Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site
The only natural World Heritage site in England is Dorset’s Jurassic Coast. There are fewer 200 such sites around the globe, and these include landmarks such as the Grand Canyon and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. This honour was granted in 2001 by UNESCO, the United Nations’ cultural committee.
The Jurassic Coast spans a glorious 95 miles of spectacular Dorset coastline, from Exeter to Studland Bay and passes through 9 noteworthy sites. The site is of huge geological importance, displaying elements from the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. Through the exposed rocks along this coastline, it is possible to see evidence of an unbelievable 185 million years worth of history and evolution.
Orcombe Point in Exeter marks the start of the Jurassic Coast and is signified by the ‘Geoneedle’. Unveiled by HRH the Prince of Wales to honour Dorset’s gaining of World Heritage Status, the ‘Geoneedle’ is crafted from various elements of stone retrieved from the area; these have been put in sequence of their deposit along the coast during its development.
The Jurassic Coast has been attracting fossil collectors from all walks of life for in excess of 200 years. Mary Anning (1799-1847), the early English palaeontologist was near Lyme Regis when she uncovered the first complete ichthyosaur ever discovered, after the creatures skull had been exposed by erosion. Today, new species are being uncovered all the time and in 2009 a local collector unearthed the 2.4 metre skull of a pliosaur “sea monster”, one of the largest ever recorded for the species.
For individuals looking to find fossils, Charmouth Beach is one of the best area’s to conduct an expedition. The Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre is also located nearby and as well as having a vast collection of fossils to view, they also offer advice on fossil collecting. The centre also organises fossil walks throughout the year, and these are run by experts who can really help you understand the area’s remarkable geological history.
The South West Coast Path in East Devon is an excellent way to take in the beautiful scenery along the Jurassic Coast. Journeying across the Jurassic Coast, it is possible to see the varied geology this remarkable site has to offer. From varied colours to wonderful shapes, many of the rocks also contain fossils from millions of years gone by. For those who experience walking difficulties or are limited on time, one of the best ways to explore this wonderful area is by taking a trip on Jurassic Coast Bus Service (the X53). This scenic journey stops in some of the most important sites along the coastline, such as Exeter, Lyme Regis and Charmouth and the operator offers an unlimited travel ticket for an extremely affordable rate.
The Jurassic Coast is such a unique area to visit, offering its guests a wide range of all weather attractions, along with some of the most spectacular scenery the UK has to offer.
