Dorset

This stretch of coastline, which begins in Exmoor in Devon and continues for 95 miles to the Old Harry Rocks in Dorset, is England's only natural World Heritage Site. Its incredible geology is the reason it was given this status. The rocks, fossils and landforms of this area span three geologic time periods - the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretataceous. 

Here are some of the  geological highlights of this unique part of Dorset;

Charmouth Beach - fossils which have eroded from the cliffs are found in abundance on this large shingle beach close to Lyme Regis. 

West Bay and Chesil Beach - this is where you will see golden crumbling cliffs which reveal falling sea levels from 175 million years ago. Chesil Beach at the bottom came from massive landslides after the last ice age around 20,000 years ago.

Durdle Door - probably one of Dorset's most photographed landmarks, this is a giant natural sea-arch, formed from limestone. 

Kimmeridge Bay - this bay is internationally recognised for its impressive geology with the Kimmeridge Clay formed of fossil-rich mudstones. 

Old Harry Rocks - impressive white chalk formations which stand like pinnacles in the sea at the end of the Jurassic Coast. Thousands of years ago, The Old Harry Rocks were actually linked to The Needles (another chalk rock formation) on the Isle of Wight by a line of chalk hills that eroded away during the last ice age.