West Beach at Charmouth is one of the most accessible and productive fossil hunting locations in the UK, attracting collectors of all levels throughout the year. Situated at the heart of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, this area is especially well known for its abundance of marine reptile remains, coprolites and a wide range of Jurassic fossils, many of which can be found loose on the foreshore after storms.
DIRECTIONS
♦ The beach at Charmouth is easy to access. Just head into Charmouth and then down Lower Sea Lane, where there is a large car park next to the sea.
♦ There are also toilets, an information centre, and a cafe/food outlets nearby.
♦ Walk west, behind the Charmouth Heritage Centre along the seawall, which will lead to some wooden steps to the beach. This guide covers the section of beach up to the end of the beach where the Black Ven Landslide becomes the headland.
♦ Lower Sea Lane Car Park, Charmouth: DT6 6LR, Google Maps
♦ What3Words collecting area: ///coolest.onlookers.professed
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PROFILE INFO
FIND FREQUENCY: ♦♦♦♦♦ – One of the most reliable fossil hunting locations in the UK, with frequent finds including bones, ammonites and coprolites, often found loose on the foreshore.
CHILDREN: ♦♦♦♦♦ – Ideal for families. Fossils can often be picked up without tools, making it accessible and enjoyable for beginners.
ACCESS: ♦♦♦♦ – Easy access from Charmouth, though the beach becomes rockier and more uneven further west, which may be challenging for some.
TYPE: – Fossils are mainly found loose on the foreshore or within recently fallen material. Hammering the cliff or bedrock is not permitted due to SSSI and World Heritage Site protections.
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FOSSIL HUNTING
West Beach at Charmouth is one of the most productive fossil collecting areas on the Dorset coast, particularly well known for its abundance of vertebrate material and coprolites. The foreshore is constantly replenished by erosion from the cliffs of Black Ven, and after storms or scouring tides, fossils can often be found simply lying on the surface. This makes it an excellent location for collectors of all experience levels.
One of the standout features of West Beach is the quantity of marine reptile remains that can be found. Fossils of Ichthyosaurus and Plesiosaurus are regularly discovered, including vertebrae, ribs, limb bones and occasionally more substantial material. These are typically washed out from the cliffs and deposited along the foreshore after periods of heavy erosion. Fish remains are also common and may include material from genera such as Dapedium and Lepidotes.
Shark remains are another important component of the West Beach fauna. Teeth are frequently found, along with dorsal fin spines, which are often more robust and therefore more commonly preserved. These remains can usually be found loose on the foreshore, particularly after storms, and are often overlooked amongst the shingle and clay fragments.
Coprolites are especially abundant at West Beach and are one of the defining features of this location. These fossilised droppings, likely produced by marine reptiles or large fish, can range from small fragments to large, well-preserved specimens. Their dark colour and often smooth, irregular or spiral shapes make them relatively easy to recognise once you know what to look for.
Ammonites are also common, although they are often more worn than those found further east at Stonebarrow. Typical species include Promicroceras planicosta, Microderoceras birchi, Asteroceras obtusum, Echioceras raricostatum and Oxynoticeras oxynotum. Many of these are found weathered out of nodules and lying loose on the foreshore.
Of particular interest at West Beach are the Birchi nodules, which can contain well-preserved ammonites, especially Microderoceras birchi and frequently contain ammonites such as Cymbites. These nodules are often found amongst the shingle and, when split carefully, can reveal excellent specimens. Closely associated with these are the so-called “Yellowstones”, distinctive yellow-weathering nodules which often contain Promicroceras. These nodules are a favourite among collectors, as they can sometimes yield well-preserved fossils when opened correctly.
Belemnites are also common along this stretch of beach and include forms such as Passaloteuthis, Acrocoelites and Hastites. These bullet-shaped fossils are often found loose and can be particularly abundant after periods of erosion.
Most collecting at West Beach is done by careful searching rather than excavation. The constant movement of sediment ensures that new material is regularly exposed, and patience is often rewarded. After storms or strong tides, the beach can produce a wide variety of fossils in a relatively short time, making it one of the most reliable and accessible fossil hunting locations on the Jurassic Coast..
If you find something that may be scientifically significant, consider reporting it to the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre or the Lyme Regis Museum. They can help identify your find and offer expert advice. Proper documentation ensures that important specimens are recorded and remain available for scientific research.
GEOLOGY
West Beach at Charmouth is underlain by the Charmouth Mudstone Formation of the Lower Jurassic, deposited around 190 million years ago during the Sinemurian and Pliensbachian stages. The cliffs and foreshore here expose an important part of the lower Jurassic sequence and are among the most productive fossil-bearing strata on the Dorset coast.
The cliffs themselves are made up predominantly of the Black Ven Marl Member, which forms most of the slope behind West Beach. These dark grey mudstones are highly unstable and prone to slumping, which is why this stretch of coast is constantly changing. The continual erosion of the Black Ven Marls is one of the main reasons why West Beach is so productive for fossils, as fresh material is regularly released onto the foreshore.
At foreshore level, the Shales with Beef Member becomes important. These thinly laminated dark mudstones contain fibrous calcite veins known as “beef” and are especially significant for preserving flatstone fossils, including fish, marine reptiles and other delicate remains. These beds are exposed mainly on the lower foreshore and can be particularly productive when scoured clean by the sea.
Further west, as you approach Black Ven itself, the Belemnite Marl Member begins to appear. This unit forms more resistant beds and is characterised by marl and limestone layers rich in belemnites and ammonites. These harder beds weather out as blocks and nodules and contribute a great deal of the fossil material found loose on the beach.
SAFETY
Fossil collecting along the Charmouth coastline should always be approached with care, as this is an active and constantly changing environment. Tide awareness is essential. Always plan your visit around tide times and aim to collect on a falling or low tide, allowing plenty of time to return safely. Certain areas can become completely cut off at high tide, and the sea can rise quickly, trapping unwary collectors.
The cliffs at Stonebarrow, West Beach and Black Ven are highly unstable and prone to frequent landslips and rockfalls. Large sections can collapse without warning, particularly after heavy rain or storms. You should never stand directly beneath the cliffs and always keep a safe distance from the cliff base, even when searching recently fallen material.
The foreshore can be difficult to navigate, with slippery rocks, uneven boulders and soft clay underfoot. In places, the clay can become very sticky, and there is a risk of becoming stuck, especially after wet weather. Take care where you walk and avoid areas of deep mud. Do not attempt to climb landslips or unstable slopes, as these can shift suddenly and are extremely dangerous.
Strong or stormy conditions can increase your chances of finding fossils, but they also bring additional hazards. Be aware of wave surges and rough seas, which can sweep across the beach unexpectedly. Always keep a safe distance from the water’s edge during unsettled weather.
If using tools, such as hammers, always wear appropriate safety protection, including safety goggles, to protect against flying rock fragments. Only ever collect from loose material on the foreshore. Digging into cliffs, bedrock or protected SSSI areas is both dangerous and prohibited.
Wearing sturdy footwear with good grip is essential to reduce the risk of slipping or ankle injury, and suitable outdoor clothing, including a waterproof jacket, is recommended as weather conditions can change quickly along the coast.
EQUIPMENT
West Beach is one of the few locations where fossil collecting can often be done with little to no equipment. Many fossils, including bones, ammonites and coprolites, can simply be picked up from the foreshore, especially after storms or scouring tides. A good eye is your most important tool here. However, a geological hammer can occasionally be useful for splitting nodules or rocks that show signs of fossils. If using tools, always wear safety goggles. Bringing small containers and wrapping materials is recommended, as many finds—particularly bone fragments—can be delicate and easily damaged.
CLEANING AND TREATING
Begin by removing any loose sediment very carefully using a soft toothbrush. Take your time, as many fossils—particularly pyritic specimens—are fragile and easily damaged. Once cleaned, fossils should be desalinated by soaking them in fresh water for at least 24 hours to remove residual salt. After soaking, allow specimens to dry naturally at room temperature. Do not dry them on radiators or other heat sources, as rapid drying can cause cracking or long-term damage.
Once fully dry, we recommend sealing fossils with Paraloid B-72, dissolved in acetone. This is a museum-grade consolidant that is widely available in pre-mixed bottles. Paraloid B-72 is stable, long-lasting, and does not yellow or react chemically over time. Importantly, it is also fully reversible, making it suitable for scientifically important or display-quality specimens.
Some collectors prefer to treat ammonites with artists’ varnish. This is acceptable for common species that are not of scientific importance, as it enhances colour and contrast and can make a specimen really “pop”. However, varnish is not reversible and is therefore not recommended for rarer or research-grade fossils.
ARTICLES
- Belemnites
- The Spittles Landslip, Lyme Regis
- Plesiosaur vertebrae from Black Venn
- Fossils re-united
- Heavy rains and storms in Dorset: Collecting fossils
- Mary Anning and the Jurassic Dragons
- Bringing the best out of your fossils: Tips on the preparation of fossils
- Mary Anning’s ‘Fish-Lizard’: A new species of ichthyosaur
- Book review: Geology of south Dorset and south-east Devon and its World Heritage Coast, The British Geological Survey
- Discovering dinosaurs in Britain: The significance of British dinosaurs
- Jurassic Coast (or is it?) with the Geologists’ Association
- Interpreting ammonite fossils
- Mary Anning: Jurassic dragons from Whitby
- Denizens of the Oxford Clay
- Baffling bones from Lyme Regis
- Collecting fossils on the Jurassic Coast: The Eype Starfish Bed
- Rare Cretaceous ichthyosaur from Lincolnshire
- Book review: Geology of the Dorset Coast (Geologists’ Association Guide No 22) (1st edition), by John C W Cope
- DVD review: Fossil Hunting along the Jurassic Coast, by Dr Colin Dawes BSc PhD
ACCESS RIGHTS
This site is an SSSI and forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic Coast. This means you can visit the site, but hammering the bedrock is not permitted. For full information about the reasons for the status of the site and restrictions please download the PDF from Natural England – SSSI Information – West Dorset
LINKS
♦ Fossil Discussions
♦ Fossil Articles
♦ Buy Fossils, Tools and Equipment
♦ Buy Crystals, Meteorites, and Artefacts
♦ Join Fossil Hunts
♦ UK Fossils Network
