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Location and directions Directions: Walton-on-the-Naze is located about 8 miles north of Clacton-on-Sea. Access is made via the B1034. Parking is available in the surrounding roads (click map).		Key information Geological period Eocene (Ypresian) / Pliocene (Waltonian) Approximate age 54.8 - 49.5 / 2.5 - 1.8 million years Fossil diversity Shark teeth, bivalves, gastropods... Find frequency High Dangers Risk of cliff collapses Equipment Trowel Accessibility Easily accessible / Steps to beach Local facilities Local shops within 1 mile Additional notes Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
How would Walton-on-the-Naze have looked 50 million years ago?

Introduction

Walton-on-the-Naze is a surprisingly good place to find a range of fossils.  The presence of both London Clay (50 million years) and the much younger Red Crag (2 million years) provides a diversity of fossils within a short stretch of beach.  Fossils can be found all year round, but the best time to go is during the winter or after stormy weather - when erosion is at its greatest.  Some fossils can be fragile, so be sure to bring plenty of newspaper to protect your finds.

Where to look for fossils?

Fossils can be found to the South and North of the beach entrance, depending on your preference.  The greatest diversity of fossils can be found to the North, where the Red Crag overlays the London Clay. Alternatively if you head South you can find a variety of sharks teeth among the shingle.

If you head North, you will quickly reach exposures of London Clay on the foreshore (see picture below), which contains vast quantities of pyritized fossils - mainly wood.  In fact if you're looking for fossilized wood, this is probably one of the best locations in the country.  Many of the fragments resemble even the finest details of the original wood.

The fossils tend to congregate around the water channels - where the retreating tide deposits them. Some areas may contain several hundred fragments per square metre! Sharks teeth can also be found in these locations, although much less commonly than among the shingle.

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

What fossils might you find?

The pictures above show the common shark teeth that can be found.  This particular specimen along with over 20 others in the same trip, were collected in areas where the shingle congregated on the foreshore (close to the cliff base).  For the best chance of finding them, you'll need to spend several minutes on your knees carefully examining the surface.

Besides shark's teeth and wood, you can also find a variety of other fossils, including the specimens pictured below.  The fossil on the left is a small vertebrae belonging to an as yet unidentified fish, while the picture right shows a sea urchin fragment.

Having examined the London Clay on the foreshore, it's also worth looking for fossils within the Red Crag.  This orange coloured sand was deposited only 2 million years ago, and contains a range of fossils - mainly shells in our experience.

Because Walton-on-the-Naze is an SSSI, climbing up the cliff or damaging it in any way is prohibited.  However despite this, many of fossil can be collected at the cliff base, where the Red Crag has slumped onto the beach.

In places the rate of erosion is clearly visible, as picture below.  The movement of the cliff slumps cause the sand to literally bulge under the pressure and at various places along the cliff the trees overhang precariously.

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: Stingray by unknown author at swimatyourownrisk.com; Shark by diveclub.org; Crinoid by Simon Coppard at iczn.org; Sea Snail by Jeffrey Jeffords at divegallery.com. 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