Dorset
is a quintessentially English county of rolling hills and chalk downlands, with
a picturesque coastline that is so important geologically it was awarded World
Heritage Status by UNESCO in 2001. Known as The Jurassic Coast, the rocks of
the East Devon and Dorset coastline record 185 million years of the Earth’s
history – a geological walk through time spanning the Triassic, Jurassic and
Cretaceous periods. The craggy Dorset coastline, which stretches from Lyme
Regis in the west to Christchurch in the east, also boasts many unique
geological landforms such as Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door, the Isle of Portland
and the shingle bank of Chesil Beach to name but a few. Over half of Dorset is
designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.