The Secret Map

Travel Essays by Simon Slater

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The Secret Map is written and photographed by Simon Slater. The photo essays on this site have been inspired by but not limited to traveling and living in Far and South East Asia.
The Jurassic Coast

The Jurassic Coast

For the past year I’ve been mostly based in the south coast town of Weymouth, England, in an area known as ‘The Jurassic Coast’ for it’s ubiquitous prehistoric fossils.

Ever since King George 3rd’s sixteen consecutive summer beach vacations made Weymouth a popular British getaway, Weymouth and it’s UNESCO World Heritage coastline is a constant source of attention from outsiders.

With its thatched roofs, cream teas, salty sea dogs, buckets and spades, donkeys, ciders and ales, folk music, fish n’ chips, crumbling cliff tops, green-carpeted patchwork fields, old-school children’s rides, mobility scooters, obese tourists, salted caramel ice creams, yachties, Brexiteers, amusement arcades, limestone houses, sweeping views, bad tattoos, elderly coach tours, hello moi luvvur, badgers, Punch and Judy, deckchairs and healthy doses of sea air, there’s an endearing throwback appeal to this part of Little Britain.

Welcome to The Jurassic Coast…

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Gladstones

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Tyneham

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5 responses to “The Jurassic Coast”

  1. Pete DeMarco Avatar
    Pete DeMarco

    Great piece Simon! That cliff and beach shot is gorgeous. I want some cheesy chips and soft ice cream from Aunty Vi’s. Shooting your hometown can be one of the toughest things to do. Seems like Weymouth is oozing with character, which you captured perfectly. Thanks for sharing.

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  2. Simon Slater Avatar
    Simon Slater

    Thanks Pete, glad you enjoyed it. The cliff shot is from Durdle Door, which is quite a famous landmark in England, but not usually photographed from where I was. My hometown is actually a town called Hay-on-Wye, which is also full of character but I know what you mean – it’s hard to get a fresh perspective on the familiar. The challenge was fun though!

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    1. Pete DeMarco Avatar
      Pete DeMarco

      Nice. Hope I can check the place out one day!

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  3. Kathleen Carter Avatar
    Kathleen Carter

    And I can vouch that the sea alongside the Jurassic coast really does reach that shade of blue! PS…it’s refreshing to see somebody celebrate both sides of the world without the usual ‘life’s better here… or there etc’

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    1. Simon Slater Avatar
      Simon Slater

      There’s a lot of cheerleaders out there. Blame honeymoon periods and rose-tinted glasses.

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