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West Bay

Introduction and Info

Location Information (key)

	(Recommended)

	Area \| Location
	Cliff

(View of East cliff) - 1993

LOCATION

West Bay is easy to access, its main beach of Bridport is a popular tourist attraction. There is a large car park near to the beach. From here the cliffs of Bridport can be cleary recognised by the steep vertical yellow cliff.

At West Bay care should be taken with regard to the sea and tide in stormy conditions. Usually the beach is easily accessible, but clearly no person should be close to the sea here during storms.

The cliffs are unsafe for parties due to their shear height, and falling rocks. For the collector major cliff falls are rares. Hard ledges can be seen at low tide.

Serious collectors, in particular, and especially anyone wishing to excavate, should study the details of the scheme and registration. If you are not involved in major excavations but simply picking up a few odd fossils from the beach you are not likely to be adversely affected by this. The leaflets should be seen and they contain useful safety guidance.

EQUIPMENT

TOOLS: A lump hammer is ideal for breaking apart the large boulders on the foreshore. A smaller hammer and chisel should be taken to free any fossils in the rocks.

CONTAINERS: Fossils tend to be quite hard from West Bay, simple containers or plastic bags are ideal. More than one Ammonite in one container or plastic bag should be wrapped well.

FOSSIL CODE OF CONDUCT

This section of the West Dorset Coast is part of the Dorset and East Devon World Heritage Site. Fossil collecting is allowed on this part of the Heritage Site but you are asked to follow the Fossil Collecting Code of Conduct for the West Dorset Coast which has been adopted by landowners and local professional fossil collectors alike. This code forms part of the management plan for the site and detailed information can be found on the Jurassiccoast.com website. Please collect responsibly.

SAFETY AND DANGERS

Common sense when collecting at all locations should be taken and knowledge of tide times should always be noted. Care should be taken of tides at all locations. West Bays high vertical cliffs should be noted when collecting. Try to stay away from the base of the cliff and wear hard hats