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West Bay, Dorset – Jurassic Coast Harbour Village

A dramatic Dorset harbour village on the Jurassic Coast, famous for golden cliffs, a working fishing port, and its role in the TV drama Broadchurch.

West Bay is a picturesque fishing harbour village on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, famed for its golden cliffs, twin shingle beaches, and role as the filming location for the TV drama Broadchurch. Nestled at the western end of Chesil Beach, it offers dramatic coastal scenery, a working harbour, and easy access to the South West Coast Path. Visitors enjoy crabbing off the pier, boat trips, fossil hunting nearby, and relaxed seaside walks along the promenade with views of the cliffs and sea. The harbour area has cafes, kiosks, and the West Bay Discovery Centre, making it a popular destination for families and coastal explorers.

A brief summary to West Bay

  • West Bay, GB
  • Duration: 1 to 4 hours
  • Budget
  • Environment icon Outdoor
  • Mobile reception: 4 out of 5

Local tips

  • Visit early in the day or in shoulder seasons to avoid the busiest crowds, especially around the harbour and pier.
  • Check tide times if planning to walk along the beach or explore the rocks; low tide is best for beachcombing and rock pooling.
  • Dogs are not allowed on the main beaches from May to September, so plan accordingly if travelling with pets.
  • Combine a visit to West Bay with a walk along the South West Coast Path to Eype or Burton Bradstock for stunning cliff-top views.
  • Stop by the West Bay Discovery Centre to learn about the village’s fishing and shipbuilding history and the geology of the Jurassic Coast.
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Getting There

  • By car

    From Bridport, follow West Bay Road (B3157) south for about 3 km; the road leads directly into the village with pay-and-display car parks near the harbour and beaches. Parking can be limited in peak season, so arrive early or consider using nearby overflow lots.

  • By bus

    The X53 Jurassic Coaster bus runs regularly between Weymouth, Dorchester, Bridport and West Bay; the journey from Bridport takes around 15–20 minutes. Services are frequent in summer but less so in winter, so check the timetable in advance.

  • On foot

    From Bridport town centre, it’s a 30–40 minute walk south along West Bay Road, mostly on pavement, with clear views of the cliffs ahead. The route is flat and suitable for most walkers, making it a pleasant option for those staying in the town.

  • By train and bus

    The nearest mainline stations are Dorchester South and Dorchester West; from there, take the X53 bus to Bridport and then another X53 to West Bay, or a direct taxi. Journey time from Dorchester is about 45–60 minutes including the bus connection.

West Bay location weather suitability

  • Weather icon Any Weather
  • Weather icon Clear Skies
  • Weather icon Mild Temperatures

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Discover more about West Bay

Gateway to the Jurassic Coast

West Bay sits at the western end of Chesil Beach on Dorset’s World Heritage Jurassic Coast, where dramatic golden cliffs of Bridport Sands rise above the sea. These 43-metre-high cliffs, formed around 175 million years ago, showcase striking geological features like faulting, jointing, and differential erosion, with evidence of recent landslips. The village, once known as Bridport Harbour, was rebranded West Bay by the Great Western Railway in the 19th century in an effort to promote it as a seaside resort. Today, it serves as a lively gateway to one of the world’s most famous coastlines, drawing geologists, walkers, and TV fans alike.

A Working Harbour with a Seaside Heart

The heart of West Bay is its working fishing harbour, where boats still land their catch alongside pleasure craft and tour vessels. A promenade wraps around the harbour, lined with benches, kiosks, and cafes where you can pause with a drink or ice cream while watching boats come and go. The Jurassic Pier extends out into the bay, offering a unique vantage point over the harbour mouth and the cliffs on either side. The harbour’s layout, with piers, sea walls, rock armour, and beach nourishment, also provides a textbook example of coastal management in action.

Beaches and Coastal Walks

West Bay has two main beaches. East Beach, a wide shingle beach flanked by the iconic East Cliff, is ideal for beachcombing, picnics, and bracing coastal walks. The smaller beach west of the harbour has rock groynes that make the water shallower, offering safer conditions for paddling and swimming in calmer weather. Both beaches are patrolled by lifeguards in summer, and dogs are welcome outside the main season. The village is a key point on the South West Coast Path, with trails leading east towards Burton Bradstock and Hive Beach, and west towards Eype and Charmouth, all offering spectacular cliff-top views.

Life in the Village

Modern West Bay blends its fishing heritage with a thriving tourist scene. The harbour area has amusement arcades, a children’s playground near the Spar shop, and a range of places to eat, from fish and chips and pasties to seafood restaurants and cafes with sea views. The West Bay Discovery Centre, housed in a former Methodist church, tells the story of the village’s shipbuilding past, fishing industry, and tourism development, with interactive displays suitable for all ages. Nearby Bridport, just a couple of miles inland, provides additional shops, markets, and services, making West Bay a convenient base for exploring the wider area.

From Screen to Seaside

West Bay gained wider fame as the primary filming location for the ITV crime drama Broadchurch, with its golden cliffs and harbour featuring prominently in the series. Fans often visit to recognise familiar scenes from the show, but the village’s appeal extends far beyond its TV fame. Whether you’re here for geology, coastal walks, boat trips, or simply a relaxed day by the sea, West Bay offers a classic Dorset seaside experience with a dramatic backdrop and a strong sense of place.

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