THE Jurassic Coast has been named one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the UK.
Today, the Seven Natural Wonders of the UK - a list of natural landmarks that are unified by their shared beauty, uniqueness and geological significance - have been revealed and the Jurassic Coast has been chosen as one of them.
Selected by experts at the Royal Geographical Society in partnership with outdoor brand Merrell, the 95-mile stretch of coast from Studland Bay to East Devon was picked for its almost continuous sequence of rock formations covering the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods and its contribution to the study of earth sciences over the past 300 years.
The other six wonders that made it onto the list are Pistyll Rhaedar in Wales, Loch Coruisk and the Cuillins in Scotland, Wastwater in the Lake District, Dovedale in the Peak District, the Needles just off the Isle of Wight and the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland.
After more than a year of restricted travel due to the coronavirus pandemic, the creators of the list are hoping that it will give holidaymakers some inspiration of new places to visit.
Simon Sweeney, UK marketing manager at Merrell, said: "The Natural Wonders have been devised to inspire native exploration and celebrate nature’s greatest gifts in the UK.
"A longing for travel, discovery and new experiences has been suppressed by the pandemic, and with restrictions on international getaways set to continue this year, the seven wonders serve as inspiration for those embarking on a UK adventure and builds on Merrell’s mission to get more people outdoors."
Mary-Ann Ochota, TV presenter and fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, said, "One of the few positives to come out of the pandemic is the opportunity many of us have had to explore the natural wonders on our doorsteps. And hopefully this summer will offer even more chances to explore new places in the UK.
"This list will have a couple of sites that might be familiar, but there’s also likely to be some hidden gems that you might never have heard of. These seven locations are really extraordinary – I think most of us would be amazed to learn that they’re right here in our own country.
"From sculpted limestone valleys, to steep mountains that overlook Ice Age landscapes, to sea stacks, foaming waterfalls and cliffs that hold the bones of dinosaurs – if you thought geology was boring, get ready to think again."
A spokeswoman for the Jurassic Coast Trust said: "We are delighted that the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site has been recognised by RGS as one of the seven wonders of the UK - we certainly think it is.
"The coast is steeped in 185 million years of history, revealing hidden stories through its geological, palaeontological and social history stories and discoveries.
"People come to the coast today for the same reasons they have done so for generations before them - to discover fossils which give us a peek into the world during the mesozoic era, to experience the 95 miles of natural coastline, whether they want to walk, run or just stop to take in the outstanding natural land and seascapes, to study and pursue careers, and to be part of a legacy, which under the UN convention, spans beyond the realms of borders and nations.
"We are proud to be the organisation responsible for protecting the Jurassic Coast and look forward to welcoming new and longstanding visitors to the coast this summer, so they too can find their special place."
For more information on the Seven Natural Wonders of the UK, visit the Merrell website.
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