Fossil Black

Fossil Black

Fossilling In Dorset

Incredible, a real piece of dinosaur in your hands. It's a possibility...

Fossil hunting is not merely for scientific types - it's a fun activity that can easily be done by everyone. Dorset, in the south of England, provides superb fossil beds. Any individual can try looking for dinosaur teeth or bone fragments there. Why not get yourself to Dorset and try this pleasurable and absolutely free activity, who knows what's going to turn up!

Dorset is home to The Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site - ninety five miles of fantastic coast designated by UNESCO as having ‘outstanding universal value'. The rocks are certainly special because they record 85 million years of Earth's historical past, spanning the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous time periods. They are fossil rich.

The Jurassic coastline is England's only natural World Heritage Site and it is a jewel. It goes from Exmouth in East Devon to Studland in Dorset, home of the iconic Old Harry Rocks.

You can easily while away many hours on the Dorset coastline in search of fossils. My favourite site for fossil hunting is actually Charmouth. The shore has easy accessibility, parking, a café and public toilets. Charmouth itself is a little village of below 2000 residents, featuring a sizeable shingle beach. It has an interesting Heritage Coast Centre on the seafront with plenty of insight on the natural history of the region. It is world famous for fossils and attracts serious collectors and beginners alike.

There are lots of fossils to be found throughout every season but the very best time to look is actually during the springtime or the winter since there are less people on the shore then, and the storms and extreme high tides help to expose new fossils. Explore in the shingle and on the tide line, especially as the tide starts going in. Target a small area and keep your eyes peeled.

I especially enjoy Charmouth in the winter. Waves lash the shore and come up over the sea wall, throwing large stones up at the same time. Surfers can be spotted too making the most of the waves.

The most common fossil at Charmouth is the ammonite. They lived in the sea between 240 - 65 million years ago and belong to a class of predators called cephalopods. Surviving relatives include the octopus, cuttlefish, squid and nautilus. It's amazing to discover these beautiful spiral shells and to be the first human being to hold them so many years after their death. Additionally in plentiful supply are belemnites. They first appeared around 208 million years ago and are relatives of the ammonites.

At one end of Charmouth beach is Black Ven and at the other is Stonebarrow. Black Ven is the largest coastal mudslide area in Europe. Ammonite impressions can be uncovered in the mud but most are so delicate that they break up if not treated with care. To reach Stonebarrow you have to cross a little bridge over the river. Stonebarrow is good for ‘fools gold' ammonites and crinoids - ‘sea lilies' which are relatives of starfish.

If you're lucky, it's possible you'll discover a really extraordinary find. Any significant finds must be registered with the World Heritage Team (01305 225101). After heavy rainfall in the year 2000 local collector Tony Gill found the fossilised remains of a 5m long icthyasaur, now named ‘Mary'.

It's easy to get absolutely hooked on looking for fossils and it's surprisingly calming too. Absolutely anyone can get involved, and children seem particularly good at it. You don't need to have any special gear to look for fossils but if you're planning a few hours of fossilling it helps to have sturdy footwear as well as a strong bag to put your finds in. If you are using a hammer you'll need protective eyewear or glasses as stone fragments very easily fly up in the air. Hammers should only be used to break up loose rock and not to hack at the cliff face You are probably better off simply hunting along the shoreline anyway.

Be aware that rocks can fall anytime. Check the tides and only set out down the coast on a falling tide. Mudslides also occur, especially after wet weather so keep an eye out and don't take foolish risks.

If you want a specialist with you, guided walks along the shoreline can be booked from the Heritage Centre.

For great views of this distinctive coastline, the nearby Golden Cap headland between Charmouth and Seatown is the highest view on the south coast. At 191m above sea level it is a great vantage point from which to enjoy the glorious Jurassic Coast of Dorset.

About the Author

Why not look up 'holiday cottages Dorset' and find a great little cottage to use as a base to explore the Jurassic coastline. Hideways offer holiday cottages in 12 counties in the south of England, including Dorset.

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