Fossil Forest

Fossil Forest is a petrified woodland site in Lulworth Cove, Dorset, with circular stone formations marking where ancient trees once stood. These preserved stumps show the original positions of trees that grew in a tropical environment long ago.

These trees grew during the late Jurassic period when tropical conditions existed in this region. Underground processes gradually turned the wood into stone, preserving the forest exactly as it stood.

The site offers geological research opportunities, with specimens named Protocupressinoxylon purbeckensis representing the earliest known cypress wood formations.

Visiting this site requires special permission since it sits within an active military training area. Plan your visit in advance by checking current access conditions before traveling there.

You can still see the internal wood structure in the fossilized stumps, including the tiny cells that made up the living tree. This exceptional preservation is what makes this forest so valuable to scientists studying ancient plant life.

GPS coordinates: 50.61630,-2.24080

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:44