Portland Cruise Excursion - Jurassic Coast Gems!
Description
Discover the very best of the Jurassic Coast in one unforgettable day! Travel in comfort aboard our spacious midi-coach, allowing you to relax and enjoy the journey while covering more ground than most tours. With a friendly, expert guide leading the way, you’ll uncover the fascinating stories, rich history, and incredible geology that make this UNESCO World Heritage Site so special. From dramatic cliffs and iconic landmarks to charming villages and breathtaking viewpoints, every stop has been handpicked to give you a true taste of Dorset’s coastal beauty. If you're looking for a scenic, informative, and hassle-free way to explore one of England’s most stunning regions, this is the tour for you!
Tour Options
Itinerary
Our first stop is an option on this tour, visiting the world-famous Durdle Door, a spectacular natural limestone arch carved by the sea. Reaching the viewpoint involves an uneven walk of around 15-20 minutes each way, so this stop is best suited for confident walkers with sturdy footwear. Those who make the effort are rewarded with one of the most iconic and breathtaking views along the Jurassic Coast.
A highlight of the tour is Lulworth Cove, a stunning horseshoe-shaped bay formed over thousands of years by coastal erosion. This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers crystal-clear waters, dramatic limestone cliffs, and charming walking paths. You’ll have time to explore the cove, enjoy the views, and learn about the area’s fascinating geology and natural history.
Another highlight is the visit to Corfe Castle, a dramatic thousand-year-old ruin perched above a historic village. Steeped in history and legend, the castle offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and a glimpse into England’s medieval past. You’ll have time to explore the village, browse local shops, or enjoy a cup of tea in one of its charming pubs.
The tour includes a stop in Weymouth, a charming seaside town with a picturesque harbour and a relaxed coastal atmosphere. It’s the perfect place to grab a bite to eat, enjoy some traditional fish and chips, or simply stroll along the quayside and take in the views of colourful boats and historic buildings.
After lunch, we stop at the iconic Olympic Rings monument on the Isle of Portland, offering one of the best panoramic views in the region. This scenic viewpoint overlooks Chesil Beach, the Jurassic Coast, and Weymouth Bay, providing the perfect introduction to the area's dramatic landscape. The monument itself commemorates the sailing events of the 2012 London Olympics, which were held in nearby Portland Harbour. It’s a great photo opportunity and a chance to take in the scale and beauty of England’s only natural World Heritage Site before continuing your journey along the coast.
If time Allows - You’ll visit Portland Bill, the southernmost point of the Isle of Portland. This rugged headland is home to the striking red and white lighthouse and offers dramatic views over the English Channel. It’s a fantastic spot to experience the wild beauty of the Jurassic Coast, watch the waves crash against the rocks, and capture some memorable photos before heading to your next destination.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(31)
Our guide was knowledgeable and we enjoyed the experience. I would recommend the experience for anyone wanting to see the beautiful landscape.
We loved every stop on this excursion. Durdle Door is of course classic. Lulworth Cove is scenic. Corfe Castle was really interesting. We ate lunch in the village instead of going inside the castle. The town of Corfe if quaint. We probably would have explored more if it hadn’t rained the whole time. Weymouth was interesting and there are plenty of souvenir shops if you are interested. Finally, the stop at Portland Hights gives you a fantastic view of Portland Harbor and Chesil Beach. Would like to have made it to Portland Bill Lighthouse, but time didn’t allow for that. The guides were informative and we really enjoyed the bus ride through the countryside.
Mariann and Tim were lovely guides. We saw some amazing sights like the durdle door and Corfe castle ruins. The day was smooth running, no waiting around for crowds. Very nice day.
Marianne and Tim were great! Very interesting information. My suggestion to reduce free time because there is nothing really to do after we saw all the interesting places
Great cruise ship excursion. Pick up from the ship across from the gangway. Excellent driver and 2 guides. The commentary was superb. Great friendly guide. We had a very enjoyable day. On time back to the ship.
Awesome experience! Full day of activities. We saw everything from coastlines, to castles, to churches. Loved it.
Our tour guide, Spencer, was very knowledgeable and funny. Views were amazing. Great trip!! Only issue was with the microphone/speaker system. It cut in and out.
Great tour and well worth the money. We had a great time and everything was fantastic. Amazing scenery.
Enjoyed this tour. Fabulous views and very knowledgeable guide. This tour requires ability to navigate some rocky paths and steep hillsides so be prepared for this. Highly recommend
The first 3 places were great: Isle of Portland view, Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove. Went had enough time to enjoy those 3 places. All were breathtaking. Went downhill from there. We were told that we couldn't go to Portland Bill because the parking lot was closed. I understand that, but then we spent 2-1/4 hrs in Corfe Castle Town when it was only supposed to be 45 minutes. I went in the castle which was nice and interesting but it only took 40 minutes (if you take your time) and we had to wait the rest of the time. The whole group waited for our guide and bus for about 1/2 hr where it was to pick us up, because there was nothing else to do there. Only restaurants and one store. Then we only had 25 minutes in Weymouth instead of 1 hr as per the itinerary. I couldn't walk to the beach because we were parked on the cove side and it was a 15 minute walk each way. I counted on having about 1/2 hr in Weymouth at the beach and in the shops. I wish we could have enjoyed Weymouth for the extra time instead of wasting it in Corfe. Nothing was open on the cove side so people quickly got back on the bus to get back to our ship. I wish the guide had Stuck To the Itinerary Times! I would recommend this for the scenic Jurassic Coast sites as long as you understand too much time is wasted in Corfe and you lose time in Weymouth. I hope this is addressed by the vendor.
Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback, we truly appreciate it. We’re so pleased you enjoyed the Isle of Portland viewpoint, Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove. They really are breathtaking highlights of the Jurassic Coast. With regards to Weymouth, the beach itself is not included as a stop on our itinerary. We set guests down by the historic harbour area, where you can enjoy lunch, grab traditional fish and chips, or take a stroll along the quayside with its colourful boats and period buildings. On your day, several guests expressed an interest in having lunch in Corfe Castle village, which is why slightly more time was spent there before heading to Weymouth. Corfe is a beautiful 1,000-year-old village with lovely lunch options, and we always try to accommodate group preferences where possible while keeping to schedule. We’re sorry you felt rushed in Weymouth and will certainly take your comments on board as we continue refining timings. Thank you again for travelling with us. Jenny
