Free

The Jurassic Coast offers a multitude of options for those looking for a no-cost (or very low-cost) day out. As nature takes centre stage here, many of the absolute best experiences on the Jurassic Coast won’t cost you a penny.

Parking for Pennies

There are many places on the Jurassic Coast where you can park your car for exceptionally low rates. Worth Matravers in Purbeck has a village car park with an honesty box where the suggested donation is £2 per day – that’s the sort of change you can find lurking between sofa cushions and represents serious value, considering the World Heritage Site views and coastal walking trails on offer nearby, not to mention the phenomenal (and free) Spyway Dinosaur Footprints a short amble away.

Still in Purbeck, Tyneham village also has an honesty box with a £2 per day parking fee. Be sure to check the Lulworth Ranges Firing Times before planning your visit, and once there enjoy the sumptuous walk to and geological marvels on show at nearby Worbarrow Bay, whilst exploring the fascinating trapped-in-time village itself.

If visiting out of season, be sure to check the latest Parking offers – for instance, East Devon District Council often run special parking rates on coastal car parks in Sidmouth, Exmouth and Seaton in the lead-up to Christmas.

Enjoy a Picnic with a Million-Dollar View

Whilst the coast contains a bevy of superb Food & Drink options for eating out, sometimes the most satisfying meal is one you’ve cooked at home and brought with you for the day.

If dining al fresco on your trusty picnic rug, we can recommend the views at Charmouth, where you’ll have the beach and sea on one side and a pretty river and little bridge on the other. As a bonus, you can combine your picnic with a spot of Fossil Hunting, one of the coast’s best Activities and one that is absolutely free – just use your eyes!

Connaught Gardens in Sidmouth is another magnificent picnic spot, resting atop Jacob’s Ladder and affording spectacular views of the town’s towering Triassic cliffs to either side. The gardens have multiple flat grassy areas for rug-spreading, and there is step-free access to the beach via a zig-zagging concrete pathway. Combine a picnic with a walk on Sidmouth seafront and you’ve got yourself one of the best Jurassic Coast days out available at zero cost.

These Boots are Made for Walking

Walking is free as we all know, and thankfully our World Heritage Site offers a world-class version of it to match any age, ability level and desired walking duration.

Browse our selection of walks to start building your itinerary – perhaps a walk from West Bay to Seatown and back could be tempting, or the stunning Hooken Undercliff that joins Beer and Branscombe in Devon. The world of walking is truly your oyster here, or maybe we should say ammonite!

Free to Explore

Some of the coast’s most noteworthy Attractions are free to enter. Start with Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre, where you can see David Attenborough’s Sea Dragon up close and get your own fossil finds identified by the Centre’s expert wardens.

Nearby West Bay Discovery Centre is an award-winning local Attraction that takes visitors on a fascinating tour through the history of this coastal village. There are always new exhibitions and activities happening here so be sure to pop in and see the latest.

Further east, the Wild Chesil Centre between Weymouth and Portland is a wildlife haven and offers plenty of interesting fodder for animal and mineral lovers alike.

Virtually Free

And finally, if you’ve crashed back at home at the end your visit, or you’re dreaming about your next Jurassic Coast expedition, be sure to browse our website and fill your (walking) boots – check out our Fossil Finder for all things palaeontological, browse our Ideas & Inspiration section for themed and seasonal treats, and see our What’s On guide for everything that's coming up.

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Spyway Dinosaur Footprints

Address

Langton Matravers, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 3HG

info@jurassiccoast.org

Swanage

Hidden away in Purbeck, within a stone's throw of the Jurassic Coast, is the Spyway Dinosaur Footprints. Nestled alongside a working quarry, and easily accessible from the Priest's Way walking path, these incredible footprints were made by Jurassic…
Lulworth Figure of Eight Walk

Address

Lulworth Cove Visitor Centre, West Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5RQ

info@jurassiccoast.org

Wareham

Join Rebecca for an invigorating walking tour of the area around Lulworth Cove. This is a four-hour walk taking in Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door and the Lulworth Fossil Forest among other Jurassic Coast landmarks.
Durlston Country Park

Address

Lighthouse Road, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 2JL

Telephone
01929 424443

Swanage

Located one mile from Swanage, Durlston Country Park is a 280 acre countryside paradise with stunning views, hay meadows and coastal downland, the historic Great Globe and a wealth of bird and wildlife including regular sightings of dolphins.
Orcombe Point

Address

Exmouth, Devon, EX8 2DH

Exmouth

The rocks exposed at Orcombe Point embody the opening paragraphs of the story contained within the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. The Geoneedle monument found here marks the official start (or end if you prefer) of the World Heritage Site.
Lulworth Fossil Forest

Address

As the Jurassic Period drew to a close, sea levels were falling. Shallow tropical seas gave way to coastal plains and for a brief period - around 145 million years ago - a forest grew in the area now known as Purbeck. The evidence for the existence…
The Ammonite Pavement

Address

Lyme Regis, Dorset, DT7 3RH

Lyme Regis

Taking a short walk west along Monmouth Beach at low tide will bring you to the Ammonite Pavement - a number of limestone ledges, washed clear by the sea.
Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre

Address

Lower Sea Lane, Charmouth, Dorset, DT6 6LL

Telephone
01297 560772

info@charmouth.org

Charmouth

Visit Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre to see our amazing fossil collections and find out how to discover your own fossils on the beach. Our guided fossil hunting walks are a great family day out on the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.
Studland Bay - South Beach

Address

S W Coast Path, Studland, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 3AN

Swanage

South Beach in Studland Bay is a sandy beach, and is fairly narrow compared to neighbouring Studland beaches. As with other Studland Beaches, South Beach is very popular, particularly during peak periods.
Studland Bay Beaches

Address

Studland, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 3AQ

Swanage

Shell Bay, Middle Beach and Knoll Beach in Studland Bay are three very popular sandy beaches at the far eastern end of the Jurassic Coast.
Great Dorset Beach Clean

Address

Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre, Lower Sea Lane, Charmouth, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 6LL

Telephone
01297 560772

info@charmouth.org

Charmouth, Bridport

Join the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre's Marine Warden on a Seashore Safari to explore the fascinating creatures of the seashore and how they live, eat and adapt to their environment!
Easter Fun at the West Bay Discovery Centre

Address

The Chapel on the Beach, W Bay Rd, West Bay, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 4EN

Telephone
01308 427288

info@westbaydiscoverycentre.org.uk

West Bay, Bridport

Join us in the West Bay Discovery Centre this Easter – help us find the naughty escaped Easter chicks and have fun doing lots of Easter colouring! Free entry – donations welcomed.
Guided Walk at Branscombe

Address

Branscombe Village Hall, Branscombe Forge, Branscombe, Seaton, Devon, EX12 3DB

Branscombe, Seaton

Jurassic Coast Ambassador Tony Lambert leads a Summer walk at Branscombe in East Devon, in conjunction with the National Trust.
Date: Sunday 16th July.
West Bay Discovery Centre

Address

West Bay Rd, West Bay, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 4EN

Telephone
01308 427288

Bridport

West Bay Discovery Centre tells the story of West Bay past and present featuring information, static and interactive displays, oral history and walking trails. There is something of interest for all visitors and ages. It also aims to provide…
Swanage Bay

Address

Shore Rd, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 1LB

Swanage

Swanage Bay’s beaches are sandy, and the bay offers sheltered, clear waters for visitors.
Lyme Bay the Road to Recovery

Address

The Salt House, West Bay, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 4HB

Telephone
01308 427288

info@westbaydiscoverycentre.org.uk

West Bay, Bridport

The Lyme Bay Fisheries and Conservation Reserve is a model for marine conservation and sustainable fisheries, successfully restoring nationally important reefs while supporting and giving a voice to local fishermen who practice low-impact…
Beneath the Waves Exhibition

Address

The Chapel on the Beach, W Bay Rd, West Bay, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 4EN

Telephone
01308 427288

info@westbaydiscoverycentre.org.uk

West Bay, Bridport

2023 has been designated as “The Year of the Coast”.
In our new exciting ‘Beneath the Waves’ exhibition, we look at the secrets of Lyme Bay. We explore the historical and current fishing practices, from the traditional seine netting for mackerel…
Free Childrens Art Workshop with Darrell Wakelam

Address

West Bay Discovery Centre, The Chapel on the Beach, W Bay Rd, West Bay, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 4EN

Telephone
01308 427288

manager@westbaydiscovery.org.uk

West Bay, Bridport

Come and join in with artist Darrell Wakelam and help us build some giant fish to display in our latest exhibition ‘Beneath the Waves’.
All ages welcome, let’s see what we can catch in our giant net!
Free drop-in workshop (donations welcomed).
The Fine Foundation Wild Chesil Centre

Address

Ferrybridge, Beach Road, Portland, Dorset, DT4 9XE

Telephone
01305 206191

Portland

At The Fine Foundation Wild Chesil Centre, you can learn more about the formation of this huge barrier beach and the rich wildlife and history associated with it.
Beer Quarry Caves

Address

Quarry Lane, Beer, Devon, EX12 3AS

Telephone
01297 680 282

info@beerquarrycaves.co.uk

Beer

The history of the village of Beer revolves around Beer Quarry Caves, which have been worked by hand since Roman times. The Caves' guided tours offer a fascinating insight into the history of the stone excavation, and the personal stories of the…
The Fine Foundation Wild Seas Centre

Address

Kimmeridge, Dorset, BH20 5PF

Telephone
01929 481044

kimmeridge@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

Kimmeridge

Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Wild Seas Centre sits on the shoreline of beautiful Kimmeridge Bay in the Purbeck Coast Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ), created to protect the very special marine life here.