This Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site is one of the most famous and popular locations in the world, yielding plenty of fossils for the thousands that come collecting every year. Undoubtedly, Charmouth is at the heart of it all. This geological guide focuses on both the cliffs of Black Ven, west of the town, and the Stonebarrow area (East Beach), to the east.
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DIRECTIONS
♦ 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.
♦ At the start, you will need to decide if you want to go to Black Ven or Stonebarrow (East Beach): there may not be enough time to visit both ends safely in one tide.
♦ Black Ven leads toward Church Cliffs (see our guide to Lyme Regis for more information).
♦ If you are heading to Stonebarrow on East Beach, walk east over the River Char via a small bridge and onto the beach.
♦ Ref: 50.73160°N, 2.88596°W
GEOLOGY
The coastline around Charmouth sits within the Lower Jurassic (around 201–174 million years ago), though the specific strata here date to roughly 190 million years ago (Sinemurian–Pliensbachian stages). The cliffs feature a mixture of shales, mudstones, and limestones, all known for their rich fossil content. This part of the Dorset coast is globally recognized as part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.
Much of the sequence exposed here belongs to the Charmouth Mudstone Formation, with notable subdivisions like:
- Shales with Beef: Thinly laminated mudstones containing fibrous calcite (“beef”). These layers often preserve marine reptiles, ammonites, and even rarer insect or fish fossils in the “flatstones.”
- Belemnite Marls: Characterized by abundant belemnite guards and ammonites. These harder limestone/marl bands can be seen both in the cliff face and in fallen blocks on the foreshore.
- Green Ammonite Member: Found particularly toward Stonebarrow, where green-colored ammonites (due to mineral staining) are occasionally found. Such nodules can yield spectacularly preserved fossils.
Black Ven comprises one of the largest landslip complexes in Europe. The regularly slipping cliffs expose the Shales with Beef, revealing diverse fossil layers, including Arnioceras semicostatum, Asteroceras stellare, and Microderoceras birchi. In exceedingly rare conditions during extreme low tides, remnants of a submerged forest (and associated Ice Age fauna) may be visible.
Stonebarrow (East Beach) includes upper beds of the Gault Clays overlain by the Upper Greensand in places. More prominently, the Seatown Marls and Stonebarrow Marl are exposed at beach level. These intervals are noted for their ammonites (Platypleuroceras brevispina) and beautifully pyritized specimens. The lower “flatstone” layers can yield crinoids (Pentacrinites) in remarkable detail.
Scientific Significance:
Charmouth’s stratigraphy offers a near-continuous record of Early Jurassic marine environments. Researchers study these rocks for insights into ancient sea levels, climate shifts, and biodiversity patterns. Abundant ammonite and belemnite faunas are essential for biostratigraphic dating, while the marine reptile skeletons (ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs) reveal evolutionary trends during a pivotal period in Earth’s history.
FOSSIL HUNTING
Charmouth is famed for its year-round fossil collecting opportunities. Its accessible beach and continually eroding cliffs mean that fresh specimens are regularly exposed, making it an ideal location for enthusiasts of all levels—families, amateurs, and professional collectors.
Fossil Hunting Under Stonebarrow (East Beach)
The eastern side (East Beach) extends toward Seatown and Golden Cap. Here, you may encounter:
- Pyritised Ammonites: Small to medium ammonites with a metallic sheen are often found along the foreshore. Look for them in the loose shingle or in grey mudstone nodules.
- Belemnites & Crinoids: The “Belemnite Marls” frequently produce bullet-shaped belemnite guards, while crinoid stems (Pentacrinites) can be found in flattened stone layers.
- Green Ammonite Member: Greenish nodules containing striking ammonites. Many of these require professional preparation for best results.
- Ichthyosaur Remains: Less common but occasionally washed out from the cliffs. Vertebrae and ribs may be found loose on the beach after rough seas.
The walk from Charmouth to Stonebarrow can be lengthy, and you should always check tide times to ensure a safe return. Keep a close eye on the cliff base for newly fallen material, but do not hammer or dig directly into the cliffs—this is dangerous and prohibited.
Fossil Hunting Under Black Ven (West of Charmouth)
Black Ven is famed for its dramatic landslips and dark mudstones. It boasts:
- Ammonite Zones: *Microderoceras birchi*, *Asteroceras*, and *Promicroceras* are often found here. Searching among the fallen nodules or in fresh slip material can be rewarding.
- Marine Reptile Fossils: Ichthyosaur and plesiosaur bones, including vertebrae, jaw sections, and limb bones, are discovered each year, especially after winter storms.
- Flatstone Fossils: Shale “flatstones” may conceal fish, insects, or rare crinoid stems. Splitting these slabs carefully can yield exquisite specimens.
Because Black Ven is highly unstable, large collapses can occur without warning—so always stay well away from the base of the cliffs. Collect only from the foreshore and recently fallen material. Keep children and pets at a safe distance.
HISTORY OF CHARMOUTH & MARY ANNING
Mary Anning (1799–1847), born in Lyme Regis, also collected extensively around Charmouth. Despite facing societal barriers in the early 19th century, her discoveries shaped paleontology:
- The first complete Ichthyosaur skeleton at age 12.
- Several almost complete Plesiosaur skeletons.
- The first British Pterosaur, Dimorphodon.
Anning sold many of her finds to museums and private collectors, providing critical evidence for the then-emerging concept of extinction and reshaping our understanding of prehistoric life. Today, the nearby Lyme Regis Museum hosts a dedicated Mary Anning Wing, celebrating her life and contributions.
Charmouth itself has a rich local history tied to the fossil trade. Its shops, guided walks, and heritage centre keep this tradition alive, ensuring new generations can learn about and discover Jurassic treasures firsthand.
SAFETY TIPS
- Plan your visit around tide times. Access to certain parts of the beach may be impossible at high tide, and fast-rising water can trap unwary collectors.
- Avoid the base of cliffs. Landslides occur frequently, and overhangs of unstable clay and mudstone can collapse without warning.
- Wear suitable footwear for slippery rocks, mud, and uneven ground. Bring a waterproof jacket, as the weather can change quickly.
- Only collect from loose material on the foreshore. Digging into cliffs, SSSI sites, or bedrock is dangerous and prohibited.
- Stay alert for wave surges. Storm conditions can dislodge new fossils—but can also increase hazards.
Recommended Equipment:
- Sturdy backpack or bucket for specimen transport.
- Geological hammer and small chisels for splitting nodules (use responsibly, only on loose material).
- Protective goggles when hammering and a pair of gloves.
- A field guide to identify common fossils (e.g., ammonites, belemnites, marine reptile bones).
If you find something scientifically significant, consider reporting it to the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre or the Lyme Regis Museum. Proper documentation ensures these important specimens remain available for research.
LINKS
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♦ UK Fossils Network
