The area between White Nothe and Gad Cliff incorporates the infamous Lulworth area, an exceptional area to study the formation ofcoastal systems, home to the textbook geological formations of Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door.
The geology here exposes Jurassic rocks (152-145 million years ago), a time when sea levels had fallen and coastal swamps, lagoon, forests, and salt flats had become established. These environmental conditions persisted into the Cretaceous, which is also exposed here (145-85 million years old). The dramatic impact of the Purbeck monocline is evident here, as showcased by features such as Stair Hole, highlighting the global influence of plate tectonics.
The Fossil Forest near Lulworth Cove captures the Early Cretaceous forest environment from around 145 million years ago, a must-see, but only when the Army Ranges are open.
There is also other evidence of life preserved from the Purbeck beds, Chalk, Oily boulders and Wealdon dinosaur fragments.
Although this area is a hugely popular tourist destination, visitors should not be lulled into a false sense of security as the cliffs here are just as vulnerable to erosion as anywhere else on the coast and unfortunately landslides and rockfalls can and do happen.
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