The South West Coast Path Association shares a blog celebrating 25 years of the Jurassic Coast as a World Heritage Site with a 250 million year history.
Hear from Sam Scriven, Principal Officer – World Heritage at Dorset Council as he explains how special this stretch of coastline is, and the millions of years of history that is continuously revealed in this precious dynamic coastal environment.
On the 18 May, the Inclusive Beach Access project team attended an event in the House of Commons, for the launch of the ‘A Coast for All’ Beach Access Survey Report at the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Outdoor Recreation and Access to Nature.
The report was produced through a collaboration between Will Behenna and the University of Brighton, highlighting the need for access to blue space, the barriers people may face getting into the water and sets out how coastal areas can become more inclusive.
Welcome to our Spring 2026 eNews
With spring sunshine finally arriving and winter storms now (hopefully) behind us, we thought it was the perfect time to share a closer look at how those storms have shaped our coastline. The Dorset coast took a significant battering during the January storms, and we’ve pulled together a new page on the DCF website highlighting the key changes, unusual impacts, and stories from across our coast.
Thank you to our partners who have already contributed images, videos and local insights. If you have photographs of the beaches where you work or live that show recent storm impacts, we’d love to include them, please send them to us.
Please take a moment to explore the new page and share with your networks.
With spring sunshine finally arriving and winter storms now (hopefully) behind us, we thought it was the perfect time to share a closer look at how those storms have shaped our coastline. The Dorset coast took a significant battering during the January storms, and we’ve pulled together a new page on the DCF website highlighting the key changes, unusual impacts, and stories from across our coast.
Thank you to our partners who have already contributed images, videos and local insights. If you have photographs of the beaches where you work or live that show recent storm impacts, we’d love to include them, please send them to us.
Please take a moment to explore the new page and share with your networks.
>> Storms Impacts on the Dorset Coast | Dorset Coast Forum
2026 is a landmark year for the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, marking 25 years since the Dorset and East Devon Coast was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status. A big thank you to Molly Webb, our volunteer, who has created a brand new webpage to showcase the events taking place throughout this anniversary year delivered by different organisations along the coast.
World Heritage Day – 18 April
Celebrate World Heritage Day at Dorset Museum & Art Gallery with a full day of talks, tours, hands-on activities, and family-friendly workshops. Highlights from the programme include Sam Scriven presenting The Jurassic Coast at 25, and Steve Wallis sharing insights in The Human Story of the Jurassic Coast. Find out more and book your tickets here.
Do you have any events you would like to use to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the WHS? Contact us to let us know!
Visit the new page here >> Celebrating 25 Years of the Jurassic Coast | Dorset Coast Forum
Explore UNESCO South West Trails,a new campaign and digital platform developed in partnership with Great Western Railway, has officially launched. The platform offers visitors an inspiring and sustainable way to discover the rich cultural and natural heritage of South West England, with the Dorset and East Devon Jurassic Coast showcasing as a key destination.
Meanwhile, World Heritage Officer Mhairi has been exploring options for a new official website for the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. The site will introduce the new Jurassic Coast Trail and an interactive map, with direct links to the Explore UNESCO South West Trails platform. Over the coming months, Mhairi will be engaging partners and stakeholders to gather input and ideas, with the new website planned for launch by the end of the year.
For advice about the World Heritage Site you can contact Sam Scriven sam.scriven@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or Mhairi Reid at Mhairi.Reid@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Following a hugelysuccessful event at Baiter Park, Poole lastyear, local Poole and Purbeck schools are once againbeing offered the chance to join us for FREE day of STEM activities (suitable for Years 5–9).
This year we will be at Shell Bay, Studland and the day is co‑hosted by the National Trust. We are joined by 12 partner organisations including Ocean Conservation Trust, Suttle Projects, RNLI and the Dorset Heaths Partnership.
Find out more and register your school’s interest!
>> Outdoor Classroom Day | Dorset Coast Forum
Round 2 Green Seafront Engagement Results are now available.
Huge thanks to all that took part in the engagement.
Shore Road Engagement Report
The report represents the next step in a process that began with feedback from local residents in 2022/23, who highlighted the need to improve pedestrian safety and enhance the public realm during the development of the Swanage Masterplan.
Dorset Council, as the highway authority, is now reviewing elements of the engagement results that relate to Shore Road from the engagement held last year, alongside technical data. Their preferred option for Shore Road will be discussed publicly at the Town Council meeting on 23 February.
Any option taken forward by Dorset Council will require further technical work, funding decisions, and detailed design.
As the project reaches its midway point, we have produced a Mid‑Programme Update. This report sets out the current status of each delivery option using our traffic‑light system—making it clear which elements are on track, which require more work, and which options are no longer feasible.