Lesser visited ‘hidden gem' English beach where you can spot dolphins and find dinosaur fossils

Scottish Sun

8 hours ago

Plus, what you need to know about taking fossils away from the beach
BEACH PLEASE Lesser visited 'hidden gem' English beach where you can spot dolphins and find dinosaur fossils
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THE UK isn't short of beautiful beaches - but one historic spot boasts more than breathtaking views.
Dorset might be a super popular tourist destination, but Monmouth Beach is a 'hidden gem', according to Dorset & Devon Holiday Cottages.
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Monmouth Beach in Dorset is mostly made of pebbles, with some sand
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However, when the tide washes out it is the ideal spot for fossil hunting
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Located just a five to 10-minute walk from Lyme Regis, Monmouth Beach features a mix of pebbles and sand and stretches around a mile from the seaside town's harbour.
Gemma Matthews, owner of Dorset & Devon Holiday Cottages, said: "It's easy for people to overlook Monmouth Beach and head straight to the busier Lyme Regis beaches slightly further along the coast, especially as it is a pebble beach.
"However, holidaymakers shouldn't judge it based on its pebbles alone – the beach has so much to offer."
Known for being the home of the Jurassic Coast, Dorset beaches often boast many prehistoric finds, and this doesn't stop with Monmouth Beach.
According to TripAdvisor reviews, many visitors love the beach's "breathtaking views".
Gemma added: "If you're into history and adventure, a fossil hunt is a great way to spend the day at the beach.
"Monmouth is the perfect place to find small ammonites and plant fossils; some have even found evidence of other prehistoric creatures!
Many of the fossils on the one-mile beach come from Ware Cliffs next to it, which date back 200 million years.
At low tide, visitors can find a layer of limestone at the far end of the beach, which is known as the 'ammonite graveyard' or 'ammonite pavement'.
UK beach named one of the top 100 in the world
Here, you will be able to find hundreds of large ammonites exposed in the rocks.
And you might just be lucky enough to see some live sea creatures at the beach as well.
"Chippel Bay, the stretch of water just off its shore, is frequently visited by seals and dolphins, which are always a special sight.
"If you're looking for a more relaxing time, the beach is dog-friendly all year-round, perfect for walking your four-legged friend whilst taking in the stunning views of the Jurassic Coast, especially at sunset," she continued.
To the west of the beach, is the Cobb - a historic harbour wall and breakwater that protects Lyme Regis from flooding.
There is also a car park with direct beach access, with toilets as well.
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And if you are lucky, you will see live sea creatures as well
There are plenty of places to stay in the area too, with the beach being close to Lyme Regis and also within a 20-minute drive of landmarks like Cannington Viaduct and Rousdon Cliffs.
Monmouth Beach is named after the Duke of Monmouth, who landed on the beach in 1685 in a failed attempt to overthrow his uncle, King James II.
Following the attempt, 12 local people were hanged on the beach as a warning.
However, later in the mid-18th century, the beach became a popular bathing spot, with visits from famous figures including Jane Austen, who wrote Persuasion after a visit in 1803.
Then, in 1903, the construction of the railway meant Lyme Regis was more accessible and increasing numbers of tourists flooded to the town.
Can you get fined for taking fossils home?
WHILE some fossil hunters will simply choose to look and not touch, there will be others who will want to take their treasures home.
The rules surrounding fossils are a little grey, with holidaymakers needing to do their own research because every area is different.
According to the Natural History Museum, holidaymakers will need to make sure they have the "appropriate permission and access rights" to take fossils home.
For example, some areas are Sites of Special Scientific Interest, which may have extra restrictions.
Guidance on the Natural History Museum website states: "Always look up and follow the rules for the specific areas you visit or those imposed by owners or controllers, which can include obtaining permission to access and collect in the area, avoiding disturbing wildlife, and recording what you found and where. In some places you can look but mustn't collect anything."
A Dorset local has also shared her top spots to visit across the county.
Plus, one of the UK's best campsites that has its own private beach and splash park is located in Dorset.