Introduction

Eastbourne is a good place to look for fossils.  The area is suitable for both individuals and families, however safety must be considered as dangers are potentially high if ignored.

(Left) Plenty of free parking.  (Right) Small cafe located near the site entrance.

The town provides good facilities, including plenty of parking and a small cafe beside the site entrance. Before venturing along the beach, it's worth taking a short walk to the top of the hill, via the public footpath. The signs provide directions to Beachy Head (1.25 miles), Cow Gap (0.5 miles), both provide a pleasant walk and good scenery.

(Left) A map of the area.  (Right) Directions to the surrounding area via public footpaths.

The path to the hill top passes the local inhabitants, an inquisitive herd of cows!  From the top, the view East provides a great view of the beach and pier.

(Left) Local hill-top inhabitants. (Right) View East over Eastbourne.

Access to the beach can be made further along the coast, at Cow Gap, about another 0.5 miles walk. Follow the path until it descends to the beach, where a series of steps lead to the beach. Fossils can be found by walking East along the coast, towards the town, or West, towards Beachy Head.

Access to the beach at 'Cow Gap'.

Where to look for fossils?

Chalk boulders provide a challenging terrain and demand suitable footwear.

The chalk at Eastbourne contains a good variety of fossils. It's best to look in areas containing new exposures, usually following a recent cliff collapse and among the boulders on the foreshore. To avoid unnecessary danger, it's best to keep clear of the cliff base as the face is prone to frequent collapse and falling rocks. If you're planning a trip to examine the cliff base, it's highly advisable to wear a hard hat.

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

What fossils might you find?

The most frequently found fossils are bivalve shells as seen below.  Many of the shells are complete and can be easily removed from the chalk.

A selections of shells found on the foreshore.

By far the most rewarding fossils are the variety of ammonites, nautili and gastropods which can be found. In recent years a number of extremely good quality specimens have been collected from the chalk.

(Left) Good condition small ammonite. (Right) Perfect gastropod specimen.

During our recent visit we were approached by a family curious about a banded pattern they had discovered protruding from a foreshore boulder.  The pattern belonged to an ammonite.

(Left) Hannah Aged 10, and Matthew Aged 8, with an excellent Ammonite find. (Right) Close-up of Matthew's ammonite.

Matthew had stumbled across the fossil whilst out walking with his family.  The Ammonite was in good condition and we were happy to help them remove the shell from the boulder. To learn more about Ammonites click here. Besides ammonites and nautilus shells, a variety of other fossils and minerals can be found.

(Left) Pyrite nodule - view video. (Centre) Sea Sponge found on the foreshore. (Right) Echinoid shell.

The chalk also contains a large number of Iron Pyrite nodules, which when split reveal a intricate and metallic interior. Before taking these nodules home, it's worth noting that the shiny interior quickly decays, eventually resulting in complete disintegration. Other fossils within the chalk include Sea Sponges and Echinoids. The Echinoids are often preserved in perfect condition and are easily extracted.

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.

Join us on an organised fossil hunt

(Left) Participants listen to an event leader explaining the prehistoric evidence at Charmouth. (Right) Families handle some real fossils at the event base.

Discovering Fossils and JuniorGeo have joined forces to provide a series of exciting prehistoric experiences for families and individuals of all ages and levels of knowledge. Our events include an introduction to the local geology and fossils, followed by a group fossil hunt where everyone has an opportunity to find and collect a variety of fossils. To find out which events are taking place near you click here.

Visit our exciting online shop...

Click above to see a selection of our great value products and gifts available online from the Discovering Fossils shop - in partnership with JuniorGeo.

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