JURASSIC COAST

The Jurassic Coast is Dorset's greatest asset. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this enchanting coastline stretches for over 150 kilometers from Studland Bay, near Poole, to Exmouth in Devon. Its landscapes are of rare beauty, and its name derives from its very special nature. No less than 185 million years of geological history have shaped this coastline, where numerous dinosaur fossils have been found. The best way to discover the region is to get behind the wheel and embark on a road trip along the sea, which can be completed in a single day. Here are the main sites of interest, from east to west:

Corfe Castle: this picture-postcard medieval village is on the way to the coast from Poole. It's well worth stopping for a photo or to visit the impressive ruins of its hilltop castle (www.nationaltrust.org.uk).

Old Harry Rocks: at the eastern tip of Studland, this stunning chalk geological formation features stacks and huge white rocks jutting out of the water. It might remind you of Australia's Great Ocean Road, but this is England.

Lulworth Cove: this small, almost perfectly circular natural bay is an idyllic place of rare beauty, and one of the finest examples of its kind in Europe. Right next door, on the western flank, is Stair Hole, another cove with rocks from elsewhere.

Durdle Door: not far from Lulworth Cove, this poetically-named site is a splendid arch cut into the cliff. On its eastern side, St Oswald's Bay and Man o'War are delightful beaches.

Bat's Head and White Nothe: to the west of Durdle Door, Bat's Head and White Nothe are two enormous points of white rock from which you can enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding area. There is no road to get there, but the South West Path provides access.

Chesil Beach: just beyond Weymouth, Chesil Beach is an interminable 19-kilometre long beach. A lagoon separates most of it from the coast, and it can be admired from Portland, Abbotsbury and West Bexington.

West Bay: made famous by the Broadchurch detective series, which uses it as a backdrop, this small community boasts a typical harbour and superb East Cliffs, set like a wall against the sea.

Golden Cap: 10 kilometers before Lyme Regis, Golden Cap forms a 191-metre-high rocky promontory facing the sea. It's particularly visible from Seatown, where a path provides a 40-minute walk.

Lyme Regis: the charming little village of Lyme Regis is very picturesque, and Lyme Bay is famous for its many shells and fossils.

South West Coast Path: if you'd like to explore the Jurassic Coast on foot, the South West Coast Path (www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk) is a 1,014-kilometer long-distance footpath between Minehead (Somerset) and Poole (Dorset). It covers the whole of the South West Peninsula, well beyond the Jurassic Coast, but you're free to do only the sections that interest you.

Accommodation: there are plenty of campsites and B&Bs. The national youth hostel association YHA (www.yha.org.uk) also has several addresses along the coast (YHA Swanage, YHA Lulworth Cove, YHA Litton Cheney and YHA Beer).

Further information: www.jurassiccoast.org