They can be found anywhere as the wind, cliff erosion, the size of waves, the tides, and many other factors change the beach every day. The Jurassic Coast is famous for its fossils. Here, there are loads of opportunities to scour the beach for some ( of the millions of year old) fossils. The cliffs at Charmouth and Lyme Regis used to be a sea bed during the Jurassic Period. Pinhay Bay 9. Did you like this article? Fossil hunting is a brilliant family-friendly activity and can be really exciting, especially if one of you makes a discovery of prehistoric proportions. Fossil collecting near Lyme Regis. Lyme Regis is often the first place that people head to when they learn that the Jurassic Coast is packed full of fossils, and Church cliffs are the town’s best spot for exposed rock. Successful fossil hunters are patient and always prepare before they head out. We call it the Fossil Forest. There are lots of organised trips which start at the visitors centre where you can learn the best tips and techniques for finding fossils whilst staying safe near the cliffs. Staithes, Runswick, Robin Hood’s Bay, Boggle Hole and Saltburn are all good spots to go hunting fossils. These are often found loose on the beach around Charmouth and Lyme Regis. One of the best beaches to find fossils is at Charmouth in Dorset. It can take months to learn how to find fossils that are inside rocks. Along popular fossil hunting beaches, such as those below the clifftops around Charmouth and Lyme Regis, you are most likely to find ammonites and belemnites which are types of prehistoric mollusc and descendants of mussels, clams and snails; the kinds of species that we still see today. RAMM – Exeter, Sidmouth Museum, Lyme Regis Museum, Bridport Museum, Portland Museum, Etches Collection Museum – Kimmeridge, Durlston Castle. holiday cottages in Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and the New Forest. The scattered backbones of Ichthyosaurs, a type of giant marine reptile, are relatively common around Charmouth and Lyme Regis, but you still have to be pretty lucky to find one. Why not visit one of the following museums or visitor centres? You could also invest in our official guide to Fossils of the Jurassic Coast. Here are our suggestions for anyone wanting to give fossil hunting a try on the Jurassic Coast. Collection of belemnite fossils from the Jurassic Coast. All you really need is a keen pair of eyes and an appetite for adventure, however, a pocket-sized fossil guidebook could prove a handy little addition, as would an old toothbrush (for brushing away mud and debris) and a magnifying glass. Beer Head 6. These amazing cliffs continue to help some of the world’s most pioneering palaeontologists and geologists in their quest for answers, preserving magnificent fossils in their prehistoric layers and allowing us to travel millions of years back to the past. Finding Fossils on the Jurassic Coast. Lee Bay 3. Llantwit Major is one of the best locations, where you can find giant gastropods. What makes the Jurassic Coast such a great location for finding fossils? In fact, ammonites are the most common find in … Most fossils get washed from the cliffs or are displaced by natural erosion and landslips, so the best and safest place to search is along the beach amongst the loose shingle. The large shingle beach and…, The historic seaside town of Lyme Regis nestles in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty at the point where the rugged West Dorset and East…, The Etches Collection – Museum of Jurassic Marine Life opened in the village of Kimmeridge in October 2016. The Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre (pictured) and Lyme Regis Museum run regular guided fossil hunting walks throughout the year. Secondly, you’re more likely to destroy the fossils than find them. A great place to start would be to sign up for a guided fossil hunt where you’ll have the opportunity to learn from the experts and hone your skills. Fossil hunting in Charmouth and Lyme regis. You'll find similar fossils at both; Charmouth is a bigger beach (and has the fossil centre) but less collectors at Seatown, or walk from one to another along the shore and get the bus back (set off 2 hours before low tide). In this video we show you the best way to find fossils in rocks. Don’t forget – wear the right clothes for the weather, especially if it’s cold. These fossil sea urchins are preserved by a very hard rock called flint. Sidmouth 2. Take some small bags or tubs to carry any fossils you find. Seaton beach is a stone beach and is a great place to start fossil hunting. During the mid Cretaceous period movements under the earths crust uplifted the seabed and it then became exposed and formed the cliffs along this stretch of coastline. Generally it is best to walk up to 400 metres on the beach to find the best areas. Fossil Ores Petrified Logs Amber Ore Fossilized Nests Fossilized Track-ways Ice Shard Ore The coastguard is called out every single year for people getting stuck or cut off by the tide. If you see Stuart whilst you’re out on the coast, do pop over and say hi, and don’t be afraid to ask him for fossil hunting tips! Please note that it is forbidden to hammer the cliffs as our coastline is part of The Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. …be patient. © Sam Rose. They are lots of different types of fossils sea shell found along the Jurassic Coast, including relatives of oysters, clams and scallops. On the Yorkshire coast rocks from the Jurassic period are exposed for all to see, in a series of spectacular cliffs and bays. You don’t need a PhD or a carry case full of the latest field equipment to find fossils. They can be found on almost any pebbly beach along the Jurassic Coast… but they are very hard to spot and are the rarest of the fossils shown here. There’s nothing prehistoric about our gorgeous holiday cottages in Charmouth and Lyme Regis. It will take you through the magnificent story of the Site’s world-class palaeontology, with all profit from the book helping to protect the World Heritage Status of this special coastline. Here’s the good news – many fossils simply lie exposed amongst the beach pebbles, just waiting to be spotted. Also, one of the best places to go fossil hunting within the Jurassic Coast is Charmouth Beach. The Jurassic Coast Trust works to promote responsible fossil collecting across the World Heritage Site. There is one very famous layer of limestone on the Jurassic Coast where fossil trees are found. Now the Jurassic Coast stretches 95 miles from Devon to Dorset, so it’s huge! It is exposed on the cliffs near Lulworth Cove but was also quarried on Portland in the past. Just to the west of Seatown is … This is due to rough weather causing more erosion. Belemnites are the internal hard parts of a squid-like animal. Why not have a search through our extensive listings and see what you can dig up. Lyme Regis is the fossil capital, with plenty of fossil shops, museums and guided tours, and even the lampposts are sculptured into ammonites. The area is well suited to amateur and experienced fossil hunters alike – throughout the year visitors flock in their masses to scour the beach for fossils washed out of … Dec 28, 2020 - Examples of the fossils you can find at Seatown and Charmouth. It stretches from Exmouth in East Devon to Studland Bay in Dorset, a distance of about 96 miles (154 km), and was inscribed on the World Heritage List in mid-December 2001.. Photo © Lyme Regis Museum/Matt Austin. Learn more about the important role erosion plays for the World Heritage Site. The cliffs around this coast are the remains of a Jurassic seafloor that was teeming with life 190 million years ago. Part of this work involves employing a Fossil Warden to speak to people along the coast’s most popular fossil beaches during busy periods of the year. Most fossils get washed from the cliffs or are displaced by natural erosion and landslips, so the best and safest place to search is along the beach amongst the loose shingle. Ammonites graveyard at monmouth beach (visit at low tide!!). As a result Portland Museum has one of the most important collections of … Fossil hunting is mostly about luck. The beach and cliffs are part of the Jurassic Coast (World Heritage Site), which encompass 95 miles of coast between Dorset and Devon. The growing number of visitors to the Jurassic Coast has led to some healthy competition. Thirdly, and finally, you might cause a landslip and become a fossil yourself. If it does, great but be prepared to drive if you really want an in-depth exploration of the area. Fossil hunting often involves moving slowly along the shore, so it can be hard to stay warm. It may be the best place to find fossils in Dorset. To start you off, check out the selection of fossils below. Avoid fresh rockfalls, mudflows and landslides. Charmouth Beach, a little further east, and Monmouth Beach, west of … For any beginner, the beaches between Charmouth and Lyme Regis are the best and safest place to try fossil hunting. Fremington 7. Dorset is also quieter in the colder months, meaning that you can really get stuck in to looking for different ancient relics without having to fight for space. Hopefully however the below information will help you find a few more fossils or at least be of interest to you. You are, of course, allowed to take a photo of your fossil, and if it’s something particularly unusual, make a note of your location and contact the local heritage centre, museum or finds officer. © Paul Carter - paulcarter-photographer.co.uk & Fairlynch Museum, Important information for visitors to the Jurassic Coast during COVID-19, Top Romantic Locations on the Jurassic Coast, Top Romantic Cottages on the Jurassic Coast, Jurassic Coast Teachers’ Primary School Resources, Fossils from the Jurassic Coast in the Fossil Finder, The Geological History of the Jurassic Coast, Jurassic Coast Fossils Book - for Sale in our Shop. Sign up below to receive our free quarterly e‑newsletter, and information about upcoming events, volunteering opportunities and campaigns. Fossils appear on both the East and West beaches at Charmouth. Hooken Cliff 4. The soft rocks and clay of the Jurassic Coast on the south coast of England release a steady stream of fossils onto the beach with each new high tide or winter storm. ‘I’m not going to Charmouth or Lyme Regis… what do I do?’ – there are plenty of opportunities to see fantastic fossils, even if you’re not in a good place to give fossil hunting a go. Dorset is home to the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and is by far the most popular area in the UK for collecting fossils. Don’t be one of them. Fossils can come from almost anywhere along the Jurassic Coast, but they are mostly quite hard to find and in some places fossil collecting is not allowed without permission. If you are trying fossil hunting for the first time it can be daunting. Our current Fossil Warden is Stuart Godman, who covers the coast between Lyme Regis and Charmouth, armed with a pocketful of fossils and years of collecting experience. Valley of the Rocks 5. It is also extremely dangerous to climb or attempt to walk on the cliffs or mud flows. Firstly, it’s strictly forbidden in protected areas and sites of special scientific interest to hammer away willy-nilly at ancient rock formations. (Tommy Trenchard) The best time to go fossil hunting is during calmer weather on the outgoing tide. Fossils are found not just on the coast but in the town, encased in museum collections and available to look at and buy in shops, and there are plenty of guided walks organised throughout the year by specialists. Always be aware of the tide movements: the ideal time to go fossil hunting is on … That’s a terrible idea. How to find fossils in rocks. Cliff falls and landslides can happen without warning so stay away from all cliffs and remember to check tide tables to avoid getting cut off by a rising sea. Hold your horses! Fossils can come from almost anywhere along the Jurassic Coast, but they are mostly quite hard to find and in some places fossil collecting is not allowed without permission. The best time to find fossils on the beaches is after a winter storm. If you’re fossil hunting in a protected area you’re not allowed to remove your finds. Hopes Nose 8. Iron pyrites or ‘fool’s gold’ ammonites are a famous Charmouth fossil and are more easily found after a storm. These are nice complete examples. If you do choose to use a hammer always wear eye protection. Unless you plan to make fossil hunting a regular hobby, taking a hammer is a waste of time. This is because the storms and downpours unearth new areas of the cliffs that haven’t been unearthed before…and with this comes mudslides and fossils! The more time spent searching the more chance of finding something. Most fossils are found on the beach due to natural erosion or get washed from the cliffs. This one from Charmouth is a bit like a cockle. There are fossils all along the Jurassic Coast. But not every beach is safe, and not all fossils should be collected.”. For any beginner, the beaches between Charmouth and Lyme Regis are the best and safest place to try fossil hunting. They are the shells of extinct animals related to squid and octopus. Stuart Godman, Jurassic Coast Fossil Warden. The two best spots for fossil hunting are supposed to be Charmouth and Lyme Regis. From Exmouth in East Devon to Studland Bay in Dorset, the Jurassic Coast offers 95 miles of of outstanding Earth science that families can explore on foot and by car. Along the Jurassic Coast, the best place to find fossils is loose on the beach where the sea has already done the hard work of separating them from surrounding rocks. We tend to visit Charmouth which is the town next to Lyme Regis. Jurassic Coast.org explain that “the rough weather helps expose more fossils” in winter, making it the perfect time to search for fossils by the seaside. Posted by amyralph on 31st August 2018. The Jurassic and Triassic sites offer the chance to find ammonites, belemnites and brachiopods, as well as reptiles, and shark and fish remains. Croyde 1… We went fossil hunting on East Cliff beach, which is east of the town of Lyme Regis. As these cliffs collapse into the sea and the waves wash against them, fossils are dragged out onto the beaches. Fossils are the remnants or traces of an organism of a past geologic age, such as a skeleton or leaf imprint, embedded and preserved in the earth’s crust. If you want to go fossil hunting on the Jurassic Coast, Charmouth is the place to head. If you are serious about wanting to find super cool fossils, the best time to go fossil hunting in Lyme Regis is during the rainy, stormy, super-terrible-weather-y time of year. More often they are found broken into segments. 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