New Scientist | Science of the Jurassic coast Weekender | England

Discover the science of the Jurassic coast, from the ever-changing coastal landscapes to the historic beaches and geology with insights from a variety of geology, palaeontology and palaeozoology experts. Discover the thrill of fossil hunting in Lyme Regis and enjoy a scenic coastal cruise showcasing breathtaking views of this spectacular region from a unique perspectives.

Join this captivating weekend getaway to the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the wonders of geology take centre stage. This extraordinary destination is the only place on Earth where you can witness an unbroken sequence of rocks from the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods, spanning an incredible 185 million years of Earth’s history.

Uncover countless stories etched into the cliffs and shores—tales of ancient continents colliding, dramatic landscapes forming and reshaping over time, and the lives of extraordinary creatures that thrived, evolved, and eventually vanished across eons. Whether you’re marveling at fossilised remains or standing in awe of the rugged coastline, every moment offers a profound connection to the Earth’s dynamic past.

This weekend will be hosted by Doctor Anjana Khatwa, whose passion and expertise bring the origins and formation of natural landscapes vividly to life. Anjana will guide you on an inspiring journey through the geological marvels of the Jurassic Coast, offering unique insights into its rich history and significance. Joining her will be a team of leading experts, each contributing their specialised knowledge through engaging talks and discussions. Together, these experts will provide a comprehensive and enriching perspective as you explore the Jurassic Coast, delving into its ancient stories and uncovering its secrets.

You will stay with a friendly group of fellow science enthusiasts at a centrally-located hotel in the heart of Exeter.

Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or a curious newcomer wanting to learn more about the history of one of England's most beautiful and historic coastal regions, this immersive weekend will leave you with a profound appreciation for one of the world’s most extraordinary natural landscapes.

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ITINERARY

DAY 1: ARRIVE IN EXETER AND INTRODUCTION TO THE WEEKENDER

You will check into your room at the Mercure Exeter Rougemont hotel located in the heart of Exeter. You will be welcomed by the New Scientist team, who will introduce you to the weekend ahead.

The evening will begin at 17:00 with drinks, followed by the first of this weekend's talks, with time at the end to ask any questions.

This evening enjoy a talk from Doctor Anjana Khatwa, she will take a deep dive into the origins and formation of natural landscapes.

After this, there will be dinner and the opportunity to meet your fellow guests and the team from New Scientist.

DAY 2: VISIT LYME REGIS AND EVENING TALK

After an early breakfast, you will depart Exeter at around 9am and travel to the Lyme Regis by coach, a journey of around 40 minutes. On arrival you will be divided into smaller groups for a more intimate experience to explore the Lyme Regis Museum and Lyme Regis coastal path. Each group will be accompanied by a member of the team from the Lyme Regis Museum who will offering an engaging insight into Mary Anning as well as exploring this beautiful coastline.

Activities include:

Lyme Regis Museum: Private guided tour of the Lyme Regis Museum where you will learn all about the remarkable fossil hunter Mary Anning, her groundbreaking discoveries, and the pivotal role they played in shaping our understanding of prehistoric life.

Lyme Regis coastal walk: Departing from the Lyme Regis Museum, you will walk along the coastal path walking at a very steady pace as a lot of the time will be spent learning about the geology of this magnificent coastline! You can be expected to walk up to two kilometres during this excursion.

You will have time for lunch (not included) and to explore Lyme Regis independently.

In the afternoon at around 1pm, take part in a fossil walk accompanied by Anjana and the experts from the Lyme Regis Museum on Lyme’s famous East beach and Black Ven. The walk a great way to learn more about the geology of the Jurassic Coast and to hear about the amazing fossils discovered here in Lyme Regis. The walks will last around 2 hours. Please wear sensible footwear and come dressed for the weather on the day.

Return to the hotel by coach in the late afternoon.

Before dinner, there will be a talk from an expert followed by dinner at the hotel.

Please note todays activity will be subject to change due to tide times.

DAY 3: MORNING GEOLOGY CRUISE AND AFTERNOON TALK

After breakfast, you will be transferred by coach to Exmouth marina to board your boat for your geology cruise along the Jurassic Coast, allowing a different viewpoint from the previous day’s exploration. After embarking in Exmouth harbour, known as the gateway to the Jurassic Coast, you will be introduced to your onboard geologist.

You will return to the hotel after the cruise for lunch at the hotel.

In the afternoon, enjoy a fianl talk from Anjana.

The weekend will end at around 16:00.

ADDITIONAL DAYS BEFORE AND AFTER

For an additional fee, you are welcome to arrive a few days early or stay a few more days and enjoy the beautiful countryside around Exeter and Dorset and its many geological sites including Durdle Door and The Etches Collection. There is also the option to explore the English riviera, traversing the shoreline of Torbay where you can visit the most southerly of the UK’s seven geoparks as well as visiting the Eden Project famous for its Biomes, the world’s largest greenhouses.

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QUESTIONS

Full event notes will be issued a few weeks prior to the event but feel to drop us a line at [email protected] with your questions.

Highlights

• Explore the Jurassic Coast by sea on a cruise with a local geology expert.
• Hunt for fossils along Lyme Regis’ famed Ammonite Pavement.
• Private tour of Lyme Regis Museum, former home of fossil hunter Mary Anning.
• Hear from leading experts in geology and palaeontology.
• Dinner and drinks with your fellow experts, New Scientist team and guests.

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Meet the Experts

Doctor Anjana Khatwa - Host

Anjana is an Earth Scientist specialising in bringing stories about the origins and formation of natural landscapes to life for a wide range of audiences. She has appeared as a ‘super-contributor’ on BBC Four’s three-part series, Beach Live, where she was the show’s resident geologist expert, engaging audiences with her insight and knowledge about geology and fossils.

Her debut non-fiction book, The Whispers of Rock, is a global story of how rocks have not only shaped our world but also our lives. It will be published as a hardback in September 2025 by Little, Brown (UK) and Basic Books (US).

Anjana has won multiple awards over her stellar career in the geosciences including Royal Geographical Society Geographical Award, the RH Worth Medal by the Geological Society of London and the prestigious Halstead Medal from the Geologists’ Association. In 2020, she won a National Diversity Award as a Positive Role Model for Race, Faith and Religion.

Kieran Satchell

Kieran is a palaeontological science communicator. He was an ambassador for the Jurassic Coast Trust (JCT) for over 3 years, primarily focused on giving educational talks about the local paleontology of Dorset and further afield. In 2016 he spent 5 monhts as an intern for the Judith River Dinosaur institute in Montana, US, out in the field digging for dinosaurs including Stegosaurus and Haplocanthosaurus. He now works as the Learning & Engagement Officer at Lyme Regis Museum and will lead the walk on day two.

Chris Woodward

Chris became an ambassador for the Jurassic Coast Trust back in 2015 and focussed not only on links with formal education but also those with specialist interest groups and museums. Chris Participates in geology events such as the Lyme Regis Fossil Festival, Sidmouth Science Week, the Jurassic Coastal Trust’s Evening Cruises, the Exmouth Festival, as well as working with Exmouth’s Town Team on their Dinosaur Trail and Tourist Information staff’s CPD.

More experts to be confirmed soon.

Getting there

Address:

Mercure Exeter Rougemont Hotel, Queen Street, Exeter, EX4 3SP.

The What3Words location for the Mercure Exeter Rougemont Hotel is skipped devours Rhino.

By Train: The hotel is directly opposite Exeter Central Station, making it a short and easy walk for rail travelers. Exeter St David’s Station is also nearby, about a 10-minute walk or a quick taxi ride away.

By Car: Situated close to major routes, the hotel is accessible via the M5 motorway. From the M5, take the A30 or A377 towards the city center. Parking facilities are available at the hotel and included in the cost of the weekend.

By Bus: The hotel is close to Exeter’s main bus station, offering convenient access for those traveling locally or regionally.

Arriving from outside of the UK: The nearest airport to Exeter is Exeter International Airport (EXT). Exeter Airport is approximately a 20-minute drive from the hotel. Taxis and car hire services are available at the airport, and there is also a bus connection to the city center.

What’s Included

• A full programme of talks and visits
• Two nights’ accommodation at a centrally located Exeter hotel
• Two breakfasts, one lunch and two three-course dinners. (Please advise in advance if you have dietary requirements and we will confirm if we cater for them)
• Transport in a comfortable coach
• Museum entrance fees
• Private cruise along the Jurassic Coast including private speaker
• Full instruction pack two weeks before the event
• 24-hour onsite support
• Onsite parking

What’s Not Included

• Travel insurance
• Transport to venue
• Lunch on day two
• Additional snacks, drinks alcohol
• Additional nights accommodation

WEEKENDER START AND END TIMES

The weekender will begin at 17:00 on Friday evening with the first talk at 18:30. The talks will finish at 16:00 on Sunday afternoon.

Hotel check-in is available from 14:00 on Friday. A member of the New Scientist team will be on hand at the hotel from 15:00 to help answer any questions you may have. There will be somewhere to leave your luggage.

The weekender will finish after the final talk at 16:00 on Sunday.

PACE AND PHYSICALITY

This is a low-medium impact event. The talks will be held in a private conference room with comfortable seating. The main walking element will take place on day 2 when you visit Lyme Regis beach. During the morning walk you can be expected to walk around 1 kilometre along a paved coastal path. During the afternoon fossil hunting excursion you can be expected to walk up to 3 kilometres along the beach. Both walks will be at a steady pace. We strongly recommend that you wear sturdy walking shoes during this day as the terrain will be very uneven and may be slippery.

On the afternoon of day 3, you will embark on a cruise along the Jurassic Coast. During the cruise, the boat can be affected by the winds. If you are prone to sea sickness, we suggest you bring some suitable Medic*tion with you for this.

We will provide transport in comfortable coaches for the excursions on days 2 and 3.

SOLO TRAVELLERS

Our group tours are perfect for solo travellers, as travelling as part of an organised group provides security and peace of mind in faraway places. If you want your own room, you will need to pay a solo supplement for this weekender. If you are willing to share, we will always do our best to match you up with another solo traveller of the same sex so that you don't have to pay for a single room.

AGE RESTRICTIONS

Children are welcome, but must be aged 12 or over. Please bear in mind that the level of the talks and activities are aimed at adults.

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Mercure Exeter Rougemont Hotel, Devon, England

The Mercure Exeter Rougemont Hotel is a charming and elegant destination, blending Victorian grandeur with modern comforts. Located in the heart of Exeter, this historic hotel offers easy access to the city's rich cultural attractions, including Exeter Cathedral and the Royal Albert Memorial Museum. With beautifully appointed rooms, excellent dining options, and versatile event spaces.

Event Venue

Mercure Exeter Rougemont Hotel, Queen Street, Exeter, United Kingdom