Jurassica

Inactive Pre Historical Attraction

Yeolands Quarry – the proposed site of Jurassica. Sir David Attenborough, patron of Jurassica.

Jurassica was a planned visitor attraction in a disused quarry on the Isle of Portland, near Weymouth in Dorset, southern England.[1] It was based on the Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site, and as a subterranean geological park, would have largely presented the prehistoric world. The attraction's location was chosen as Yeolands Quarry, a now disused quarry that was operational until the 21st century by Portland Stone Ltd.[2] The quarry is 36 metres (120 ft) deep, 90 metres (300 ft) wide, and is on the eastern side of the island just south of The Grove village.[3]

## Planned features

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The £85–90 million project plans were unveiled in late 2013. Inspired by the Eden Project, which itself was built in an old clay pit in St. Austell, Cornwall, the attraction plans are to showcase hundreds of world-class paleontological remains, and these include dinosaurs, marine reptiles, marine invertebrates and plants. An aquarium is planned to be a part of the attraction, and other ideas include building aquatic tanks filled with animatronic models of prehistoric sea monsters. Other schemes involve taking visitors back in time, 140 million years ago, on a journey "flying around the Earth".[1] The park has been described as about a third of the size of the Millennium Dome, and will be covered with a translucent, domed glass and steel roof spanning 350 ft, which has been described as a "unique, lightweight translucent roof, much like a spider web, that will be almost invisible from outside". The site is also planned to be the world's first carbon negative large visitor attraction, using solar panels to generate its own power, as well as reviving the park and ride scheme that was available during the 2012 Olympics within Weymouth and Portland area. Portland is being seen as ideal site at the centre of the Jurassic Coast, England's first natural World Heritage Site. The project, if completed, is said to create 200 jobs for the local economy.[4]

The idea of Jurassica first stemmed from science journalist Michael Hanlon, who grew up in Dorset and searched for fossils along the coast. The project has received both local and national support. Naturalist and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough has become a patron, as well as trustee Sir Tim Smit, the creator of the Eden Project. The initial sketches of the site have been created by Renzo Piano (architect of The Shard in London), whilst the site's engineering is being led by the team responsible for the Eden Project and the refurbishment of Sydney Opera House. Hanlon has been quoted that the idea is "very big and ambitious", and that the site will "aim to be a spectacular world-class visitor attraction", as well as an "educational and heritage-focused charitable trust, acting as a hub for the Jurassic Coast UNESCO World Heritage Site."[4] Attenborough has stated "My own love of science began with fossils, and this period and area are so very, very important in history and for Britain itself. The area is one about which Britain can be very proud because it is the birthplace of paleontology. The pity has been that this area has lacked a single focus and this is what Jurassica could do."[1]

Funding is being sought from sources such as the UK Heritage Lottery Fund and help is being sought from the Natural History Museum, London.[5] Hanlon has revealed the project is "hoping for significant private investment". Michael Dixon, director of the Natural History Museum, had visited the proposed site in July, and has since been keen to take an active part in the project. He has announced "We will have some glass-cased objects, but we will also use the very latest technology, like animatronics, to make it a very exciting visit."[1] In The Guardian newspaper, it was announced by Hanlon in late December 2013 that the idea of the theme park had grown thanks to the support of "chance encounters" with leading scientists and business leaders. A possible partnership agreement with the Natural History Museum will include loans of Jurassic-related objects, whilst the idea has also been discussed with the Royal Society and with Kokoro, the Japanese technology company that provided the animatronics for the museum's dinosaur gallery. By this point, the project has also gained further support from more than 60 Dorset businesses, after attending a presentation evening by Hanlon in Bournemouth.[6] In 2015, National Lottery funding was not secured.[7]

The construction time of the project is estimated to be three to five years and if funding can be secured, the project's trustees are currently aiming to open the attraction in 2019–20. The plans are to attract 700,000 visitors a year. Hanlon has suggested that the price for two adults and two children could cost up to £70.[1] One possible problem recognised by the scheme's proponents is transport, however buses from a large car park built to handle crowds going to Weymouth for the Olympics sailing in 2012 is one idea being considered.[8] In relation to the Jurassica project, another related Portland project is the Mass Extinction Monitoring Observatory, a planned monument to the planet's perished creatures, which would be located on the west side of the island at Bowers Quarry.[9]

## See also

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* Eden Project
* Jurassic
* Jurassic Park
* Portland Museum
* Portland stone

## References

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1. ^ a b c d e Keating, Fiona (22 December 2013). "Dinosaur Theme Park Jurassica Comes to Life in Dorset [video]". International Business Times. New York. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
2. ^ "Portland Stone Ltd :: Skip hire, waste managemenet, stone supplier and recycling in Weymouth, Portland and Dorset". Portlandskips.co.uk. Archived from the original on 27 December 2013. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
3. ^ "Yeolands Quarry and Durdle Pier, Portland, Dorset". Geoffkirby.co.uk. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
4. ^ a b "Eden Project style plan unveiled for Portland". Dorset Echo. 13 November 2013. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
5. ^ Brooks, Richard (22 December 2013). "Jurassic coast to welcome back dinosaurs". The Sunday Times. p. 5.
6. ^ "Support grows for island answer to the Eden Project". Dorset Echo. 21 December 2013. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
7. ^ "Disappointment as Jurassica project misses out on lottery funding". Bournemouth Echo. 20 May 2015. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
8. ^ Meikle, James (22 December 2013). "David Attenborough backs £85m Jurassic coast theme park | Science". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
9. ^ The next big thing (2013). "The Jurassic Coast's monument to extinction". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 26 December 2013.

50°32′47″N 2°25′17″W﻿ / ﻿50.5463°N 2.4213°W﻿ / 50.5463; -2.4213

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Isle of Portland

Settlements and areas|

* Castletown
* Chiswell
* Clay Ope
* Easton
* Ferry Bridge
* Fortuneswell
* The Grove
* Portland Bill
* Portland Harbour
* Southwell
* Tophill
* Underhill
* Victoria Square
* Wakeham
* West Cliff
* Weston

Beaches and coastal features|

* Balaclava Bay
* Cave Hole
* Chesil Beach
* Chesil Cove
* Church Ope Cove
* Freshwater Bay
* Hallelujah Bay
* Little Beach
* Mutton Cove
* Portland Raised Beach
* Pulpit Rock
* Salt Pans
* Wallsend Cove

Attractions|

* Broadcroft Quarry Nature Reserve
* Chiswell Earthworks
* Culverwell Mesolithic Site
* Fancy's Family Farm
* Jurassica
* King Barrow Quarry Nature Reserve
* Nicodemus Knob
* Perryfield Quarry Nature Reserve
* Portland Museum
* Royal Manor Theatre
* Tout Quarry Sculpture Park
* Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy

Military|

* Admiralty Underwater Weapons Establishment
* Blacknor Fort
* East Weare Battery
* East Weare Camp
* East Weare Rifle Range
* HMS Osprey
* Inner Pierhead Fort
* MOD Portland Bill
* Portland Breakwater Fort
* RAF Portland
* RNAS Portland (HMS Osprey)
* Royal Naval Hospital
* Verne Citadel
* Verne Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery
* Verne High Angle Battery

Castles|

* Pennsylvania Castle
* Portland Castle
* Rufus Castle

Lighthouses, daymarks and NCI|

* NCI Portland Bill
* Old Higher Lighthouse
* Old Lower Lighthouse
* Portland Bill Lighthouse
* Portland Breakwater Lighthouse
* Trinity House Obelisk

Prisons|

* HM Prison Portland
* HM Prison Weare
* HM Prison The Verne

Gardens|

* Chiswell Walled Garden
* Easton Gardens
* Governor's Community Garden
* Victoria Gardens

Buildings and houses|

* The Captain's House
* The Cove House Inn
* The George Inn
* Queen Anne House
* St George's Centre

Churches|

* All Saints Church
* Avalanche Memorial Church
* Church of Our Lady and St. Andrew
* Conjurer's Lodge
* Easton Methodist Church
* Southwell Methodist Chapel
* St Andrew's Church
* St George's Church
* St. John's Church
* St. Peter's Church
* Underhill Methodist Church
* United Reformed Church

Memorials|

* Portland Cenotaph
* Royal Naval Cemetery

Industry|

* Durdle Pier
* Folly Pier
* Folly Pier Waterworks
* Grove Lime Kiln
* King's Pier
* Portland stone
* Portland Windmills
* Red Crane
* Southwell Business Park
* Sureline
* Verne Cistern

Working and disused quarries|

* Bowers Quarry
* Broadcroft Quarry
* Coombefield Quarry
* King Barrow Quarry
* Perryfield Quarry
* Tout Quarry
* Yeolands Quarry

Railway|

* Merchant's Railway
* The Old Engine Shed
* Portland Branch Railway

Sports|

* Portland United F.C.

Events|

* Easton Massacre
* Great Southwell Landslip

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Jurassic Coast

East Devon|

* Orcombe Point
* Sandy Bay
* Straight Point
* Otter Cove
* Budleigh Salterton
* Danger Point
* Ladram Bay
* High Peak
* Sidmouth
* Salcombe Hill
* Weston Mouth
* Branscombe
* Beer Head
* Beer Quarry Caves
* Beer
* Seaton
* Pinhay Bay
* Monmouth Beach
* Ware Cliffs

Dorset|

* Lyme Regis
* Dinosaurland Fossil Museum
* Lyme Regis Museum
* Lyme Bay
* The Spittles
* Black Ven
* Charmouth
* Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre
* Golden Cap
* Seatown
* Thorncombe Beacon
* Eype Mouth

| Chesil Beach|

* West Bay
* Burton Bradstock
* West Bexington
* Abbotsbury
* Gore Cove
* Chickerell

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Isle of Portland|

* Chesil Cove
* Tar Rocks
* Clay Ope
* Hallelujah Bay
* Blacknor
* Mutton Cove
* Wallsend Cove
* Pulpit Rock
* Portland Bill
* Portland Raised Beach
* Cave Hole
* Church Ope Cove
* Portland Museum
* Jurassica
* Durdle Pier
* King's Pier
* Folly Pier
* Salt Pans
* Freshwater Bay
* Balaclava Bay
* Portland Harbour

Weymouth|

* Newton's Cove
* Nothe Gardens
* Weymouth Harbour
* Weymouth Pier
* Jurassic Skyline
* Weymouth Beach
* Weymouth Bay
* Greenhill

* Furzy Cliff
* Jordan Hill
* Bowleaze Cove
* Broadrock
* Redcliff Point
* Black Head
* Osmington Mills
* Bran Point
* Perry Ledge
* Ringstead
* West Ringstead
* Ringstead Bay
* Burning Cliff
* White Nothe
* Chaldon Hill
* Bat's Head
* Swyre Head
* Scratchy Bottom
* Durdle Door
* Man o' War Cove
* St Oswald's Bay
* Pinion Rock
* Dungy Head
* Stair Hole
* Lulworth Cove
* Lulworth Ranges
* Purbeck Monocline
* Bindon Hill
* Fossil Forest
* Mupe Bay
* Arish Mell

Isle of Purbeck|

* Flower's Barrow
* Cow Corner
* Worbarrow Bay
* Worbarrow Tout
* Pondfield Cove
* Gad Cliff
* Tyneham
* Brandy Bay
* Hobarrow Bay
* Kimmeridge
* Kimmeridge Oil Field
* Kimmeridge Bay
* Hen Cliff
* Kimmeridge Ledges
* The Etches Collection
* Rope Lake Head
* Swyre Head
* Egmont Bight
* Egmont Point
* Chapman's Pool
* St Alban's Head
* West Man
* Winspit
* East Man
* Worth Matravers
* Dancing Ledge
* Anvil Point
* Tilly Whim Caves
* Durlston Bay
* Peveril Point
* Swanage
* Ballard Point
* The Pinnacles
* Parson's Barn
* Old Harry Rocks

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Geology of Devon · Geology of Dorset
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