Fossil hunting guidelines
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Suitable for families |
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Permission required |
The key is applied to each of the
following locations to indicate the type of terrain and the
potential volume of fossils you may encounter. Please note, the
volume of finds may vary considerably at different times of the year
and depending on prevailing weather conditions. These summaries are
produced from recent visits and are updated on a frequent basis. |
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Quarry location |
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High find frequency |
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Beach location |
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Average find frequency |
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Countryside location |
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Low find frequency |
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Aust (Avon) |
Triassic |
Summary: Aust is a specialist fossil collecting
location that requires some previous collecting experience to fully
appreciate. The abundance of fossils is limited to recent cliff
falls, as the site is regularly picked over by experts.
Fossils: bivalves, fish bones and teeth, marine
reptile bones...
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Click here
to view details |
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Blue Anchor (Somerset) |
Triassic and Jurassic |
Summary: The geology of Blue Anchor includes
two completely different rock types. At the far eastern end the rock
is of early Jurassic origin, whereas the western end of the beach
(as pictured) is the older Triassic, comprising the fossil bearing
Rhaetian and the non-fossiliferous red Keuper Marl.
Fossils: ammonites, bivalves, marine reptile
bones...
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Click here
to view details |
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Burton Bradstock (Dorset) |
Jurassic |
Summary: Burton Bradstock is best suited to
experienced visitors. Fossils are fairly common in the Jurassic
rock, however finding them is dependent on recent cliff collapses.
Facilities including parking are good.
Fossils: ammonites, belemnites, echinoids,
bivalves...
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Click here
to view details |
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Chapman's Pool (Dorset) |
Jurassic |
Summary: The coast at Chapman's Pool is host to
some of the highest concentration of ammonites in the country, most
of which are crushed, but many have retained their three dimensions.
The challenging walk and dangerous cliffs make this location less
suitable for families.
Fossils: ammonites, bivalves, marine reptile
bones...
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Click here
to view details |
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Charmouth (Dorset) |
Jurassic |
Summary: Charmouth is a great place to explore
for fossils. The abundance and quality of fossils in good. The
location offers a range of facilities including a heritage centre,
shop and restaurant. Parking is also very good.
Fossils: ammonites, bivalves, belemnites, marine reptile
bones...
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Click here
to view details |
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Durlston Bay (Dorset) |
Cretaceous |
Summary: Durlston Bay is much less publicised
for its fossils than many other locations along the Dorset coast,
despite yielding some very good specimens over the years. Good finds
are reliant on recent cliff falls, at which time visitors to the
area can hope to find a range of fossils.
Fossils: crocodile and turtle bones/bones,
bivalves, plants...
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Click here
to view details |
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Kimmeridge (Dorset) |
Jurassic |
Summary: fossils are abundant at Kimmeridge,
although mostly comprised crushed ammonites. The site is certainly
unsuitable for families and is best left to experienced collectors
and those studying the area - the cliffs are extremely unstable.
Fossils: ammonites, bivalves, marine
reptile bones and teeth...
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Click here
to view details |
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Lulworth Cove (Dorset) |
Jurassic and Cretaceous |
Summary: Lulworth Cove is a fantastic place to
widen your understanding of geology, geological processes and
fossils. The scenery is breath taking and will impress beginners and
experts alike. There are few locations in the world, where so much
prehistoric understanding can be gained.
Fossils: dinosaur footprints, ammonites,
bivalves, fish remains, echinoids...
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Click here
to view details |
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Lyme Regis (Dorset) |
Jurassic |
Summary: Lyme Regis is probably the most famous
location in the country to find fossils. The town has been built
around the quality and volume of fossils uncovered in recent
centuries. Facilities are excellent.
Fossils: ammonites, marine reptile remains,
belemnites, bivalves, crinoids...
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Click here
to view details |
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Osmington Mills (Dorset) |
Jurassic |
Summary: 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.
Fossils: ammonites, bivalves, belemnites,
echinoids...
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Click here
to view details |
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Seatown (Dorset) |
Jurassic |
Summary: Seatown is a small village located 3
miles east of Charmouth and a short distance from its more famous
neighbour Lyme Regis. The cliffs and foreshore date predominantly
from the Early Jurassic period, and are a younger continuation of
the rock sequence seen at Charmouth.
Fossils: ammonites, bivalves, belemnites,
marine reptile remains...
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Click here
to view details |
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Quantoxhead (Somerset) |
Jurassic |
Summary: Quantoxhead is one of the best
locations in Somerset to search for fossils. The coastline yields a
variety of fossils, mainly ammonites and nautili. Visitors with
families should keep away from the cliff base. Facilities are
minimal but parking is good.
Fossils: bivalves, fish bones and teeth, marine
reptile bones...
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Click here
to view details |
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A great family day out...
Left: Participants
on various Discovering Fossils and Junior Geo fossil hunting events.
Right: Families handle some real
fossils at the event base.
Join us on an organised fossil hunt!
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 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 more
CLICK HERE.
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