Walking The Jurassic (Dorset Coast)

Walking The Jurassic (Dorset Coast) Independent (self-guided) walking holiday Inn to Inn / Town to Village

“Foot Trails was extremely easy to work with. We're delighted and hope to do another walk next year” Susan, NY, USA

Welcome & trail story from Alison Howell We’ve been visiting this area as a family for over 2 decades and have always wished to include it in a Foot Trails. For me this area of the Dorset coast is very much where the countryside meets the sea, for as far as you can see there is no major development.

Walk through spectacular views and scenery on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, England’s first natural world heritage site. It’s stunning coastline boast rocks recording 185 million years of the earth’s history and this incredible geology is of global importance.

Discover secret walks, unspoiled villages and smugglers tales, all with the back drop of the sea, giving us an ever changing place of mood and colour. Read on to learn more about our coastal trail.

Warm regards, Alison Howell, Founder & Director

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About Walking The Jurassic Foot Trails’ local knowledge and expertise means you can enjoy all this without the monotony of the South West Coast path. This 4 night inn to inn trail explores the landscape to the west of Weymouth and is great for a short break away from it all.

There’s a little something of everything in this trail! Sweeping views of the coastline, seaside inns where you can enjoy a pause and listen to the wash of waves, hidden villages and ancient smuggler trackways, iron age hill forts and ruined abbeys.

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Officially a world heritage site, the area boast rocks recording 185 million years of the earth’s history and this incredible geology is of global importance.

Contents

Read on for a pick of the highlights.

Pick of the highlights

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Where & getting here

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Sample daily itinerary

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Where you stay

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Details & prices

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Booking your trail

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Our pick of the highlights * Enjoy panoramas over a natural world heritage site, The Jurassic Coast * Explore historic Abbotsbury with it’s iconic chapel on the hill * Tales of 6000 years of human activities from the Neolithic, to Celts, Romans & Vikings * Discover tales of the smugglers who had a thriving industry on Dorset’s coast * Stand a top the highest sea cliff on the south coast, ‘Golden Cap’ * Be inspired by The Fleet – England’s largest tidal inland pool with its amazing wildlife * Enjoy pretty Dorset thatched cottages & villages * Discover Thomas Hardy’s ‘Port Bredy’ and scenes from the TV series ‘Broadchurch’ * Stay within a stone’s throw of the sea (to enjoy when everyone else has gone home!)

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Where & getting here Dorset is in the South West of England. The Jurassic Coast in the south and borders Devon to the west and Hampshire to the east.

How to get here?

The nearest train station for arrivals is at Crewkerne or Weymouth. Travel is approximately 3 hours from London Waterloo. The journey time by car, about 3½ hours from London.

The suggested international airport is London Heathrow which offers an easy transfer to London Paddington and around two hours to the start of the trail.

There is also a regional airport at Southampton with a direct link train link to Weymouth.

Airport cars often make the most convenient transfer and we can arrange this for you.

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Sample daily itinerary...

We have created this itinerary as as an outline for the ultimate mini escape on the Dorset coast. You will find the mileages & prices for this itinerary in the ‘Trail details & prices’.

Custom Itinerary Service If the itinerary featured; lengths of stay, arrival day, daily mileages are not right for your plans, we can customise an itinerary to you. You can choose your preferred dates - start on any day of the week - stay for how long you wish - include rest days change the daily walk distances.

Day 1 - Arrive and Relax Arrive in Dorset and your Foot Trails adventure! Take a little time to settle in and for those that wish take today's short trail to West Bay, the sea and get to know the local area. There’s many a story to tell on this trail and views too.

Day 2 - ‘The Cap!’ (Drop off service to start included) Walk in gorgeous rolling green countryside with uninterrupted views down to the sea. Climb to the top of Golden Cap, the south coast’s highest Sea Cliff. There’s old cottages on the way, evocative abandoned church and stories of life beside the coast. Walk the coast path to the beacon, the view from here is just sensational! Pick up 'green' lanes that the Smugglers once used., leading to a lovely village.

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Day 3 - The bride (Luggage transfer service included) Start on high with views out to sea and with the whole span of Chesil beach, then descend into the Bride valley and some charming Dorset villages and cottages. Then its back to the coast descending all the way to the beach front. Salt marshes here bring an array of wild life. Listen to the waves and then wander along the beach to your hotel. Check in and enjoy the change of scene.

Day 4 - ‘Swans and Abbots’ A deliciously scenic trail that leads you both above and on the coast, that won't disappoint. You'll begin on Dorset's ancient green hill tops before dropping down into Abbotsbury, an historic village, inhabited for 6000 years but defined by its iconic monastery established in the 15th century. Your trail continues giving you breath-taking views which tumble away to the sea, and over the fleet. An atmospheric wander back along Chesil's famous pebble beach.

Day 5 - Depart at your leisure At the end of your Foot Trail it's time for your onward travel, full of memories and tales of your adventures.

Walks / hikes lengths?

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Our approach to walking is very much about enjoyment, something achieved but not too much that you are not excited to do it again! When we put together the trails we plan them with a day out in mind, a few hours walking in the morning, a nice place to pause for lunch such as a pub or cafe, then a couple of hours to walk in the afternoon.

“Just letting you know our trip was fantastic from start to end!! Everything was planned and everyone who looked after us was great. We loved every minute of it and are planning to do this again sometime soon!

Gemme & Derek, Canada

Where you stay personally chosen Where you stay is a key part of your Foot Trail & experience. One of the reasons guests choose Foot Trails is for our choice and quality of accommodation.

The country inns and country pubs where you stay are small, personal and friendly with excellent hospitality. Each one is in an English village with comfortable bedrooms and delicious local food and drinks to enjoy with dinner after your walk.

Alison, Foot Trails founder, chooses each inn personally. Centuries old, each building provides a relaxing and authentic setting in which you can kick off your boots and eat dinner at the end of an inspiring day on the trail.

During your Dorset trail you will stay at 2 hand-picked hotels that celebrate what the area is all about. One is an old 16th century coaching inn that served this old market town when it was at its height of activity, today history and boutique bedrooms offer a cosy stay. The second is an old manor house just a stones throw from the sea. It offers refreshing bedrooms (some with sea views), a cosy bar, light and airy restaurant and gardens with sea views.

You will receive full details and website addresses of our suggested accommodation with your itinerary when we confirm availability of your trip.

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Trail details & prices Details for the sample itinerary Best start day: Daily miles: Grade: Arrival train station:

Monday, staying for 4 nights 5 - 8 - 9 - 8 - depart Moderate, walking with some steeper ascents & descents Crewkerne or Weymouth, Dorset

May, June & September: Standard - £715 p/p // Superior - £795 p/p April & October: Standard - £679 p/p // Superior - £755 p/p Weekends:

+£35 per person

(Due to peak season we do not recommend the trail in July & August) Prices based on 2 persons sharing a bedroom. Twin (2 x single beds) & family bedroom options available. Solo's welcome (solo supplements apply).

Group discounts (4+) and returning guests thank you discounts offered.

Customise your itinerary If the itinerary featured, lengths of stay, arrival day, daily mileages are not right for your plans, we can customise an itinerary to you. You can choose your preferred dates - start on any day of the week - stay for how long you wish - include rest days change the daily walk distances. Prices for custom itineraries are quoted per trip and will vary from the prices quoted above.

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What is included? * Our services in arranging your itinerary * Our guest support in preparing for your trip, and on call support during your trip * Accommodation for 4 nights, double bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms * Country breakfast to set you up each day * 4 days of independent walking with a tailored itinerary to suit you and the season * Transport drop off services if required for your itinerary * Luggage transfers between your country inns * A comprehensive Walk and Explore box, posted for your arrival & including: * Local maps with your trails clearly marked (on our fully waterproof paper) * Innovative trail cards, one for each day, with clear easy to follow directions in word (on waterproof paper) * Trail cards also include local histories and stories to enjoy and read as you explore * Suggested departure times so that you don't miss lunch, recommended lunchtime stops at hand picked country pubs or cafes (lunch not included) * Foot Trail’s famous fortifying sweets, nature guide, guest booklet, local information and more

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Booking your trail If you would like help choosing the best trail for you then call us on +44 (0) 1747 820626 or email us at Enquire@FootTrails.co.uk. We plan, write and create all our own walking trails and are here to offer you our expert advice.

If the trails featured, arrival days or lengths of stay are not right for you, you can choose your preferred dates and start on any day of the week. We will create a custom itinerary for you based on your preferences. Prices for custom trips are quoted per trip and vary from the prices quoted in the brochure.

You can make your booking by calling us on +44 (0) 1747 820626 or if you prefer you can email us at Enquire@FootTrails.co.uk. We will ask you a few details to enable us to make a reservation for you. We will then be able to confirm the availability of your trail. Due to the crafted nature of our trails there may be a day or two's wait while we contact our inns and hosts.

We will email you with confirmation of your itinerary, accommodations and details for your deposit of ÂŁ125 per person. Payment of your deposit will confirm your booking. Balances are due 8 weeks before arrival. We accept all major credit cards, PayPal and bank transfers.

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Words from our guests “We've used Foot Trails 4 times now and would book with them again. Foot Trails is a company where you can just pick your destination and that's all you have to do.

They have a standard and they stick to it.”

Fleur, UK “Thank you so much for organising a carefully planned program. We have booked with other companies in different parts of the world but we would have to say your company has been outstanding in all areas.”

Adele, Australia “The more we talk about your company to our friends, the more we realize what a unique and special service you provide. We are already talking about our next holiday with you.”

Bob & Linda, USA

You can read more reviews from our guests on our tripadvisor page www.tripadvisor.com/foottrailsUK

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Why a Foot Trail?

A Foot Trail avoids the formulaic nature, crowds and predictability of mass tourism and focuses instead purely on the quality of your experience. Take a Foot Trail and you will explore deep beneath the surface.

You will walk and hike in real and authentic places. Enjoy real, not manufactured tourism moments. Shared conversations with a local person, the stillness of time spent in beautiful landscapes and the joy of encountering stories and moments from England's past.

Three words describe a Foot Trail perfectly -

Simple - Crafted – Authentic The press say:

"One of the 7 Adventure Vacations you need to take in your lifetime."

JetSetter.com, 2019 Foot Trails are one of England's best loved regional walking travel companies. We work within our local community, crafting walking experiences from scratch, aiming for a positive outcome for us all.

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Bookings & contacts Call +44 (0) 1747 820 626 with your chosen date, we will then confirm your place for you upon which a £125 person deposit will be payable. Bank transfers, PayPal & all major credit & debit cards accepted.  +44 (0) 1747 820 626 (landline)  Enquire@FootTrails.co.uk

 www.FootTrails.co.uk www.facebook.com/FootTrails www.instagram.com/FootTrailsUK

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