Discover the wonders of the natural world at Moonfleet Manor

Holiday Souvenirs can vary; some collect postcards while others prefer sentimental knickknacks, but how about a 50-million-year-old piece of Earth's ancient history?

With its beautiful gardens, seaside views and enviable position on the world-famous Jurassic Coast, Moonfleet Manor provides a wealth of opportunity for adventure in the great outdoors. The historic Georgian manor overlooks Chesil Beach, one of Dorset's most iconic landmarks. This dramatic, 18-mile-long shingle barrier beach has been the scene of many a shipwreck, and today it is famous for its fossils.

Moonfleet’s guests are free to explore as they please, but there are also several guided experiences on offer that can transform a wonderful holiday into a truly unforgettable one. With degrees in horticulture and ecology and a master’s degree in palaeontology, there is very little that Head Gardener Andrew Lawrence doesn’t know about the natural world, past or present, and he is passionate about sharing his knowledge.

Head Gardener Andrew Lawrence

“At Moonfleet, we have history tours and talks, garden tours and fossil walks, which is very unique. Nowhere else offers that. I’ve always loved the natural world, and I love engaging with guests,” he enthuses.

“We don’t use any insecticides, we’re very organic, but we are also very productive. My 80 tomato plants will produce around 18,000 cherry tomatoes for the chefs this year, and they get around a thousand courgettes from us. This year we have a new head chef who wants us to grow more unusual and exotic things, which is great fun.”

Garden Vegetables

While Andrew may be a plant-growing guru, there is also another string to his bow. After finding his first fossil on the beach in Dorset at the age of 32, he has travelled the world hunting for more, taking him from Canada and the Antarctic to the sub-Sahara and beyond; he now holds a precious, personal collection of over 8,000 rare and unique finds.

“I am often asked if I have a favourite fossil, but I love each and every one that I find. They really give you a glimpse into a world long before we were around,” he explains.

“The real magic for me comes when children pick a fossil up and I explain to them that they are the first life form to see that creature since it died over 60 million years ago – that’s one of the wonders that really keeps me going.”

Guests enjoying a Fossil Hunting experience

Today, Andrew is Moonfleet Manor’s resident expert in these fascinating fragments of history, and the hotel could not be in a better position for guests wanting to discover their own. The Jurassic Coast, which Moonfleet overlooks, is England’s only natural UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognised for the outstanding universal value of its rocks, fossils and landforms. It is here that Andrew hosts his popular fossil walks, just behind Chesil Beach, along what is known as the Fleet; a beautiful, calm lagoon just a short walk from the hotel.

Fleet village's lagoon beach, a quiet spot on Dorset's Jurassic Coast beside Moonfleet Manor

“I love how excited people get when they find their first fossil, and it’s not a difficult thing to do where we are. Because we don’t have huge crowds visiting the Fleet, it means that I can take our guests out and guarantee that every one of them will find a fossil. They don’t always believe me, but it’s true! There are so many beautifully preserved fossils here,” Andrew explains.

I love how excited people get when they find their first fossil, and... because we don’t have huge crowds visiting the Fleet, it means that I can take our guests out and guarantee that every one of them will find a fossil.

Each adventure starts with a visit to Andrew’s potting shed to discover some of his own ancient artefacts, before heading out on a gentle guided walk that covers approximately three miles of beautiful coastline. Along the way, Andrew talks about the rich history and ecology of the local area while showing guests how to spot and identify a variety of fascinating fossils. On the Fleet, there’s no digging or chiselling required; fossils rise up through the sediment and can be easily found along the shoreline. Guests can expect to find the likes of brachiopods (types of sea mammal), goniorhynchia boueti (a type of oyster) and sea lily, also known as crinoid.

Goniorhynchia boueti Fossil from the Jurassic Coast

“There are no cliffs where we are, so it’s completely safe, and the fossils are right there under your feet. Sea lilies look like a plant even though they’re not. They are lovely, beautiful creatures with long stems and a leafy head. We find lots of them,”

Andrew enthuses. “On the walks I also love recommending other nearby beaches. Some people get very carried away and end up spending their whole holiday looking for fossils! Different beaches have different types of fossils, and guests often bring their finds back to Moonfleet for me to identify.”

Outdoor fun at Moonfleet Manor

Last year alone, Andrew and his team enthralled and inspired over 2,000 guests on Moonfleet’s fossil walks. Outings, which are complimentary for resident guests, tend to take place in the spring and summer months, whatever the weather. Tide times can result in some early starts, but the early bird catches the worm as they say, or in this case the fossil. When it comes to souvenirs, guests are free to keep any treasures that they uncover; a unique memento of an unforgettable holiday by the sea, a small part of Earth’s ancient history, and perhaps the start of something bigger…

“I always say that fossil hunting isn’t just for children. On my walks, adults are on their hands and knees too, right in amongst it. They get quite carried away as well,” enthuses Andrew. “Having said that, fossiling can also really inspire young people. It can lead them to take on more knowledge and enthusiasm for the natural world, and perhaps even become conservationists! Sometimes, finding that first fossil can set them on that road.”