Fossil hunting in the UK: where to find fossils

The fossil collecting code

Most of the Dorset coast from Lyme Regis to Burton Bradstock is covered by the West Dorset Fossil Collecting Code of Conduct (land owned by the National Trust and Charmouth Parish Council, Lyme Regis to Hive Beach). In short, from the code itself:

• The safest advice, especially for beginners and school groups, is to collect only on the beaches.
• Do not dig or "prospect" in the cliffs or in fossil-rich layers in place without permission.
• Landowners own the fossils on their land; key scientifically important finds ("Category 1") must be recorded.
• The Axmouth to Lyme Regis Undercliffs National Nature Reserve, west of Lyme Regis, has its own separate Natural England code.

Both codes and the recording scheme are at fossilcodes.org. The Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre and Lyme Regis Museum give local advice. Elsewhere, check who owns the beach and whether it is a protected site (SSSI) before collecting.

Lyme Regis (Dorset)

It has noted fossils in cliffs and beaches on the Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site and heritage coast. Between 1811 and her death in 1847 Mary Anning, a geological pioneer, found and identified Jurassic marine reptile fossils in cliffs to the east of Lyme Regis. The town's beaches and cliffs are noted for fossils.

From the Wikipedia article Lyme Regis (revision 1378289849), CC BY-SA 4.0.

The Paleobiology Database records 62 fossil genera within 8 km: Ichthyosaurus, Plesiosaurus, Scelidosaurus, Leptonectes, Temnodontosaurus, Attenborosaurus, Eurycleidus, Agaleus. All fossils found in Dorset →

Charmouth (Dorset)

The cliffs above the beach are a noted source of fossils from the Jurassic period.

From the Wikipedia article Charmouth (revision 1368112879), CC BY-SA 4.0.

The Paleobiology Database records 70 fossil genera within 8 km: Ichthyosaurus, Plesiosaurus, Scelidosaurus, Leptonectes, Temnodontosaurus, Attenborosaurus, Eurycleidus, Agaleus. All fossils found in Dorset →

Kimmeridge Bay (Dorset)

The area is renowned for its fossils, with The Etches Collection in the village of Kimmeridge displaying fossils found by Steve Etches in the area over a 30-year period. To the east are the Kimmeridge Ledges, where fossils can be found in the flat clay beds. Kimmeridge gives its name to the Kimmeridgian, the division of the Jurassic period in which the beds were laid down, because of the quality of the cliffs and the fossils they yield.

From the Wikipedia article Kimmeridge Bay (revision 1364249501), CC BY-SA 4.0.

The Paleobiology Database records 53 fossil genera within 8 km: Heterohyus, Dichodon, Amphiperatherium, Adapis, Pliosaurus, Plesiosuchus, Palaeotherium, Dichobune. All fossils found in Dorset →

Compton Bay (Isle of Wight)

There are dinosaur footprints visible in Compton Bay when the tide is low, and this is one of the best areas to see the dinosaurs of the Isle of Wight. Fossil hunters can often be seen searching for smaller fossils on the beach.

From the Wikipedia article Compton Bay (revision 1289246433), CC BY-SA 4.0.

The Paleobiology Database records 90 fossil genera within 8 km: Palaeotherium, Amphiperatherium, Iguanodon, Plagiolophus, Anoplotherium, Microchoerus, Dichobune, Peratherium. All fossils found in the Isle of Wight →

Isle of Wight (Isle of Wight)

The island also contains dinosaur fossils. Fossilised molluscs have been found there, and also on the northern coast along with fossilised crocodiles, turtles and mammal bones; the youngest date back to around 30 million years ago. The island is one of the most important areas in Europe for dinosaur fossils.

From the Wikipedia article Isle of Wight (revision 1380717001), CC BY-SA 4.0.

The Paleobiology Database records 259 fossil genera within 25 km: Palaeotherium, Amphiperatherium, Iguanodon, Anoplotherium, Dichodon, Plagiolophus, Dichobune, Microchoerus. All fossils found in the Isle of Wight →

Whitby (North Yorkshire)

The town is a coastal stretch known as the Dinosaur Coast or the Fossil Coast, the area is around 35 miles (56 km) long and stretches from Staithes in the north and south to Flamborough. At Whitby dinosaur footprints are visible on the beach. The rock strata contain fossils and organic remains including jet.

From the Wikipedia article Whitby (revision 1372009059), CC BY-SA 4.0.

The Paleobiology Database records 39 fossil genera within 8 km: Dactylioceras, Ichthyosaurus, Microcleidus, Temnodontosaurus, Hauffiosaurus, Sthenarosaurus, Teleosaurus, Plesiosaurus. All fossils found in North Yorkshire →

Robin Hood's Bay (North Yorkshire)

Robin Hood's Bay is also known for the large number of fossils which may be found on its beach. The foreshore rocks on the north side of the bay, in particular, are a well known location for finding ammonites, especially after winter storms.

From the Wikipedia article Robin Hood's Bay (revision 1378181218), CC BY-SA 4.0.

The Paleobiology Database records 40 fossil genera within 8 km: Dactylioceras, Ichthyosaurus, Microcleidus, Hauffiosaurus, Temnodontosaurus, Sthenarosaurus, Plesiosaurus, Parapsicephalus. All fossils found in North Yorkshire →

Mary Anning

Mary Anning (21 May 1799 – 9 March 1847) was an English fossil collector, dealer, and palaeontologist. She became known internationally for her discoveries in Jurassic marine fossil beds in the cliffs along the English Channel at Lyme Regis in the county of Dorset, South West England.

From the Wikipedia article Mary Anning (revision 1373466356), CC BY-SA 4.0. See Ichthyosaurus and Plesiosaurus.

More: all dinosaurs and fossils found in the UK · natural history museums in the UK.