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Location and directions Directions: Osmington Mills is located just a short distance from the village of Osmington. Access is made from from the A353, along Mill Road. Parking is available at the cliff top, opposite the Smuggler's Inn pub. Follow the path behind the pub to access the beach.		Key information Geological period L' Jurassic, K'idge Clay and Corallian Approximate age 160-150 million years Fossil diversity Ammonites, Echinoids, Bivalves... Find frequency Below average Dangers Risk of falling rocks Equipment Hammer, Chisel and Eye Protection Accessibility Reasonably accessibile/ rocky terrain Local facilities Parking and restaurants near by Additional notes Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
How would Osmington Mills have looked 160 million years ago?

Introduction

Osmington Mills is located on the South coast of England, just a few miles East of the Isle of Portland. Parking is available at the Smuggler's Inn pub, provided you have a drink and/or food that day. 

Parking at Osmington Mills

Osmington Mills is one of the best places to find fossils between Portland and Kimmeridge.  The variation in rocks exposed on the foreshore makes this an interesting and varied stretch of coast to explore.

Good fossils can be hard to find, due to the popularity of this location to collectors.  However, the rate of erosion is sufficient to keep a reasonable volume of new material present at all times.  With a little patience it's possible to find some wonderful specimens, in particular large Ammonite and Nautilus shells.

Where to look for fossils?

A small path running behind the Smuggler's Inn, leads onto the beach.  From the access point you can head West or East, either of which will yield a variety of finds.  During our recent visit we examined the stretch of coast 250 meters to the West (towards Portland) and then headed East via the access point to explore the foreshore 400 meters towards Ringstead.

Kimmeridge Clay (black) with Oolitic limestone (pale brown)

In the West the fossils are more abundant, especially within the Oolitic limestone.  It's worth examining very closely the surfaces of freshly slipped boulders, as some wonderful echinoids can be found protruding.  Exploring the Kimmeridge Clay revealed a selection of the usual suspects, including squashed Ammonites and fragile bivalves.  None of these specimens were worth collecting, but they are interesting all the same.

Cliffs East of the beach access point (towards Ringstead)

In the East the fossils are much less abundant, however the size and quality of those that can be found improves significantly.  During our recent visit several Ammonites and Nautilus specimens were found by the group.

Perhaps the most striking feature of the cliffs are the huge 'doggers' (calcite-cemented concretions) within the Bencliff Grit Formation.  Examination on the day did not reveal any fossils within this particular horizon.  To read more about these features please refer to Ian West's pages - click here.

For more information about the features and processes controlling coastal fossil collecting locations click here.

What fossil might you find?

The following photos are separated into those found West of the beach access and those found to the East.

In summary, Osmington Mills is one of our favourite locations visited in recent years.  Although good specimens can be hard to find, it makes it truly exciting when you do! During our recent visit we found 1 large ammonite to every 5 people during the 2 hours at the location. Other finds (mainly bivalves) were found by everyone.

This location has it all... good fossils, great scenery and a fantastic pub to refresh yourself before you head home.

Protecting your finds

It's important to spend some time considering the best way to protect your finds onsite, in transit, on display and in storage. Prior to your visit, consider the equipment and accessories you're likely to need, as these will differ depending on the type of rock, terrain and prevailing weather conditions.

(Left) Fossil wrapped in newspaper, ready for transport. (Right) A small compartment box containing cotton wool is ideal for separating delicate specimens.

When you discover a fossil, examine the surrounding matrix (rock) and consider how best to remove the specimen without breaking it; patience and consideration are key. The aim of extraction is to remove the specimen with some of the matrix attached, as this will provide added protection during transit and future handling; sometimes breaks are unavoidable, but with care you should be able to extract most specimens intact. In the event of breakage, carefully gather all the pieces together, as in most cases repairs can be made at a later time...continued.

 

   

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Picture credits: Echinoid by M.Mora at asturnatura.com; Shark by diveclub.org. Safety notice: Fossil hunting can at times pose a risk to personal safety, in particular within environments close to the coast, cliffs or in quarries and when using the tools and equipment illustrated. Discovering Fossils provides a free resource to inform you about this fascinating subject and does not accept any liability for decisions made using this information. We recommend all individuals abide by the 'National Fossil Hunting Code' and independently research the potential dangers before and during the visit.

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