Our Staycation with the Old Fossils – Jurassic Coast

With out bags packed and car ready we were prepared for the long journey from the East Coast to the wonderous Jurassic Coast of Dorset. A must for any budding palaeontologist or dinosaur lover. After the mammoth 6-hour drive, we only heard the phrase every parent knows well ‘are we nearly there yet?’ for the last hour of the journey. With it’s fabulous towering white cliffs, dilapidated castles, traditional English pubs, beautiful walks and fabulous fossil hunting. The 95 miles of Jurassic coast has so much to offer. As a general rule four legged members of the family are welcome at so many places, many lodges are family friendly & most pubs welcome our furry family. Whether you want to wander along the shoreline looking in the rock pools or join one of the family friendly fossil finding tours there is plenty to keep little ones & amateur palaeontologists occupied for hours on end. Who doesn’t want to find a devils toenail or two!! The cliffs around Charmouth are much softer and there are often rockslides that expose a fresh supply of fossils in the silt and mud on the shoreline. I would highly recommend a visit to the Heritage centre at Charmouth. They have small museum and offer informative guided 2-hour fossil hunting tours & plenty of activities for children. The incredible ichthyosaur found in Lyme Regis in 2018 that featured in the David Attenborough documentary the Sea Dragon is on display here too. During low tide it is possible to walk along the shoreline from Charmouth to Lyme Regis (parking is quite problematic in Lyme) we also took the hair raising ride on the local bus, navigating the narrow streets on a double decker is not for the fainthearted driver but fun as a passenger on the top deck of a bus. Lyme Regis is the birthplace of Mary Anning the renowned palaeontologists and is another great place for fossil hunting. It would be rude not to walk from the Cobb along the shoreline at low tide to explore the ammonite pavement. It's best to do in your walking shoes. It is easy to spot the huge ammonites that are embedded in the large rocks as you walk along the coastline in awe. These are too big to take home!! (There are plenty of fossil shops if you don’t find a small fossil or two) The Dinosaur Fossil Museum off the beaten track in Lyme Regis is a traditional museum filled with thousands of samples of prehistoric finds, the collection is huge, and you can spend hours looking round this small museum. After a day of fossil hunting it was time for adventure, we caught a Lyme Rib and went out to sea to catch a few waves and see the coast from a different angle. It was a fun filled afternoon making our own waves when the sea was calm. Our guide was fun, friendly and informative and certainly stepped off the rib feeling exhilarated. They have adapted COVID 19 safety protocols & this all felt very safe. I was delighted to discover that Lyme Bay Winery produces local wine, rum & gin. Hopefully we will return to the times where you are able to sample and savour the delights that they have to offer before purchasing. With tweenage boys in tow, we spent an afternoon at Tunnel Target Sports Centre. (As the name implies it is a Rifle Range set in an old road tunnel between Charmouth & Lyme Regis) My son and I did the did the beginners experience and our instructor was brilliant, very knowledgeable and offering great advice and experience he made the afternoon safe and enjoyable. Whether you are an experienced marksman or a beginner the staff provide a safe comfortable environment. It is very Covid-19 safe and sanitizer provided everywhere, and masks are worn and temperatures are checked. You will be safe here. Another must visit has to be Corfe Castle, pack your picnic and prepare to while away the day in the fresh air. Those of my generation might be able to regress into their early years remembering the days getting lost in your Famous Five Enid Blyton novels. Built by William the Conqueror, the castle dates to the 11th century and commands a gap in the Purbeck Hills on the route between Wareham and Swanage. Its owned by the National trust so don’t forget to take your pass. A trip to Dorset would not be complete without a visit to Durdle Door the iconic limestone arch, over time the waves have eroded to a natural rocky arch. If you are feeling energic hike along the cliffs on one of the coastal walks or amble along the shoreline taking in the lapping waves, if the English weather permits take a refreshing dip. The picturesque Lulworth Cove is just a short distance away from Durdle Door. Accommodation is varied and plentiful with demand at it’s peak during the school holidays. Quaint cottages nestle in picturesque villages, if you are prepared to go off the beaten track there are some gems to be found, lodges with hot tubs keep the family entertained in the evenings and there are plenty of brilliant pubs to enjoy hearty pub meal or even an afternoon tea. Would that be jam first or cream? Let me know if I can help to find that cottage to enjoy the amazing views and relax in the evenings for family fun or sophisticated relaxation.