Black Ven is one of the most iconic and geologically dynamic fossil locations on the Jurassic Coast. Located west of Charmouth, its constantly shifting cliffs and large landslips make it one of the most important sites for fossil discovery in the UK. Renowned for marine reptiles, ammonites and exceptional flatstone fossils, Black Ven continues to produce remarkable finds year after year.
DIRECTIONS
♦ ACCESS 1: The beach at Charmouth is easy to access. Just head into Charmouth and then down Lower Sea Lane, where there is a large car park next to the sea.
♦ There are also toilets, an information centre, and a cafe/food outlets nearby.
♦ Walk west, behind the Charmouth Heritage Centre along the seawall, which will lead to some wooden steps to the beach. walk right to the end of the Beach where the landslides of Black Ven begin.
♦ ACCESS 2: You can also access from Lyme Regis via the steps at Church Cliffs, it’s a longer walk but avoids the large boulders. There is a large car park at Charmouth Road, Lyme Regis.
♦ Access 1, Lower Sea Lane Car Park, Charmouth: DT6 6LR, Google Maps
♦ Access 2, Parking at Lyme Regis: DT7 3DW, Google Maps
♦ What3Words collecting area: ///pots.stand.chuckling
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PROFILE INFO
FIND FREQUENCY: ♦♦♦♦♦ – Extremely productive due to constant landslips, regularly yielding ammonites, flatstones and marine reptile remains.
CHILDREN: ♦♦♦ – Less suitable for younger children due to unstable cliffs, uneven terrain and increased hazards.
ACCESS: ♦♦♦ – Access is more difficult, with a longer walk and very uneven ground, including boulders and soft clay in places although it may be easier to walk from Lyme Regis.
TYPE: – Fossils are found on the foreshore and within fresh landslip material. Only loose material should be collected, as this is a protected SSSI and World Heritage Site.
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FOSSIL HUNTING
Black Ven is one of the most dynamic and productive fossil locations on the Dorset coast, characterised by its constantly shifting cliffs and large-scale landslips. This continual movement exposes fresh material on a regular basis, making it one of the best places to find a wide variety of fossils, from ammonites to marine reptiles. Most fossils are found on the foreshore or within recently fallen landslip debris.
Ammonites are extremely common at Black Ven and occur both as loose specimens and within nodules. Typical species include Promicroceras planicosta, Microderoceras birchi, Asteroceras obtusum, Echioceras raricostatum, Oxynoticeras oxynotum and Arnioceras semicostatum. A notable feature of this area is the presence of “Goldstones”, which are pyrite-rich nodules that, when split, can reveal beautifully preserved ammonites with a golden metallic sheen. These pyritised specimens formed under low-oxygen conditions where iron sulphide replaced the original shell, creating some of the most visually striking fossils found on the Jurassic Coast.
Yellowstones are also commonly found at Black Ven. These distinctive yellow-weathering nodules often contain ammonites, particularly Promicroceras planicosta, and can sometimes yield well-preserved specimens when carefully split. Like other nodules, they are often found loose amongst the shingle or within landslip material.
Black Ven is especially well known for its flatstone fossils. These thin slabs of shale can be split open to reveal exceptionally preserved fossils, including fish such as Dapedium and Lepidotes, as well as rarer finds like insects and delicate crinoid material including Pentacrinites. Many collectors focus on these flatstones, and it is often worth searching through the discarded “scraps” left behind by others, as partially split slabs can still contain overlooked or incomplete specimens.
Stellare nodules are commonly found along the foreshore at both Stonebarrow and Black Ven and are often mistaken by collectors for ammonite-bearing nodules. These are typically round to slightly oval in shape and display subtle concentric ring patterns around their edges, which can resemble the outer whorls of an ammonite. However, the vast majority of these nodules contain only calcite infill with no fossil present. Very occasionally, they may contain the rare ammonite Asteroceras stellare, although specimens are often crushed or poorly preserved due to the pressure of the surrounding calcite. As a result, while they can appear promising, Stellare nodules are usually disappointing and are best approached with caution when deciding whether to split them.
Marine reptile remains are a major highlight of Black Ven. Fossils of Ichthyosaurus and Plesiosaurus are regularly found, ranging from isolated bones to partial skeletons. Two species of ichthyosaur are particularly associated with this area: Ichthyosaurus communis, which is relatively common, and the much larger and rarer Temnodontosaurus, a powerful apex predator that could reach several metres in length. Remains from these animals are typically found as vertebrae, ribs, jaw fragments or limb bones, often exposed after major landslips or winter storms.
Shark remains are also present and include teeth as well as more robust elements such as dorsal fin spines, which are often better preserved and therefore more commonly found. These can usually be discovered loose on the foreshore, particularly after periods of heavy erosion.
Because of the constant cliff movement, the most productive areas are usually those with freshly fallen material. Searching amongst recent landslip debris and along the foreshore can yield excellent results. However, Black Ven is extremely unstable and large collapses can occur without warning, so all collecting should be carried out well away from the cliff base.
If you find something that may be scientifically significant, consider reporting it to the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre or the Lyme Regis Museum. They can help identify your find and offer expert advice. Proper documentation ensures that important specimens are recorded and remain available for scientific research.
GEOLOGY
Black Ven is dominated by the Charmouth Mudstone Formation of the Lower Jurassic, deposited around 190 million years ago in a shallow marine environment. The cliffs here are composed largely of soft, clay-rich sediments, making them some of the most unstable along the Dorset coast and forming one of the largest active landslip complexes in Europe.
The majority of the cliff is made up of the Black Ven Marl Member, which forms the bulk of the slope. These dark grey mudstones are highly prone to water saturation and movement, leading to frequent slumping and rotational landslides. This constant instability is key to fossil collecting at Black Ven, as it continually exposes fresh fossil-bearing material that is then washed onto the foreshore.
At foreshore level, the Shales with Beef Member is exposed. These finely laminated mudstones contain fibrous calcite veins known as “beef” and are particularly important for fossil preservation. It is within these beds that many of the classic flatstone fossils are found, including fish and marine reptiles, preserved in fine detail due to the calm depositional conditions.
Above the Shales with Beef, and becoming more prominent in places, are the Belemnite Marl Member beds. These form more resistant layers within the sequence and are rich in belemnites and ammonites. As these beds weather out, they contribute nodules and fossil-bearing blocks to the foreshore, adding to the diversity of material found along the beach.
Higher up the cliff, the Jurassic sequence is capped by younger Early Cretaceous deposits, including the Gault Formation and Upper Greensand Formation. These overlying layers add weight and allow water to percolate into the softer Jurassic clays below, significantly contributing to the large-scale landslips that characterise Black Ven today.
HISTORY OF CHARMOUTH & MARY ANNING
The coastline around Charmouth is closely linked to the pioneering work of Mary Anning (1799–1847), who was born in nearby Lyme Regis and collected extensively along this stretch of coast. Despite significant societal barriers in the early 19th century, her discoveries played a crucial role in shaping the science of palaeontology. Among her most famous finds were the first complete Ichthyosaurus skeleton discovered at just 12 years old, several nearly complete Plesiosaurusspecimens, and the first British pterosaur, Dimorphodon. These discoveries provided important evidence for the emerging idea of extinction and helped transform scientific understanding of prehistoric life.
Today, this legacy continues along the beaches of Charmouth, Black Ven and beyond. Many of the fossils found here are similar to those discovered by Anning herself, particularly marine reptiles and ammonites weathering out of the cliffs. The nearby Lyme Regis Museum, which features a dedicated Mary Anning Wing, celebrates her life and achievements, while Charmouth’s fossil shops, guided walks and heritage centre help keep this rich tradition alive, allowing new generations to explore and discover the Jurassic past for themselves.
SAFETY
Fossil collecting along the Charmouth coastline should always be approached with care, as this is an active and constantly changing environment. Tide awareness is essential. Always plan your visit around tide times and aim to collect on a falling or low tide, allowing plenty of time to return safely. Certain areas can become completely cut off at high tide, and the sea can rise quickly, trapping unwary collectors.
The cliffs at Stonebarrow, West Beach and Black Ven are highly unstable and prone to frequent landslips and rockfalls. Large sections can collapse without warning, particularly after heavy rain or storms. You should never stand directly beneath the cliffs and always keep a safe distance from the cliff base, even when searching recently fallen material.
The foreshore can be difficult to navigate, with slippery rocks, uneven boulders and soft clay underfoot. In places, the clay can become very sticky, and there is a risk of becoming stuck, especially after wet weather. Take care where you walk and avoid areas of deep mud. Do not attempt to climb landslips or unstable slopes, as these can shift suddenly and are extremely dangerous.
Strong or stormy conditions can increase your chances of finding fossils, but they also bring additional hazards. Be aware of wave surges and rough seas, which can sweep across the beach unexpectedly. Always keep a safe distance from the water’s edge during unsettled weather.
If using tools, such as hammers, always wear appropriate safety protection, including safety goggles, to protect against flying rock fragments. Only ever collect from loose material on the foreshore. Digging into cliffs, bedrock or protected SSSI areas is both dangerous and prohibited.
Wearing sturdy footwear with good grip is essential to reduce the risk of slipping or ankle injury, and suitable outdoor clothing, including a waterproof jacket, is recommended as weather conditions can change quickly along the coast.
EQUIPMENT
Black Ven benefits from a combination of approaches used at both Stonebarrow and West Beach. Many fossils can be found loose on the foreshore, but tools can greatly increase your chances of success. A geological hammer and chisel are useful for splitting nodules and flatstones, while a spade, pick or small trowel can help when extracting fossils from soft clay or landslip debris. Searching through partially split flatstones or discarded fragments left by other collectors can also be very productive. Always wear safety goggles when using tools, and bring wrapping materials to protect fragile finds. A sturdy bag or container is essential for carrying specimens across the uneven foreshore.
CLEANING AND TREATING
Begin by removing any loose sediment very carefully using a soft toothbrush. Take your time, as many fossils—particularly pyritic specimens—are fragile and easily damaged. Once cleaned, fossils should be desalinated by soaking them in fresh water for at least 24 hours to remove residual salt. After soaking, allow specimens to dry naturally at room temperature. Do not dry them on radiators or other heat sources, as rapid drying can cause cracking or long-term damage.
Once fully dry, we recommend sealing fossils with Paraloid B-72, dissolved in acetone. This is a museum-grade consolidant that is widely available in pre-mixed bottles. Paraloid B-72 is stable, long-lasting, and does not yellow or react chemically over time. Importantly, it is also fully reversible, making it suitable for scientifically important or display-quality specimens.
Some collectors prefer to treat ammonites with artists’ varnish. This is acceptable for common species that are not of scientific importance, as it enhances colour and contrast and can make a specimen really “pop”. However, varnish is not reversible and is therefore not recommended for rarer or research-grade fossils.
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