COLLECTING FOSSILS IN THE UK
10 BEST LOCATIONS
- 1. Torrisdale Bay
- 2. Marsdon Beach
- 3. Bearreraig Bay
- 4. Durham Heritage Coast
- 5. Pearce's Cove
- 6. Whitby - Robin Hoods Bay
- 7. Schiehallion
- 8. Pinhay Bay / Lyme Regis
- 9. Bossington Beach
- 10. Swanlake Bay
- 1. Torrisdale Bay
- The entire coast posses fossiliferous Jurassic formations.
Jurassic, Cliffs and Foreshore
Rarely collected
Rating: 9
- 2. Marsdon Beach
- A very popular fossil collecting area, however difficult to access due to tidal conditions. Whitby, Durham and Marsdon are known for their bounteous ammonites and marine reptile finds, also famous for jet (fossilised wood) prised since the Victorian era.
Jurassic, Cliffs and Foreshore
Suffered over collecting
Rating: 8
- 3. Bearreraig Bay
- The entire coast consists of fossiliferous Jurassic formations One of the most picturesque sites for walks and views. Be wary after and around the high tide mark due to falling rocks from the cliffs.
Jurassic, Cliffs and Foreshore
Rarely collected
Rating: 10
- 4. Durham Heritage Coast
- Very popular fossil location and a treasured national park. Durham, close to Whitby and Marsdon, is known for hosting many wonderful fossils, particularly heavy in fauna and ice age fossils, also famous for jet (fossilised wood) fashioned since the Victorian era.
Jurassic, Cliffs and Foreshore
Over collected
Rating: 8
- 5. Pearce's Cove
- Rich in marine fossil reptiles, dinosaurs, fossil fish and ammonite remains, finding something spectacular is definitely a possibility however with much collecting by thousands of enthusiast annually, you may need a little patience.
Jurassic, Cliffs and Foreshore
Moderately collected
Rating: 8
- 6. Whitby - Robin Hoods Bay
- Another very popular fossil site just south of Whitby, again difficult to access due to tide conditions, famous for marine reptiles finds, ammonites and jet (fossilised wood), fashioned since the Victorian era and can be quite valuable if a large piece of good quality.
Jurassic, Cliffs and Foreshore
Over collected
Rating: 8
- 7. Schiehallion
- A much more challenging environment to collect fossils, however can prove to be extremely rewarding. Suitable for those who are experienced altitiude explorers and proficient in climbing and walking good distances. A beautiful landscape which can produce many different types of fossils, the area is famous for its rich diversity of fossil species, some of which are unique.
Silurian, Mountains, Fells and Streams
Rarely collected
Rating: 8
- 8. Pinhay Bay / Lyme Regis
- The most renowned fossil heritage site on the British Jurassic coast and most popular Jurassic location in not just the UK but possibly the world. Revealing varied quantities of fossils for those prepared to beachcomb throughout the year. The cliffs of Black Ven and Stonebarrow do provide some exciting finds.
Jurassic, Cliffs and Foreshore
Over collected
Rating: 8
- 9. Bossington Beach
- Rich in marine fossils from reptiles such as Ichthyosaurs, fossil fish, Ammonites and even Dinosaur remains. Finding something spectacular is definitely a possibility here but like most popular places with abundant fossil remains, this site is over collected by thousands of enthusiast annually, so you may require some patience and a lot of time out, to really get to grips with this location.
Jurassic, Cliffs and Foreshore
Heavily collected
Rating: 7
- 10. Swanlake Bay
- This Somerset location has good potential, marine fossils such as fish and ammonites, although that being said an Ichthyosaur was discovered not far away from this coast recently, geologically speaking, across the Bristol channel in Wales. So you never know your fossick luck!.
Jurassic, Cliffs and Foreshore
Moderately collected
Rating: 8