In a surprising twist of fate, a Butlin’s holiday resort in Somerset has become the unlikely setting for a groundbreaking scientific discovery. Researchers have uncovered Earth’s oldest forest nestled within the sandstone cliffs near this popular vacation destination.

The team of scientists from the University of Cambridge and University of Cardiff made this remarkable find, unearthing the fossil remains of an ancient forest that once spanned the regions of Devon and Somerset. Dating back a staggering 390 million years, this ancient forest surpasses the previous record holder in New York by more than four million years.

Lead author Professor Neil Davies pointed out the significance of revisiting British rocks, emphasizing that such endeavors can lead to crucial new discoveries. The researchers delved into the rocks of the Hangman Sandstone Formation, a geological layer dating back to the Devonian period, a time when life began to transition onto land.

Initial beliefs held that the cliffs along the Bristol Channel’s South Bank contained no plant fossils. However, through daring expeditions scaling England’s highest sea cliffs, the researchers stumbled upon the well-preserved remnants of tree trunks and twigs from this ancient forest, marking the oldest plant fossils ever discovered in Britain.

Unlike present-day forests, these ancient trees, known as Calamophyton, bore a stark resemblance to modern palm trees. Thin and hollow at the core, these trees supported twig-like structures rather than traditional leaves. Despite their different appearance, these trees played a vital role in shaping the landscape of their time, influencing the emergence of early invertebrates.

Professor Davies noted the peculiar nature of this ancient forest, describing it as a pretty weird forest. The lack of undergrowth and the absence of grass marked a stark difference from contemporary forests, with fallen twigs from the densely packed trees altering the terrain significantly.

In addition to providing a habitat for early animals, this ancient forest played a crucial role in transforming the Earth during the Devonian period. With roots stabilizing sediment and altering the interaction between water and land, these trees left an indelible mark on the landscape.

As the fossils continue to unveil the secrets of this ancient forest, scientists anticipate gaining valuable insights into the ecological impact of Calamophyton trees on their surrounding environment. Through this pioneering discovery, researchers aim to reconstruct the environment in which these ancient forests thrived and evaluate their lasting influence on the sedimentary system.

Dr. Christopher Berry, co-author of the study from Cardiff University, expressed his amazement at witnessing these fossil forests so close to home, underscoring the unprecedented opportunity to delve into the ecology of these earliest forest ecosystems.