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 and palaeontology, palaeozoology experts.

On this Weekender, you will have an opportunity to explore the Jurassic Coast, where geology takes centre stage. It is the only place on Earth where rocks from the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous Periods can be seen in one place, representing 185 million years of Earth’s history. Within these rocks are countless stories of continents colliding, landscapes being formed and shaped by time and tide, and extraordinary creatures living, dying and evolving across millions of years.

You will stay with a friendly group of fellow science enthusiasts at a centrally-located hotel in the heart of Exeter. During your stay, you will hear from leading palaeontology, geology and palaeozoology experts as you take a deep dive through the history of the Jurassic Coast.

This Weekender is for anyone with an interest in geology, palaeontology and learning about the history of one of England's most beautiful and historic coastal regions.

Itinerary

DAY 1

You’ll check into your room at the Mercure Southgate Exeter, located in the heart of this beautiful historic city. You will be welcomed by the New Scientist team, who will introduce you to the weekend ahead.

The evening will begin with drinks, followed by an introduction talk walking you through four billion of geological history, delving into how the Jurassic coast was formed. After this, there will be dinner, followed by a fun evening quiz.

DAY 2

After an early breakfast, there will be a fascinating morning talk. After this talk, you will be transferred by coach to Lyme Regis Fossil Beach.

At the Fossil beach, you will be joined by a fossil expert, who will take you on a hands-on walking seminar along the beach, and how it was formed. You will walk from the beach towards Lyme Regis, a distance of around 1.5 miles. Many fossils simply lie exposed amongst the beach pebbles and rocks, just waiting to be found. As the cliffs collapse into the sea and the waves wash against them, fossils are dragged out onto the beaches with the most recognisable the spiral shaped ammonites. The fossils found on the beaches and in the rocks of the cliffs along the coastline are the remains of the marine life from the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous geological periods, spanning 185 million years from between 250 and 65 million years ago.

As you reach Lyme Regis, you will head to the Lyme Regis Museum where you will discover 200 million years of history, from the remarkable discoveries of the fossil hunter Mary Anning. Built on the site of Mary Anning’s home. You will have a private tour of the museum including a private talk from one of the museum’s curators. There will be time after the tour to explore Lyme Regis independently before transferring back to your hotel.

Later in the evening you can continue the conversation with drinks with our speakers, before dinner. After dinner, there will be a talk by an expert offering insight into the dinosaurs that used to roam the Jurassic coast.

DAY 3

After a more leisurely breakfast, there will be two more insightful talks from our experts.

In the afternoon, 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 a leading geologist, who will offer a full commentary throughout the cruise going into fantastic detail on all the rock formations and the complex heritage landscape as you sail along one of the most breath-taking parts of the British coastline.

You return to Exmouth harbour, where the coach will be waiting to take you to back to the hotel where there will be a final talk.

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. 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.

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.

Meet the Experts

Professor Lewis Dartnell is a research scientist, presenter and author based in London. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a first-class degree in biological sciences and completed his PhD at University College London in 2007. His books include The Knowledge, Origins and, most recently, Being Human: How our biology shaped world history.

Darren Naish is an author and palaeozoologist who works on dinosaurs, ancient sea reptiles and flying pterosaurs. He received his PhD in palaeontology from the University of Portsmouth in 2006. He has published numerous books, mostly recently Ancient Sea Reptiles and Mesozoic Art (with Steve White), and he blogs at Tetrapod Zoology (tetzoo.com), where he writes about all manner of zoological topics. He also works for the BBC Natural History Unit and is chief scientific consultant for the Apple TV+ series Prehistoric Planet.

Doctor Steve Etches MBE was originally a plumber by trade and began collecting fossils from the Kimmeridge Clay over 40 years ago. His fossil collecting began at the age of 5 with a flint fossil sea urchin which he found in his back garden. Completely self taught, what began as a hobby has now resulted in a collection of over 2800 fossils (and increasing as Steve is still busy collecting) all from the Kimmeridge Bay locality, which were all once housed in a converted garage at his home in the village and are now on display at here in our amazing museum, The Etches Collection Museum of Jurassic Marine Life in Kimmeridge just a short distance from where all the amazing discoveries were made. Steve has become a renown expert on fossils from the Kimmeridgian, it has always been his wish to donate his collection to the nation so that generations can learn from the amazing specimens and their ‘Stories from Deep Time.’ Steve, often described as a ‘modern day Mary Anning’, has received numerous awards in recognition for his dedication to the world of Palaeontology.

Doctor Richard Scrivener has been an independent consultant geologist for over 12 years and previously was the Principal Geologist of the British Geological Survey, specialising in minerals, mining and geochemistry.

More experts to be confirmed soon.

Getting there

Address:

Mercure Southgate Hotel Exeter, Southernhay East, Exeter, EX1 1QF

Road:

Via the M5, exit at Junction 29 and take the A3015 towards Exeter City Centre. Continue into the city for 2.5 miles (4 km), through 2 roundabouts and right at 2 fork junctions. You then come down a hill (Heavitree Police Station on the right, Pyramids Pool on the left) and arrive at a large roundabout. Take the 1st exit off the roundabout onto Western Way (Plymouth via the A38). Turn right at the 1st lights onto Barnfield Rd then 1st left onto Southernhay East. The hotel is down the hill on the right. Parking is available at the hotel for £10 per 24 hours.

Train

Exeter Central – approximately 10 minute walk.

Exeter St Thomas – approximately 12 minute walk.

Exeter St Davids – approximately 20 minute walk.

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

Pace and Physicality

This is a medium impact event, with walks scheduled in on day two, of no longer than 2 hours. There will also be a cruise on day three. The talks will be held in a private conference room with comfortable seating. It is worth wearing sturdy walking shoes, especially when visiting the fossil beach in Lyme Regis.

Although the climate is temperate, we strongly advise you bring weatherproof clothing.

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

Accommodation

Mercure Exeter Southgate Hotel is located in central Exeter, with views over the historic old cathedral. It is just a 5-minute walk from the hotel to the shops and restaurants of the city centre.

Each of the hotel’s comfortable bedrooms are classically decorated and feature ensuite bathrooms, Freeview TV and facilities for making tea and coffee.

The hotel has a restaurant serving a range of delicious cuisines as well as an onsite health and fitness centre with an indoor swimming pool and a gym.

It has a selection of comfortable meeting rooms.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

EX1 1QF, Mercure Exeter Southgate Hotel, Exeter, United Kingdom