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Location and directions Directions: Access is made along the A2, turning on to Upper Road and heading East. Limited parking is available on the road-side, otherwise you can park in the car park.  Follow the path East along the coast until you reach a path leading to the beach.		Key information Geological period Cretaceous (Late epoch) Approximate age 90-87 million years Fossil diversity Echinoids, Shark teeth, shells... Find frequency Low Dangers High risk of falling rocks Equipment Hammer, chisel and eye protection... Accessibility A 25 minute walk and ladder to beach Local facilities None Additional notes Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
How would Dover have looked 90 million years ago?

Introduction

The cliffs at Dover are accessible to the east when heading from the town itself.  Cliff-top parking is also available within a reasonable distance of the beach. To see a map of the beach entrance point, please click on the UK map above 

After a short walk from the cliff top car park, you'll need to descend down a reasonably steep path towards the beach, at the end of which a long ladder reaches down to the foreshore.

It's worth observing the battlements built into the cliff face before descending down the ladder; you can even see evidence of bullet holes in the doors!

Dover is a classic fossil hunting location, although best suited to experienced collectors and not families. The fossils are not readily found and those that are require careful extraction to prevent damage.

Once you arrive on the beach the most notable relic of the past is in fact a ship wreck (pictured below).  Having conducted some initial research it has not been possible to identify the ship; we suspect she's a WW2 wreck.

Where to look for fossils?

The best and only safe place to find fossils is within the foreshore boulders; here you often find echinoids and bivalves protruding from the surface. 

During our recent visit the best finds were made to the west of the beach entrance; to the east, the rocks were covered with green algae, making it difficult to inspect the surfaces for fossils.

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

What fossils might you find?

The most commonly found fossils at Dover are echinoids, in particular Micrasters, which are often preserved remarkably well; other fossils include those pictured below.

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: White Tipped Reef Shark by Alistair Watters at travelblog.org; Sea Snail by Jeffrey Jeffords at divegallery.com; Sea Potato from teachnet.ie; Seafloor with dozens of sea urchin from starfish.ch. 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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Written and designed by Roy Shepherd