The area includes 86 miles of coastline designated as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It contains the highest point in the county of Dorset, Lewesdon Hill, at 279 meters above sea level.
The landscape hosts the internationally rare Purbeck marble, a fossiliferous limestone used extensively in medieval English cathedrals.
Approximately 7% of the total area is covered by heathland, which is one of the rarest habitats in the United Kingdom.
The South Dorset Ridgeway is home to one of the highest concentrations of prehistoric barrows and burial mounds in Britain.
The coastline features the Lulworth Crumple and Stair Hole, which illustrate unique tectonic folding patterns.
The area provides sanctuary to all six native British reptile species.
The landscape includes the Fleet Lagoon, the largest tidal lagoon in the United Kingdom, sheltered by the Chesil Beach shingle bank.
It features over 3,000 listed buildings and 500 scheduled monuments within its borders.
The chalk cliffs at Golden Cap are the highest on the south coast of Great Britain.
The Dorset National Landscape, formerly known as the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, covers approximately 1,129 square kilometers of protected terrain in Southern England. It encompasses nearly 50% of the county of Dorset, including significant portions of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. The landscape features diverse limestone ridges, chalk downlands, and extensive heathlands. It contains the South West Coast Path, a 630-mile National Trail running through the park. The geography is defined by geological diversity ranging from the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods. It serves as a conservation zone for rare species, including the sand lizard and the smooth snake. The partnership managing the area focuses on landscape restoration, sustainable tourism, and historic environment preservation. The region holds various Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) due to its unique biological and geological composition. Management is overseen by the Dorset National Landscape Partnership, which coordinates with local authorities and landowners.
The view of Durdle Door from the South West Coast Path.
Check tide tables before exploring coastal segments to avoid getting trapped by incoming water.
Use the 'Dorset National Landscape' official interactive map to identify protected habitats and avoid trampling rare flora.
Carry a physical map, as cellular reception is frequently unreliable in deep combes and valley bottoms.
Do not climb on the cliffs, as they are highly prone to sudden rockfalls and erosion.
Follow the Countryside Code: close gates behind you, keep dogs on leads near livestock, and remove all litter.
