Exploring the Eastern End of the Jurassic Coast

The Jurassic Coast stretches from Exmouth in East Devon to Old Harry Rocks in Dorset. The World Heritage Site boasts 95 miles of unique geological history, allowing you to marvel at 185 million years of rock strata and fossils as you explore this picturesque part of the UK.

This massive time span covers the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous Periods. During this time the earth’s crust twisted and, together with processes of erosion, resulted in the coastal landscape we are familiar with today. Iconic natural landmarks go hand in hand with the words ‘Jurassic Coast’. Old Harry Rocks, Durdle Door, Chesil Beach, Lulworth Cove and Ladram Bay Stacks, all show the scars of the natural processes of landscape creation.

A natural playground for Adventure

If you’re looking for adventure, Cumulus Outdoors excels at delivering outdoor adventure activities for school and you groups. Our activities are designed to teach new skills through new experiences, develop team building, trust and leadership, improve confidence, overcome fears and face challenges. Many of these activities take place in various locations on the stunning Jurassic Coast – combining both physical development and learning in one learning arena.

Coasteering, climbing and abseiling all happen at Dancing Ledge just outside of Swanage. Here you can see the environmental and manmade effects on the present form of the coastline. Natural elements have eroded the rocks over millennia revealing the patterns of strata movement. Then quarrying for the valuable building commodity Purbeck stone has fashioned the angular formations and ledges at this point. If you look closely at the rocks whilst you are climbing, you can spot all sorts of fossil relics. Can you find the large ammonite in one of the coasteering caves?

Mountain biking on the Jurassic Coast

Our mountain biking routes traverse their way over the Purbeck heathland criss-crossing down from Corfe Castle, past the Aggleston Rock towards Poole Harbour at Studland. Here, you can head up to Old Harry Rocks to the chalk stacks, which were, a few thousand years ago, connected to the Needles on the Isle of Wight. The same rock formations can be seen from sea level on our kayaking trips between Studland Bay and Swanage. At low tide you can explore the beach and the caves found the foot of the cliffs with our qualified instructor. Learning to control your kayak against the backdrop of these magnificent chalk cliffs is a breath-taking experience and one of favourite ways to explore the Jurassic Coast.

Portland Climbing

Favoured climbing locations of our senior instructor, Jess, include the Isle of Portland. Huge cliffs of Portland Stone rise from the sea providing a dramatic backdrop for skill and strength to traverse the rocky outcrops.

Snorkelling in Kimmeridge

Cliffs of ever-shifting Kimmeridge clay and bituminous shale flank the stark but beautiful Kimmeridge Bay. Here you can spend hours hunting for fossils in the shale and tracing the outline of huge ammonites seen in the flat clay ledges stretching out to sea.

The Bay is also one of the safest locations on the ‘East End’ for snorkelling and rock pooling. The Purbeck Marine and Wildlife Reserve can be found here, an interactive centre with hands on displays and a unique underwater trail for snorkelers. A little further inland is the Etches Collection Museum, with an amazing array of locally found fossils.

These are just a few of our adventure activities which we are lucky enough to deliver on the Eastern End of the Jurassic Coast. We have many adventure activities for you to choose from; take a look, pre-book and join us in the Summer for your Jurassic Coast adventure!