Introduction to the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site

By Ian Gillan:  Singer with Deep Purple

The Dorset and East Devon Coast is a World Heritage Site because the rocks between Exmouth in Devon and Studland Bay in Dorset record 185 million years of the Earth's ancient history in just 95 miles of coast. This is the finest record through the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods of geological time anywhere in the World and a trip along this coastline is like travelling through time! 

The Dorset and East Devon Coast is England's only Natural World Heritage Site and was added to the World Heritage list in December 2001. The World Heritage Convention recognises both natural and cultural sites. In 2004 the United Kingdom contained 25 World Heritage Sites including Stonehenge, Avebury and the City of Bath. The other natural World Heritage Sites within the British Isles are the Giants Causeway in Northern Ireland and the islands of St Kilda way off the west coast of Scotland. Around the World there were, in 2004, about 550 World Heritage Sites including the Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal, the start of a very impressive list. So how does the Dorset and East Devon Coast match up to these famous sites? It is the exceptional wealth of rocks, fossils and landforms that makes this coast internationally important. The combination of these three interests is unique around the World and that is why UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation granted World Heritage Status to this fascinating and beautiful coastline. But there is no single place where all of the interests contained within the Site can be explored and our Site is a story through time and space. Enjoy it.

World Heritage is about more than just conservation. UNESCO expects World Heritage Sites to be explored, enjoyed and appreciated by visitors. Dorset and Devon County Councils and the Dorset Coast Forum have driven the application for World Heritage Site status and now work in consensus with many different interest groups representing conservation, education, tourism and economic regeneration, in order to promote sustainable activities. To find out more about walks, events and written information visit the local Tourist Information Centre, visitor centre or museum.

Enjoy the trip and explore this wonderful Site further.