England's Jurassic Coast, Dorset: Discover the fossil treasures, local culture & 200 million years of earth history
England's Jurassic Coast, Dorset: Discover the fossil treasures, local culture & 200 million years of earth history
4 Days Starting and ending in Dorset, UK
Visiting: Wareham, Lyme Regis, West Bay, Chesil Beach, Corfe Castle, The Square & Compass, St James's Church, Kingston, Purbeck, Kimmeridge Bay, Lulworth Cove, Stair Hole, Durdle Door
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TO20
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
8 - 14
Physical rating:
Low
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Vegans
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Private Available:
Request A Private Tour
Tour Overview
Discover the many stories of the dramatic Jurassic Coast, Dorset. A geological wonder that for centuries has inspired fossil hunters, authors, artists, film makers and adventurers. Join our three-night tour with expert local guides who will tell the story of this intriguing coastline, sharing key insights behind its fascinating landscapes, history and geology. Stay three nights at the charming Priory Hotel in Wareham. ‘Foodies’ will enjoy two gourmet dinners at the hotel and one at the celebrated seafood restaurant - Shell Bay - overlooking Brownsea Island and Poole harbour. Enjoy a special private tour of Lyme Regis Museum, which Sir David Attenborough described as “A remarkable museum, a gem”. See their fossil collection and special hidden treasures not normally seen. An exclusive Lyme Regis walk will highlight Mary Anning (1799-1847), whose fossil finds intrigued the establishment scientists and formed the basis for our understanding of dinosaur evolution. More recently, Mary was the inspiration for the film Ammonite. In addition, you will have a chance to go fossil hunting at a location selected by our expert, where you can be the first to release fossils from millions of years of burial!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Dorset Arrival
Location: Wareham
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Priory Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
Guests arrive at their leisure this afternoon and have a chance to relax and enjoy the charming Priory Hotel in the heart of Thomas Hardy country. Early evening welcome to Dorset and brief on the programme for the tour from expert tour leader, Jonathan Evans.
Dinner and overnight in Wareham.
Day 2 : Lyme Regis, West Bay & Chesil Beach
Location: Lyme Regis, West Bay, Chesil Beach
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Priory Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
An exclusive fossil hunt on the beach with Dr Paul Davis, curator of the Lyme Regis Museum, and a unique walk and discussion with our leaders on the life of Mary Anning, the extraordinary fossil collector and subject of the recent film Ammonite. Following lunch at the Lyme Bay café, and a view of the Cobb, the Lyme Regis Harbour Wall and famous setting of the film, The French Lieutenant’s Woman, we will have a private tour of the Lyme Regis Museum, home to an extraordinary fossil collection.
West Bay and Bridport Sands: These stunning golden cliffs are the backdrop to the recent TV series Broadchurch. The yellow sandstones provide a superb example of how we can 'read the rocks' to decipher earth history from the landscape. The Bridport Sands formed in warm, shallow seas 180 million years ago and were covered by a few thousand metres of chalk and sand and then brought back to the surface and erosion has sculptured the cliffs!
Chesil Beach: This is some 18 miles long, running all the way from Portland to West Bay. It is the location of a large Iron Age Fort and chosen as the beautiful backdrop for so many films, including 'The Dam Busters' and 'On Chesil Beach'.
Day 3 : Corfe Castle, Dinosaur Footprints, Kingston Church And Kimmeridge
Location: Corfe Castle, The Square & Compass, St James's Church, Kingston, Purbeck, Kimmeridge Bay
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Priory Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Take a private guided walk around the castle and village with a local historian. The castle was built by William the Conqueror and was one of the first castles in England to be built from stone. The castle is positioned to defend one of the only gaps in the steep-sided Purbeck ridge which extends across Dorset.
Dinosaur Footprints. These are at a location only recently identified. Lunch in a near-by ultra-traditional, award-winning pub, The Square & Compass – described as ‘a true gem in the heart of Dorset’.
Kingston Church. This is nicknamed of ‘the cathedral of Purbeck’ which according to John Betjeman ‘gleams with Purbeck marble’.
Kimmeridge and the Etches Collection: The Bay exposes the Kimmeridge Clay - 150-million-year-old mudstones where amazing fossils have been found including turtles, crocodiles, sauropods, plesiosaurs, pliosaurs and ichthyosaurs. Many of these are now in the local Museum of Jurassic Marine Life (Etches Collection), which we will visit.
Group dinner will be at the Shell Bay Restaurant renowned for fresh, local seafood and produce from the surrounding areas with stunning views overlooking Brownsea Island, the waters of Poole Harbour and Sandbanks.
Day 4 : Lulworth Cove, Stair Hole, Durdle Door
Location: Lulworth Cove, Stair Hole, Durdle Door
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Lulworth Cove: This is a wonderful geological masterpiece and striking horseshoe-shaped cove which has been carved out of the cliffs.
Durdle Door, a natural limestone arch made of rocks some 140 million years old. Stair Hole is where the rock layers are folded into a remarkable structure called the ‘Lulworth crumple’. This feature and much more in the area are a northern outpost recording a continental collision of Africa with Europe that formed the Alpine Mountains around 50 million years ago.
Light lunch at The Weld Arms. A short stroll from Lulworth Castle, this 17th century coaching inn is another one of our favourites, where the kitchen team champion local and sustainable produce.
Lulworth Castle: This magnificent 17th century building is embedded in local and national history. Seized by the Roundheads in the English Civil War, it was also offered after the French Revolution as a residence-in-exile for surviving members of the French royal family.
The tour ends after lunch.
The coach will return participants to their choice of either the Priory Hotel or Wareham Railway Station.
What's Included
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Accommodation
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Meals – Full Board
Full English or Continental breakfast each morning, light lunches (pub or cafe) and a la carte dinner each evening.
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Entrance Fees
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Free Wi-Fi at Accommodation
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Fully Guided
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1 bottle of Mineral Water per person per day
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Tipping and Gratuities
The tour manager will look after any gratuities. There is no additional cost to you.
What's Not Included
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Airport Transfers at Destination
We can arrange airport transfer to destination, at cost.
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International Travel
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Drinks with Meals
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Extra or optional activities not described in the tour and personal expenditure such as bar bills, laundry and souvenirs.
Check out our Q&As
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
If requested, GeoCultura can arrange airport transfers.
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Is free Wi-Fi available in the accommodation used?
Wi-fi is provided by the hotels; although we request good coverage, GeoCultura cannot guarantee the quality of the wi-fi.
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
Yes.
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
Yes; this is indicated in the price section of the tour.
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Yes: this tour will have one or two leaders and a tour manager.
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What happens if a group doesn’t make its minimum required number of passengers?
In the unlikely event of low numbers, a tour may be cancelled. All monies paid will be refunded or allocated to a future tour at the current tour price.
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Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?
No, but we will ask you for details when we send out the joining instructions.
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
Yes! Please see the itinerary section for details.
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
GeoCultura can help with visa requirements but we are unable to make visa applications on your behalf.
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What is the tipping policy?
GeoCultura will pay tips for meals, drivers and guides. You are free, of course, to provide extra tips if you wish.
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Company Instant Book
Yes.
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
Yes, we are happy to help.
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Is the tour coach air conditioned?
Yes.
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes, although the talks and activities may not be suitable for children
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Will passengers from another country be participating in the tour?
Most likely: our tours are open to all who wish to participate.
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
No
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Yes.
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
Three to four star hotels or good quality Inns.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes.
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Are flights included in this tour?
No.
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What is the maximum group size?
GeoCultura aims for group sizes of 12-14 participants, though the tour may run with as few as 8 or as many as 18. Note that the presence of one or two tour leaders and a tour manager will ensure everyone receives attention.
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
We will be outdoors for a good part of each day, but generally each walk would be no more than three miles.
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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
This will depend on your nationality. GeoCultura can help with this.
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What currencies are required for this tour?
GBP
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
We endeavour to bring business to local communities outside of the most popular destinations, supporting small businesses where possible. We look for partners who value our business and work with them to avoid their peak periods. We pay our suppliers within 30 days.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
GeoCultura takes its responsibility for protecting you from the risks of catching Covid-19 very seriously. All of our tours are run with protocols in place to minimise the risk of transmission and are updated regularly to reflect the latest guidance.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
GeoCultura's Expert tour leader, the tour manager and the professional driver of the minibus or coach, plus maximum 12 to 14 participants. Additional experts may join the group for part of a day or for an evening pre- or post-dinner talk.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Detailed itinerary and joining instructions. We also ask about dietary requirements and any other information which you would like to share to ensure the tour meet your needs.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
2 years
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
No
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
No
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How do you choose the accommodation?
In England, where distances between our tour stops are shorter, we choose hotels or Inns in small towns or villages, where it's easy for you to wander out to explore, when you have free time. In remote locations, with limited choice, we check out the options to ensure you won't be disappointed. We look for high standards of cleanliness, a warm welcome and an emphasis on good local food.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes, we select our hotels with great care, continually monitoring their trading patterns and online reviews. If we were alerted to any issues, we would choose alternative accommodation, even at short notice.
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What are your sustainability credentials?
We aim to operate our tours as sustainably as possible, removing the need for our participants to use their own cars or hire one. We will meet you from the nearest mainline railway station (no additional charge) and can also arrange to meet and greet you at your arrival airport (small additional charge for this service).
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
Please see our terms and conditions. We will always try and offer you an alternative date and tour.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
Yes, by arrangement
Want a private tour?
Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
GeoCultura Ltd allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 60 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
GeoCultura Ltd allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform geocultura ltd, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
GeoCultura Ltd requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of geocultura ltd charges.
At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 10% of booking price.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 65% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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