The Mary Anning Space to Learn Garden

The garden is inspired by Mary Anning, the pioneering palaeontologist and fossil collector. Born in 1799 into poverty, Mary overcome a lack of formal education to emerge as one of the foremost authorities on fossils, and her discoveries were some of the most significant geological finds of all time.

Imagined in the grounds of a Dorset primary school, this small, fun outdoor educational area surrounded by shade-loving plants in tree stump containers, provides a Jurassic atmosphere. Seats carved from a single tree trunk for the teacher and children creates an inspirational and interactive learning space.

The limestone crazy paving path, with individual ammonites between each stone, is engraved with the schoolyard tongue twister 'She Sells Seashells' – reportedly written about Mary – to inspire the children as they find the fossil cast of the Plesiosaur discovered by Mary Anning in 1823.