The scenery of the coast north of Caim is beautiful. Moreover, excellent fossil corals can be observed in situ and found as wave-rounded pebbles here. Brachiopods are especially abundant. Carboniferous, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦♦
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Category: Wales – North
North Wales is well known for its Carboniferous Limestone. These rocks contain corals, brachiopods and crinoids. Some of the most popular areas to collect are on Anglesey, where the best locations are at Caim and Great Ormes Head. The Carboniferous Limestone can be difficult to collect from as it is very hard, but coral pebbles can easily be collected at various locations. Some have Carboniferous shale from which you can easily pick up brachiopods. A mixture of coastal and inland sites is available, with many outcrops and scree slopes to collect from.
Great Ormes Head
A massive headland north of Llandudno, Great Ormes Head, is carved out of Carboniferous limestone. Numerous natural exposures can be examined as well as old quarry faces. A whole day can be spent exploring here. Carboniferous, Disused Quarry, Rating: ♦♦♦
Burley Hill
There are three sites at Burley Hill, giving the opportunity to collect Carboniferous corals and brachiopods from a small cutting, scree slopes and the hillside. There is plenty to be found here and it makes for a fantastic day out. It is also within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Carboniferous, Cuttings and Scree, Rating: ♦♦♦
Halkyn
Surrounding the massive working limestone quarry just outside Halkyn are many smaller disused workings and old piles of waste material. In places, good quality brachiopods, corals and crinoidal limestone can be found.Carboniferous, Disused Quarry, Rating: ♦♦♦
Llangollen
Llangollen is Carboniferous Limestone scenery heaven. About a kilometre and a half north of the town, the Eglwyseg Escarpment presents some really fantastic views. What’s more, among the huge amount of scree that covers its scarp slope, fossil brachiopods and corals can be found. Carboniferous, Scree Slope, Rating: ♦♦♦
Gallt Yr Ancr Hill
From the part of the Glyndwr’s Way walk that passes through the woods on the hill called Gallt yr Ancr west of Meifod, fossiliferous sandstone blocks can be searched for fossils. When split, these can yield excellent brachiopods. Ordovician, Disused Quarry, Rating: ♦♦
Prestatyn Hillside
There is an attractive walk above Prestatyn, with the chance of finding a few Carboniferous Limestone fossils. On a sunny day, this location is idyllic, even if the fossils can be few and far between. Carboniferous, Outcrops, Rating: ♦♦
Red Wharf Bay
Occasional coral fossils can be found at the pretty location of Red Wharf Bay. Brachiopods and crinoid pieces also occur. However, finds are generally infrequent.Carboniferous, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦