Fossils of belemnites and ammonites, Jurassic Coast, Dorset, United Kingdom

© Nature Picture Library/Alamy Stock Phot

Unearthing the past. Jurassic Coast, Dorset, United Kingdom

Let's take a trip to the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Dorset, England, where 185 million years of Earth's history are revealed in its rocks and cliffs. Stretching 154 kilometres from Orcombe Point in East Devon to Old Harry Rocks in East Dorset, this coastline is like a giant natural history museum.

Over the ages, the region has transformed from desert to tropical sea to marshland, and now coastline, preserving the fossilised remains of countless ancient creatures. Lulworth Cove, for example, holds a remarkable fossilised forest, while Lyme Regis boasts 71 distinct rock layers, each showcasing its own unique species of ammonite. Mary Anning, a renowned fossil collector, made groundbreaking discoveries of marine reptiles here, contributing to the early development of palaeontology. For those interested in the area's fascinating heritage, the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre offers valuable insights, and the entire Jurassic Coast can be explored via the Southwest Coast Path.