| The East Devon and West Dorset coastline around | | | | Guided fossil walks led by experts are organised from |
| Lyme Bay is the ideal place to escape to for an | | | | the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre, situated just by |
| invigorating weekend or midweek break – and | | | | the beach – the walks take place throughout the |
| it’s a great way to re-charge your batteries and | | | | year and help to bring to life the area's 185 million years |
| relieve the stresses of everyday life. Take time for | | | | of geological history. |
| some rest and relaxation and come and enjoy the | | | | The Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre is a mine of |
| breathtaking scenery, country and coastal walks and | | | | information regarding the geology of the Jurassic |
| bracing sea air when there are not so many people | | | | Coast, the fossils and the local wildlife – the |
| around. | | | | centre’s wardens are on hand to answer your |
| The Lyme Bay area is an easily accessible part of | | | | questions about the area. The Heritage Centre |
| England renowned for its fossil hunting, breathtaking | | | | promotes the sustainable collection of fossils and it's |
| natural beauty, sheltered harbours, sandy beaches, | | | | worth checking out the advice on fossil collecting at |
| thatched cottages, sense of history and pastoral | | | | the centre before setting out on your fossil hunting |
| landscape. The weather is relatively mild all year round | | | | expedition. |
| so it’s a great place to visit outside of the major | | | | A visit to Beer Quarry caves |
| school holidays – the area is at its busiest when the | | | | The sun doesn’t always shine on Lyme Bay, so |
| kids are on holiday. If you live in one of the major | | | | what do you do if the weather’s not too good – |
| conurbations such as London, the Midlands or the | | | | well why not head underground? Beer Quarry Caves |
| Bristol area your journey by car to this part of the | | | | are a vast complex of man-made caverns created by |
| Westcountry is pretty straightforward. From the | | | | centuries of quarrying Beer Stone. Originally worked by |
| Midlands or London allow yourself three hours, from | | | | the Romans the quarry has supplied stone for 24 |
| Bristol an hour and a half should suffice. | | | | cathedrals including Exeter and St Pauls. |
| There are so many things to see and do here on the | | | | There are one hour conducted tours by trained guides |
| Lyme Bay coast, so here are a couple of suggestions | | | | of this vast man-made complex of underground |
| for things to do if you take a short break in the area: | | | | caverns created by centuries of quarrying. A small |
| Fossil hunting on the beach | | | | museum is housed within the Roman section of the |
| Our coastline here on the West Dorset/East Devon | | | | caves containing pieces of carved Beer stone, tools, |
| border is known as The Jurassic Coast for good | | | | ancient documents and photographs. You can see the |
| reason. The coastline stretches 95 miles from Dorset | | | | methods used to quarry and deliver the huge blocks of |
| through to East Devon and is a truly stunning | | | | stone, the working conditions and the hardships and |
| spectacle, with rock formations recording 185 million | | | | dangers endured by the work-force. |
| years of the Earth's history. | | | | Having seen the working conditions and dangers that |
| As England's first natural World Heritage Site the | | | | were faced daily by the work-force you may think a |
| coastline is up there with the world's most famous | | | | little differently about the next famous building you see. |
| attractions such as the Grand Canyon in the USA and | | | | By the time you have finished your tour the sun may |
| Australia's Great Barrier Reef. | | | | well be shining again – an ideal opportunity to enjoy |
| Charmouth beach in West Dorset is one of the best | | | | the above ground attractions of Beer, a very pretty |
| places along the Jurassic Coast to search for fossils. | | | | East Devon fishing village. |