Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan's anticipated drama Ammonite is inspired by the life of pioneering Lyme Regis paleontologist, Mary Anning.
Set in the picturesque seaside resort of Lyme Regis — styled as the pearl of Dorset — the film's stunning backdrop might just be as romantic as its central love story between Mary (Kate Winslet) and British geologist Charlotte Murchison, played by Saoirse.
Where is the film set?
The historical town nestles in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty at the point where the rugged West Dorset and East Devon coastlines meet - the heart of the Jurassic Coast. The area is especially rich in ammonites, found on beaches and the surrounding cliffs.
As many of us are enjoying rural staycations in the UK, here are the stunning locations of Ammonite below, which you can visit now.
The Cobb
Lyme Regis is probably best known for its landmark sprawling coastal wall the Cobb, a protective harbour wall built during the early years of the port. It provided an artificial harbour and a protective breakwater to shelter the town from storms, and it offers breathtaking views of the sea and surrounding cliffs. The Cobb featured in Jane Austen's final novel, Persuasion, as the author was in love with Lyme Regis. It remains a popular spot for tourists, with numerous cafes and restaurants located nearby, ideally placed to give you spectacular views out over the harbour.
Eype beach
Less well known than some of the beaches found along the South West Coast Path, Eype is a beautiful pebble beach which offers peaceful seclusion away from the more popular beaches located at Lyme Regis and West Bay.
The beach has breathtaking views along the World Heritage Jurassic Coast, and is the perfect haven for dog walkers, open to dogs all year round. It also provides wonderful conditions for fossil hunting.
Only strong swimmers should brave the sea, as the step shelving can create powerful currents that can cause difficulty for those who aren't as confident.
Monmouth Beach
The pebble and sand beach is located just outside the town of Lyme Regis and stretches from the famous Cobb for around a mile to Pinhey Beach. Here you can find a layer of limestone called the ammonite graveyard or the ammonite pavement - a layer of rock is famous for the large ammonites it contains. This makes Monmouth beach a great place to look for fossils.
Langmoor and Lister gardens
Lyme Regis' award-winning seafront garden provides one of the finest views across Lyme Bay. It is now home to crazy golf and table tennis along with seating for those who want to soak up view.
Broad Street
Lyme Regis is renowned for its a wealth of independent shops selling unusual and quirky gifts, clothes and jewellery, books, fossils and antiques, as well as many other specialities and a range of locally produced food.
Broad Street is the main street that runs up through the town, but shops can be found further up on Silver Street, in Drake's Way (off Broad Street), within the Town Mill site and along Church Street and Coombe Street, a narrow road that runs through the centre of the old town which underwent a 19th century transformation for Ammonite.
Who was Mary Anning?
Mary, born in 1799, is often described as "the unsung hero of fossil discovery", whose discoveries were often overlooked during her life in the early 19th century.
Despite her growing worldwide reputation for finding and identifying fossils, the scientific community was reluctant to recognise her work - male scientists who would often buy the fossils Mary discovered, refused to credit her discoveries in their scientific papers.
In 2010, Mary was officially included by The Royal Society as one of the ten British women who have most influenced the history of science, and is now celebrated as a modern-day icon for women in science.
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Travel rucksacks: The best waterproof, lightweight and wheeled backpacks
Mountain Warehouse Carrion 80L Rucksack
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Offering good value and a distinctive colour, this comfortable rucksack is durable and made for multi-day treks and travel around the world. The high-capacity pack has side pockets for extra storage and adjustable back-length with an easy-to-use hook and loop backsystem.
Mountain Warehouse Voyager Wheelie 50 + 20 Litre Rucksack - Black
Strong, versatile and secure, this black rucksack with wheels combines two bags in one design. There’s ample space for your luggage, with the large bag used as a rucksack while the detachable daypack is perfect for your days out.
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Mountain Warehouse Inca Extreme 80L Rucksack
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Available in seven colours including electric blue, this bright rucksack has essential features, from padded shoulder straps to an added rain cover. It has a large main compartment and five pockets in total for loads of space.
Ideal for hikers, this rucksack allows you to move faster with its light, slim and durable design. The 55-litre bag also features The North Face’s most comfortable back panel to date - it’s made from soft foam and breathable mesh.
Packed full of Berghaus technology and features, this holiday rucksack also offers fantastic value. It's simple, comfortable to wear and ideal for multi-day adventures.
Lightweight, stable and giving quick access to your kit, this rucksack was made for mountain walking trips. The harness can also be customised to ensure a body hugging fit without restricting your movement.
A highly innovative rucksack designed for comfort and a premium fit, it features a highly-adjustable ventilated backsystem, a large padded hip belt which helps when carrying heavier loads and an internal divider with a separated lower compartment you can unfasten easily when not in use.
Extremely lightweight and a good buy for trips where every gram counts, this is Vaude's lightest large backpack, weighing just 1.39kg. It's versatile, very strong and is an ideal bag for campers carrying tents and sleeping bags.
For an investment travel backpack, this bag was designed for professional use so it's built for carrying lighter loads as much as serious kit. It features a waterproof lining and comes with deep pockets for carrying everything, from climbing gear to ice axes.
Packed with great features, this top rucksack for travelling has a split main compartment so you can separate your gear. It's also perfect for women as it accommodates a smaller frame.
Decathlon Forclaz Travel 500 Men's Trekking 50 Litre Lockable Backpack
Designed in collaboration with trekkers who expressed specific travel needs, this rucksack was created with a focus on safety. It has a wide, lockable zip which prevents pickpocketing and the hood doubles up as a saddlebag so you can take your most precious belongings wherever you go - genius!
Naomi Gordon is news writer mainly covering entertainment news with a focus on celebrity interviews and television.
