Between Bournemouth And Exeter Is A Charming Coastal Town With Fresh Seafood, Beaches, And A Scenic Pier

The 95-mile-long Jurassic Coast is one of England's most spectacular natural sights, but it's not just the dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches, prehistoric fossils, and coastal hikes that make this an enticing destination. The Jurassic Coast's numerous towns and villages each have their own character and are packed with reasons to linger and experience local life along the English Channel. Still, the Dorset village of West Bay stands out with its golden sandstone cliffs, scenic walks, and shingle beaches.

West Bay is a small coastal settlement built around its historic harbor and fishing heritage. The town is located between the bigger cities of Bournemouth (46 miles east) and Exeter (41 miles west), and is a useful base for longer Jurassic Coast trips, but don't be surprised if you end up wanting to stay longer, especially during the summer months. At West Bay, golden cliffs tower above its beaches, creating one of the Jurassic Coast's most distinctive scenes.

Away from the cliffs, the town's center has the informative and interactive West Bay Discovery Centre as well as its traditional amusement arcade and surrounding eateries and bars. Many of these sell local delicacies, including freshly caught seafood. The Jurassic Coast's rugged scenery can also be experienced in full here, either by walking along the Jurassic Pier or following the South West Coast Path across the clifftops. And in true Dorset style, West Bay has a distinct blend of countryside and coast, where sand gives way to streets before transforming into rolling green pastures.

People often visit West Bay and Bridport together, as the communities are only 2 miles apart. The latter is an unsung shopping haven with cozy pubs, while the former provides idyllic beaches and seaside living, but it's not just location that connects these towns. West Bay actually began as Bridport Harbor, and while the name change didn't come until centuries later, the Bridport connection remains visible in local names, including the harbor. One of the village's biggest draws is West Bay East Beach, which sits beneath the iconic West Bay Cliffs and has seasonal RNLI lifeguard patrols, plus nearby restaurants and bars for beachfront dining.

The cliffs at West Bay East Beach are made up of rocks formed around 175 million years ago, according to Geography Southwest. It's possible to still find remnants of these prehistoric times, including fossils, on the shingle-and-sand beach or around the cliffs, although visitors should keep well away from the unstable cliffs and never attempt to climb them or remove fossils from the rock face. If you want a more elevated view of the coast, follow the South West Coast Path to the clifftop via a grassy slope, to admire sweeping Jurassic Coast views. However, these areas are sometimes closed due to erosion or landfalls, so always check the cliffs' accessibility before heading out. Beachgoers can also walk farther along the beach, where it transitions from East Beach to Chesil Beach. This beach continues for 18 miles along the channel, with the pebbles becoming larger along the way.

West Beach is located on the opposite side of town, about 10 minutes' walk from the harbor. This is a much smaller beach with shallow and calm water for swimming. While it lacks the dramatic beauty of East Beach, it still has distant cliffs visible along the shoreline. Dogs are also welcome at both beaches between October and April. 

Fishing has long played a prominent role in West Bay's culture, bolstered by the fresh seafood found in its surrounding waters, from mackerel and bass to lobsters and scallops. The town emphasizes sustainable fishing practices, as highlighted by the West Bay Discovery Centre, and that heritage and approach are on show at local restaurants like The Watch House. Located on East Beach, the alfresco cafe serves Italian-inspired dishes like crab tagliatelle and fish soup. Seagulls Restaurant, another casual sit-down joint located in a 200-year-old former home, has been serving dishes focused on locally sourced fresh fish for over 30 years.

Jurassic Pier is yet another beloved part of West Bay, named after the 175-million-year-old rocks found in the area. The wide concrete pier is about 240 meters (787 feet) long and accessible to walkers and wheelchair users. The scenery here is spectacular, and if you go all the way to the end, you can take in wide-reaching views of the beaches, cliffs, and open waters of the English Channel. One visitor recommended taking your time and "sitting down to do some serious people, seagull, and bobbing boat watching" in a Google Maps review.

You can reach West Bay in about one hour by driving from Bournemouth, England's new hotspot for beach trips. You can also catch a train to Weymouth, then a bus to West Bay, with the journey taking between two and three hours. West Bay has numerous hotels and vacation apartments, including some just back from the water. Some local pubs also offer overnight stays, such as The Bridport Arms, a classic English inn with a bar and rooms on the beach. All this and more make West Bay a great base for exploring the fossil lover's paradise that is England's Jurassic Coast.