Fossil Hunting in Devon

The southeast coast of Devon continues the Jurassic Coast, with a range of fossil-bearing formations. To the east, Jurassic rocks yield ammonites, brachiopods, and fish, while further west the sequence includes Cretaceous chalk at locations such as Hooken Cliff, Beer Head, and Pinhay Bay.

Moving west, Triassic deposits are present, although fossils are less common. Much of Devon is dominated by older Devonian rocks, which generally contain fewer fossils, with occasional finds of corals and crinoids that are often poorly preserved.

Although fossil collecting can be more limited, the Devonian rocks are extremely ancient, making any discoveries significant within the geological history of the UK.

Devon by UK Fossils (UKGE Group)
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Pinhay Bay

Pinhay Bay is a remote and geologically complex stretch of the East Devon coast, exposing rocks from the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous within a single location. Less visited than nearby Lyme Regis, the bay can reward determined collectors with a wide range of fossils, including Blue Lias ammonites, Triassic bivalves, fish remains and Chalk echinoids, all scattered amongst landslips, fallen blocks and the rugged foreshore.Triassic, Jurassic, Cretaceous, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦♦
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Devon by UK Fossils (UKGE Group)
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Charton Bay

Charton Bay is a remote and rewarding East Devon location, reached via a long walk from Lyme Regis, exposing a mix of Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous deposits along a largely undisturbed stretch of coastline. This quiet beach yields a surprising range of fossils, including Blue Lias ammonites, Langport Member bivalves such as Plagiostoma, and Cretaceous echinoids, making it a fascinating spot for collectors willing to make the effort and explore beyond the more popular sites.Triassic, Jurassic, Cretaceous, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦
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Devon by UK Fossils (UKGE Group)
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Haven Cliff, Seaton

Haven Cliff at Seaton is an actively eroding coastal site, where recent landslides have exposed fresh material from the Chalk and Upper Greensand. The foreshore and fallen blocks can yield a range of fossils, including echinoids, ammonites and bivalves, particularly after storms and at low tide. With regular cliff falls supplying new material, it can be a productive location for collectors willing to search carefully.Cretaceous, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦
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Seaton Hole

Seaton Hole, at the western end of Seaton Bay, exposes fossil-bearing Upper Greensand and Chalk beneath White Cliff. Oysters, other bivalves and echinoids are useful finds to recognise in naturally weathered loose material, with rarer ammonites also recorded. Red Triassic mudstones below the Cretaceous rocks reveal a much older chapter of the coast’s history. Visit only when the tide and beach conditions leave a safe route well clear of the unstable cliffs. Cretaceous, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦

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Beer Head

Beer Head’s condensed Cenomanian limestones and younger flinty Chalk preserve a detailed record of changing Cretaceous seas. Echinoids, ammonites, brachiopods and other shells occur in different beds, while hardgrounds and reworked fossils reveal important gaps in deposition. This is a demanding coastal locality beneath high, unstable cliffs. The current Under Hooken path closure affects the old approach; use the open cliff-top route for views, and establish current safe, permitted access before planning any foreshore visit. Cretaceous, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦

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Hooken Cliff

Hooken Cliff exposes fossil-rich Chalk and Upper Greensand east of Branscombe Mouth. Echinoids, shells, ammonites and microscopic fossils record changing Cretaceous seas, while the great landslip has displaced parts of the succession into spectacular coastal masses. Visitors may see fossils in weathered loose material, but unstable cliffs, tides and the current Under Hooken path closure make careful route planning essential. Published sections are scientific records, not promises of safe access or plentiful finds. Cretaceous, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦♦♦

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Lee Bay

Lee Bay, below Lee Abbey just west of the Valley of Rocks, exposes Devonian sandstone and slaty rocks containing marine fossil impressions. Brachiopods, possible bivalves and crinoid stem fragments are recorded from a reef in the bay, while younger gravel and angular head deposits preserve a separate chapter of its coastal history. Begin by observing naturally weathered pieces on the accessible central shore; the rocky flanks and headlands need considerable care. Devonian, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦

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Valley of the Rocks

The Valley of the Rocks, just west of Lynton, exposes fossil-rich Devonian sandstone and slate in a striking coastal dry valley. Weathered loose pieces can show brachiopods, crinoid fragments and delicate fossil impressions, while Castle Rock and Rugged Jack reveal the harder beds. Paths and car parks make the valley easy to reach, but the scree, crags and seaward drops need care.
Devonian, Outcrops, Scree, Rating: ♦♦♦♦

Devon by UK Fossils (UKGE Group)
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Limestone cliffs and shore at Daddy Hole, Torquay.

Hope’s Nose and Daddy Hole

Hope’s Nose and Daddy Hole reveal Devonian corals and stromatoporoid sponges in Torquay’s limestone coast. Their folded rocks record changing shallow-sea environments, while Hope’s Nose also preserves a much younger raised beach with fossil shells. Visit these two separate localities for observation and photography only, leaving fossils, rocks, minerals and living marine life in place. Steep ground, unstable cliffs and tidal ledges require careful planning and a safe viewpoint. Devonian, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦

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Fremington

Fremington’s estuary shore exposes fossil-bearing mudstones and limestone lenses spanning the Devonian–Carboniferous boundary. North of the quay, naturally weathered rock can reveal brachiopods, bivalves and crinoid fragments, while the western low cliffs preserve a separate record of much younger deposits. The quay is easy to reach, but tides, slippery rock and soft mud require careful planning. Devonian, Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦

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Croyde

Croyde’s rocky bay margins and the Baggy Point headland expose Late Devonian sandstones, mudstones and thin fossil-bearing limestones. Weathered shelly patches can reveal brachiopods, bivalves, bryozoans and crinoid fragments, while some Baggy sandstones preserve animal burrows. Finds are often fragile or distorted, and the varied geology rewards close observation rather than a search for one continuous fossil bed. Devonian, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦