you’ll certainly get a show from nature’s cinema as the waves perform. Furthermore, the sunsets are often more breathtaking in the winter months.
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Some of the UK’s most expensive coastal homes at Sandbanks
Studland, a rugged beach of sloping sand dunes and wild seagrass (ferry required)
Swanage - a quintessentially British seaside resort
Corfe Castle - a thousand-year-old-castle
The tiny fishing village of Kimmeridge Bay
Lulworth Cove - one of Dorset’s most famous photo spots
Durdle Door - the natural arch that is one of Dorset’s most iconic rock formations
Sandbanks, Dorset
1.Weymouth to Sandbanks, Poole
You’ll start your road trip by heading from Weymouth to Sandbanks in Poole. Sandbanks is one of the most sought after postcodes in the world! And it’s certainly the most expensive coastal address in the UK, but that’s not not to say it doesn’t have charm. With unique beachfront properties and some of the softest sand you’ll find in Dorset, it’s well-worth a visit. Perhaps swing by Rick Stein’s for brunch to sample some of the local seafood, or simply head to the beautiful beach for a swim in the bay.
The drive from Weymouth will take you around 50-55 minutes (this is the longest ‘uninterrupted’ driving section of this Jurassic Coast Road Trip).
Studland Bay, Dorset
2.Sandbanks, Poole to Studland
Next, take the ferry (around £5.00 per car) across from Sandbanks to Studland, a rugged beach of sloping sand dunes and wild seagrass. The drive through Studland Nature Reserve is exquisite! The ferry service runs daily (see timetable), weather and other circumstances permitting, except for times when the vessel is undergoing refit (every two years, usually around October/November). If you are using a satnav, the postcode for the Poole/Bournemouth side is BH13 7QN.
Sandbanks to Studland will take around 30 minutes (inc. ferry).
Swanage Pier, Dorset
3.Studland to Swanage
Just a short 10-15 minutes’ drive from Studland is Swanage. If you didn’t stop for food at Rick Stein’s in Sandbanks, then this is the perfect place for fish & chips. Get a portion and watch the world go by from a bench on Swanage’s Victorian pier. Take a stroll around and you’ll find quintessential beach huts and, on a fine day, rows of deckchairs. For bags of charm, make Swanage a stop on your Dorset road trip!
Studland to Swanage will take around 10-15 minutes by car.
Corfe Castle, Dorset
4.Swanage to Corfe Castle
Back in the car for another 10-15 minutes’ drive inland and you’ll arrive at Corfe Castle. This ancient ruined castle atop ahill is a true Dorset icon! Today this thousand-year-old royal castle is a National Trust property. There are walks, a tearoom, and breathtaking views across the Purbecks. With fallen walls and secret places, there are tales of treachery and treason around every corner.
Swanage to Corfe Castle will take around 10-15 minutes by car.
Kimmeridge Bay, Dorset
5.Corfe Castle to Kimmeridge Bay
This diddy fishing village is on private land, and as such, you’ll need to pay an entrance/parking fee to drive down to Kimmeridge Bay. However, if you’re a fan of fossil hunting, this is a must-stop destination on your Jurassic Coast road trip! Kimmeridge Bay is one of the most popular spots to look for fossils on the beach, thanks to the continual erosion of the cliffs here.
Corfe Castle to Kimmeridge Bay will take around 15-20 minutes by car.
Lulworth Cove, Dorset
6.Kimmeridge Bay to Lulworth Cove
Lulworth Cove is one of those places that you see a photo of, and don’t quite believe it’s in the UK, let alone on the Dorset coast. One of Dorset’s most photographed icons, you can park in the car park (£5 for up to 4 hours) and head to the beach, following a steep-ish path, then take a short hike (30 minutes each way) to the last stop on this road trip - Durdle Door - or you can drive there (your parking ticket is transferable). Please note: it’s a pretty steep climb both ways. If you decide to drive it, we won’t judge you!
Kimmeridge Bay to Lulworth Cove will take around 30 minutes by car. The postcode for Lulworth Cove car park is BH20 5RQ.
Durdle Door, Dorset
7.Lulworth Cove to Durdle Door
The final stop on your Dorset Road Trip is a Jurassic Coast icon and an absolute must-visit: Durdle Door.
This natural limestone arch, forged by waves and weather over millions of years, is one of the prettiest bays you’ll find on the Dorset coastline. The water is usually a gorgeously vivid green colour. The walk down to the beach from the car park is steep and will take around 15 minutes; it gets very busy in summer. If you prefer not to walk all the way down, the views from the top of the cliff back towards Weymouth and Portland are pretty stunning regardless. There’s also a small cafe and an ice cream stall at the top, if it’s time to fuel up before you return to Weymouth (25 minutes’ drive).
Driving from Lulworth Cove to Durdle Door will take around 10-15 minutes by car, walking will take 30 mins each way. The postcode for Durdle Door car park is BH20 5PU.
Gloucester House Bed & Breakfast in Weymouth
Weymouth Seafront B&B with Parking
If you are planning a Dorset road trip, you will undoubtedly be looking for hotels and B&Bs in Weymouth with parking on their doorstep, asking yourself:
Where can I find hotels or B&Bs with parking close by,in Weymouth?
We are happy to advise that you need look no further! When you book your stay by calling us on 01305 785191 or by booking on our website, you will be able to park close by throughout your stay. Either an on-street space (free between 6.00pm and 8.00am) or paid on-street Parking. There are also many local paid for car parks:
THE ROYAL YARD CAR PARK – Gloucester Mews, DT4 7DA (Directly behind our property – a couple of minutes’ walk)
THE PAVILION THEATRE CAR PARK - The Esplanade, DT4 8DZ (about 8 minutes’ walk)
THE SWANNERY CAR PARK - Radipole Park Drive, DT4 7BG (near Retail Park KFC/McDonalds) – 5 minutes’ walk)
If you need an electric charging point, there are quite a few available locally:
Swannery Car Park - DT4 7TY
Aldi Weymouth - DT3 5FA
Melcombe Regis - DT4 7DW
Morrisons Weymouth - DT3 5AX
Sainsburys Weymouth - DT3 5B
Harbourside Car Park - DT4 8NA
Information from https://www.zap-map.com/live/.
Please book your stay here on our website:
