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.
Fort Victoria, on the north-west coast of the Isle of Wight, is a family-friendly fossil location exposing the Headon Hill Formation. The foreshore can yield crocodile, turtle, fish and shell remains, often found loose in the shingle or weathering from soft sediments. With easy access from Fort Victoria Country Park and views across the Solent, it is a rewarding site for careful searching rather than heavy collecting. Eocene, Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦♦♦
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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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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 providing a rare glimpse into life on land and in coastal lagoons around 33–37 million years ago. Oligocene, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦♦♦
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Colwell Bay, on the north-west coast of the Isle of Wight, is a rapidly changing and increasingly important fossil collecting location. Although less well known than nearby Totland Bay, it exposes part of the Headon Hill Formation, with soft clays and marls constantly being eroded. This ongoing erosion has made the site more productive in recent years, although access can be affected by slumping and coastal retreat. The area is also notable for its visible coastal erosion, with sections of the nearby holiday park now precariously close to the cliff edge.Eocene, Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦
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Totland Bay, on the western coast of the Isle of Wight, is a lesser-known but highly rewarding fossil collecting location. Covering the stretch from the south side of the bay to just before Hatherwood Point, this area exposes part of the Headon Hill Formation, with slipped blocks scattered across the foreshore. Although access can be challenging due to landslips and debris, the bay can yield a wide variety of fossils, particularly gastropods and vertebrate remains.Eocene, Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦♦
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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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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: ♦♦♦
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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: ♦♦♦
Gurnard Ledge is a classic location for finding insects but fish, turtle and crocodile remains can also be found. Today, the famous insect bed has become less productive, but insects and leafs can still be found. Over 200 species of insects have been recorded, including delicate remains such as beetles, flies and wings. Oligocene, Eocene, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦
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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: ♦♦♦
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: ♦♦♦♦♦
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: ♦♦♦
Yaverland is one of the most famous fossil collecting locations on the Isle of Wight, renowned for its dinosaur remains, vertebrate fossils and classic Wealden exposures. However, despite its reputation, success here depends heavily on conditions. The site can often appear unproductive, particularly during the summer months when the foreshore is covered, but after winter storms and spring tides, fresh material is exposed and excellent finds can be made. Due to its popularity, the site is also heavily collected, meaning patience and persistence are essential. Cretaceous, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦♦
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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: ♦♦♦
Brook Bay is one of the Isle of Wight’s most famous dinosaur localities, where teeth, bone fragments, fossil wood and reptile remains are regularly found with careful searching. Most material is worn, but storms and beach scour can reveal fresh specimens. The bay is also renowned for its dinosaur footprints, preserved both in situ and as natural casts on the foreshore, making it a key site for dinosaur discoveries. Cretaceous, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦♦📺 VIDEO
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: ♦♦♦
