The relationship between people and the natural geodiversity of the coast is intimate and engrained in the fabric of life. The underlying geology provides a plethora of natural resources; building stone, oil, beaches, fertile soils, fresh groundwater, sheltered valleys and so on, creating unique opportunities for human culture to develop and thrive.
The specific nature of such opportunities for social development in any area of the world is ultimately dependent on the local geodiversity, and consequently, rocks have a long history of influencing human settlement, culture and activity. As such, the social history and cultural geology of the World Heritage Site is an important aspect of its story.
With such a diverse range of natural resources emanating from the geology here, the Jurassic Coast has developed a rich social history, contributing greatly to the shared heritage celebrated on the World Heritage site.
Evidence exists of people making use of the plentiful local resources at least as early as the Neolithic (4300-2000 BC); a long history of human settlement has seen a vibrant social and cultural history develop on the Dorset and East Devon Coast.
Through our recent past, there have been renowned palaeontological pioneers & trailblazers of the area including Mary Anning as well as internationally significant trades and skills fundamental to the culture of the Jurassic Coast, such as fossil preparators and Portland Stone quarries.
Beyond the opportunities presented by the natural resources of the area, its natural beauty lends itself to artists of all genres, inspiring photographers, artists, theatre productions and many more.
All of which contributes to a fantastic coastal culture and a wealth of possibilities for the communities of the Jurassic Coast both today and in the future.
Jurassic Coast
Activity type: History & Heritage
Activity categories: Museums & Visitor Centres
Jurassic Coast
Activity type: History & Heritage
Activity categories: Museums & Visitor Centres
Jurassic Coast
Activity type: History & Heritage
Activity categories: Museums & Visitor Centres
Jurassic Coast
Activity type: History & Heritage
Activity categories: Museums & Visitor Centres
Jurassic Coast
Activity type: History & Heritage
Activity categories: Museums & Visitor Centres
Jurassic Coast
Activity type: History & Heritage
Activity categories: Museums & Visitor Centres
Jurassic Coast
Activity type: History & Heritage
Activity categories: Museums & Visitor Centres
Jurassic Coast
Activity type: History & Heritage
Activity categories: Free, History & Heritage, Outdoor
Jurassic Coast
Activity type: Attraction, History & Heritage
Activity categories: History & Heritage, Outdoor
Jurassic Coast
Activity type: Attraction
Activity categories: Beaches, Families, Free, History & Heritage, Outdoor
Jurassic Coast
Activity type: Attraction
Activity categories: Beaches, History & Heritage, Outdoor
Jurassic Coast
Activity type: History & Heritage
Activity categories: Museums & Visitor Centres
Jurassic Coast
Activity type: Attraction, History & Heritage
Activity categories: Free, History & Heritage, Outdoor
Jurassic Coast
Activity type: History & Heritage
Activity categories: Museums & Visitor Centres
Jurassic Coast
Activity type: Attraction
Activity categories: Museums & Visitor Centres
Jurassic Coast
Activity type: History & Heritage
Activity categories: Museums & Visitor Centres
Jurassic Coast
Activity type: Attraction, History & Heritage
Activity categories: History & Heritage, Outdoor, Parks & Gardens
Jurassic Coast
Activity type: History & Heritage
Activity categories: Museums & Visitor Centres
Jurassic Coast
Activity type: Activity
Activity categories: Families, Group Friendly, Outdoor, Walking
Jurassic Coast
Activity type: History & Heritage
Activity categories: Museums & Visitor Centres
Jurassic Coast
Activity type: History & Heritage
Activity categories: Museums & Visitor Centres
Jurassic Coast
Activity type: History & Heritage
Activity categories: Museums & Visitor Centres
Jurassic Coast
Activity type: Activity
Activity categories: Families, Garden, Group Friendly, Outdoor
Jurassic Coast
Activity type: History & Heritage
Activity categories: Museums & Visitor Centres
Jurassic Coast
Activity type: Attraction
Activity categories: History & Heritage, Outdoor
Jurassic Coast
Activity type: Activity
Activity categories: Activities, Families, Group Friendly, Nature & Wildlife
Jurassic Coast
Activity type: Activity
Activity categories: Beaches, Group Friendly, Outdoor Activity/Pursuit Centre, Watersports Centre
Jurassic Coast
Activity type: Activity
Activity categories: Beaches, Boat Trips, Group Friendly
Jurassic Coast
Activity type: Activity
Activity categories: Beaches, Diving / Snorkelling, Group Friendly, Outdoor, Rock Pooling, Surfing
Jurassic Coast
Activity type: Attraction
Activity categories: Animal Collection, Families, Nature & Wildlife, Teenagers
Jurassic Coast
Activity type: History & Heritage
Activity categories: Museums & Visitor Centres
Jurassic Coast
Activity type: Attraction
Activity categories: Animals & Nature, Families, Nature & Wildlife, Railway, Transport Attraction
Jurassic Coast
Activity type: Attraction
Activity categories: Museums & Visitor Centres
Jurassic Coast
Activity type: Attraction
Activity categories: Swimming, Waterpark
Jurassic Coast
Activity type: Attraction
Activity categories: Animal Collection, Animals & Nature, Families, Free, Group Friendly, Nature & Wildlife
Jurassic Coast
Activity type: Eating Out
Activity categories: Afternoon Tea, Cafes & Coffee Shops, Families, Farm Shops, Local Produce, Seafood, Veggie & Vegan
Jurassic Coast
Activity type: Eating Out
Activity categories: Cafes & Coffee Shops, Pubs & Bars, Restaurants
Jurassic Coast
Activity type: Eating Out
Activity categories: Afternoon Tea, Cafes & Coffee Shops, Farm Shops, Local Produce, Seafood, Veggie & Vegan
Jurassic Coast
Activity type: Attraction
Activity categories: Botanic Garden, Families, Garden, Group Friendly, Nature & Wildlife, Outdoor
Jurassic Coast
Activity type: Attraction
Activity categories: Animals & Nature, Families, Group Friendly, Nature & Wildlife, Outdoor
beer, exmouth, Jurassic Coast, seaton, sidmouth
Accommodation category: Self-Catering
chesil-beach, golden-cap, Jurassic Coast, west-bay
Accommodation category: Bed & Breakfast
chesil-beach, golden-cap, Jurassic Coast, west-bay
Accommodation category: Bed & Breakfast, Inn, Restaurant with Rooms, Self-Catering
charmouth, golden-cap, Jurassic Coast, lyme-regis
Accommodation category: Agency (Self-Catering), Cottage, Self-Catering
dorchester, durdle-door, Jurassic Coast, lyme-regis
Accommodation category: Cottage, Self-Catering
chesil-beach, golden-cap, Jurassic Coast, west-bay
Accommodation category: Cottage, Self-Catering
beer, exmouth, Jurassic Coast, seaton, sidmouth
Accommodation category: Self-Catering
Jurassic Coast
Accommodation category: Agency (Self-Catering), Cottage, Self-Catering
charmouth, Jurassic Coast
Accommodation category: Camping, Holiday Park
Jurassic Coast, lulworth-cove, lyme-regis, west-bay
Accommodation category: Agency (Self-Catering), Self-Catering
Jurassic Coast
Jurassic Coast
charmouth, golden-cap, Jurassic Coast, lyme-regis
Accommodation category: Agency (Self-Catering), Cottage, Self-Catering
Jurassic Coast
charmouth, golden-cap, Jurassic Coast, lyme-regis
Accommodation category: Self-Catering
durdle-door, Jurassic Coast, kimmeridge, lulworth-cove
Accommodation category: Self-Catering
charmouth, golden-cap, Jurassic Coast, lyme-regis
Accommodation category: Cottage, Self-Catering
abbotsbury, chesil-beach, Jurassic Coast, west-bay
Accommodation category: Apartments, Cottage, Self-Catering
dorchester, durdle-door, Jurassic Coast, lyme-regis
Accommodation category: Camping & Caravan Site, Self-Catering
beer, exmouth, Jurassic Coast, seaton, sidmouth
Accommodation category: Self-Catering
beer, exmouth, Jurassic Coast, seaton, sidmouth
Accommodation category: Holiday Park, Self-Catering
chesil-beach, Jurassic Coast, lyme-regis, west-bay
Accommodation category: Hotel
beer, exmouth, Jurassic Coast, seaton, sidmouth
Accommodation category: Camping, Glamping
charmouth, golden-cap, Jurassic Coast, lyme-regis
Accommodation category: Camping & Caravan Site
Jurassic Coast
Activity type: Activity
Activity categories: Boat Trips, Families, Group Friendly
Jurassic Coast
Activity type: Activity
Activity categories: Boat Trips, Families, Group Friendly, Outdoor
abbotsbury, chesil-beach, Jurassic Coast, west-bay
Accommodation category: Camping, Holiday Park
abbotsbury, chesil-beach, Jurassic Coast, west-bay
Accommodation category: Cottage, Self-Catering
dorchester, durdle-door, Jurassic Coast, lyme-regis
Accommodation category: Cottage, Self-Catering
durdle-door, Jurassic Coast, kimmeridge, lulworth-cove
Accommodation category: Camping, Lodge / Beach Lodge, Self-Catering
abbotsbury, chesil-beach, Jurassic Coast, west-bay
Accommodation category: Cottage, Self-Catering
charmouth, golden-cap, Jurassic Coast, lyme-regis
Accommodation category: Camping, Self-Catering
beer, exmouth, Jurassic Coast, seaton, sidmouth
Accommodation category: Hotel
Jurassic Coast
exmouth, Jurassic Coast, seaton
Accommodation category: Camping & Caravan Site, Holiday Park
Jurassic Coast
Accommodation category: Agency (Self-Catering), Cottage, Self-Catering
abbotsbury, chesil-beach, Jurassic Coast, west-bay
Accommodation category: Camping, Holiday Park
beer, exmouth, Jurassic Coast, seaton, sidmouth
Accommodation category: Camping, Glamping
abbotsbury, chesil-beach, Jurassic Coast, west-bay
Accommodation category: Self-Catering
durdle-door, Jurassic Coast, kimmeridge, lulworth-cove
Accommodation category: Agency (Self-Catering), Self-Catering