Good news! A Jurassic Coast day trip from London is doable for savvy adventurers tuned into the benefits of coach travel. By no means does a day of exploration do justice. Nevertheless, there is enough time to whet your appetite for a longer trip in the future. This post will show you how to go about your visit using public transport.
The Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site is situated on England’s wild, wild southwest. It is an astounding formation of unique landscapes that have to be seen to be believed. Stretching from East Devon to Dorset, the Jurassic Coast is a geological marvel etched over 185 million years.
A visit to the Jurassic Coast is a walk through history, evolution and profound natural processes that amaze the imagination.
For Londoners in search of a coastal escape or staycation, the Jurassic Coast is a superb day out. Moreover, you can ramp up the adventure by making it a fun group trip with like-minded travellers.
Our Jurassic Coast experience was a rollicking girls’ trip full of laughter, great conversation and bonding.
Ideally, you need a car and plenty of time to explore the coast. However, if you are short on time, car-free, don’t drive, or want to entrust the logistics to someone else, there is good news. Coach travel offers hassle-free journeys from London to the Jurassic Coast via Bournemouth.
WoW Contents At A Glance
Why travel by coach?
Travelling by coach is a viable option if you’re looking to set off on more wanders in the UK. I use National Express coaches regularly for comfort and reliability. More recently, they were my main source of transportation to the airport; en route to wanders in Zadar, Venice and Kefalonia. The coaches serve over 900 locations across the UK, including popular locations like Bath, Oxford and Cambridge. Moreover, National Express tick the boxes for modern conveniences such as air conditioning, leather seats, free wifi and USB sockets. Plus, there are onboard toilets; a relief for those with travel anxiety around finding the next loo while on the road.
That said, let’s step into maximising a day trip from London to the Jurassic Coast by public transport.
Jurassic Coast Day Trip Step 1: Direct National Express Coach to Bournemouth
An early start is essential when you only have a day at your disposal. National Express coaches travel from London Victoria to Bournemouth up to 21 times a day. The latest departure time you should aim for is the 8am service. This gets you to Bournemouth in time to carry out Step 2.
Jurassic Coast Day Trip Step 2: Discover Dorset Tours
Discover Dorset Tours offer a return coach service from Bournemouth to Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove, two of the most iconic landscapes on the Jurassic Coast. The coach departs from Stand K in Bournemouth station. From here, we enjoyed a scenic drive with views of Poole Bay, Poole Harbour and Sandbanks. We discovered that Sandbanks is one of the most expensive slices of coastal real estate in the world. Financial Times once called it “the UK’s version of Palm Springs”. You really do learn something new every day, eh? Discover Dorset Return Prices: Adult – £25, Student – £20, Over 60’s – £20, Under 16’s – £15.
Jurassic Coast Day Trip Step 3: Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove
Durdle Door is a limestone arch chiselled by the sea and natural elements over time.
A short walk from the parking lot, we came upon the Man O’War beach which is on the other side of Durdle Door. The blue-green hues of the sea seemed to me like colours more typically associated with the Mediterranean. Yet, here we were basking in their shimmering brilliance on the Dorset coast.
If your mobility allows, take the steps (about 89 of them!) down to the beach and spend some time taking it all in at close quarters. We spent majority of our time here, relaxing on the beach, chatting and taking countless pictures. As you do.
Dragging ourselves reluctantly from the scene, we girded our thighs for the walk to Lulworth Cove. This was the second highlight of our Jurassic Coast experience.
Over the Hambury Tout hill, views of the rolling countryside stretched with undulating abandon. You can’t help the feeling of freedom within this extraordinary terrain bursting with an abundance of nature.
In the nearby village of West Lulworth, a rustic but busy air welcomed us. Evocative thatched houses dotted a landscape interspersed with quiet charm. The day had indeed been a medley of nature, history and worlds suspended in time.
All too soon, it was time to head back. Perhaps we can petition Discover Dorset to extend the service by two extra hours? That would go down an even better treat.
5 tips for visiting Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove
1. Lulworth Cove has a few shops and restaurants. However, you may want to bring snacks as the options for food are limited around Durdle Door.
2. Wear comfortable walking shoes. The distance between Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove is about a mile or so over a big hill.
3. Don’t forget your swimwear if you want to have a frolic in the sea.
4. Visit https://jurassiccoast.org for more information on outdoor activities, including walking, kayaking, coasteering and mountain biking.
5. Remember to look behind you on the walk from Durdle Door to Lulworth Cove. The views are amazing.
Jurassic Coast Day Trip Step 4: Return National Express Journey from Bournemouth to London Victoria
Discover Dorset brought us back to Bournemouth where we caught one of the National Express evening services to London Victoria. After a full, active day it was good to relax (read: nap) all the way back to London.
With summer rolling along, there’s nothing more appealing than a trip to the seaside. If clear waters, coastal walks and nature’s own masterpieces call, consider the Jurassic Coast for a great day out. Of course, given its rugged beauty and heritage, the Jurassic Coast is a must-visit whatever the season. Treat yourself to one of the best fusions of seaside and countryside!
Over to you, fellow wanderers: have you been to the Jurassic Coast yet? Does the day trip outlined here grab you to give it a try? Share your thoughts in the comments below. See you on the next WoW.
This post is in collaboration with National Express, who provided complimentary return tickets to Bournemouth. All thoughts and trip musings are my own. Feature image credit: Belinda Fewings on Unsplash.
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