Jonathan Evans

<h2>Highlights</h2>
<ul>
<li>As England’s only natural UNESCO world heritage site, this stretch of the Dorset coastline is deemed as important as the Galapagos and Yellowstone National Park; beautiful as well as ancient, it holds many secrets waiting to be discovered</li>
<li>Our expert guides will bring to life the fascinating geological landforms, rock formations and fossil treasures of the Jurassic Coast, and how they have influenced where castles and monasteries were built</li>
<li>All of Dorset’s key landmarks are visited and their geology and history revealed:</li>
<ul>
<li>Fossil hunting - <em>at a site selected by our local expert</em></li>
<li>Durdle Door - <em>with its iconic limestone arch</em></li>
<li>Corfe Castle - <em>a Saxon stronghold and Norman fortress</em></li>
<li>Lulworth Cove - <em>a perfect horseshoe-shaped bay</em></li>
<li>Stunning Chesil Beach - <em>spans 18 miles from Portland to West Bay</em></li>
</ul>
<li>We hunt for fossils at the best site, at the tour time selected by our expert</li>
<li>Your expert tour guide of Lyme Regis will tell the story of Mary Anning, a pioneering Victorian fossil hunter</li>
<li>The activity level is rated as EASY (see our definitions <a href="https://www.geoculturaworld.com/about/health-and-safety" target="_blank">here</a>)</li>
<li>The tour begins and ends at Mortons Manor Hotel, Corfe Castle, Dorset.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Sustainable travel options:</strong> we make it easy for you to leave your car behind, arranging ‘meet and greet’ pick-up and return drop-off, if requested:</p>
<ul>
<li><em><strong>Free</strong> </em>pick-up from Wareham Railway station and return at the end of the tour</li>
<li>By arrangement <em><strong>(additional cost)</strong></em> from other mainline stations or Southampton or London airports at the start of the tour</li>
<li>Please contact us to discuss options +44 2081 451001, use the Ask a question tab or <a href="https://www.geoculturaworld.com/contact" target="_blank">Contact Form</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<h2>Overview</h2>
<p>The UNESCO-designated Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage Site, more popularly known as the Jurassic Coast, displays world-famous rocks, fossils and coastal landforms and provides a unique and spectacular glimpse into a period spanning 185 million years. Over the course of this three-day tour our expert local guides will tell the story of this intriguing coastline, sharing key insights behind its fascinating landscapes, history and geology.</p>
<p>The insider knowledge is provided by our expert guide Jonathan Evans, a geologist who lives locally and is a Trustee of Lyme Regis Museum. Jonathan will be joined by other local history specialists for parts of the tour.</p>
<p>How did the dramatic coast and landscapes evolve? The tour unravels the early history from arid desert landscapes when the dinosaurs appeared (around 240 million years ago) through to shallow tropical seas which saw the rise of titanic marine reptiles, the peak of the dinosaur period and the evolution of ammonites. Dorset remained under warm sub-tropical seas while chalk was produced, and finally the tour reveals the changes and erosion of the last 10,000 years following the last ice age.</p>
<p>An exclusive Lyme Regis walk will highlight Mary Anning (1799-1847), whose fossil finds intrigued the Establishment scientists and formed the basis for our understanding of dinosaur evolution.</p>
<p>In addition, you will have a chance to go fossil hunting at a location selected by our expert, where you can be the first to release fossils from millions of years of burial!</p>
<p>Above all, this is a landscape that leaves a lasting impression.</p>

<p><span>---</span></p>
<h3>Tour Map</h3>
<p>---</p>
<p><img title="T020 Itinerary Map" alt="T020 Itinerary Map" src="https://geocultura.arlo.co/content/img/T020%20JC%20Location%20Map.png"></p>
<p>---</p>
<h3>Day 1 – Arrival</h3>
<p>---</p>
<p><img title="Mortons Manor Hotel" alt="Mortons Manor Hotel" src="https://geocultura.arlo.co/content/img/MK4_0590%20(1).jpg"></p>
<p>Guests arrive at their leisure this afternoon and have a chance to relax and enjoy the charming Mortons Manor Hotel in the centre of Corfe village. Early evening welcome to Dorset and introduction to the tour programme from expert Jonathan Evans.</p>
<p>Dinner and overnight at Mortons Manor Hotel</p>
<p>---</p>
<h3>Day 2 –&nbsp;Corfe Castle, Dinosaur Footprints, Kingston Church and Kimmeridge</h3>
<p>---</p>
<p><strong><img title="Corfe Castle" alt="View of Corfe Castle, Corfe, Dorset" src="https://geocultura.arlo.co/content/img/Corfe%20attempt%203.jpg"></strong></p>
<p>Take a private guided walk around <strong>Corfe Castle</strong> and the village with a local historian. Built by William the Conqueror, it was one of the first castles in England to be built from stone. It is positioned to defend one of the only gaps in the steep-sided Purbeck ridge which extends across Dorset.</p>
<p>Next stop is a short drive then walk to see the recently identified <strong>Dinosaur footprints</strong>, followed by lunch at an ultra-traditional local pub.</p>
<p>The afternoon will include a visit to Kingston Church, nicknamed of ‘the Cathedral of Purbeck’, which according to John Betjeman ‘gleams with Purbeck marble’ and if time, visits to Kimmeridge Bay and the Etches Collection Museum.</p>
<p>Group dinner this evening will be at <a href="https://www.thepighotel.com/on-the-beach/" target="_blank">The Pig</a>. Transport will be provided to and from the hotel</p>
<p>Overnight stay at Mortons Manor Hotel</p>
<p>---</p>
<h3>Day 3 –&nbsp;Lyme Regis, West Bay and Chesil Beach</h3>
<p>---</p>
<p><img title="Walking at Lyme Regis" alt="Walking at Lyme Regis" src="https://geocultura.arlo.co/content/img/MK4_1772%20(1).jpg"></p>
<p><strong>Lyme Regis, Lyme Bay.&nbsp;</strong>Today includes an exclusive fossil hunt on the beach with Dr Paul Davis, curator of the Lyme Regis Museum, and a town walk and discussion with our leaders, on the life of Mary Anning, the extraordinary Victorian fossil collector.</p>
<p>Free time in Lyme Regis and some time to enjoy the town and have lunch.</p>
<p>Meet up again early afternoon to walk along the Cobb, the Lyme Regis Harbour Wall and famous setting of the film, The French Lieutenant’s Woman, with Meryl Streep and, more recently, in the new Netflix film Persuasion.</p>
<p><strong>West Bay and Bridport Sands.&nbsp;</strong>The trip back to the hotel will include a stop at <strong>West Bay</strong>. These stunning golden cliffs are the backdrop to the recent TV series Broadchurch. The yellow sandstones provide a superb example of how we can ‘read the rocks’ to decipher earth history from the landscape. The Bridport Sands formed in warm, shallow seas 180 million years ago, were covered by a few thousand meters of chalk and sand and then brought back to the surface for erosion to sculpt the cliffs!</p>
<p>The final stop of the day is <strong>Chesil Beach,</strong> which is some 18 miles long, running all the way from Portland to West Bay. It is the location of a large Iron Age Fort and chosen as the beautiful backdrop for many films, including <em>The Dam Busters</em> and <em>On Chesil Beach</em>.</p>
<p>Dinner and overnight at Mortons Manor Hotel</p>
<p>---</p>
<h3>Day 4 – Lulworth Cove, Stair Hole, Durdle Door and end of Tour</h3>
<p>---</p>
<p><img title="Durdle Door" alt="Durdle Door" src="https://geocultura.arlo.co/content/img/T020%20Durdle%20Door.jpg" height="613" width="920"></p>
<p><strong>Lulworth Cove</strong>. This a wonderful geological masterpiece and striking horseshoe-shaped cove has been carved out of the cliffs. <strong>Durdle Door</strong> is a natural limestone arch is made of rocks some 140 million years old. <strong>Stair Hole</strong> is where the rock layers are folded into a remarkable structure called the ‘Lulworth Crumple’. This feature and much more in the area are a northern outpost recording a continental collision of Africa with Europe that formed the Alpine Mountains around 50million years ago.</p>
<p><strong>Light Lunch at The Weld Arms</strong>. A short stroll from Lulworth Castle, this 17th century coaching inn is another one of our favourites, where the kitchen team champion local and sustainable produce.</p>
<p><strong>Lulworth Castle.</strong> This magnificent 17th Century building is embedded in local and national history. Seized by the Roundheads in the English Civil War, it was also offered after the French Revolution as a residence-in-exile for surviving members of the French royal family.</p>
<p>The tour ends mid-afternoon. The coach will return participants to their choice of Mortons Manor or Wareham Railway Station.</p>
<p>Note: this provisional itinerary is subject to change as specific locations and accommodations release more information regarding access for the coming year.</p>
<p>---</p>

<p>---</p>
<h3>Activity Level and Transport</h3>
<p>---</p>
<p><strong>Q: What level of fitness is required?</strong></p>
<p>A: The activity level is rated as EASY, suitable for occasional walkers (see our definitions <a href="https://www.geoculturaworld.com/about/health-and-safety" target="_blank">here</a>).</p>
<p><strong>Q: How much walking is involved?</strong></p>
<p><strong>A:</strong> Our tours are aimed at people of all ages who enjoy being out of doors and like walking, but we do not describe them as walking holidays. This tour involves walks of up to 3 km (1.5 miles) and takes in coastal sections with rocky foreshores, and often many steps to reach the beach. Sturdy waterproof footwear is essential. March weather is variable, average temperatures in the south of England ranging from 5° to 10°C (40°F to 50°) so a warm waterproof jacket should be packed.</p>
<p><strong>Q. How does the group travel?</strong></p>
<p><strong>A.</strong>&nbsp;Participants will travel by small luxury coach, which has air conditioning. The group size is limited to 14 people, plus the tour leader and tour manager.</p>
<p><strong>Q: How much travelling in the minibus is planned for each day?</strong></p>
<p><strong>A:</strong> Travel times between locations is kept to a minimum with only the occasional journey of 1hr-1hr 30mins, and that is usually to return to the hotel at the end of the day.</p>
<p><strong>Q: What happens if the weather is bad, or it rains?</strong></p>
<p><strong>A:</strong> We build flexibility into our itineraries and watch the weather forecast closely. Where possible, we will adjust the itinerary to ensure we take full advantage of the good weather for the outdoor locations in the schedule. We always have plenty of alternative indoor places to visit and great cafes and pubs for a pit-stop if needed. Our tour manager liaises with the expert guide (and the driver) to ensure time in the minibus is minimised and there is maximum time to enjoy the Dorset walks and stunning views.</p>
<p>---</p>
<h3>The Tour Includes/Excludes</h3>
<p>---</p>
<h4>The Tour Includes:</h4>
<ul>
<li>The services of your Tour Leader and Tour Manager, who will each be with the group throughout the tour</li>
<li>Local Historians to guide the tour on selected days.</li>
<li>Transportation costs from the start to the end of the tour (plus from nearby Wareham station, if required)</li>
<li>All accommodation costs for the three nights, assuming double occupancy rooms</li>
<li>All breakfasts, two lunches, (except second day) and three dinners</li>
<li>Entry fees, local guide fees and activity fees, where arranged as part of the tour</li>
</ul>
<h4>The Tour Excludes:</h4>
<ul>
<li>Extra or optional activities not described in the tour.</li>
<li>Personal expenditures, any alcoholic drinks with meals, and extras at the hotel such as laundry bills.</li>
<li>Transportation to the start venue or from the end venue of the tour. However, (at extra cost) we can arrange transport and pick-up from mainline railway stations (other than Wareham) or transport from Southampton or London airports. Please contact us for details.</li>
<li>Extra or optional activities not described in the tour</li>
<li>Passport and visa fees</li>
</ul>
<p>---</p>
<h3>Accommodation</h3>
<p>---</p>
<p>Nights 1 through 3: <a href="https://www.mortonsmanor.com/" target="_blank">Mortons Manor,</a> Corfe, Dorset</p>
<p><strong>Q. Is there a supplement for single rooms?</strong></p>
<p><strong>A.</strong> For this tour we do have a limited number of double rooms for single occupancy. Please contact GeoCultura for details of the supplement payable.</p>
<p><strong>Q. Is there a choice of room type?</strong></p>
<p><strong>A.</strong> We do have a limited number of superior rooms available. Please contact GeoCultura for details of the supplement payable.</p>
<p>Note: If required for reasons beyond our control, GeoCultura reserves the right to substitute alternative accommodation of equal or higher quality.</p>
<p>---</p>
<h3>Deposit and Payment Terms</h3>
<p>---</p>
<p><strong>Deposit:</strong>&nbsp;A deposit of 10% of the tour price is due upon registration for a tour.</p>
<p><strong>Final payment:</strong>&nbsp;Full payment is due 60 days before a tour begins, or upon registration if within the 60-day window.</p>
<p><strong>Cancellation by participant:</strong>&nbsp;A participant may cancel a registration after securing a confirmed place on a tour for any reason. The following refund terms will apply:</p>
<ul>
<li>Greater than 60 days before tour begins: Any monies paid plus half of the deposit will be refunded</li>
<li>30 to 59 days before tour begins: 35% of tour price will be refunded</li>
<li>15 to 29 days before tour begins: 25% of tour price will be refunded</li>
<li>Within 14 days of tour or during the tour: No monies will be refunded</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Cancellation by GeoCultura:</strong>&nbsp;GeoCultura reserves the right to cancel any tour due to low enrolment, inability to run the tour or concerns about the safety, health or welfare of participants. If a tour is cancelled before it begins, all monies paid will be refunded (including any deposit).</p>
<p>Please refer to our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.geoculturaworld.com/terms-and-conditions" target="_blank">Terms and Conditions</a>&nbsp;page for additional details.</p>
<p>---</p>

<h2>Jonathan Evans</h2>
<p>&nbsp;<img alt="Jonathan Evans" src="https://geocultura.arlo.co/content/img/Jonathan%20Evans.jpg"></p>
<div>
<p><span><span>Jonathan Evans currently resides in Dorset, England, close to Corfe Castle. He has guided many groups along the Dorset and Devon coasts, both </span><span>for </span><span>geoscientists and individuals from other backgrounds.</span></span><span>&nbsp;</span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p><span>Jonathan has spent his career in the petroleum industry, initially in technical roles and then in management roles in India, Pakistan and Oman and, finally, global leadership roles from the UK. More recently, Jonathan elected to retire from industry to pursue other interests.</span><span>&nbsp;</span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p><span>He was involved in supporting the application for the Jurassic Coast to be recognized with UNESCO World Heritage Site status.&nbsp;</span><span>&nbsp;</span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p><span>Jonathan’s interests include sailing, beekeeping and organic vegetable gardening.</span><span>&nbsp;</span></p>
</div>

<div><img style="font-size: 9pt" title="Enjoying a stroll at Lulworth Cove" alt="Enjoying a stroll at Lulworth Cove" src="https://geocultura.arlo.co/content/img/T020%20Tour%20group%20Lulworth%20Cove.jpg">
<p>Enjoying a stroll at Lulworth Cove.</p>
</div>
<div><img title="Tour group and leader in front of Durdle Door" alt="Tour group and leader in front of Durdle Door" src="https://geocultura.arlo.co/content/img/T020%20Tour%20group%20in%20front%20Durdle%20Door.jpg">
<p>Tour group and leader in front of Durdle Door.</p>
</div>
<div><img title="Jonathan Evans discussing the golden sandstones at West Bay" alt="Jonathan Evans discussing the golden sandstones at West Bay" src="https://geocultura.arlo.co/content/img/T020%20Group_WestBay.jpg">
<p>Jonathan Evans discussing the golden sandstones at West Bay, recognizable to many as the backdrop for the TV series Broadchurch.</p>
</div>
<div><img title="Statue of pioneering Victorian fossil hunter Mary Anning in Lyme Regis" alt="Statue of pioneering Victorian fossil hunter Mary Anning in Lyme Regis" src="https://geocultura.arlo.co/content/img/T020%20Group_infront_MaryAnning_statue.jpg">
<p>Statue of pioneering Victorian fossil hunter Mary Anning in Lyme Regis.</p>
</div>
<div><img title="Fossil hunting at Lyme Regis" alt="Fossil hunting at Lyme Regis" src="https://geocultura.arlo.co/content/img/T020%20Looking%20for%20fossils%20Lyme%20Regis.jpg">
<p>Fossil hunting at Kimmeridge Bay.</p>
</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div><img title="A “sea dragon”: an ichthyosaur on display at the Etches Museum" alt="A “sea dragon”: an ichthyosaur on display at the Etches Museum" src="https://geocultura.arlo.co/content/img/T020%20Sea%20Dragon.png">
<p>A “sea dragon”: an ichthyosaur on display at the Etches Museum (Source: Etches Museum).</p>
</div>
<div><img title="Examining a recently exposed ammonite near Lyme Regis" alt="Examining a recently exposed ammonite near Lyme Regis" src="https://geocultura.arlo.co/content/img/T020%20Ammonite%20Lyme%20Regis.jpg">
<p>Examining a recently exposed ammonite near Lyme Regis.</p>
</div>
<div><img title="Corfe Castle" alt="Corfe Castle" src="https://geocultura.arlo.co/content/img/T004%20Corfe%20Castle%20.jpg">
<p>Corfe Castle is a both village in Dorset and the site of a ruined castle of the same name. The village and castle stand over a gap in the Purbeck Hills.</p>
</div>
<div><img title="Morton's Manor" alt="Morton's Manor" src="https://geocultura.arlo.co/content/img/T004%20Morton%27s%20Manor%20Courtyard.jpg">
<p>The courtyard at Morton's Manor is a perfect spot for coffee on a sunny morning.</p>
</div>
<div><img title="Rob Knipe, a GeoCultura tour leader, “reading the rocks” at West Bay" alt="Rob Knipe, a GeoCultura tour leader, “reading the rocks” at West Bay" src="https://geocultura.arlo.co/content/img/T020%20Reading%20the%20Rocks.jpg">
<p>Rob Knipe, a GeoCultura tour leader, “reading the rocks” at West Bay.</p>
</div>
<div><img title="Enjoying pasties at the Square and Compass" alt="Enjoying pasties at the Square and Compass" src="https://geocultura.arlo.co/content/img/T020%20Group_pasties_infront_SquareandCompass.jpg">
<p>Enjoying pasties at the Square and Compass, an ultra-traditional, award-winning pub.</p>
</div>
<div><img title="The Cobb" alt="The Cobb" src="https://geocultura.arlo.co/content/img/T004%20The%20Cobb%20(Group,%20foreground).jpg">
<p><span>The Cobb is an old stone pier forming an extensive harbour to Lyme Regis and is believed to date from the time of Edward I.</span></p>
</div>
<div><img title="Chesil Beach" alt="Chesil Beach" src="https://geocultura.arlo.co/content/img/T020%20Chesil%20Beach.png">
<p>Chesil Beach, composed entirely of pebbles and cobbles, extends from&nbsp;West Bay&nbsp;to the&nbsp;Isle of Portland.</p>
</div>
<div><img title="Transport for the tour will be by small, luxury minibus" alt="Transport for the tour will be by small, luxury minibus" src="https://geocultura.arlo.co/content/img/T020%20Heathside_executive_minicoach.jpg">
<p>Transport for the tour will be by small, luxury minibus.</p>
</div>

Discover the many stories of the dramatic Jurassic Coast, a geological wonder that for centuries has inspired fossil hunters, authors, artists, film makers and adventurers

The Fascinating Landforms and Fossil Treasures of England’s Jurassic Coast