The Jurassic coast is a phenomenon of nature. This spectacular coastline has literally been 185 million years in the making. One noticeable aspect of the Jurassic coast is that its beaches tend to be a pebble. However littered amongst the many wonderfully coloured and shaped stones, are fossils from bygone days of the dinosaurs. If you’re staying in a lodge in Devon or Dorset, you’ll have countless options for days out and places to visit. We’ve put together our list of favourite seaside towns on the Jurassic coast. The best seaside towns to visit on the Jurassic Coast The top 5 days out on the beautiful Jurassic coast of Devon and Dorset Why are these the best seaside towns on the Jurassic coast? The reason we’ve chosen these locations is that they all offer something unique. If you’re looking for a quiet beach to soak up the scenery or if you’re in search of a more traditional British seaside town, that’s bustling with plenty to see and do then you’ll find it on our list. #1 Beer Yes there is a small seaside town in Devon called Beer. Located about 15 miles east of Exeter on the Jurassic coast, Beer is a fantastic place. There seems to be a real calmness about Beer, compared to other towns in the region. Perhaps because there isn’t much of a high street. Visitors will find some small boutique shops, a few restaurants and 3 pubs. The fish and chip shop is also well worth a visit and a really good thing to do is take your meal down to the beach and enjoy the sea views. Beer has a spectacular beach surrounded by cliffs. It almost feels like a cove. The local fishermen can often be seen heading out or returning with their catch. The beach has a couple of small cafe-type eateries, with plenty of tables and benches. When the sun is shining, Beer is a hard place to beat. If it’s kiss me quick hats and donkey rides you’re after then you’ll be disappointed. Beer is the total opposite. The town is a small, quaint and peaceful location and well worth a visit. #2 Exmouth For a busier seaside town in Devon, Exmouth just about tops the bill. Strangely the beach is sand, unlike many others in the area. One of the best times to visit Exmouth is early in the morning in the height of summer; just as the shops and cafes are about to open. The water is still and glistens under the sunshine and feels like pure tranquillity. Exmouth enjoys stunning views across. The water that looks out to Starcross and Dawlish. The cafes, ice cream parlours, bars and shops soon spring into life and the town can become very busy. Water sports fans can windsurf, paddleboard, kayak and swim, whilst beach lovers can enjoy the 2-mile stretch of sand, to top up the suntan. Exmouth is a short 5-minute walk. The town square known as The Strand is surrounded by bars and cafes and the marina is a nice peaceful stroll away. Be sure to visit Krispies fish and chip shop. Perhaps the only chippy that serves battered chips! #3 Branscombe The smallest place on our list of best seaside towns to visit on the Jurassic coast, Branscombe has a tiny population of just over 500 people, which actually makes it a village. Branscombe however is a beautiful place to visit and boasts an idyllic coastline. The pebbled beach sits beneath rolling hills and cliffs. The Jurassic coastal path is easy to access from the seafront. Driving down to the beach, visitors will find a car park, with ample space. Be sure to get a ticket as the car park is monitored by cameras. The beach is long and children will love exploring the rock pools and dipping their toes into the water. Sat overlooking the beach is a fantastic cafe called The Sea Shanty. With cakes, teas, coffee and meals as well as beers and wines, the Sea Shanty is the perfect spot for relaxing on a stunning beach front. Branscombe also has a lovely country pub called The Masons arms. This 14th Century traditional bar has a quaint thatched roof and serves modern British food. They often have a good selection of ales and wines. The Masons arms is a short stroll from the beach and it also has its own parking. #4 Sidmouth Often referred to as the gateway to the Jurassic coast, Sidmouth Town would make an excellent day out for those staying in a lodge nearby. This regency town has a lovely pebbled beach with plenty of things to do. You’ll often find people swimming in the sea or paddle boarding near the shoreline. The raised esplanade runs alongside the beach and is a safe walking area for those with young children. Sidmouth has charming boutique shops and independent cafes. There is somewhat of a slow pace to life in Sidmouth and a nice glass of wine on the seafront is the perfect way to spend a summer holiday. The town has a few shops and places to buy ice cream, one of which is a parlour called Taste which often has long queues for their ice cream, but it’s well worth the wait. Sidmouth also has access to the Jurrasic coastal walk and for those who don’t mind a hilly climb, the views from Peak hill that overlook the town and coast are simply spectacular. Sidmouth has a small museum and Connaught Gardens is a lovely area with flowers and pathways that again overlook the coast. The garden also has a small cafe to keep refreshed in the warm sunshine. In August Sidmouth plays host to its famous Folk Festival. A week’s entertainment of live music, street shows and stalls. During this week the town can get quite busy however the atmosphere is always good and everyone seems to have a nice time. #5 Lyme Regis Just heading over the Devon and Dorset border is the town of Lyme Regis. For dinosaur lovers and fossil hunters, Lyme Regis is the perfect place to visit. The town has a dinosaur museum, showcasing some incredible finds and children can spend hours searching the pebbled beach.  The beach on Lyme Regis is both pebble and sand so there is something for everyone. The esplanade can get busy during the peak months as there are numerous bars, restaurants, cafes and ice cream parlours as you would expect from a seaside town on the Jurassic coast. At the end of the esplanade is the famous Lyme Regis cobb. A stunning harbour wall dating back to the 1300s. Visitors can take a leisurely stroll along the Cobb and take in the stunning views of the seafront. The grassed hill overlooking the beach has a crazy golf course and this seaside town on the Jurassic coast has museums and small independent shops to leisurely saunter around. Visiting the Jurassic Coast FAQs How long is the Jurassic Coast? The coastline is nearly 100 miles long, stretching from Devon into Dorset. How easy is it to get to the Jurassic Coast? Visitors travelling in by road from the north can access the South West on the M5 Motorway. Once at Exeter there are clear signs to the various towns along the coast. During the peak holiday season, the smaller roads can become busy.  Holidaymakers arriving from the East have the option of the M4, A303 or A35. The A35 hugs part of the coastline and has some wonderful views of the cliffs and sea. Can I walk the Jurassic Coast? Absolutely yes! There are paths along the the route. There are numerous cliffs so be prepared for some steep climbs. Nevertheless once at the top the views will be worth the effort. There are plenty of opportunity for refreshments along the way. Can I go fishing on the Jurassic Coast? Yes. You’ll often find people sea fishing, stood from the esplanades during quieter times. Its not uncommon to see people fishing stood on the beach in Branscombe. For something a little different, why not book yourself onto a Mackerel fishing trip and sail out on a boat to find your catch. These excursions are available in Exmouth. What month is the Sidmouth Folk Festival The annual festival is usually held in August. There are numerous camping spots around the town and local lodges, cabins and other accommodation quickly get booked up during this busy week. How did Beer town get its name? Nothing to do with the alcoholic drink. The word Beer originates from a traditional word Beare meaning woodland, which surrounded the town. Can I keep any fossils I find? Fossils that are found on the beach are generally fine to keep. If fossils are taken from private land this could become a problem. When searching for fossils try and stay clear of the cliff face. Its best to leave these ones to the professionals. About the author: Author Matt has been visiting Devon for years and is the go-to guy for Devon information. At times it seems like he’s been to every fish and chip shop and ice cream shop along the coast with his in-depth knowledge of the area. You can read Matts’s guide to the best lodge breaks in Devon here if you are looking for a luxury break. 

What You Will Find At Woodlands Theme Park A Massive 36 Hectare Site Special Events In School Holidays On Site Farm Zoo Lots Of Rides, Slides And Attractions For All The Family Dedicated Toddler Zone For Ages 2-5 Our Day Out At Woodlands Family Park Once we arrived the rain stopped and spirits were high. The children were certainly excited. As we turned into the park, we were greeted by white wallabies, a strange sight, but appealing nonetheless. We parked the car and headed to the entrance, where a quick scan of our online booking and we were in. As the name suggests, Woodlands makes great use of its outdoor space. Nestled near Dartmouthin south Devon’s area of outstanding natural beauty, the park is spacious, with paths that meander to various areas. Woodlands near Dartmouth – Indoor / outdoor fun / zoo farm / rides and more.. There are numerous outdoor activities. Our children immediately spotted a swinging pirate ship but as we approached we saw a mirror maze. This was great fun and started the experience well after a lengthy drive and dismal weather. The pirate ship didn’t have a queue, presumably because the weather had been so poor. The ride was excellent, it actually got the stomach turning and went a little higher than we first thought it might. The kids laughed and seemed to enjoy it. Next to the pirate ship is a ride called Vertigo. A tower that rises, spins and drops. Our older child was keen and again the big grin afterwards tells its own story. Carrying on our walk under dark clouds, we knew the rain wouldn’t stay away all day. We wanted to make use of the dry spell and find more to do outside. Our youngest loved the big outdoor climbing frame called Ninja Zone. A clever set of cargo nets, slides and forts. It was a tad chilly watching, but he loved it. Later on we found more outdoor activities, one being an obstacle course, that the youngest could have a go at with adult assistance. We even had a go, much to our amusement. The children had several rides on the Artic gliders. A steep hill that shoots you down to the bottom on a sledge, great fun, just with out the snow. For more daring people the ride next door is the Avalanche. A 50kph drop sitting on a tray that feels almost like a log flume. The Barracuda slide at Woodlands Woodlands park has several themed areas. Had the weather been better and presumably if we had visited in peak season, we could have caught a show, however the stages were empty, not that sitting on the wet grass would have been appealing. All-weather fun for all the family The weather eventually worsened and we looked for some indoor fun. Woodlands theme park is home to a zoo farm that was surprisingly full of all sorts of animals. As we entered the zoo area we were greeted by peacocks and soon found ourselves petting rabbits and guinea pigs. As we strolled through we saw llamas and goats and in the corner a couple of parrots sat above us in their enclosure. In the next zoo building, the signs encouraged us to be quiet so we didn’t disturb the bats, which fascinated our youngest kid. The zoo farm also had lizards, boa constrictor and python snakes as well as an alligator. It was excellent and well worth checking out. The kids were eager to go on the water rides. They did look fun and a tip would be to maybe take a change of clothes and/or a towel. We decided to leave these rides until the end of the day. Much of the rest of the visit was spent indoors. The younger kids were happy playing amongst the ball pools, slides and climbing around. It wasn’t too interesting for the eldest however they seemed happy chilling with a drink anyway. Whilst at Woodlands we ordered food. It felt a tad expensive for what you got, but it seemed quite a standard thing in most places. The fast food on offer included burgers, chips, fizzy drinks and a decent ice cream selection. To end the day we kept to our promise and went on the water slides. There were three to choose from and although there was a queue they were good fun and yes you do get soaking wet. Woodlands theme park offers so much more than we were able to squeeze in. We somehow missed other areas of the park, which shows how big the place actually is. All in all we had a really fun time, whilst on our lodge break in Devon. For all weather activity this is a great day out for all the family. If it’s huge roller coasters and big dippers that you’re looking for this is not the place. Nevertheless there is plenty going on. In peak season there are themed shows, probably aimed more at children,  such as Peppa pig day, but older kids will get their kicks on the water rides. Woodlands also offers camping, which would be a great way of making sure you see everything the park has to offer. How To Get There Frequently Asked Questions What age is Woodlands Family Park suitable for? The best age for Woodlands Park is 2-12 years old. Although, from our own experience, it is fun for all the family. Do you need to book for Woodlands park? Yes, it is advisable to book ahead as it does get busy in the summer holidays especially. What are the height restrictions at Woodlands Park? For the bigger rides, there is a height restriction of 110 cm. You will need to be taller than this to ride them. Can you take a dog to Woodlands Theme Park? Yes. dogs are absolutely welcome to go with you to the park for the day. Do you have to pay for any rides at Woodland Park? All the rides are included in the admission price, with the exclusion of Safari Golf which has an additional fee. Where can you stay near Woodlands Theme Park? There is a lot of lodge accommodation near the park, you can see all the self-catering lodges in Devon we’ve reviewed here.