Earth Heritage
A living textbook of the past
With little large scale development, the Dorset AONB landscape gives us some clear views into the past - both to the human activity and natural processes that make up this landscape so special. We have a free and beautifully presented living textbook on our doorsteps, waiting to be read.
The Dorset AONB has an exceptional undeveloped coastline, the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. The unique sequential nature of the rock formations along the Dorset and East Devon Jurassic Coast tells the story of 185 million years of earth history. The dynamic nature of the coast means that it is constantly changing and new geological discoveries are constantly being made, providing us with new information about the past and how the landscape has evolved.
The rich historic and built heritage of the AONB also gives us a strong sense of continuity with the past. Generations have successively shaped the landscape and this can be seen in field and settlement patterns and their hedges, banks and stone walls, the wealth of listed historic buildings and the multitude of archaeological sites. The South Dorset Ridgeway is a fine example of this, with a concentration of prehistoric barrows and henges similar to that at Stonehenge and Avebury giving a focus to this ancient landscape.
Loading...
Iron Age hillfort on the steepest hill in Dorset, with spectacular views.
Former Cistercian Abbey founded 800 years ago, now a family run estate. Magnificent building and gardens.
Iron Age hillfort at the western end of the chalk ridge, overlooking the Marshwood Vale. The hollows in the interior are probably the remains of Iron Age grain storage pits.
Large human figure cut into the chalk hill above the village of Cerne Abbas.
Spectacular Iron Age hillfort overlooking the Blackmore Vale. The locations of Iron Age huts can be seen in the interior, and there is an earlier Neolithic long barrow inside the fort too.
Iron Age hillfort containing smaller Roman fort in one corner, built at the time of the Roman conquest.
The most massive Iron Age hillfort in Europe with high and complex ramparts.
Chalk hill figure of horse and rider created in 1808. The rider represents King George III, a regular visitor to Weymouth.
Early 17th Century hunting lodge set in parkland.
One of Britain's most majestic ruins. Extensive castle remains in a strategic position in the Purbeck Hills.
Monument erected 1844 in memory of Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy, Flag-Captain of HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar. Wonderful views.
Prehistoric stone circle, constructed about 4,000 years ago. The circle is made up of nine stones of varying sizes and is now surrounded by trees.
Part of an extensive 4,000-year-old Bronze Age cemetery.
Remains of a Bronze Age stone circle, built about 4,000 years ago.
14th Century chapel on the hill south of Abbotsbury village. The chapel was used as a lighthouse and has a small turret.
The Jurassic Coast was the first natural World Heritage Site to be designated in the UK, and stretches from Exmouth in the East Devon AONB through to Poole Harbour.
