Dig Deep: Hotels for Fossil Hunters on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast

“If there’s one thing better than an afternoon with a bucket and spade by the English seaside, it’s filling said bucket with hundreds of millions of history. For seasoned collectors and kids having their first scrabble on the beach alike, fossil-hunting is undeniably captivating – unearthing a perfectly preserved slice of history is a special feeling, and Dorset’s stretch of the Jurassic Coast is one of the prettiest places you can do it. Here are five hotels in perfect spots for fossil-hunting.

– – – – – –

The Cobb Arms, Lyme Regis
————————-

Ideally situated on Lyme Regis seafront, the Cobb Arms has traditional pub accommodation with modern rooms. Best of all it’s walking distance from Black Ven – one of the best fossil-hunting spots on the Jurassic Coast – and the popular seaside town’s Monmouth Beach, where you’ll find the fascinating ammonite pavement. This local attraction is an expanse of flat rock covered in hundreds of ammonite impressions. You can also visit both the Lyme Regis Museum and the town’s Dinosaurland Fossil Museum here. The latter is a must-visit, particularly for young dinosaur enthusiasts; it’s a private museum owned and run by a local palaeontologist.

– – – – – –

The Heights Hotel, Portland
—————————

The Isle of Portland is a great base for exploring the Jurassic Coast, both heading to the region’s easternmost point at Swanage and going west along Chesil Beach. The Heights Hotel on Portland has great views of the latter, and it’s also a short walk from West Weare – one of the best spots for fossil-hunting on Portland, with fossils hidden in the clay between rocks and boulders.

– – – – – –

Best Western Weymouth Hotel Rembrandt
————————————-

If you’re planning a trip with little fossil hunters then it can be a good idea to make sure you’ve got wet-weather activities on hand. The Best Western Weymouth Hotel Rembrandt has its own pool and is minutes from a host of family-friendly activities, including Weymouth’s Sandworld and Sea Life Adventure Park.

– – – – – –

The Countryman Inn, East Knighton
———————————

You don’t have to stay right on the seafront to enjoy the Jurassic Coast. The Dorset countryside makes an equally good base for fossil collectors keen to explore the region, and you can find cosy yet stylish rooms in a proper country pub at the Countryman Inn, less than 15 minutes’ drive from Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door. It’s only slightly further to Ringstead Bay – one of the most easily accessible spots on the Dorset Coast for fossil-hunting.

– – – – – –

Purbeck House Hotel, Swanage
—————————-

The eastern extremity of the Jurassic Coast is marked by Old Harry Rocks – a trio or spectacular rock formations in the sea off the Isle of Purbeck. Purbeck makes an excellent holiday base, with some gorgeous coastal walking and chalk cliffs that provide some of the best views on the South Coast. And, of course, there are fossil hotspots such as rocky Durlston Bay. The historic Purbeck House Hotel gives you easy access to the coast from its location in Swanage, a short walk from the clifftops of Durlston Country Park.”