SHOP ONLINE

Home      Shop      Fossil locations      Resources      Fossil hunts      Links      Contact

Welcome to Discovering Fossils

In partnership with JuniorGeo

 

Fossil hunts

Join us on a prehistoric
experience to some of
the most exciting fossil
hunting locations.
Suitable for all ages.

Discover more...

Fossil locations

Lyme Regis Lulworth

Eastbourne Bracklesham

Isle of Sheppey Skye

Port Mulgrave Folkestone

Quantoxhead Charmouth

More...

Fossil resources

What is a fossil?

What are fossil fuels?

Beginners guide

Fossil hunting equipment

What is an ammonite?

More...

     

Charmouth to Seatown fossil hunt - Sunday 22nd June '08

A classic Jurassic fossil hunt!

 

Join local expert and geologist Chris Pamplin to explore one of the most famous stretches of the Jurassic Coast, from Charmouth to Seatown, taking in Golden Cap.

 

This classic fossil locality is where Mary Anning found many of her remarkable fossils around 190 years ago! The day will include an informative talk with Chris followed by the fossil hunt (approximately 4 hours) to Seatown in the east, where you can catch a bus or taxi back to Charmouth. Participants will all have an opportunity to find and keep a selection of Jurassic fossils, including ammonites, belemnites and even marine reptile bones with a bit of luck!

 

Full details will be provided to participants prior to the event.

  

Adults £10 / Children £5

     

Portland dinosaur hunt - Sunday 13th July '08

Ever wished you could walk with dinosaurs? Now you can!

 

Discover the hidden secrets of Portland (Dorset), on a quarry tour with local expert and geologist Chris Pamplin, accompanied by the

Discovering Fossils & JuniorGeo team. Participants will see dinosaur trackways and foot prints, fossil trees, giant ammonites, prehistoric beaches and the Portland Sculpture park.

 

There will be some opportunities to collect fossils, but the main attraction of dinosaur footprints cannot be collected except with a camera!

 

This event requires driving between quarries. Full details will be provided to participants prior to the event.

  

Adults £10 / Children £5

 

     

Charmouth to Seatown fossil hunt - Sunday 20th July '08

A classic Jurassic fossil hunt!

 

Join local expert and geologist Chris Pamplin to explore one of the most famous stretches of the Jurassic Coast, from Charmouth to Seatown, taking in Golden Cap.

 

This classic fossil locality is where Mary Anning found many of her remarkable fossils around 190 years ago! The day will include an informative talk with Chris followed by the fossil hunt (approximately 4 hours) to Seatown in the east, where you can catch a bus or taxi back to Charmouth. Participants will all have an opportunity to find and keep a selection of Jurassic fossils, including ammonites, belemnites and even marine reptile bones with a bit of luck!

 

Full details will be provided to participants prior to the event.

  

Adults £10 / Children £5

 

Cotswold quarry fossil hunt - Saturday 26th July '08

Join local fossil expert Dr Neville Hollingworth on a guided visit of Colne Gravel Quarry in Gloucestershire to examine and collect from the highly fossiliferous Jurassic deposits. Recent finds include the bones and teeth of Ichthyosaurs, Plesiosaurs and crocodiles!. Uncrushed fossil tree trunks and branches are also common. In addition the Ice Age river gravels yield common Mammoth and other remains including horse, mammoth, deer and straight-tusked elephant bones.

 

This trip will provide everyone with an opportunity to find something rare or unusual. Following an introductory talk, participants will be able to spend a whole day on site and advice will be given on collecting and conservation techniques.

 

Full details will be provided to participants prior to the day.

   

Adults £10 / Children £5

 

Quantoxhead (Somerset) fossil hunt - Saturday 9th August '08

Join geologist Bill Verkaik on a guided tour of the famous Jurassic coast of north Somerset. Quantoxhead has yielded some of the largest and well preserved ammonites and marine reptiles in the country. The day includes an introduction to the geology and fossils of the area, followed by a guided fossil hunt along the coast. Everyone will have an opportunity to find a variety of fossils.

 

Suitable for all ages and levels of experience, including families.

 

Full details will be provided to event participants prior to the day.

 

 

    

Adults £10 / Children £5

 

Charmouth to Lyme Regis fossil hunt - Sunday 17th Aug '08

Join local expert and geologist Chris Pamplin to explore one of the most famous stretches of the Jurassic Coast, from Charmouth to Lyme Regis, taking in Black Ven.

 

This classic fossil locality is where Mary Anning found her remarkable fossils around 190 years ago! The day will include an informative talk with Chris followed by the fossil hunt (approximately 4 hours) to Lyme Regis, where you can catch a bus or taxi back to Charmouth. Participants will all have an opportunity to find and keep a selection of Jurassic fossils, including ammonites, belemnites and even marine reptile bones with a bit of luck!

 

Full details will be provided to participants prior to the event.

 

Adults £10 / Children £5

            

Future fossil hunts - register your email for event notifications CLICK HERE

      

Welcome
 

The study of the prehistoric world provides a lifelong interest that is as variable in discoveries as it is dramatic in length of time. From the initial building blocks of life, to the birth of insects, plants, dinosaurs and even mankind,  the science of palaeontology leaves no stone unturned.
 
The inspiration for the study of palaeontology soon grows into a fascinating range of practical and mental challenges that enrich and enthuse the individual. Their efforts are rewarded with physical evidence, which in turn gives rise to a deeper questioning about the context of their discoveries.

Palaeontology discriminates none, it is a science suitable for everyone, regardless of age, experience, depth of knowledge and education.  Even the most pessimistic observer will soon discover answers to some of the fundamental questions in life and a playground for the imagination.

The study of fossils is best enjoyed outdoors, it's a physical pursuit that requires an interaction with the outdoor environment and a desire to seek answers. Much time is spent gathering materials and enjoying their characteristics and variety.

Fossils inspire the individual to consider prehistoric life in the context of former environments, and appreciate how global events have shaped the modern world. They will soon discover an array of species that evolved over 600 million years plus, ranging from single cell organisms, to 30 tonne reptiles!

Like the pages of a book, the fossil record provides a storyboard of dramatic changes in the earth's history, each period leaving its own unique impression in the rock. From this the palaeontologist can interpret the fossil evidence and form a picture of a truly amazing prehistoric world.

  
 

Strategy

 

Since its launch, in 2002, the aim of Discovering Fossils has been to communicate information in an interesting and visual way, so that beginners and experts alike can benefit from the resources. Whether you're a collector, tourist, family or individual, Discovering Fossils provides an interesting and concise guide to fossils and the locations in which they are found.


Wherever possible pictures, diagrams and photos are used to bring clarity and depth to the each report. Many of the fossil locations featured on the site follow the advice and recommendations of our site visitors. We are always keen to hear about new and interesting locations, including quarries, cliffs, beaches, estuaries and any other fossil location.

 

Education is a key part of the strategy of Discovering Fossils and we hope the website will spark an interest in people who might not have considered geology or palaeontology.

 

Please note that some of the fossil locations visited require the permission of the landowners before collecting fossils. Please also observe the safety of yourself and others when fossil hunting.

 

Enjoy the website!

 

Roy Shepherd

   

    

 

 

 

Safety notice: Fossil hunting can at times pose a risk to personal safety, in particular within environments close to the coast, cliffs or in quarries and when using the tools and equipment illustrated. Discovering Fossils provides a free resource to inform you about this fascinating subject and does not accept any liability for decisions made using this information. We recommend all individuals abide by the 'National Fossil Hunting Code' and independently research the potential dangers before and during the visit.

Shop   Home   Fossil locations   Resources   Events   Contact

All content and images (C) 2008 Roy Shepherd