HPB’s holiday booking service has been rated 4.7 out of 5
based on 14748 customer reviews on Feefo.
Feefo Platinum Award Feefo logo

200-million-year-old fossil found in Dorset

Posted by Luci Ackers on 10 January 2018
Related property: Langton House
200-million-year-old fossil found in Dorset

A 200-million-year-old fossil has been found on the coast of Dorset, and it’s a pretty big deal!

The Dorset and East Devon Coast is a world-famous UNESCO World Heritage Site that stretches from Exmouth to Studland Bay. It’s often more commonly known as the Jurassic Coast and the area’s geological history dates back 185 million years. The beaches and cliffs here are well-visited by those on the hunt for the wonderful fossils that this coastline is known for.

A recent, astonishing discovery close to Lyme Regis turned out to be some kind of prehistoric sea dragon. Scientists were able to date its fossilised remains to 200 million years old.

The story of the sea dragon

It is common knowledge that the Jurassic Coast is the place to go for fossil-hunters. But less common is the discovery of a fossil that shocks even the experts! That is what happened when the bones of an ichthyosaur were found preserved on the shores of Dorset.

Chris Moor runs the Forge Fossils workshop in Charmouth, and has 30 years’ experience as a fossil collector on the Dorset coast. He first discovered the front fins, or paddles, of what appeared to be an ichthyosaur, in a large boulder after the rock was disturbed in a landslide following rough weather. Though it isn’t uncommon to find ichthyosaur bones here, there was something a little off with these ones that made Chris eager to return to the scene...

Finding a complete ichthyosaur skeleton is a rare thing that was first documented early in the 19th century. Back then the name ‘ichthyosaur’ (‘fish lizard’ or ‘sea dragon’), was settled on because of the creature’s interesting reptilian features. It has large, beak-like jaws and fins, similar to below.

Returning to the same spot, a team began to excavate and were amazed to find almost the full skeleton, but Chris had been right to question it. This ichthyosaur was like none ever discovered before; the fins were bigger and a different shape - it was a whole new species. This one was much larger than the majority of ichthyosaurs that have previously been found at Lyme Regis, around 4.5 metres in length. It was such an important discovery that the unearthing of this incredible creature was actually documented by David Attenborough for the BBC early in 2018.

Why Dorset?

Dorset has always been fantastic for fossils and the reason it is so rich in findings, is because in Jurassic times the area was covered by the sea. Crustaceans and molluscs would have been everywhere (as well as the odd ichthyosaur!). Sediments washed down from the land and turned into layers of shale and limestone. When the sea retreated from the land, the remains of the creatures were preserved, and linger still, in the sedimentary rock forms that still characterise the area.

There is no limit to the wonderful things that this rocky coastline keeps hidden in its walls. If you want to explore it for yourself then Langton House provides the perfect base for getting out there and seeing it. Located in Langton Matravers, it’s just 10 minutes from the coastline and the South West Coast Path, England’s longest way-marked long-distance walking route.

How to Explore

The South West Coast Path stretches right the way around the south-westernmost point of England, from Somerset, along the shorelines of Devon and Cornwall, all the way to Dorset. It is along here that Langton’s wonderful walking guide, Andy Pedrick, sets out with groups of eager walkers.

Andy’s stunning coastal walks take place from reception at Langton on Friday mornings. His popular walks lead groups on a magnificent 4½ mile circular route, that passes unrivalled views of the coast.

The most common fossils along this stretch of beach are ammonites. They are coiled shells that might be encased in boulders or larger rocks. Keep your eyes peeled as you explore because they’re all over!

Find out how to stay at Langton House and join Andy on one of his informative walks by entering your details at the bottom of the page.

Luci Ackers

Luci Ackers

Luci loves getting out and about for a good cycle ride or easy-going walks in the countryside, and thoroughly enjoyed the time she previously spent working for the National Trust. Her love of writing started from a young age and on rainy days nothing beats curling up in a secret corner with a good book.

How can I find out more?

The Holiday Property Bond could do as much for your quality of life as it has done for many thousands of families who have already invested. That's why we invite you to get in touch with us in any of these 3 ways and please don't forget our unique 'Money back promise' and 'interest free loan' options.

Request our brochure Speak to a representative Explore one of our UK sites

Please request our fully illustrated holiday property brochure

Please read "How HPB works" and then we will be delighted to send you our brochure, including our property portfolio, and your FREE copy of Insight Magazine. See the beautiful holiday homes and magnificent locations where you can spend your holidays as a Bondholder and learn how impressed Bondholders have been by our handling of the problems caused by coronavirus.

Please complete and submit the form or, alternatively, telephone our FREE brochure request line on 0800 230 0391

Request a brochure
Title *  
First Name *  
Surname *  
Email address *
Postcode *  
Telephone number
How did you hear about us?

We will use the details you provide above to send you our detailed HPB brochure and keep you updated about HPB holiday offers. Details of how we use the information you provide are in our privacy policy.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

SUBMIT SUBMIT
* Indicates required fields
HPB’s holiday booking service has been rated 4.7 out of 5 based on 14748 customer reviews on Feefo.

You can speak to one of our representatives

Your local HPB representative will be happy to call or video call you at a convenient time for an informal chat. Simply fill in your details and we'll do the rest.

Most of our representatives are Bondholders themselves and all have visited a number of Bond sites.

The representative will give you all the information you need and then leave you to make up your own mind. He or she will talk to you about your holiday requirements and what level of investment is needed to secure the kind of holidays you want.

Video chat now available with a local representative

This request is for new enquiries only, if you are an existing Bondholder please contact us via myBond.

How should we contact you? *  
Title *  
First Name *  
Surname *  
Email address *
Telephone number *  
Post code *  
Preferred Date/Time
Preferred Date/Time 2
Preferred Date/Time 3
OR
Please contact me to arrange a date

Your local representative will contact you to confirm the date and time.

Date/Time *  
How did you hear about us?
Chosen date (choose above) *
Chosen time (choose above) *

We will use the details you provide above for a representative to contact you. Details of how we use the information you provide are in our privacy policy.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

SUBMIT SIGN ME UP
* Indicates required fields


See our stunning holiday properties for yourself

Having a Private Tour at an HPB holiday location is an enjoyable way to see the high standards of furnishings and facilities you could enjoy with HPB. One of our representatives will show you around the site and answer any questions you may have.

Alternatively, you are welcome to book a Personal Presentation at a hotel near you. You can chat to one of our representatives, ask your questions and view the complete portfolio of HPB locations.

BOOK A PRIVATE TOUR OR PERSONAL PRESENTATION

This advertisement is issued by HPB Management Limited (HPBM), the main UK agent and the property manager for HPB, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, registered at HPB House, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 8EH. HPB is available exclusively through HPBM. HPB is issued by HPB Assurance Limited (HPBA) registered in the Isle of Man and authorised by the Financial Services Authority there. The Trustee of HPB is Equiom (Isle of Man) Limited, registered at Jubilee Buildings, Victoria Street, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 2SH. The Securities Adviser is Stanhope Capital LLP of 35 Portman Square, London W1H 6LR. No medical examination is required.

HPBM promotes only HPB and is not independent of HPBA. Holders of policies issued by HPBA will not be protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme if the company becomes unable to meet its liabilities to them but Isle of Man compensation arrangements apply to new policies.