Summer

Let’s be honest here – Summer time on the Jurassic Coast is awesome. It may be a little busier (though there are plenty of Hidden Gems here) and harder to park, but it’s worth it for the bliss of a Summer day out on the coast.

The Jurassic Coast is home to a bevy of brilliant seaside towns for soaking up a Summer’s day – Weymouth, Lyme Regis and Swanage just to name a popular few. Here’s our guide to help you get the most of your Jurassic Coast Summer time.

Find Your Favourite Jurassic Coast Beach

With 95 miles of coastline on offer, it’s no surprise that the Jurassic Coast is home to some world-class beaches. With our fabled geodiversity (part of the reason we’re a World Heritage Site), our beaches range from golden sand at Exmouth to hard shingle at West Bexington, to a mix of both at Eype and Charmouth.

Finding your perfect Jurassic Coast beach depends on what you’re after. If you’re looking for somewhere off the beaten track, try Church Ope Cove on Portland or the sweeping panorama of Seaton. For somewhere a little livelier, Lyme Regis or West Bay are great options (both contain multiple beaches with different characteristics) and are accompanied by all the amenities you could wish for.

Keep in mind that if you’re bringing your four-legged friend to the beach in Summer, it’s a good idea to consult our Dog Friendly Beaches guide in advance to avoid howls of disappointment. In a similar vein, the very popular Durdle Door, Studland’s beaches and Lulworth Cove are exceptionally busy in Summer, so if you’re headed there, patience and good humour is advised.

Dive into Festival Season

The Jurassic Coast is home to a mind-boggling array of local events and festivals, capturing the eccentric, enterprising spirit of our local communities. Everything from the off-the-wall fun of Chettle Fete in rural Dorset to the family-friendly overload of Camp Bestival is on offer here, alongside almost weekly local music festivals, food festivals and, of course, a pair of County Shows. These events are a great way to experience the local culture, have interesting conversations and pick up some inspiration for future visits to the area.

Explore our coastline’s hidden gems

When the Summer crowds get too much, it’s time to head off the beaten track. Beautiful spots like Stonebarrow (found between Charmouth and Golden Cap in West Dorset) and the Undercliffs Reserve will find you transported to a quieter time, especially on a warm, sunny day when the popular option is to head beach-wards.

Summer is also a brilliant time to explore Worbarrow Bay and the abandoned village of Tyneham in Purbeck. This area is owned by the MOD and as such is closed at quieter times of year for military training. In Summer however it is much more accessible - be sure to check the Lulworth Firing Times in advance to ensure it’s safe to visit.

The combination of sunny days and immaculately conserved nature on offer here makes for a powerful pair – just be sure to bring a good packed lunch as the local amenities may be limited or over run by customers.