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Fossil Hunting in Kent

Kent has some of the best locations in the UK. The Isle of Sheppey is the best location in the UK for the Eocene London Clay, with shark teeth, lobsters, turtles, fish, plants and crabs all to be found. Folkestone is the best location for Gault Clay in the UK, with ammonites being very common and Kent is a popular location for Chalk fossils. The Chalk cliffs of Dover are World famous. Echinoid's are very common, and some of the finest are found here in Kent. Overall, you could say that Kent has a fantastic mix of geology with very productive sites.

The best location for collecting fossils from the London Clay, highly rich in fossils. Famous for its wide variety of finds that include everything from Turtles, Lobsters, Crabs to Sharks Teeth, Snake and Plant Remains.


The best location for collecting fossils from the Gault, highly rich in fossils. Famous for its wide variety of ammonites. Many other fossils can be found such as Shells, Crabs, Crinoids, Belemnites, Echinoid's & more. Folkestone also has chalk cliffs for variety.


The huge expanse of London Clay exposed on Seasalter’s foreshore lends the location a bleak atmosphere. It is not the most picturesque of fossil hunting sites but occasionally stunning phosphatic fossils are found. Perseverance is rewarded here.


Twice a year, fossil hunters across the UK and Europe Flock to Herne Bay for the extreme low tides when the highly fossiliferious beds are exposed on the foreshore. Highly rich in shark and fish remains. Fossils can be found anytime.


The Lower Chalk exposed at Samphire Hoe is highly fossiliferous. Brachiopods are most commonly found, with corals, urchins, ammonites, shark teeth and more also being present. Microfossils are extremely abundant within the chalk and can be extracted relatively easily.


The cliff section between Pegwell Bay and Ramsgate Harbour is composed of Upper Chalk. There are many fallen blocks to investigate in search of sea urchin fossils, with other common finds including crinoid stem parts, brachiopods, starfish plates.


A fairly long walk is required to reach Langdon Bay from the National Trust car park at the top of the cliffs, but this is a classic location, well worth a visit. Fossils are found both in the chalk and as casts in flint. The scenery here is magnificent; it is hard not to be impressed by this stretch of coastline.


The picturesque bay at St. Margaret’s is eroded out of Conacian Upper Chalk. Fossils can be found in the cliffs, boulders and shingle both to the east and the west of the bay. The location is picturesque and there is a very nice pub to relax in after fossil hunting.


The coastline between Kingsdown and St Margaret’s Bay is made up of towering chalk cliffs. Some spectacular collapses have taken place over recent years, yielding a vast quantity of fresh chalk and flints to look over. Unfortunately, however, the strata here are poorly fossiliferous.


This stretch of chalk coastline can be accessed from Broadstairs to the south or Joss Bay to the north. Fossils can be found both in the chalk and in the abundant flint pebbles on the foreshore. Common finds include echinoids and sponges.


This is a popular location for families and dog walkers. The chalk of the foreshore and any fallen boulders or cobbles can be investigated for fossils. Although finds are fairly plentiful, they are often broken.


Fossils can be found in accumulations of flint and in the chalk foreshore and fallen boulders at Dumpton. They can also be seen in the cliffs. Finds are not particularly abundant but you should go home with something.


The picturesque bay at St. Margaret’s is eroded out of Conacian Upper Chalk. Fossils can be found in the cliffs, boulders and shingle both to the east and the west of the bay. The location is picturesque and there is a very nice pub to relax in after fossil hunting.

 

Cliff
Fossils collected direct from cliff face
Foreshore
Fossils collected from the foreshore
Cliff/Foreshore
Fossils collected from the cliff and foreshore
Quarry
Location is a quarry or pit
Stream
Fossils collected from a stream or river bed,
Field
Fossils collected from a farm field
Cutting
Fossils collected from road or railway cutting.
Scree Slope
Fossils collected from hill or mountain scree slope.
Rock Outcrop
Fossils collected from rock outcrops.
Lake / Reservoir
Fossils collected from lake or reservoir banks.
Microfossils
Samples taken back for processing microfossils.

 

Fossils are common
Fossils often found
Fossils are not common
Fossils rarely found
Site protected, no collecting permitted, or no access to beach

Quaternary
Neogene
Palaeogene

Cretaceous
Jurassic
Triassic
Permian
Carboniferous
Devonian
Silurian
Ordovician
Cambrian / Pre Cambrian

A-Z Listing

Fossil Resources

Beginners Guides to Fossil Hunting


A Pocket Guide to the London Clay of the Isle of Sheppey

This 30 page guide produced by 'Rockwatch', is the first in a series. This guide covers the London Clay exposed on the North Shore of the Isle of Sheppey, Kent. It contains many plates with fossils to identify and is an essential guide for anyone visiting sheppey for fossils.

UKGE CODE: BK0021
£3.95 (FREE DELIVERY)


Fossil Plants of the London Clay

Over 250 species of the rich and diverse flora of the London Clay are illustrated. Written by Margaret E. Collinson. 242 text-figs, 1983 Particularly suited for London Clay locations such as Sheppey, Maylandsea, Burnham on Crouch.

UKGE CODE: BK0001
£7.95 (FREE DELIVERY)

 

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