This small section of stream cutting in the middle of nowhere is worth a visit to look for trilobite remains. Fossils are not particularly frequent, but, with some careful searching, you should find trilobite pieces, as well as graptolites.
DIRECTIONS
♦ From Llandrindod Wells, take the A483 south and turn right (going southeast), just before Crossway. Follow the road in an easterly direction for about 5km. The location can be seen from the road, just before a junction forks off to the left. A car can be parked by the side of the road here and the stream is reached by descending a steep bank.
♦ Ref: 52.20083°N, 3.33706°W
PROFILE INFO
FIND FREQUENCY: ♦♦ – It takes a while to find fossils here, and those that are found are generally disarticulated pieces of trilobites, rather than whole specimens.
CHILDREN: ♦♦♦ – The location is within metres of the road and the stream is shallow. The greatest obstacle to overcome here is the bank, which is a little steep.
ACCESS: ♦♦♦ – This location is remote, so you will need to visit by car. However, once at the location, it is a very short walk from the car to the fossil hunting area.
TYPE: – This is a stream cutting. Only collect from loose material to avoid causing erosion to the banks.
FOSSIL HUNTING
Fossils are not particularly common, but, with some careful searching, you should find trilobite pieces, as well as graptolites. Only collect from loose material – there is plenty on the far bank of the stream. A knife comes in handy for splitting shale pieces along bedding planes.
All areas of loose shale should be examined for small trilobite pieces and occasional graptolites. The surface of the shale pieces is often weathered, so it is a good idea to break open thicker pieces using a knife, to reveal fresher surfaces. The shale is fairly soft, so be sure to wrap up any fossils you find in protective packaging, such as tissue paper.
GEOLOGY
SAFETY
This is a stream location, so it fairly safe, although the sides of the stream bank can be a little steep. However, we also do not recommend visiting during the winter or after heavy rain, as the stream will be too full.
EQUIPMENT
A knife comes in very handy at this location. You will also need boots as this is a stream, and paper to wrap up your finds.
ACCESS RIGHTS
There are currently no known restrictions at this location. Although you are free to collect rocks and fossils, and use geological tools such as hammers.
It is important to follow our ‘Code of Conduct’ when collecting fossils or visiting any site. Please also read our ‘Terms and Conditions‘
LINKS
♦ Buy Fossils, Crystals, Tools
♦ Location Discussions
♦ Deposits Magazine
♦ Join Fossil Hunts
♦ UK Fossils Network