Fossil Hunting in Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight is one of the most important fossil hunting locations in the UK and is widely known for its abundance of dinosaur remains, with numerous species discovered from its Lower Cretaceous deposits. It is the richest area in Britain for dinosaur fossils.

In addition to dinosaurs, the island has a diverse range of fossil-bearing strata spanning much of the Cretaceous, with classic exposures at Alum Bay and Whitecliff Bay showing these sequences clearly in vertical beds.

Younger deposits are also present, including Eocene and Oligocene formations in the north of the island, which yield mammal remains, crocodile material, and a variety of other fossils.

Isle of Wight by UK Fossils (UKGE Group)Aug 6, 20053:10 pm

Hamstead Cliff

The early Oligocene beds exposed along the coastline at Hamstead Cliff are exceptionally rich in fossils, particularly remains of mammals, crocodiles, turtles, fish and crustaceans. In addition, a wide variety of molluscs, plant material and fossil seeds can often be found scattered across the foreshore. This stretch of coast is widely regarded as one of the most productive fossil locations on the Isle of Wight, offering a remarkable diversity of finds for those willing to search carefully.Oligocene, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦♦♦
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Isle of Wight by UK Fossils (UKGE Group)Aug 11, 20063:12 pm

Bouldnor Cliff

The early Oligocene beds along the Coastline at Bouldnor Cliff (Near Hamstead) is highly fossiliferous in mammal, crocodile, turtle, crustaceans and fish remains. Molluscs, plants and seeds can also be found simply lying on the foreshore. It’s one of the most productive locations on the Island for Fossils. Oligocene, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦♦♦
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Isle of Wight by UK Fossils (UKGE Group)Jun 17, 20169:49 am

Compton Bay

The entire section of coast along Compton Bay provides a worthwhile day out, with opportunities to ﬁnd pieces of dinosaur bone (mostly rolled) and possibly teeth; and to see the large number of dinosaur footprints scattered along the coast. This section is famous for the remains and footprints of dinosaurs, for which the Isle of Wight is famous. Both commonly occur on the foreshore. Cretaceous, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦♦♦
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Isle of Wight by UK Fossils (UKGE Group)Jun 18, 20122:53 pm

Bembridge

Bembridge Foreland is an important Isle of Wight fossil site, where the Bembridge Limestone and Bembridge Marls are exposed across the foreshore as a broad wave-cut platform and scattered rock outcrops. Best searched on a low tide, these beds are well known for their shelly fossils, especially gastropods and bivalves weathering from the limestone onto the shore. At foreshore level towards the south-west of the bay, the Bembridge Oyster Bed is regularly washed out and is the main source of the site’s vertebrate material, including turtle, crocodile and mammal remains.Eocene, Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦

Isle of Wight by UK Fossils (UKGE Group)Jul 8, 20113:05 pm

Shanklin

Shanklin is a very good location on the Isle of Wight for Lower Greensand fossils, in particular, dinosaur remains and molluscs. When the Lower Greensand is exposed to air and left to dry, it becomes extremely hard. However, when fresh and, especially when exposed on the foreshore, it is like clay. Cretaceous, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦

Isle of Wight by UK Fossils (UKGE Group)Aug 18, 20102:51 pm

Gurnard Bay

Gurnard Bay is a classic location for finding insects. These are found in the Bembridge Marls (Eocene) and over 200 species have been found. Today, the famous insect bed has become less productive, but specimens can still be found. Oligocene, Cretaceous, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦

Isle of Wight by UK Fossils (UKGE Group)Jul 29, 20102:55 pm

Thorness Bay

Thorness Bay sees a continuation of the Hamstead Beds, which can also be seen at Hamstead Bay and Yarmouth, and the start of the famous Insect Beds of the Bembridge Marls seen at Gurnard Bay. However, the beds are much thinner and less productive. Eocene, Oligocene, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦

Isle of Wight by UK Fossils (UKGE Group)Feb 8, 20083:09 pm

Whitecliff Bay

Whitecliff Bay is a geologist’s heaven. Where else can you collect from the Upper Chalk, London Clay, Reading Clay, Bagshot Beds, Bracklesham Beds, Barton Clay, Fishbourne member, Cliff End Member and Totland Bay Member, plus much more? Eocene, Cretaceous, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦♦♦

Isle of Wight by UK Fossils (UKGE Group)Feb 8, 20083:06 pm

Shepherds Chine & Whale Chine

Shepherd’s Chine and Whale Chine are superb locations that yields some superb fish remains, lobsters, ammonites, brachiopods, bivalves, and occasional reptile and dinosaur bones. During the right conditions, you can come back with some great specimens. Cretaceous, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦

Isle of Wight by UK Fossils (UKGE Group)Feb 8, 20083:04 pm

Yaverland

This famous location is well known for dinosaur bones, reptile and fish remains, but you need the right conditions to have any luck, with the best collecting after winter and spring high tides. Yaverland is often sadly over collected. Cretaceous, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦

Isle of Wight by UK Fossils (UKGE Group)Feb 8, 20083:02 pm

Brighstone Bay

Brighstone Bay is famous for the partial sauropod skeleton found by Portsmouth University, and reptile and dinosaur remains are often found along this coastline. Barnes High was also featured on the live television programme, ‘The Big Dig’. Cretaceous, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦

Isle of Wight by UK Fossils (UKGE Group)Feb 8, 20083:00 pm

Brook Bay

Brook Bay is popular for dinosaur fragments along the beach. Here, many rolled fragments get caught up in the shingle and you can find these remains by simply searching along the foreshore. Other reptile and larger bones can also be found. Cretaceous, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦

Isle of Wight by UK Fossils (UKGE Group)Feb 8, 20082:59 pm

Rocken End

In a peaceful corner of the Isle of Wight, Rocken End is a less visited location with a small inland quarry. It is ideal for anyone interested in ammonites and other molluscs, and also makes for an excellent day out for all the family. Cretaceous, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦

Isle of Wight by UK Fossils (UKGE Group)May 16, 20072:46 pm

Blackgang Chine

While most people remember Blackgang Chine for its popular theme park, the cliffs of Blackgang Chine (which are slowly shrinking the theme park) also yield some fossils. These include trace fossils and occasional, but rare, dinosaur bones. Cretaceous, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦

Isle of Wight by UK Fossils (UKGE Group)Jul 6, 20062:49 pm

Culver Cliff

The huge cliffs of Culver Cliff can yield some superb sponges and large echinoids, with occasional fish remains. However, collecting from this location can be dangerous and difficult. Extreme care must be taken at all times. Cretaceous, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦