Fossils of belemnites and ammonites, Jurassic Coast, Dorset, England

© Nature Picture Library/Alamy Stock Phot

Unearthing the past. Jurassic Coast, Dorset, England

If you're a fan of dinosaurs, trilobites or fossilised shells, then let's visit the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in England. It's like a giant natural history museum, with rocks and cliffs that reveal 185 million years of Earth's history. But what really steals the show are the fossils, especially those of belemnites and ammonites—extinct marine creatures—that are pictured here. Mary Anning, a pioneering fossil hunter who combed these shores, paved the way for our current understanding of fossils. Lyme Regis and Charmouth are hotspots for fossil hunting. In these towns, you'll find beaches where fossils practically wash up at your feet. The coast's rock formations are more than just pretty to look at—they're iconic. Durdle Door, a natural limestone arch, and Old Harry Rocks, a set of chalk formations near Swanage, are some of the examples.