It's nothing short of awe-inspiring to consider all the species of animals that have existed over the past hundreds of millions of years. Even more incredible is that evidence of these ancient creatures can be discovered in the form of fossils scattered along the UK’s shoreline. Beginners and seasoned fossil hunters alike can step outside and uncover our planet’s history. Join CrossCountry as we discover the best places to find fossils in the UK.
Lyme Regis, Dorset
Lyme Regis plays an important role in the UK’s fossil history. It was along these Dorset beaches in the 19th century that twelve year old Mary Anning discovered the first complete ichthyosaur on English soil. Anning would go on to become a renowned palaeontologist, while Lyme Regis would also be recognised as a crucial archaeological site. Today, visitors have the chance to discover the complete remains of plesiosaurs, ichthyosaurs, and other incredible sea creatures. However, it's more likely to come across a spiral-shaped ammonite hidden under the sand or within rock pools.
Lyme Regis Museum offers dedicated fossil walks to encourage people to learn more about the Jurassic Coast. Enthusiastic fossil hunters can join the museum's expert guides on excursions to the famous East Beach and Black Ven, where they can search for and take home their very own fossils.
Charmouth, Dorset
Charmouth is the gateway to the Jurassic Coast and, as such, one of the best places to start a fossil-hunting trip in the South-West. Ammonites and belemnites – both types of extinct mollusc – are the most common fossils to be found along this stretch of sand. With luck, you may discover parts of vertebrae from marine reptiles – most likely plesiosaurs and ichthyosaurs. Wind and rain often cause fossils to wash up on the shoreline, so try and hunt a day or two after bad weather.
Abereiddy Bay, Pembrokeshire
Abereiddy Bay is the best place in the UK to discover graptolites – planktonic organisms that lived in an interconnected system of tubes, drifting in the ancient oceans and feeding on algae. You won’t need to search hard or far; the fossils are embedded into the bedrock like prehistoric drawings. As a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), you won’t be able to chip away at the rock yourself. Fortunately, chunks of shale regularly work their way from the cliff to the beach for fossil hunters to collect.
Abereiddy Bay can be accessed via a convenient path right up to the beach and the Blue Lagoon, making it a suitable beach for wheelchair use. As well as fossil hunting, it's common to go snorkelling, kayaking and diving in the turquoise waters of the Blue Lagoon. However, visitors should be aware that the lagoon closes at certain times each year to protect breeding seals.
Herne Bay, Kent
Fossil hunters regularly flock from all over Europe to hunt for Herne Bay’s hoards of prehistoric sharks’ teeth. Most belong to the striatolamia macrota, but there are other fish remains to be discovered when the tide is low too. There are different areas in the bay, but Beltinge is the most popular, with around 24 species of shark, ray, and other fish discovered in that single area of sand. Ancient fauna fossils have also been uncovered here, making it one of the most fossil-dense places in the UK.
Robin Hood’s Bay, North Yorkshire
Robin Hood’s Bay is a particularly difficult location for fossil hunting, with most leaving empty-handed. However, if you know where to look, it’s one of the most fossiliferous places in the country. Most fossils can’t be found loose on the foreshore, but some lucky hunters have found remains from cliff falls on the north side of the bay – though this is more likely in the winter months. There are also thought-provoking displays of these fossils in various locations across Yorkshire. For example, visitors can head to Whitby Museum to see stunning examples of ammonites and marine reptiles found nearby.
Robin Hood's Bay is also renowned as the final destination of one of the best hiking trips in the UK: the 192-mile Coast to Coast hike from Cumbria. This once-in-a-lifetime adventure traverses three national parks and exemplifies the sublime beauty the UK has to offer.
Redcar, Durham
Fossil hunting is the perfect enriching activity for children, and there’s no better place for them to try it than at Redcar, Durham. There is an abundance of bivalves that can be found lying along the flat shoreline’s shingle. The lack of a cliff face and weak tide makes the beach a safer environment for youngsters to try this new hobby. It may not excite an expert, but Redcar is a great place to start learning about fossils.
Helmsdale, Sutherland
Few places rival the quality and quantity of Jurassic fossils to be found at Helmsdale in Scotland. Its shore is rich with prehistoric fish fragments, sea urchins, bryozoa, reptile jaws and vertebrae, ammonites, belemnites and, most famously, giant coral. Exactly how the strange ‘boulder beds’ formed has puzzled geologists for years, but one thing’s for sure: Helmsdale is one of the best places to find fossils in the UK.
Danes Dyke, Yorkshire
The soft chalk formations at Danes Dyke date as far back as the Cretaceous period, 75 million years ago, making it a must-visit for anyone with an interest in chalk fossils. It’s the best location in the UK for collecting sponges, which can be found in loose rocks or by cracking open boulders. Other species that can be found include echinoids, sea urchins, and crinoids. Amenities and easy access mean Danes Dyke is great for a day of family fossil-hunting fun.
Llantwit Major, South Wales
Located west of Cardiff, Llantwit Major Beach is known for its dramatic cliffs and rock formations rich in fossils dating back to the Jurassic period. The stunning beach on the Glamorgan Heritage Coast has a variety of fossils waiting to be unearthed, including ammonites, brachiopods, and ancient plant remains. The beautiful coastal scenery of this ancient beach and the thrill of discovering something precious make Llantwit Major Beach a must-visit destination for fossil hunters of all ages.
If you’re planning a fossil hunting trip, don’t forget to book Advance rail tickets via our website or the CrossCountry app. Before you travel, make sure to check scheduled train times to find the best journey for you. If you need more information, you can contact us here.
Written by Julia