Charmouth Tourist Information

Charmouth Touristm Guide

Charmouth is a small seaside hamlet that is regarded as one of the best places to look for fossils. It makes sense then that it should have the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre located in the bay here.

The village has been in existence for thousands of years and was mentioned in the Domesday Book as being the site where where the Vikings were fought back by the Saxons. In the thirteenth century it was a planned medieval community surrounded by the Monk's Wall.

Catherine of Aragon is believed to have stayed in Charmouth in 1501 on her way to marry Prince Arthur, the elder brother of the future King Henry VIII. In 1651 Charles II sheltered here following his defeat at the Battle of Worcester.

Today, Charmouth is popular as a Gateway Town for the Jurassic Coast. There is small selection of shops and pubs that serve food, as well as various B&Bs, hotels and restaurants.

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Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre - Fossil Hunting

Alongside the shingle beach at Charmouth is the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre. At the Centre you can find out all about fossils and fossil hunting as well as the local coastal and marine wildlife. Interactive computers, displays and films are available as well as wardens who are on hand to answer queries.

The wardens also organise regular guided fossil hunting expeditions, rockpooling walks and countryside and marine discovery activities. The Centre promotes the sustainable collection of fossils and it's worth checking out the advice on fossil collecting on their website before setting out.

There is a car park, toilets and cafe at the Centre and the shingle beach is beautiful for leisurely walks.

Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre, Lower Sea Lane, Charmouth, Dorset, DT6 6LL. Tel: 01297 560772. Email: info@charmouth.org

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Walking South West Coast Path Dorset

The South West Coast Path runs through Charmouth but due to landslips can be subject to temporary closure. Check the South West Cost Path link right for up-date-information on any diversions necessary.

The South West Coast Path starts in Minehead and is estimated to take 7-8 weeks if you want to do the whole route! More realistically, the South West Coast Path website, link right, has details of suggested walks along different parts of it, as well as a search function so you can find a walk to suit your ability and requirements. There's everything from easy strolls, feasible for all abilities, to more challenging week long hikes.

The Path is waymarked with the acorn logo and distances are signed at main access points. The weblink right also includes a distance calculator and links to transport and Tourist Information Centres - everything to help you plan your walk before setting out. You can also purchase guidebooks to the trail.

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Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

The Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) covers most of the county and stretches from West Dorset, including the Jurassic Coast, across to the north east taking in Blackmore Vale and the south east covering the Isle of Purbeck.

It is an excellent area for country walks and bike rides and the Dorset AONB website has downloadable leaflets in the area, link right.

Charmouth is in a handy position for exploring the western side of the AONB and there are five bike rides in West Dorset to explore as part of the West Dorset Pedal as well as the footpaths that take you over the rolling hills of this part of Dorset.

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