New primeval swamp at Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens

The landscape feature is inspired by the Jurassic Coast of Dorset and east Devon and the plants which made up dinosaurs’ food sources as they roamed the World Heritage Site.

The swamp is in an area previously out-of-bounds to the public.

Steve Griffith, curator of Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens said: “You feel like you’re transcending into a different world down here.

“It’s got that jungly feel, that primeval atmosphere. We cut the path so you’re brushing the ferns and the trunks as you’re going through. You’ve got the humidity, the water running through, the sound of running water, the birds. It just plays on the senses.”

The feature includes plants from across the world including the rare Wollemi pine and ancient plants seen in fossils dating back to the Jurassic period 150million years ago. Mr Griffith added: “The dinosaurs have long since disappeared but these plants are still here.”