The Jurassic Coast is 95 miles long and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Fossils have been found here since the time of Paeleontologist Mary Anning 1799-1847 who sold fossils collected under Golden Cap and Blue Lias Rocks.
The first place on the journey is Whitchurch Canonicorum containing the church of Saint Candida and Saint Cross which is the only parish church in England to hold the remains of a saint, with the shrine of Saint Wite being one of the few to survive the Reformation. The church contains a Saxon baptismal font. The next stop is Bridport Town Hall built in 1786 and designed by William Tyler. The town was the world’s biggest net making centre and Palmers, the local brewery, changed the name of the pub opposite the town hall to The Ropemakers to reflect on that history. Balson’s Butchers in Bridport has been owned and run by the same family since 1515.
Just a mile away from Bridport is West Bay where the Americans used the cliffs to train for the Normandy landings. These cliffs are now being eroded quite quickly. Slightly inland from there is Abbotsbury Subtropical Garden and the Abbotsbury Swannery both of which attract large numbers of visitors. In the same area there are 4000 sheep and sheep shearing events are held. On the hill above Abbotsbury is St Catherine’s Chapel built in the 14th century. The young ladies from the area used to go to the chapel to pray for a husband.
Still moving east the next stop is Weymouth a place favoured by King George III and there is a replica of his bathing machine. His last visit to Weymouth was in 1805 and in 1808, The Osmington White Horse, a figure depicting King George riding his horse was cut into the hillside above Weymouth. Portland is nearby and has the harbour used for 2012 Olympic sailing. It also has Pennsylvania Castle built in the 18th century and six lighthouses in the area.
Another place to visit is Moreton on the River Frome which has St Nicholas Church with its 14 windows engraved by Sir Laurence Whistler. The graveyard is the burial place of Lawrence of Arabia. Along the river is Pallington Lakes a sculpture park known as Sculpture by the Lakes, covering 26 acres.
Also in the area can be found the monument to Captain Masterman Hardy associate of Nelson and Minterne House with grounds designed “after” Capability Brown. There is also Thomas Hardy’s cottage in Higher Bockhampton now owned by the National Trust. The nearby village of Milton Abbas was commissioned by the Earl of Dorchester to replace the village of Middleton which he ordered to be destroyed because it spoiled his view.
The Jurassic Coast is 95 miles long and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Fossils have been found here since the time of Paeleontologist Mary Anning 1799-1847 who sold fossils collected under Golden Cap and Blue Lias Rocks.
The first place on the journey is Whitchurch Canonicorum containing the church of Saint Candida and Saint Cross which is the only parish church in England to hold the remains of a saint, with the shrine of Saint Wite being one of the few to survive the Reformation. The church contains a Saxon baptismal font. The next stop is Bridport Town Hall built in 1786 and designed by William Tyler. The town was the world’s biggest net making centre and Palmers, the local brewery, changed the name of the pub opposite the town hall to The Ropemakers to reflect on that history. Balson’s Butchers in Bridport has been owned and run by the same family since 1515.
Just a mile away from Bridport is West Bay where the Americans used the cliffs to train for the Normandy landings. These cliffs are now being eroded quite quickly. Slightly inland from there is Abbotsbury Subtropical Garden and the Abbotsbury Swannery both of which attract large numbers of visitors. In the same area there are 4000 sheep and sheep shearing events are held. On the hill above Abbotsbury is St Catherine’s Chapel built in the 14th century. The young ladies from the area used to go to the chapel to pray for a husband.
Still moving east the next stop is Weymouth a place favoured by King George III and there is a replica of his bathing machine. His last visit to Weymouth was in 1805 and in 1808, The Osmington White Horse, a figure depicting King George riding his horse was cut into the hillside above Weymouth. Portland is nearby and has the harbour used for 2012 Olympic sailing. It also has Pennsylvania Castle built in the 18th century and six lighthouses in the area.
Another place to visit is Moreton on the River Frome which has St Nicholas Church with its 14 windows engraved by Sir Laurence Whistler. The graveyard is the burial place of Lawrence of Arabia. Along the river is Pallington Lakes a sculpture park known as Sculpture by the Lakes, covering 26 acres.
Also in the area can be found the monument to Captain Masterman Hardy associate of Nelson and Minterne House with grounds designed “after” Capability Brown. There is also Thomas Hardy’s cottage in Higher Bockhampton now owned by the National Trust. The nearby village of Milton Abbas was commissioned by the Earl of Dorchester to replace the village of Middleton which he ordered to be destroyed because it spoiled his view.
Further east are Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door both very popular and attracting many visitors. Lulworth Castle and Gardens open to the public then Tyneham Village commandeered by the War Department for training and now abandoned. Kimmeridge has the Clavell Tower used as a holiday let which has been dismantled and moved due to the threat from cliff erosion. Kimmeridge also houses the Etches Collection Museum containing fossils up to 95 million years old. Wareham is one of only two Saxon-walled settlements and is at the junction of the Rivers Frome and Piddle. There is also a memorial to Lawrence of Arabia. Nearby is the iconic Corfe Castle destroyed by Cromwell but extremely popular with tourists. Next is Poole overlooked by the Purbeck Hills. The harbour contains Brownsea Island, home to red squirrels and the site of Lord Baden Powell’s first Scout Jamboree. Nearby is Wimborne Minster with its chained library and astronomical quarterjack clock. A short distance away are Kingston Lacy house and gardens another National Trust property very popular with gardening groups.
