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Itinerary
Weymouth, the Jurassic Coast & Swanage Steam Railway
From a morning pickup in your local area, we travel by coach to our hotel.
Weymouth, the Jurassic Coast & Swanage Steam Railway
For our first half-day excursion, we take in some of the highlights of the Jurassic Coast. We start in the charming seaside town of Lyme Regis, home to Britain’s most famous palaeontologist, Mary Anning, and the site where she made many of her findings. This ‘Pearl of Dorset’ is nestled in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and features the Cobb, an iconic jetty which starred in the five-time Oscar-nominated movie, The French Lieutenant’s Woman. We continue on to the scenic marvel and sand-hued cliffs of West Bay where the popular TV programme Broadchurch was filmed, before concluding our trip in picturesque Abbotsbury, a quaint little village that has one foot placed firmly in the past.
Full Day
Weymouth, the Jurassic Coast & Swanage Steam Railway
Join us on an optional excursion which takes us to the attractive county town of Dorchester, situated on the river Frome, where we have time to browse the stalls of its traditional and charming market. Founded in the 19th century, the market has been a fixture of Dorchester’s community for generations and welcomes thousands of visitors each year due to its wide range of products from over 200 traders.
Half Day
Weymouth, the Jurassic Coast & Swanage Steam Railway
We start our day in West Lulworth where we enjoy a visit to Lulworth Cove. This unique clam-shaped inlet offers panoramic views and the opportunity to see millions of years of history through the layers of sedimentary rock on display in the Lulworth Crumple. Next is the magnificent ruins of Corfe Castle to explore the features of this imposing 12th-century stronghold including the stone hall, the castle’s oldest feature, built during the reign of William the Conqueror. We finish our day with a ride on the heritage Swanage Steam Railway. Sit back and take in Dorset’s stunning scenery on our journey to the coastal town of Swanage, where we spend some time at leisure.
Full Day
Weymouth, the Jurassic Coast & Swanage Steam Railway
After breakfast, we check out of the hotel and board the coach for the journey home.
Jurassic Coast Discovery: Lyme Regis, West Bay & Abbotsbury
Discover the Jurassic Coast through three contrasting stops. In Lyme Regis and the Cobb, stroll the harbour wall and trace Mary Anning’s fossil-hunting legacy along pebbled shores. Continue to West Bay to admire the gold sandstone cliffs of West Bay that frame the beach and the setting of the TV drama Broadchurch.
Conclude in Abbotsbury, a time-preserved village of honeyed stone beneath St Catherine’s Chapel. Expect sea air, views toward Chesil Beach, and vivid geology that charts 185 million years—an engaging snapshot of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Lulworth Cove Geology Walk & Lulworth Crumple
Explore Lulworth Cove, a near-perfect arc of chalk and limestone where turquoise water laps a shingle shore. Follow a short path to the dramatic Lulworth Crumple at Stair Hole to see ancient strata buckled into ripples and folds.
Absorb the story of tectonic forces that compressed Jurassic and Cretaceous layers into today’s textbook outcrops. From South West Coast Path viewpoints, gaze across sweeping headlands and the open Channel, reflecting on millions of years of coastal geology made visible.
Corfe Castle & Village Heritage Exploration
Explore Corfe Castle, a dramatic ruin crowning a natural gap in the Purbeck Hills. Wander among tumbled walls and arrow slits, climb to breezy vantage points, and look down on the slate roofs of the village built from local Purbeck stone.
Learn how this fortress was founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century and later slighted in the English Civil War. In the village, admire Purbeck stone cottages and railway glimpses that evoke historic Dorset amid sweeping views.
Swanage Steam Railway to the Seaside
Ride the heritage Swanage Steam Railway through the Purbeck countryside, settling into vintage carriages as the locomotive whistles past heathland, chalk ridges, and glimpses of Corfe Castle. Watch steam curl by the window while the landscape opens toward the sea.
Arriving in the coastal town of Swanage, stroll the promenade and Victorian pier, browse independent shops, or savour fish and chips by the beach. On select October departures when the railway is not operating, this segment is replaced with an included visit to Poole Harbour.
Poole Harbour & Quayside Stroll (Select Departures)
Visit Poole Harbour, one of the world’s largest natural harbours, to watch yachts and ferries cross shimmering waters. From the quayside, take in views toward Brownsea Island and the Sandbanks peninsula while sea breezes carry the tang of salt and tar.
Wander historic Poole Quay, lined with merchants’ houses, maritime exhibits, and cafés, and uncover stories of pottery, privateers, and the RNLI. This visit operates as the included replacement for the Steam Railway on select October departures when required.
Dorchester Market Visit
Join an optional excursion to Dorchester Market, browsing over 200 traders for local cheeses, artisan breads, plants, collectables, and vintage and antiques. Chat with friendly stallholders and soak up the bustle of Dorset’s county town beside the River Frome.
Trace Dorchester’s heritage from Roman Durnovaria to Thomas Hardy’s Casterbridge as you explore independent shops and historic streets. This market visit is at additional cost and is bookable on tour.
