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the team
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A
free public resource dedicated to showcasing the prehistoric world.
© 2008.
Discovering Fossils is fully independent and works in partnership
with JuniorGeo.
South
West Fossil Locations |
Fossil
Collecting Code
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Quarry |
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The key (left) is applied to each of the following location to indicate the type
of terrain and the potential volume of fossils which can be found. Please
note, the volume of finds may vary considerably at different times of
the year and depending on recent weather conditions.
These summaries are produced from our most recent visit and are updated on
a regular basis.
Select
'CLICK
TO VIEW' to view the full location report.
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Suitable
for families |
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Beach |
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Countryside |
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Permission required |
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Find
frequency: High / Medium / Low |
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AUST
(AVON) |
TRIASSIC |
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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...
CLICK
TO VIEW |
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BLUE
ANCHOR (SOMERSET) |
TRIASSIC
/ JURASSIC |
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Summary:
This stretch of beach is perhaps the most strange area we've
ever visited. The fossil bearing Jurassic limestone contains an
abundance of pink crystals, which are striking in appearance.
Access to the beach is good, but the rocky terrain can make
walking difficult.
Fossils:
Ammonites, bivalves, marine reptile bones...
CLICK
TO VIEW |
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BURTON
BRADSTOCK (DORSET) |
JURASSIC |
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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...
CLICK
TO VIEW |
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CHAPMAN'S
POOL (DORSET) |
JURASSIC |
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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...
CLICK
TO VIEW |
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CHARMOUTH
(DORSET) |
JURASSIC |
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Summary:
Charmouth is a great place to explore for fossils. The
abundance and quality of fossils in good. The site offers a
range of facilities, including a heritage centre, shop and
restaurant. Parking is also very good.
Fossils:
Ammonites, bivalves, belemnites, crinoids, marine reptile
remains...
CLICK
TO VIEW |
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DURLSTON
BAY (DORSET) |
CRETACEOUS |
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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...
CLICK
TO VIEW |
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EYPE
(DORSET) |
JURASSIC |
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Summary:
Eype offers a good variety of fossils, and amazing scenery.
Fossils are less frequent than the neighbouring Charmouth and
Seatown. Facilities are limited, but there's plenty of free
parking.
Fossils:
Ammonites, belemnites, bivalves, crinoids...
CLICK
TO VIEW |
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KIMMERIDGE
(DORSET) |
JURASSIC |
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Summary:
Kimmeridge is a unique site, fossils are abundant, however
the quality and variety are limited - mainly crushed ammonites.
The site is certainly unsuitable for families and is best left
to experts - the cliffs are extremely unstable.
Fossils:
Ammonites, marine reptile teeth/bones, bivalves...
CLICK
TO VIEW |
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LULWORTH
COVE (DORSET) |
JURASSIC
/ CRETACEOUS |
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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...
CLICK
TO VIEW |
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LYME
REGIS (DORSET) |
JURASSIC
/ CRETACEOUS |
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Summary:
Probably the most famous location in the country to find
fossils, Lyme Regis has been built around the quality and volume
of fossils uncovered in the past century. Facilities are
excellent.
Fossils:
Ammonites, marine reptile remains, belemnites, bivalves,
crinoids...
CLICK
TO VIEW |
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OSMINGTON
MILLS (DORSET) |
JURASSIC |
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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...
CLICK
TO VIEW |
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SEATOWN
(DORSET) |
JURASSIC |
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Summary:
Seatown is a small coastal 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, around 189-184 million years ago, and are
a younger continuation of the rock sequence seen at Charmouth.
Fossils:
Ammonites, bivalves, belemnites, marine reptile remains...
CLICK
TO VIEW |
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QUANTOXHEAD
(SOMERSET) |
JURASSIC |
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Summary:
An excellent site located in Somerset. Quantoxhead yields an
abundance of fossils, mainly ammonites and nautili. Visitors
with families should keep away from the cliff base. Facilities
are non existent, but parking is good.
Fossils:
Ammonites, bivalves, belemnites, marine reptile remains...
CLICK
TO VIEW |
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us on a fossil hunt...
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Printing
guidelines: Discovering Fossils is designed to be printed in
landscape (horizontal) format; printing in portrait format will
result in text being missed. To print selected pages, simply
select print from your internet browser and specify landscape from
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non-commercial use and is subject to international copyright law. If
you experience any difficulties printing or have a question
regarding the use of printed materials please contact us for further
information. |
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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
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Shepherd
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