The Geological Society of London has named its ‘Top 100 Geological Sites’ in the UK and Ireland. With so many wonderful rocky structures around the UK I’m sure the judges were stuck between a rock and a hard place when making their decision (and yes, that was my attempt at a geology pun!). We are lucky enough to have 10 of these geo-sites near our parks, so let’s find out where these wonderful places are and leave the rest of my geology puns for someone else to dig up.
Under 30minutes from your front door you will find Siccar Point, which appears to a rock celebrity! Out of the 1,200 people who voted this was the winner of the ‘Historical and Scientific Importance’ category!
Siccar Point commons (source wikimedia org)
Coming in at number 66, Lulworth Cove is renowned as the best spot for any budding geologist with its rocky features and fantastic views.
Lulworth-Cove (www lulworthonline co uk)
Breaking into the top 50 at number 47, Snowdon provides an adventure for all. Many of you may not know but Wales’s highest mountain was shaped by a glacier. Nowadays it is very popular with not only climbers but also geologists.
Mount Snowdon (source www wildaboutbritain co uk)
Weymouth Bay (again!):
At number 20 in the list and only 40minutes from Weymouth Bay you will find the stunning Kimmeridge Bay. This is an area that dates back as far as the Jurassic Age and means exploring here is definitely worthwhile.
Kimmeridge bay (source www stacey peak-media co uk)
Just under an hour from Devon Cliffs you will find number 44, Lyme Regis Beach. This is an area famous for fossils hiding away in its beaches and cliffs. It was where many of the earliest dinosaur remains were found!
Lyme Regis beach (source www leepilkington co uk)
In Dawlish you will find the Permian Red Sandstone Cliffs, these intriguingly coloured cliffs informed geologists that Britain used to be much closer to the equator and was in fact a desert!
Dawlish rocks (source www walkinginthecountry blogspot com)
The Rotunda Museum in Scarborough was built in 1829 by William ‘Father of Geology’ Smith. It is the winner of the ‘Educational’ category!
Rotunda museum (Source www artfund org)
Up at number 73, Barafundle Bay and Stockpole Quay provide the not only the perfect opportunity to study rock folding but this is a wonderful little beach.
BarafundleBay (source www tomcio co uk)
Soaring in at number 90, Kilve provides a wonderful example of rock faults with an array of Jurassic rocks.
Kilve Beach (source www panoramio com)
The Great Ormer Bronze Age Mine comes in at 22 out of the Top 100. It dates back 4,000 years, when it was discovered it changed the way we view the ancient peoples of Britain!
Copper-Mine (source www utaot com)