The Jurassic Coast Road

Known locally simply as “The Coast Road”, the B3157 has frequently been named as one of the most scenic roads in the country, and if you’ve ever driven it, you’ll find it hard not to agree.

The 17 mile road runs between Bridport and Weymouth, taking around 35 minutes to drive, depending on the traffic. As the road travels East-West and parallel to the coastline, you’ll get great views no matter which direction you’re driving in, including at sunrise and sunset! The best viewpoints can be found on the stretch between the villages of Burton Bradstock and Abbotsbury, and there are numerous laybys along this stretch for you to pull in and enjoy the view safely. From these viewpoints you’ll get great views of the Jurassic Coast, including the Fleet Lagoon and Chesil Beach, as well as undulating fields full of livestock.

The road navigates many curves, corners, hills and dips, and can be an enjoyable drive, even if you forget the view! Children will love the rollercoaster-like feel, and adults will enjoy the unique challenges that driving this road presents, both on the open stretches and through the narrow villages. Because of the nature of the road, there are speed limits in place, and overtaking opportunities are limited.

Leaving Bridport or West Bay and heading East past the Bridport and West Dorset Golf Club, the first village you’ll come across is Burton Bradstock, a picturesque village with excellent pubs and home to our Graston Copse and Larkfield Holiday Parks. After climbing the short hill out of Burton, you’ll pass Cogden Beach, a lesser-known section of Chesil Beach that’s popular with anglers. Next up is the village of Swyre, home to Vurlands Animal Farm, a great place to visit with children. You can turn off the main road here and travel down to West Bexington, or continue on towards Abbotsbury. We recommend stopping in one of the laybys before driving down the steep hill into the village and taking in the view over St Catherine’s Chapel towards The Fleet Lagoon. You might even be lucky and find an ice cream van parked up! In the village itself there are numerous places to visit, including Abbotsbury Swannery and Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens. The last stretch of the road takes you through the village of Portesham, and then over another series of rolling hills before reaching the edge of Weymouth.

Places to eat along the route include:

• The Three Horseshoes, Burton Bradstock
• Hive Beach Café, Burton Bradstock
• The Egg Cup Tearoom, Vurlands Animal Farm, Swyre
• The Manor House, West Bexington
• The Club House, West Bexington
• The Ilchester Arms, Abbotsbury
• The Kings Arms, Portesham

To give you a taste of the views this road has to offer, why not have a look around on Google Maps.