Natural attractions in Dorset

Dorset's Natural Wonders

Dorset’s coastline is defined by the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage site showcasing 185 million years of geological history. This selection features the iconic limestone arch of Durdle Door, the massive shingle structure of Chesil Beach, and Golden Cap, the highest point on the south coast of England. The list also includes the secluded limestone quarries of Winspit, the chalk downlands of Ballard Down, and the diverse habitats of Poole Harbour, one of the largest natural harbours in the world.

Dorset's Natural Wonders — Map

Saffron Blaze / CC BY-SA 3.0

A

Durdle Door

Durdle Door is a natural limestone arch on the Jurassic Coast near Lulworth in Dorset, England.

Qwfp / CC BY-SA 3.0

B

Golden Cap

Golden Cap is a hill and cliff situated on the English Channel coast between Bridport and Charmouth in Dorset, England.

Charlesdrakew / Public domain

C

Winspit

Disused coastal limestone quarry on the Isle of Purbeck featuring large caverns and sea-facing cliffs.

Jim / CC BY 2.0

D

Chesil Beach

Chesil Beach in Dorset, England is one of three major shingle beach structures in Britain.

Jim Champion / CC-BY-SA-3.0

E

Man O' War Cove

Man o' War Cove lies on the Dorset coast in southern England and is flanked by the rocky, steep and slightly projecting headlands of Durdle…

LordHarris / CC BY 2.5

F

Poole Harbour

Poole Harbour is a large natural harbour in Dorset, southern England, with the town of Poole on its shores.

JimChampion / CC BY-SA 3.0

G

Durlston Bay

Durlston Bay is a small bay next to a country park of the same name, just south of the resort of Swanage, on the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset,…

Tony Atkin / CC BY-SA 2.0

H

Freshwater Bay

Freshwater Bay is a bay on the east side of the Isle of Portland, Dorset, England, south from Church Ope Cove and between the villages of…

Mark.murphy / Public domain

I

Balaclava Bay

Balaclava Bay is a bay situated on the edge of Portland Harbour, where the breakwater meets the island, at the northern end of the Isle of…

Ajsmith141 / CC BY-SA 4.0

J

Hallelujah Bay

Hallelujah Bay is a bay located on the west side of the Isle of Portland, Dorset, England.

Mike Smith / CC BY-SA 2.0

K

Nicodemus Knob

Nicodemus Knob is a 30-feet pillar of Portland stone, left as a landmark and quarrying relic at East Cliff on the Isle of Portland, Dorset,…

Badgernet / CC BY-SA 3.0

L

Ballard Down

Ballard Down is an area of chalk downland on the Purbeck Hills in the English county of Dorset.

StephenDawson / CC BY-SA 2.0

M

Swyre Head

Swyre Head is the highest point of the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset, on the south coast of England.

KarelS / CC-BY-SA

N

Povington Hill

High point on the Purbeck Ridge offering panoramic views over the Lulworth Ranges and Poole Harbour.

O

Bridehead Lake

Spring-fed lake in the village of Littlebredy that serves as the source of the River Bride.

P

Little Sea

Freshwater lagoon at Studland separated from the sea by sand dunes, serving as a key habitat for rare bird species.

Q

West Lake

Freshwater lake on Brownsea Island managed as a sanctuary for migratory birds and red squirrels.

R

East Lake

Freshwater lake within the Brownsea Island nature reserve providing a protected wetland habitat.

S

Knoll Beach

Sandy stretch of coastline and dunes at Studland managed by the National Trust.

T

Butter Rock (stack)

Chalk sea stack located at the western end of the Durdle Door beach, formed by coastal erosion.

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