New weekender: Science of the Jurassic Coast, Dorset and Devon, England

8 to 10 September 2023 - from £699 earlybird price

Discover the science of the Jurassic coast, from the ever-changing coastal landscapes to the future of beaches and geology with insights from a variety of geology, marine biologists, and conservation experts. 

On the brand new 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.

On this weekender you will hear from leading geology, conservation, and palaeozoology experts as you take a deep dive through the history of the Jurassic coast. 

You will be welcomed at the hotel by the New Scientist team followed by an introduction to the weekend, where you will meet the experts. On the first evening, Jo Ruxton MBE will introduce her internationally acclaimed film researching global plastics in our oceans.

The following day, set off along to coast to join Jo for an insightful walking seminar and plastic survey. Continue onto Lyme Regis’ infamous ammonite pavement where you will be joined by a fossil expert, walk along the beach to the Lyme Regis Museum, former home of fossil hunter Mary Anning. After a guided tour of the museum, return to your accommodation for dinner and an evening talk with Darren Naish on the life appearance, behaviour and evolution of extinct animals, mainly dinosaurs, pterosaurs and marine reptiles. 

On the Sunday, you will embark on a cruise along the coast, offering a different viewpoint of the geological wonders of the coast accompanied by Doctor Richard Scrivener who was previously was the Principal Geologist of the British Geological Survey. Then visit a local vineyard, for an insight into the science of viticulture, followed by a light lunch, before returning to your hotel.

You’ll stay in a well-located hotel in Exeter, offering stunning views of the surrounding countryside with a friendly group of fellow science enthusiasts. 

The weekender is for anyone with an interest in geology, conservation and learning about the history of one of Englands most beautiful and historic coastal regions. 

DAY 1

You’ll check into your room at the Courtyard by Marriott Exeter Sandy Park, offering beautiful views of the Devonshire scenery. 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, and the opportunity to meet your fellow guests.

After dinner, Jo Ruxton will introduce her the international award-winning feature length documentary, A Plastic Ocean. The film follows Jo, who joined an expedition to the so-called Great Pacific Garbage Patch in the North Pacific Gyre, 1500 miles off the coast of San Francisco, to ascertain its impact. When the expedition discovered free-floating microplastics instead of an anticipated solid mass that could be contained, Jo knew she had to begin the film that would become A Plastic Ocean. The film documents the global effects of plastic pollution and highlights workable technologies and innovative solutions that everyone - from governments to individual - can do, to create a cleaner and greener ocean. There will be an opportunity after the screening to ask Jo and questions about the film and topics raised.

DAY 2

After an early breakfast, there will be a fascinating morning talk by Jo Ruxton discussing the truth behind plastics and microplastics, the sciences behind these, and the global impacts they have on our oceans and beaches. After this talk, you will be transferred by coach to Sidmouth, where you will join Jo for a walking seminar and take part in some citizen science by undertaking a fun plastic survey along one of the beaches here. After this, there will be free time to have some lunch before transferring 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 Darren Naish focusing on the on the life appearance, behaviour and evolution of extinct animals, mainly dinosaurs, pterosaurs and marine reptiles. He will also talk about the history of palaeoart and vertebrate evolutionary history in general.

DAY 3

After a more leisurely 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. Onbaord you will be joined by Doctor Richard Scrivener who 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. Doctor Scrivener will join the group to offer insight as you cruise the Jurassic coast by sea.

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 local vineyard for lunch. Thanks to its unique terroir and warmer summers, Devon is now thriving as a wine growing region. Discover the science of winemaking on our vineyard tour, followed by a light lunch of artisan cheese and charcuterie, with an opportunity to taste the local wine. From here, transfer back to your hotel for your departure.