Literary Lyme Walking Tours - Tours and Walks along the Jurassic Coast

Jurassic Coast Tours

Undercliff Nature Reserve Tour

The Undercliff & Lyme Regis

In the past the Undercliff was a picture of rural idyll, with sheep roaming the cliffs and cows producing renowned Devon cream. The Undercliff was a hive of activity with estate workers from the various big houses that line the cliffs going about their daily business.

One occasion where this all came to an abrupt halt was the great landslip of 1839. The ground began to rumble one Christmas and the locals thought nothing of it, being accustomed to landslides. Shortly afterwords the walls of the houses in the area began to split and, eventually, a huge chasm was formed. Families travelled for miles to see it and the locals began to charge an entry fee!

Such slips occur because of the Undercliff's geology. The area is formed from chalk and greensand that sit on the top of layers of clay. When rain falls, the water seeps through the greensand and chalk but cannot permeate the thick clay which is then lubricated by the excessive moisture between it and the layers above. This causes large sections of rock to fall in landslips.

Landslips have continued to occur throughout the centuries and have left what Jane Austen called the 'green chasms' of 'Pinny;' the Undercliff.

The Undercliff Coast Path Tour, Lyme Regis

'There runs, between Lyme Regis and Axmouth six miles to the west, one of the strangest coastal landscapes in Southern England. From the air it is not very striking; one notes merely that whereas elsewhere on the coast the fields run to the cliff edge, here they stop a mile or so short of it. The cultivated chequer of green and red-brown breaks, with a kind of joyous undiscipline, into a dark cascade of trees and undergrowth. There are no roofs. If one flies low enough one can see that the terrain is very abrupt, cut by deep chasms and accented by strange bluffs and towers of chalk and flint, which loom over the lush foliage around them like the walls of ruined castles. From the air... but on foot this seemingly unimportant wilderness gains a strange extension. People have been lost in it for hours, and cannot believe, when they see on the map where they were lost, that their sense of isolation--and if the weather be bad, desolation--could have seemed so great.' (The French Lieutenant's Woman)

Explore the jungle of the Undercliff National Nature Reserve amongst our UNESCO World Heritage cliffs, with an Undercliff tour.

Each path along the Undercliff represents the land that time forgot. On this tour we discover the history of civilization in this secret place. Studded with forgotten ruins, the Undercliff is shrouded in mystery and, for every mystery, there is a history. The tour explores the depths of our heritage coastline, hearing stories about forgotten civilisation of the Undercliff and the landscape that inspired literary greats.

This 8 mile woodland trek along the Jurassic Coast UNESCO World Heritage site is an ideal all day activity, with stunning views over Lyme Bay. The tour includes historical information on great Victorian manor houses and their estates, country living, farming, the English Civil War, smuggling and literary inspiration such as John Fowles, Jane Austen, Dick Bessant and Tolkien.

Spring Tide Festival Tour

Experience the joys of our UNESCO World Heritage Cliffs with an informative guided walk along part of the Jurassic Coast. With fantastic views and historical hints, you couldn't wish for more with one of our heritage tours.

Explore the joys of human history and local folklore with our inspiring and informative Spring Tide Festival guided walk from Burton Bradstock beach along to Cogden.

Experience the heart of the Jurassic Coast with a Spring Tide Festival Walk. The coastline along here is like something out of an Enid Blyton novel, with old watch towers, wartime pill box bunkers and secret spies just waiting to jump out at you. Starting at Burton Bradstock, this circular walk guides you along the coast, showing local landmarks and exploring their history. The walk take just over an hour and a half and is ideal for all the family, including your trusty dog.

This guided walk was launched during the National Trust Spring Tide Festival but now runs all year.

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