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You are currently here: Home > Fossil Locations > E' England > Grafham Water |
In partnership with JuniorGeo |
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Introduction
Grafham Water might not be the first place you would think of searching for fossils, but on closer inspection this unique lake provides some of the highest volume of Jurassic shells around. This former quarry was converted into tourist hot spot, when in 1966 a dam was constructed at one end to form a reservoir. Today, the reservoir supplies water to local homes and businesses and is also used for sailing, angling, walking, cycling and of course, fossil hunting!
The best time of year to visit is during the summer, when water levels are lower. However even during the driest summers there are places where the mud is dangerously deep. We strongly advise people to take care and not venture into areas of soft mud.
Where to look for fossils?
Fossils are washed out of the Jurassic clay banks and found around the entire reservoir. The highest concentration of fossils are found on the southern side of the reservoir, perhaps because the majority of visitors congregate around the eastern edge.
(Left) Large Jurassic Oyster Shell exposed on the lake-side. (Right) Jurassic clay exposed at the lake-side.
The quality and volume of fossils varies depending where you look. It's worth planning enough time to search several miles of the lake-side.
What fossils might you find?
During our recent visit to Grafham Water, we explored the entire lake-side (in excess of 11 miles). During this time we saw literally thousands of Gryphea shells (Devil's Toenails) several dozen belemnite fragments and just one ammonite! (See pictures below).
(Left) Small Jurassic Ammonite on the lake-side. (Right) Top half of a Gryphea shell.
(Left) Small Jurassic Belemnite on the lake-side. (Right) Complete Jurassic Oyster shell
If you're looking for Gryphea shells, then this is the place. If you're looking for ammonites and/or belemnites, then the volume and quality are quite disappointing. However, we have seen finds by other visitors which are much better, although low in number.
Protecting for 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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