The Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site It was a nightmare scenario – a huge container ship heading down the English Channel is severely damaged in a Read More… © 2017 - Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site Partnership Jurassic Heritage Coast - Jurassic Coast Heritage Information - Advertisers The Heritage Jurassic Coast of Dorset England has won international acclaim. The Dorset coastline has been awarded World Heritage Site status. The Dorset and East Devon coastline of England, where countless fossils have been found over hundreds of years, has been given World Heritage Site Status. This puts the coast, which includes the beautiful cliffs of Golden Cap in Charmouth and the historic resort of Lyme Regis , on a par with the Taj Mahal, the Pyramids, the Grand Canyon and the Great Barrier Reef. The Jurassic coast is the first natural site to win the ultimate accolade in England. UNESCO have agreed to inscribe the Jurassic Coast as an outstanding example representing a major stage of earth's history and the record of life. To advertise on this site click here ! Above, part (jaws) of the recently discovered 180 million year old, whole, ichthyosaur fossil, found in this unspoiled area of outstanding natural beauty.

The Dorset and East Devon coast was proposed because of its beauty and importance for fossils. The area is already one of the most popular sites for fossil hunters in Europe. The rocks of Dorset and East Devon cover 180 million years of the earth's history. The Jurassic Coast stretches from Exmouth , Devon to the West and Swanage , Dorset on the Isle of Purbeck to the East and includes the unique Isle of Portland . It represents a walk through time and shows the evolution of species from fish to dinosaurs to mammals. The Jurassic Coast has become the most popular area for school and university field trips, possibly in Europe. The rock formations are unique and straddle the entire Mesozoic time, which is divided into the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. Dorset and East Devon Coast - 1000101 | Historic England Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage Site Summary World Heritage Site inscribed by the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO in 2001.

Name: Dorset and East Devon Coast Brief Description: The cliff exposures along the Dorset and East Devon coast provide an almost continuous sequence of rock formations spanning the Mesozoic Era, or some 185 million years of the earth's history. The area's important fossil sites and classic coastal geomorphologic features have contributed to the study of earth sciences for over 300 years. Criteria: This entry is compiled from information provided by UNESCO who hold the official record for all World Heritage Sites at their Paris Head Quarters. This entry is provided for information only and those requiring further assistance should contact the World Heritage Centre at UNESCO. Criterion (viii): The coastal exposures along the Dorset and East Devon coast provide an almost continuous sequence of Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous rock formations spanning the Mesozoic Era and document approximately 185 million years of Earth's history. The property includes a range of globally significant fossil localities - both vertebrate and invertebrate, marine and terrestrial - which have produced well preserved and diverse evidence of life during Mesozoic times. It also contains textbook exemplars of coastal geomorphological features, landforms and processes.

Renowned for its contribution to Earth science investigations for over 300 years, the Dorset and East Devon coast has helped foster major contributions to many aspects of geology, palaeontology and geomorphology and has continuing significance as a high quality teaching, training and research resource for the Earth sciences. Statement of Significance: Statement of Outstanding Universal Value: This was approved in 2010 by the World Heritage Committee in Brasilia. Brief synthesis The Dorset and East Devon Coast has an outstanding combination of globally significant geological and geomorphological features. The property comprises eight sections along 155 km of largely undeveloped coast. The property's geology displays approximately 185 million years of the Earth's history, including a number of internationally important fossil localities. The property also contains a range of outstanding examples of coastal geomorphological features, landforms and processes, and is renowned for its contribution to earth science investigations for over 300 years, helping to foster major contributions to many aspects of geology, palaeontology and geomorphology. This coast is considered by geologists and geomorphologists to be one of the most significant teaching and research sites in the world.

Criterion (viii): The coastal exposures along the Dorset and East Devon coast provide an almost continuous sequence of Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous rock formations spanning the Mesozoic Era and document approximately 185 million years of Earth's history. The property includes a range of globally significant fossil localities - both vertebrate and invertebrate, marine and terrestrial - which have produced well preserved and diverse evidence of life during Mesozoic times. It also contains textbook exemplars of coastal geomorphological features, landforms and processes. Renowned for its contribution to Earth science investigations for over 300 years, the Dorset and East Devon coast has helped foster major contributions to many aspects of geology, palaeontology and geomorphology and has continuing significance as a high quality teaching, training and research resource for the Earth sciences. Integrity The property contains all the key, interdependent elements of geological succession exposed on the coastline. It includes a series of coastal landforms whose processes and evolutionary conditions are little impacted by human activity, and the high rate of erosion and mass movement in the area creates a very dynamic coastline which maintains both rock exposures and geomorphological features, and also the productivity of the coastline for fossil discoveries.

The property comprises eight sections in a near-continuous 155 km of coastline with its boundaries defined by natural phenomena: on the seaward side the property extends to the mean low water mark and on the landward side to the cliff top or back of the beach. This is also in general consistent with the boundaries of the nationally and internationally designated areas that protect the property and much of its setting. Due to the high rate of erosion and mass movement, it is important to periodically monitor the boundaries of the properties to ensure that significant changes to the shoreline are registered. Protection and management requirements The property has strong legal protection, a clear management framework and the strong involvement of all stakeholders with responsibilities for the property and its setting. A single management plan has been prepared and is coordinated by the Dorset and Devon County Councils. There is no defined buffer zone as the wider setting of the property is well protected through the existing designations and national and local planning policies. In addition to its geological, paleontological and geomorphological significance, the property includes areas of European importance for their habitats and species which are an additional priority for protection and management.

The main management issues with respect to the property include: coastal protection schemes and inappropriate management of visitors to an area that has a long history of tourism; and the management of ongoing fossil collection research, acquisition and conservation. The key requirement for the management of this property lies in continued strong and adequately resourced coordination and partnership arrangements focused on the World Heritage property. Justification for Inscription: Date of most recent amendment: 2010 Other Information: This site is also known as The Jurassic Coast and is England's only natural World Heritage Site. Its coordinates are N50 42 20 W2 59 23.6 and it measures 2,550 hectares. There is a World Heritage Site Management Plan for the World Heritage Site (2009) and implementation of the objectives and action plan is undertaken by a World Heritage Site team in Dorset County Council. A Steering Group made up of key stakeholders oversees World Heritage activities. Map/Chart © Crown Copyright and database right 2017. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100024900. © British Crown and SeaZone Solutions Limited 2017. All rights reserved.

Licence number 102006.006. Use of this data is subject to Terms and Conditions . The above map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. For a copy of the full scale map, please see the attached PDF - 1000101 .pdf The PDF will be generated from our live systems and may take a few minutes to download depending on how busy our servers are. We apologise for this delay. This copy shows the entry on 20-Jan-2017 at 04:46:39. End of official listing Seaton Bay Seaton Bay Devon’s Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site Seaton Bay / Blog Seaton Bay Devon’s Jurassic Coast Seaton is a small Devon sea side town on the south West coast of England. This stretch of the Dorset and East Devon coastline became a UNESCO World Heritage Site site in 2001, Seaton Bay is part of Devon’s Jurassic Coast line. The landscape of East Devon and West Dorset includes Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Seaton, lies in one of these areas where the Axe valley meets the sea.

Seaton Bay on Devon’s Jurassic Coast is set in a landscape of outstanding natural beauty. more about Seaton. Beer. The village of Beer with its own small bay enclosed by chalk cliffs, nestles in a valley. With picturesque stone houses and cottages built on the slopes of the surrounding hills. Working off the beach are fisherman whose families have fished here for generations. Their fishing boats are still launched from the beach to put out to sea and winched back on to the shore on their return. more about Beer. The Jurassic Coast. The 95 mile long Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site line is on the south coast of England in East Devon and Dorset. It displays a near continuous sequence of Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous rock features. Geographical features such as landslides, a barrier beach, lagoon, cliffs and raised fossil beaches. From Seaton, it is possible to see, walk to, or visit all three eras in this 185 million-year ‘geological walk through time’. Seaton Marshes. Seaton Marshes Nature Reserve stretches from the estuary at Axmouth to the village of Colyford.

Mud flats, scrapes, grazing marsh, ditches and ponds attract birdlife throughout the year. Especially in the winter months. There are three Local Nature Reserves, Seaton Marshes, Colyford Common and Black Hole Marsh. All owned and managed by East Devon District Council. Axmouth Harbour. The UnderCliff Axmouth harbour is a small harbour which dries up on low tide and fills up as the tide comes in. It’s used for recreation and by local fishing boats. From the Iron Age to the Middle Ages, Axmouth Harbour was the most important harbour in the West of England. The natural harbour of the River Axe estuary was at that time a much wider and deeper inlet. The mouth of the Axe being almost half a mile wide. Information on Axmouth harbour The South West Coastal path runs through the Axmouth Undercliffs NNR. From Axmouth Harbour to the Cobb Harbour at Lyme Regis. This section of the East Devon and Dorset coast line has been prone to land slips for thousands of years. land slips still occur due to the instability of the ground and cliffs. The largest and most spectacular landslip occurred in 1839 between Axmouth and Lyme Regis.

Creating ravines and a rough, torn up landscape Walking through the Undercliff. Walking the South West Coastal Path. The South West Coastal path passes through Seaton Bay Devon’s Jurassic Coast and the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. From Seaton walkers can go west towards the red Triassic cliffs of the coastline between Sidmouth and Exmouth. To the east into the dense woodland of the Undercliff National Nature Reserve. And onto the fossil bearing cliffs of Lyme Regis and Charmouth. World Heritage Centre - Case study: Dorset Search Case study: Dorset Located on the south coast of the United Kingdom, the nominated site comprises approximately 155km of undeveloped coastline and countryside. The cliff exposures along the Dorset and East Devon coast provide an almost continuous sequence of rock formations spanning the Mesozoic Era, or some 185 million years of the Earth's history. Raising Awareness Tim Badman, World Heritage Site Manager and Team Leader for the Dorset and East Devon Coast, is certain that the site’s status as a World Heritage, increases awareness of the area internationally, regionally, nationally and locally. "Designation increases awareness at all levels. We have also led a very active programme of work on awareness raising.

The most important is local awareness, where our emphasis is on organizing and developing a series of working groups, producing a twice yearly newsletter, providing over one talk per week to local groups, and generating local press stories. World Heritage Site status is a form of recognition that the public and the media respond to much more actively and positively than most national designations." – Tim Badman In the wake of WH listing for this site there was a large and positive response from national press and other media. This in part helped to create widespread enthusiasm and pride in the local communities, which in turn brought together other sectors in support of the site. 2. Increasing Protection The managers of this site point to two specific examples where WH status appears to have helped protect the site. In the first, the status added weight to a case for resisting inappropriate construction near the site. In the second case, a private development application, World Heritage status was directly cited by the planning authority as one of the reasons for refusal. 3. Enhancing Funding When asked whether WH status increases the funds available to the site, Tim emphatically answered, yes. "We can show a demonstrable step change in the attitude of funding bodies in the wake of World Heritage designation.

Both Dorset and Devon County Councils have provided significant additional funding of approximately £300,000 to allow for the appointment of a staff team, conservation projects, interpretation and publications budget, and to support sustainable tourism marketing projects." – Tim Badman The site has also succeeded in attracting £650,000 (Over US $1,000,000), for a new and very successful branded bus service. The WH designation was effectively the reason for the bid as it created the impetus to develop a complete transport management plan for the area. It was considered that the outstanding value recognized by the WH designation justified an excellent transport service, so that visitors could have easy access to the whole site. To further strengthen partnership working, and increase eligibility and access to additional sources of funding, the sites management authorities have created the World Heritage Coast Trust to lead work on commercial aspects of the site, and to seek sponsorship and grants. "We are confident that the WH Coast Trust will rapidly become a significant funding body.

We would particularly like to see it funding research projects associated with conserving the site and the development of a range of publications designed to educate and inform a wide variety of visitors, ranging from school parties to holidaymakers." - Malcolm Turnbull, World Heritage Coast Trustee. The sponsorship of the official site guide book is a prominent example of why this trust is necessary. The publication of this book was sponsored by BP (formerly British Petroleum). However, the £20,000 that BP provided was for the specific purpose of producing the guide book, and was contingent on the financial benefits being passed to the World Heritage Coast Trust. "BP’s donation was seen as an excellent opportunity to contribute locally, and to directly help the development of the World Heritage Coast Trust on a continuous basis" - Grant Evans, Business Manager for BP Wytch Farm operation Improving Management Besides the associated increased levels of funding and stronger partnership working, already mentioned, the management team also takes part in a range of conferences and training events within the UK and Europe. As with all managers interviewed Tim agreed that increased networking and exchange between sites would improve management further, and volunteered his willingness to take part.

Harnessing Tourism The managers of Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage site have been running a programme of courses called ‘Jurassic Host’ in collaboration with the main tourism promotion body for the area. The course, which features a two-hour segment on WH, has had fifteen sessions to date, all of which were very well attended. The large volume of visitors to this site has been effectively harnessed through the sale of the official guide book, mentioned above. The guide book puts £1 back into the site’s trust fund for each sale and has sold 18,000 copies in one year. The WH manager of Dorset and East Devon Coast agreed that World Heritage adds value and builds support for protected areas, and went on to say; "I think World Heritage gives a healthy approach to protected areas as important features in their own right, and also as things to celebrate and present to visitors that, if managed successfully, actively contribute directly to the local economy." – Tim Badman Future Projects The managers are actively seeking further opportunities to fund interpretation and transport projects, particularly in relation to the promotion of walking, and the establishment of new high quality public transport facilities. A series of local projects to develop interpretive materials and facilities are also seeking funding.

The development of the World Heritage Coast Trust, mentioned above, will require enthusiastic and capable staff. The site managers would be happy to talk to interested parties who would be able to help with this work on a voluntary basis. If you represent a company, organization or other funding agency and you would like to help conserve Dorset and East Devon Coast or partner with a specific project, please mail The World Heritage Centre. World Heritage Sites The Complete Guide To: Coastal Devon | The Independent The Complete Guide To: Coastal Devon Anthony Lambert goes west to discover bucket-and-spade beaches, fine dining and superb walking Saturday 8 March 2008 00:00 BST Click to follow The Complete Guide To: Coastal Devon 1/2 2/2 Why Devon? Whatever you're after, Devon's two very distinctive coasts can probably provide it. Along the 450 miles of glorious beaches, you can surf or build sandcastles; go on some of the best coastal walks in Britain; enjoy attractive villages with characterful pubs serving great seafood; take boat trips from many of the harbours – plus, there are plenty of diversions just inland to occupy days when there's a cool onshore wind.

It's a measure of the quality of the Devon shorelines that the National Trust (0844 800 1895; ) looks after one-third of the total length. North or South? The northern shoreline has few estuaries, greater expanses of sand and taller cliffs, with impressive views along the straighter coastline. The southern coast is more indented, with coves and estuaries. The north has nothing to compare with the cluster of major resorts around Tor Bay, which is the county's principal holiday destination – and is marketed as the single word, Torbay (01803 211 211; ). The north coast has Unesco's first UK World Biosphere Reserve: around the Taw and Torridge estuaries is the country's largest sand-dune system at Braunton Burrows, which covers 2,000 acres and is home to over 400 plant species. The eastern part of the south coast, between the border with Dorset and Exmouth, forms part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site ( – so designated because the beautiful coastline represents a walk through time, spanning 185 million years of geological history.

It includes such impressive sights as the Hooken Cliffs landslip near Branscombe, where 15 million tons of greensand and chalk cliff subsided during the middle of a March night in 1790. Acres of golden sand? The largest beaches are in the north. Braunton Burrows is fronted by the three-mile stretch of Saunton Sands, an expanse that is perfect for sand-yachting. Swimmers should avoid the strong currents round Bideford Bar at the southern end. If you're on the beach at nearby Woolacombe on 6 July, you can watch dozens of teams vying for victory in the National Sandcastle Building Competition ( ). Surfers head to Croyde Bay, near Braunton, for its low-tide "barrels", where the Atlantic swell combines with the sandbanks on the steepest part of the beach to produce exceptional waves. A two-hour taster session at the Surfing Croyde Bay school (01271 891 200; ) costs £35.

On Devon's south coast, the most popular beaches are around the Torbay resorts, with a succession of mostly sandy strands along Babbacombe Bay and broad Tor Bay. Blackpool Sands, to the south of Dartmouth, belies its name; it's a classic "Famous Five" Devon cove with a backdrop of wooded hills, and the beach café even serves organic and Fair Trade food. It's cleaned every day, reflected in its Blue Flag status. Further south, Slapton Sands overlooks Start Bay. This long, thin stretch of sand almost reaches Start Point. It has a poignant recent history. During the Second World War 3,000 residents were evacuated so that the beaches could be used to practice for the Normandy landings. But on the night of 28 April 1944 German E-boats attacked the rehearsals, killing more than 600 American servicemen. They are commemorated by a Sherman tank, recovered from the seabed, on a plinth beside the sands. Any boat trips? Lots of Devon harbours offer trips along the coast or up estuaries.

From Easter to October, Stuart Line boats (01395 222 144; ) operate cruises from Exmouth, Topsham and Sidmouth along the Jurassic Coast, allowing car-free visits to Seaton and along the Exe estuary past the wooded grounds of Powderham Castle. Cruises from £5. Jazz, "murder mystery" or circular cruises taking the Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway one way can be combined with the glorious Dart estuary on RiverLink boats between Totnes and Dartmouth (01803 834 488; I want a good walk The 630-mile South West Coast Path between Minehead in Somerset and Poole in Dorset ( ) stretches the length of both Devon shores, offering some of the finest coastal walks in Britain. The north coast, u o in particular, can be tough-going, with calorie-crunching ups and downs, but it's immensely rewarding. Along both shores there are long stretches without any source of sustenance or water, so walkers should come well-prepared.

It's almost invidious to select the best sections, but Bolt Head to Bolt Tail on the south coast and Ilfracombe to Lynton on the north are outstanding. There are also magnificent walks up the wooded valleys of the north coast, such as the Heddon and East Lyn rivers. The North Devon and Exmoor Walking Festival takes place this year on the first nine days of May, with a programme of 66 guided and graded walks, ensuring that all levels of ability can discover the region's beautiful and diverse scenery on foot. Two "welcome walks" on 1 May and some on 3 and 4 May are free, but the majority of outings are priced at £5 or £6 for adults and £4 or £5 for children. Places should be reserved (01271 863 001; ). Can I ride my bike? The best-known route is the almost entirely traffic-free, 26-mile section of the Tarka Trail ( ) between Barnstaple and Meeth.

It has been created along a closed railway line and follows for much of the way the River Taw, which was the setting for Henry Williamson's 1927 classic Tarka the Otter. Bikes can be hired at Barnstaple station from Tarka Trail Cycle Hire (01271 324 202; ), with prices per day ranging from £7 to £12. The railway between Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton has been converted into a cycleway and forms part of National Cycle Network Route 2 along the south coast. Route 27 from Plymouth takes you through the historic Barbican area of the city and along the Plym Estuary, to reach Okehampton on a largely traffic-free course that includes the spectacular crossing of Meldon Viaduct. The Battery Cycle Works (01752 665 553; ) will even deliver bikes to your Plymouth city hotel for £12 per day, which includes the hire of a helmet. The most dramatic landscapes? A mercifully small proportion of either coastline has been blighted beyond redemption, and National Trust policy has been to acquire hinterland, too.

Much of the farmland behind the Dart estuary is under its protection, allowing the removal of eyesores, reinstatement of hedges and tree planting, making this area a jewel of the South-west. The sections of path leading to Start Point and its lighthouse are some of the most dramatic and wild, while the sandstone cliffs that flank the Georgian and Regency resort of Sidmouth dwarf the beach walker. The highest point on the south Devon shore is to the west of Weston Mouth, east of Sidmouth, where the cliffs soar to nearly 500ft with spectacular views over 40 miles to Portland and inland to Dartmoor; they are also peppered with caves once used by smugglers. Another of the south coast's great views is westwards from Prawle Point to Bolt Head, the most southerly tip of Devon. On the north coast, the cliffs to the east of Ilfracombe are some of the highest in England, with magnificent views up the Bristol Channel. Many of the heather- and hawthorn-covered cliffs have evocative names like the Mare and Colt and Great Hangman, which reaches nearly 1,000ft above the waves. Something for a rainy day?

The National Marine Aquarium (01752 600 301; ), on the Rope Walk in Plymouth, is one of Britain's largest aquariums. More than 4,000 creatures are displayed in three massive tanks, which recreate habitats from local shorelines to coral reefs, and there are numerous interactive exhibits and a 3-D theatre. Open 10am-6pm daily; admission £9.50. Another option is to snake up the Axe River valley from Seaton aboard two-thirds-sized trams made from the components of old tramcars. The Seaton Tramway (01297 20375; ) operates daily to the end of October; £8.35 return. Just to the west, you can explore the labyrinth of caves created by the excavation of stone used in Exeter Cathedral and Westminster Abbey at Beer Quarry (01297 680 282; Open 10am-5pm daily until the end of September; admission £5.75.

A narrow-gauge train takes you into the old copper mine at Morwellham Quay on the River Tamar near Gunnislake, with miners' cottages, Victorian farm and village set in a 200-acre wildlife reserve (01822 833 808; Open 10am-5.30pm (latest entry 3.30pm) daily; admission £8.90. Near the north coast, the ancestral home of the Chichester family at Arlington Court (01271 850 296; ) has strong nautical associations through Sir Francis Chichester, who was the first person to sail single-handed around the world by the clipper route. Besides a model of his boat, Gypsy Moth IV, there are sailor-made models and paintings of vessels. The house and carriage collection are open 11am-5pm daily except some Saturdays until the end of October; admission £7.80. Literary associations? Plenty. Seascapes have been chosen by many writers as a source of inspiration. Agatha Christie used a wooden hut on Burgh Island to write.

Both And Then There Were None, and the Hercule Poirot mystery Evil Under the Sun were set on the island, which was used for the 2002 TV adaptation of the latter. Burgh Island (01548 810 514; ) is one of the most idiosyncratic places on the south coast. It is an Art Deco classic of Lloyd Loom chairs and vitriolite panels where Noël Coward partied and dinner jackets are still preferred at dinner. Even the journey to the 21-acre island at high tide can be an experience, on an elevated, covered platform atop a sea tractor. Doubles from £355, including dinner and breakfast. Greenway, Agatha Christie's house on the River Dart at Galmpton, is in the care of the National Trust and the gardens are open from 10.30am-5pm Wednesday to Sunday until 26 October; admission £6 with discount for access by river boats from Dartmouth and Totnes. Slightly inland from Bigbury-on-Sea is the village of Ringmore, where RC Sherriff wrote Journey's End, commemorated in a pub of the same name.

Flora Thompson's husband worked in the post office in Dartmouth, and it was here that she wrote the first two books in the Lark Rise to Candleford trilogy, in 1937-41. Keats completed "Endymion" in Teignmouth, in 1818. On the north coast, Charles Kingsley incorporated his childhood experiences at Clovelly in Westward Ho!, where Kipling's boarding school was situated. Stalkey & Co. was based on his unhappy time there. It was during walks around Lynmouth that Wordsworth and Coleridge planned the ballad that became "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner". Where can I stay in style? The house where John Callcott Horsley painted the portrait of Brunel now in the National Portrait Gallery, and designed the first Christmas card, is now a peaceful retreat overlooking Tor Bay. Orestone Manor (01803 328 098; ) has 12 individually designed bedrooms and a colonial air to the public spaces. The hotel's organic vegetable garden supplies the exceptionally good restaurant. Doubles from £135 including breakfast.

Assertively modern hotel rooms and rental town houses surround two dining-rooms at the Dart Marina (01803 832 580; ) with lovely views over Dartmouth harbour. Doubles from £145, including breakfast. Along the north shore, the best place to stay in one of Devon's prettiest villages, Clovelly, is the Red Lion Hotel (01237 431 237; ) where the Georgian building is right on the quay and the bedrooms have been given a nautical character. Doubles from £117, including breakfast. Interconnected harbour-front houses form Lynmouth's Rising Sun Hotel (01598 753 223; ) where RD Blackmore wrote some of Lorna Doone. Doubles from £120, including breakfast. I'd prefer a place of my own Several companies specialise in rentals in Devon.

At the top end of the market is Blue Chip Vacations (01803 855 282; which has some fine coastal properties, including a delightful converted Pottery in Dartmouth and apartments in Torquay's elegant Neo-classical Hesketh Crescent. Marsdens Cottage Holidays (01271 813 777; ) specialises in the north coast, and the National Trust (0844 800 2070; ) has 34 properties with accommodation for up to 12 people. For a pampering break, five cottages converted from Victorian farm buildings are attached to the Downe Health Spa on the Hartland Peninsula (01237 441 881; ) in north Devon, one of only two areas in all England that the Council for the Protection of Rural England recognises as having no light or noise pollution. The spa offers a wide variety of holistic therapies and beauty treatments. How do I get there and around? The best approach is by rail; trains along the main line through south Devon to Plymouth run right along the shore for part of the journey.

They are operated by First Great Western (08457 000 125; ) and CrossCountry (0844 811 0124; ). Lord Beeching axed most of the lovely railways to the north coast, leaving just the scenic line from Exeter to Barnstaple. In terms of airports, the main gateway is Exeter, with flights from many UK airports on Flybe. Plymouth, served by Air Southwest, is another option. Some of the county's bus services (0871 200 2233; ) are designed largely for tourists, such as the Coast Hopper 899 along the Jurassic Coast. To get inland from the head of the Exe Estuary at Exeter, trains run on summer weekends to Okehampton and Meldon (01837 55637; Where can I find out more?

Devon County Council: 0870 608 5531; BEER AND CHEER FOR THIRSTY TRAVELLERS One of the oldest pubs is the Pilchard Inn (01548 810 514) on Burgh Island, which dates from 1336. It has a selection of Devon beers on tap and food is served at lunchtime and evenings (by reservation) from Thursday to Saturday. Many pubs have a reputation for their seafood. The Anchor at Cockwood (01626 890 203) overlooks the harbour and serves mussels in 30 different ways; the Kings Arms (01803 770 377) at Strete (pictured left) uses catches from Start Bay and Brixham to produce such dishes as black bream fillet and bass with chorizo mash; and the fish at the Start Bay (01548 580 553) at Torcross comes from the beach in front of the pub.

Perfectly located for cyclists and walkers (no car access) beside the Exeter Canal, the Turf Inn (01392 833 128) serves beer-battered hake as well as myriad local beers. The county's most isolated pub is the Marisco Tavern on Lundy, but it's full most nights and is an unforgettable experience, being replete with relics from shipwrecks on the treacherous rocks that ring the island. England's only traditional working malthouse open to the public can be found at the head of the Teign estuary; Tuckers Maltings in Newton Abbot (01626 334 734; ) sells more than 200 bottled beers. LUNDY ISLAND A voyage of just under two hours from Bideford or Ilfracombe in North Devon aboard MS Oldenburg (01271 863 636; ) takes you to Lundy, administratively part of Devon. This island, three miles long and half-a-mile wide, is owned by the National Trust and run by the Landmark Trust.

Among the many rare birds that visit or live on the island, along with 20 human residents, is a large colony of puffins. All profit from visitors is reinvested into the upkeep of the island. A day visit to Lundy is plenty of time in which to take a walk around the coast to watch the seabirds, and there's a castle, church, three lighthouses (two operational), a farm, tavern and small shop. BBC - Devon - Places - Jurassic Coast: A Natural Wonder You are in: Devon > Places > Places features > Jurassic Coast: A Natural Wonder The cliffs at Branscombe in East Devon Jurassic Coast: A Natural Wonder Devon has its very own World Heritage Site - it's the stretch of coastline in the east of the county, and it's dubbed The Jurassic Coast. Jurassic by name, Triassic by nature...that's the bit of the East Devon coast which is part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. Because while the Dorset stretch of coast within the heritage site is around 200 million years old, Devon's section is actually older - up to 245 million years old.

In Devon, the so-called Jurassic Coast starts in Exmouth and extends eastwards to the Dorset border. In Dorset, the world heritage site ends at Studland Bay. A stretch of the Jurassic Coast in Devon The cliffs were granted World Heritage Status by the United Nations' cultural arm, Unesco, in December 2001. It means the coastline is right up there alongside the most amazing natural wonders of the world, such as the Grand Canyon, Great Barrier Reef and the Galapagos Islands. Why? Because this 95-mile stretch of coast is full of evidence of its prehistoric days, with fossils and even dinosaur footprints visible. The Jurassic Coast is considered the only place in the world which displays unbroken evidence of 185 million years of the earth's history, exposed in layers through the dramatic cliffs. The fossils are generally found in the Dorset section of the coast, which contains a unique collection of dinosaur remains. In East Devon, the prehistoric cliffs take in such areas as Exmouth, Budleigh Salterton, Branscombe, Beer and Seaton.

The coast at Beer The triassic rocks contain clues about the past - for example, there has been a series of desert environments, with sand dunes, salt lakes, lagoons and rivers. At Budleigh Salterton, the famous Pebble Beds are made of hard quartzite identical to 440 million-year-old rocks found across the English Channel in Brittany. In the past few thousand years, the pebbles have been falling from the cliffs and now form the beach at Budleigh. These pebbles must not be removed from the beach. Between Axmouth in Devon and Lyme Regis in Dorset is the Undercliffs National Nature Reserve - a wilderness formed entirely from landslides. The landslides still occur and people who walk this section must stick to the South West Coast Path - it's a tough but awe-inspiring walk. In fact, the coast path all along East Devon is well worth a visit - for suggestions of where to go, take a look at our walks section which is linked from this page.

last updated: 06/03/2008 at 15:11 created: 10/11/2005 Jurassic Coast - Visit Dorset Jurassic Coast You are here: Explore > History & Heritage > Jurassic Coast Jurassic Coast Any date in the future Type: Any date in the future Search Food & Drink Area: Name: The 95 miles of coastline stretching from Exmouth in East Devon to Old Harry Rocks in Studland Bay in Dorset is world renowned as the Jurassic Coast and is definitely one of the places to visit during your stay in Dorset. The Jurassic Coast is England’s first natural UNESCO World Heritage Site and ranks among the Great Barrier Reef and the Grand Canyon as one of the wonders of the natural world. Dorset – the real ‘Jurassic World’ You’ve seen the film, now see it in real life on a Jurassic Park themed holiday to Dorset! Dorset’s Jurassic Coast is world renowned for being one of the richest heritage sites for prehistoric remains. Join a fossil hunting walk and you could find your very own piece of dinosaur, or even discover a new species!

Visit the Dorset County Museum’s Jurassic Gallery and gaze upon the world’s biggest bite – the Weymouth Bay Pliosaur and see real life bones of the magnificent beasts that roamed our planet millions of years ago. For families, the Dinosaur Museum in Dorchester will excite any young dinosaur fan with life sized replicas and lots of interactive fun! We can guarantee you’ll have a T-Riffic time! Millions of years of history Dorset’s Jurassic Coast was granted its UNESCO status for its outstanding geology with parts dating back over 185 million years. For this reason it is a hot bed for fossil hunting with hundreds of specimens having been unearthed from the cliffs and beaches. Find your own piece of history There are many opportunities to take part in fossil hunting along the Jurassic coast many of which are based around the stomping ground of possibly the most famous fossil hunter Mary Anning in Lyme Regis and Charmouth. Here you can take part in an supervised fossil hunting guided walk and learn the skills that Mary developed over 100 years ago. Walk in the footsteps of giants The Jurassic Coast is living breathing history walk with evidence of times gone by when giants roamed the earth waiting to be found.

This stretch of coastline provides some of the most jaw dropping scenery and views that will live long in your heart and is a favourite destination for walkers and nature lovers alike. So pack up your walking boots and explore this fascinating and inspiring wonder of the natural world. For further information on the Jurassic Coast visit or view the Jurassic Coast 'A Mighty Tale' video on YouTube. Looking to plan a visit to the Jurassic Coast? If you are planning to visit the Jurassic Coast then why not make a holiday of it?

Question: What is the name of the World Heritage Site on the coastline of Dorset and East Devon?
Answer: The Jurassic Coast