This part of the World Heritage site encompasses the border between the two counties of Devon and Dorset, with the “birthplace of palaeontology” in the Lyme Regis area falling just over the border into Dorset.
The exposed geology between Axmouth and Lyme Regis spans from late Triassic (220-2012 million years), through the Early Jurassic (201-198 million years old) - of which the area is most famed, through to the Late Cretaceous (105-90 million years old). An unconformity exists however in sections between the Triassic and the Cretaceous rocks.
The rocks here expose life from a range of environments. From the Triassic deserts dominated by seasonal lakes which evaporated leaving behind minerals such as gypsum and beyond, to the recovery of life following the end-Triassic mass extinction.
The mudstones and limestones preserving life after the flooding of the desert environments by warm tropical seas are Internationally renowned for their lower Jurassic fossils, including ammonites, marine reptiles such as ichthyosaurs and other marine species. Within this Jurassic sequence, repeating layers in the Blue Lias can be clearly seen in the cliff face that are linked to changes in the Earth’s orbit, known as Milankovitch cycles.
Following the explosion of marine life in the Jurassic, the Early to Late Cretaceous rocks contain Heteromorph ammonites and other Early Cretaceous and Chalk fossils.
Must see areas include:
- Undercliffs National Nature Reserve (wildlife)
- Lyme Regis (The Cobb, fossil hunting on the beach, the town)
- Pinhay Bay
- Ammonite Pavement
- Bindon Landslide
to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
Stay updated and follow us
