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The Jurassic Coast

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20242025
5 days From £549 £499 per person
4.2 stars(12 reviews)
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A breathtaking adventure on the Jurassic Coast, discovering seaside towns, ancient castles, and natural wonders by heritage rail.

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Save up to £150pp on selected 2024 Europe, British Isles and Cruise holidays, when you book by 10th May 2024.

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Mobility Rating 2

2024 Tour code: 24DJS

About the tour

Discover the gems of the Jurassic Coast, by steam train and heritage railway. As you experience England's only natural UNESCO World Heritage Site, visit ancient Corfe Castle on the Isle of Purbeck, explore amazing historic towns, and travel through striking natural beauty by charming rail.

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Unforgettable Experiences

Rhododendron Line
Rhododendron Line
Take a steam train on the ‘Rhododendron Line’ through the colourful flora of Exbury Gardens in Hampshire’s New Forest.
Swanage Railway
Swanage Railway
Travel through the stunning countryside on the Swanage Railway to the battle-worn Corfe Castle ruins.
Beaulieu Palace House
Beaulieu Palace House
Visit the Beaulieu Motor Museum to explore the National Motor Museum, Palace House, and Beaulieu Abbey.
Lulworth Cove
Lulworth Cove
Experience the natural wonder of a near-perfectly circular bay eroded over time since the last ice age. This spectacular cove is one of the Jurassic Coast’s most iconic sights.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 – The sandy shores of Bournemouth

Your Jurassic Coast adventure starts today at your hotel in the beautiful coastal town of Bournemouth. You have time to settle in and meet your Tour Manager before dinner with the rest of your group this evening. With check in available from 2pm, you could spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the seaside resort. Your hotel is within easy access to the beach and city centre, where you'll find the Bournemouth Aquarium and the Pavilion Theatre along with seven miles of sandy beaches and a mix of shops on the lively high street.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 – The nostalgic Swanage Railway to battle-worn Corfe Castle

This morning your group heads by coach to Poole Quay for a boat to the Victorian seaside town of Swanage. Sailing the open blue sea, you pass Brownsea Island, the beaches of Studland Bay and the unique geological formations of the Jurassic Coast. The white chalk cliffs of Old Harry Rocks come into view as you drift closer to Dorset's eastern end of the Jurassic Coast.

Swanage is an atmospheric town with a long beach, interesting shops and delicious food. On arrival, you have time to grab some lunch before joining the Swanage Railway to Corfe Castle. The heritage journey runs along the beautiful Purbeck countryside through waving green fields and charming village..

Reaching the Isle of Purbeck, you can look around the fascinating 1,000-year-old Corfe Castle at leisure. Sitting on a hill overlooking the peaceful village, the dramatic ruins have an intriguing history, having survived siege, destruction and the English Civil War. The keep of this fortress castle was built in the early 12th century for William the Conqueror's son, King Henry I. After exploring the ruins of the royal castle, your coach takes you back to your hotel before dinner this evening.

Trains are steam-hauled where possible, however due to timetable changes or weather conditions, heritage diesel locomotives may be running instead.

Please Note - For departures 14/04/2024, 08/09/2024 and 13/10/2024 Days 2 and 3 have swapped around.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 – The beautiful Exbury Gardens Steam Railway and exciting Beaulieu Motor Museum

After breakfast, your coach takes you to Exbury Gardens in Hampshire's New Forest. Explore the gardens with a delightful journey aboard the Exbury steam railway, also known as 'the Rhododendron Line'. Departing from a charming replica Victorian station called 'Exbury Central', the train passes through a tunnel, over a bridge and meanders by beautiful areas of the gardens. It also circles the Dragonfly Pond, where you can keep an eye out for lovely local wildlife.

This afternoon, your group drives to the Beaulieu Motor Museum. There's plenty to see here, including the National Motor Museum, 'Palace House' - a medieval turreted house - and Beaulieu's serene grounds and gardens. With time at leisure, marvel at the vehicles that broke the land speed record, see the famous Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car, and ride the monorail through the roof of the museum for a view from above. There's also a restaurant where you can enjoy lunch before returning to the hotel by coach. After some time to relax, your group meets again this evening for dinner.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 – Uncovering Lulworth’s breathtaking cove and historic castle

Your day starts with a coach journey to the magnificent Lulworth Castle, a stunning 17th-century hunting lodge designed by famous architect Inigo Jones. After an introductory talk about its storied history, you are free to explore the castle, its extensive parkland and manicured rose garden.

From here, you make the short journey to one of the Jurassic Coast's most iconic features, the spectacular Lulworth Cove. Formed at the end of the last ice age, this near-circular bay is renowned for its unique geology. There is time at leisure to explore at your own pace, soaking up amazing views of the natural beauty, including the arches of Stair Hole.

After a scenic journey back to your hotel, there is free time to unwind before dinner tonight

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 – Homeward bound

After breakfast, your holiday comes to an end this morning. Once you've checked out and said goodbye to new friends, you can make your way home or continue to explore more of the fantastic Jurassic Coast on your own.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotel

Hermitage Hotel, Bournemouth

Hermitage Hotel, Bournemouth

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Trains

Swanage Railway
The Watercress Line

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Reviews

4.2 stars4.2 / 5 · 12 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (5)
  2. 4 stars
    (5)
  3. 3 stars
    (2)
  4. 2 stars
    (0)
  5. 1 star
    (0)

Mr Stewart

4 stars

Submitted 17 Oct 2023

No comment

Collected by Trustpilot

Mr Berry

5 stars

Submitted 17 Oct 2023

Excellent value for money.

Collected by Trustpilot

Geoff Combes

4 stars

Submitted 12 Oct 2023

Generally very good but only two train trips.

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Brian Morgan

5 stars

Submitted 23 Jul 2023

Good and interesting trip, well organised with the Hermitage Hotel on Bournemouth seafront. Two excellent steam journeys and visits to castles, gardens and the motor museum at Beaulieu. Very good tour manager

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Brian Morgan
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A Flux

4 stars

Submitted 21 Jul 2023

Good but not enough trains

Collected by Trustpilot

j j soan

5 stars

Submitted 02 Jun 2023

A very nice holiday to Bournemouth. The trips out enabled us to see a lot of the surrounding area particularly the New Forest and Poole Harbour. Good tour manager and coach drivers.

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