Spyway
Spyway is an isolated property in the parish of Worth Matravers in Dorset and is owned by the National Trust. It is located on the route of the Priest's Way. It is notable for having 140 million-year old dinosaur footprints.
Dinosaur footprints
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The footprints were made by sauropods 140 million years ago.[1] The fossils were found in the Purbeck Limestone Group, dated to the earliest Cretaceous period. At that time, the site was a beach along a coastal lagoon.[2]
The footprints were discovered by quarrymen Kevin Keates and Trev Haysom in 1997.[3] The over-100 prints were investigated by paleontologist Joanna Wright.[2] The National Trust opened Spyway to the public in 2016.[3][4]
Other features
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Spyway Barn, a Grade II listed early 19th-century barn,[5] which was acquired by the National Trust in the 1990s, is used as a display room.[6] The name Spyway refers to the smuggling activities that used to take place at this location, and Spyway Barn was used to store smuggled goods.[6][7] The National Trust also own an adjacent cottage, Spyway Cottage, which is available for holiday rentals.[8]
References
[edit]- ↑ "UK Fossils: Keates Quarry". 3 March 2017. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
- 1 2 "Walking with Dinosaurs in Dorset – The Spyway Sauropod Footprints". University of Birmingham. Retrieved 20 August 2026.
- 1 2 "Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty: Spyway". Retrieved 11 September 2021.
- ↑ "Spyway Dinosaur Footprints". Dorset National Landscape. Retrieved 20 August 2026.
- ↑ "Historic England List Entry 1323406". Retrieved 11 September 2021.
- 1 2 "National Trust: Scratch Arse Ware and Dancing Ledge Walk". Retrieved 11 September 2021.
- ↑ "Langton Matravers Parish Council: Priest's Way". Archived from the original on 7 November 2016. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
- ↑ "National Trust Holidays: Spyway". Retrieved 11 September 2021.