Code of Conduct

Always research the area before your visit and plan to bring the correct tools and protective equipment. You’ll find a vast range of information online, but you should also consider consulting a local geology group or visiting a local library prior to your visit. Pay particular attention to the tools required to remove and protect specimens safely, and make sure you can transport finds without damage. In some areas fossil collecting is prohibited, restricted, or only allowed with permission—check access and landowner consent before visiting.

Your planning should also confirm the legal circumstances in which you may collect fossils. In many areas, collecting goes unregulated and is therefore the sole responsibility of the collector to respect the environment. In other areas, there may be rules that govern collecting, including SSSI regulations and local bylaws that can restrict collecting, tools, access, digging, or removal of material. Most collecting sites in the UK are now SSSI.

Always follow any site rules and restrictions—some locations may ban or limit digging, collecting from in situ deposits, or the use of power tools and heavy equipment. Please accept, understand, and obey all SSSI rules and local restrictions—they are there to protect the geology for future generations.

Fossil collecting can take you to locations that are naturally hazardous. Before you visit, research the site carefully and understand the risks and precautions needed. Always bring suitable safety equipment to protect yourself, anyone under your care, and other people nearby.

Wear sturdy footwear with good grip and dress for changing conditions. If you use any striking tools (hammers, chisels, splitting wedges), always wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from flying fragments. Carry a small first aid kit for cuts, grazes, and blisters, and let someone know where you’re going.

Be alert to local conditions—especially tides. Check tide times before you set off and double-check them on the day, allowing plenty of time to return safely. Keep well back from cliff edges and stay away from the base of cliffs where falls and rockfalls can occur. Don’t take risks: if conditions look unsafe, leave and come back another day.

Fossils are often fragile and can be damaged easily during collection and transport. Bring a plentiful supply of newspaper, tissue, or padding to wrap finds individually and keep them from knocking together. For smaller specimens, use small boxes or tubs with padding to stop movement.

If the specimen is prone to drying out (for example, from clay or shale), try to keep it stable and avoid rapid drying. Sudden changes—especially drying out and then soaking later—can cause cracking and fractures. A simple plastic bag can help reduce moisture loss and keep fragments together until you’re able to deal with it properly at home.

A fossil’s scientific value often depends on the information that comes with it. Whenever you collect (or even if you leave it in place), record the details while you’re still on site.

Take clear photos in situ before removal, plus close-ups of the specimen and the surrounding rock. Log the exact location using GPS (phone map pin) or What3Words, and note the date and time. If possible, also record the formation/bed (if known), tide state (coastal sites), and any landmarks that help relocate the spot. Keep your notes with the specimen (label, tag, or digital record) so the information isn’t lost later.

New and significant finds should be reported so they can be recorded and, where appropriate, studied by the scientific community. If you believe you’ve found something important, contact your local museum or a recognised fossils community such as UK Fossils.

If you’d like to share your finds with us, please email a clear photo along with the location (as accurately as you’re comfortable sharing) and any useful details such as the rock type, horizon/bed, and date found. You can also post details on our Discuss Fossils Forum or in our Discuss Fossils Facebook Group to get identification help and advice.

Once home, store fossils somewhere safe and stable—away from direct sunlight, damp, and extreme temperature changes. Keep delicate specimens supported so no weight rests on fragile parts, and avoid stacking items where they can be crushed.

If a fossil is crumbly or fractured, consider stabilising it before cleaning or handling further (for example, gentle consolidation or securing loose pieces). Label your specimens and keep notes of where and when they were found, so the information stays with the fossil long-term.

Not every fossil should be removed from its location. In some instances it may be too large to move, or would break in the attempt. It’s also important not to over-collect—take only a few representative specimens and leave fossils for others to find.

Always leave the site as you found it. Take all rubbish home (including food wrappers, tape, and broken bags), avoid damaging paths, cliffs, or vegetation, and don’t undermine the base of cliffs or create new hazards. If you move rocks to search, carefully replace them where safe to do so, and never disturb wildlife or protected areas. Leave gates as you find them and respect local rules, signage, and landowners.