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.
DIRECTIONS
♦ Compton Bay is situated to the southwest of the Isle of Wight, along the coastal Military Road.
♦ Access to the beach at Compton Bay is easy, with a National Trust car park situated at Hanover Point, with public toliets.
♦ Postcode to Car Parking: PO30 4HB, Google Maps.
♦ What3Words to the Dinosaur Footprints: ///loaning.twist.portable
PROFILE INFO
FIND FREQUENCY: ♦♦♦♦♦ – This is the most popular location on the Isle of Wight for finding dinosaur remains. Compton Bay is also very famous for its dinosaur footprints in the rocks along the foreshore.
CHILDREN: ♦♦♦♦♦ – Compton Bay is one of the best places to take children on the Isle of Wight, providing they keep well away from the cliff. They will be fascinated to see the dinosaur footprints in the rocks and to have the opportunity to pick up dinosaur bones.
ACCESS: ♦♦♦♦♦ – There is easy access to the beach at Hanover Car Park and a quick easy walk to the beach down some steps. From the car park, you can immediately start finding fossils.
TYPE: – Fossils are found along the foreshore along with dinosaur footprints. These are all washed out from the cliff.
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FOSSIL HUNTING
Compton Bay is one of the most important fossil localities on the Isle of Wight and is especially famous for its dinosaur remains and footprints, making it a globally significant site for Early Cretaceous palaeontology. Fossils can be found along much of the foreshore, particularly after storms or periods of erosion, when fresh material is released from the cliffs.
The most iconic finds from this location are the dinosaur footprints, which can be seen preserved in situ within the rock. These are particularly well known around Hanover Point, just to the southeast of Compton Bay. The footprints occur within a distinctive sandstone layer known as a crevasse splay deposit, where fine sediment rapidly buried tracks left by dinosaurs walking across floodplains. Some of the best-preserved prints extend for several metres and include clear trackways, allowing you to follow the movement of dinosaurs across the ancient landscape.
These footprints are attributed to a variety of dinosaurs, including large herbivorous iguanodonts such as Iguanodon bernissartensis and possibly Mantellisaurus atherfieldensis, as well as smaller theropods. At very low tide, a further trackway can be seen extending across the foreshore in a red clay bed offshore from Hanover Point, although access is limited and should only be attempted with careful attention to tide times. As these footprints are protected, they must not be removed, and photographing them is strongly encouraged.
In addition to footprints, Compton Bay is well known for producing dinosaur bone material, often found as isolated fragments washed out from the Wealden Group. These may include bones from herbivorous dinosaurs such as Iguanodon, Mantellisaurus, Hypsilophodon foxii and armoured dinosaurs such as Polacanthus foxii. Carnivorous dinosaurs are also represented, with remains attributed to large theropods such as Neovenator salerii. Most finds are fragmentary, including bone shards, vertebrae and limb elements, but occasional more substantial pieces are discovered.
Plant remains are also common within the Wealden sediments and reflect the lush, river-dominated environments of the Early Cretaceous. Fossils may include fragments of fossil wood, roots and plant debris, often preserved within sandstone or clay layers.
Moving westward along the bay, as the geology transitions into marine deposits, a different range of fossils begins to appear. Within the Lower Greensand and younger formations, marine fossils such as bivalves and other invertebrates can be found. These may include genera such as Trigonia, Exogyra and Pecten, reflecting the shallow seas that later covered the area.
The foreshore at Compton Bay is constantly changing due to erosion, and many of the best finds are made simply by carefully searching the surface, particularly amongst shingle, sandstone blocks and freshly exposed clay. Fossils are often subtle and may only be partially visible, so a keen eye is essential.
Over the years, Compton Bay has become one of the most famous dinosaur sites in the UK, with numerous important discoveries contributing to our understanding of Early Cretaceous ecosystems. The combination of trackways, bone material and plant fossils provides a rare and detailed snapshot of life on a prehistoric floodplain, making this one of the most rewarding and scientifically important fossil collecting locations in Britain.
Hanover Point is a short distance to the southeast of Compton Bay and is probably the most well-known of the dinosaur fossil localities, with both bones and footprints present. This stretch of beach is easily accessed from the carpark located at Compton Chine. However, the site is protected by the National Trust and the removal of the large dinosaur footprints is forbidden. Some are still embedded in the source exposure, a white splay crevasse sandstone, which extends from just west of Hanover Point to about 100m west of Brook Chine. They are particularly well exposed for 15m at the western end. There is also a section of dinosaur track way in a red clay bed, 150m out from the cliff at Hanover Point, when heading in a south-easterly direction, but this is only accessible at a low tide.
GEOLOGY
The geology at Compton Bay and nearby Brook Bay, on the southwest coast of the Isle of Wight, is one of the most complete and visually striking Lower Cretaceous sequences in the UK. These rocks, dating from approximately 130 to 100 million years ago, record a transition from terrestrial environments to fully marine conditions. The coastline is also subject to rapid erosion, continually exposing fresh material and making it an exceptional location for observing geological change.
At the eastern end of the bay, the oldest rocks belong to the Wealden Group (Barremian age), which form much of the lower cliffs and foreshore. These sediments were deposited in river channels, floodplains and freshwater lagoons, and consist of alternating clays, mudstones and sandstones. Their varied colours—reds, browns and greys—reflect changing conditions within these ancient environments. These beds represent a time before the sea covered the area, when the landscape was dominated by rivers and low-lying plains.
Due to later earth movements associated with the Alpine orogeny, the rock layers at Compton Bay have been steeply tilted, meaning that as you move westward along the bay, you pass progressively into younger rocks rather than simply moving up through a vertical sequence. This creates a clear and accessible transition through time across the coastline.
Moving west from the Wealden Group, the sequence passes into the Lower Greensand Group, marking the onset of shallow marine conditions as rising sea levels flooded the area. These sands and sandstones were deposited in coastal and nearshore environments and often form more resistant ledges within the cliffs.
Further west, the rocks transition into the Gault Formation, a distinctive unit of soft, blue-grey clay deposited in a deeper and quieter marine setting. This represents a period when the sea deepened significantly, allowing fine sediments to settle in low-energy conditions.
Above the Gault, the sequence continues into the Upper Greensand Formation, consisting of glauconitic sands and sandstones. These indicate a return to slightly shallower marine conditions, with stronger currents and increased sediment movement. These beds often form more prominent features within the cliff profile.
At the western end of the bay, the youngest rocks are the Chalk Group, which form the dramatic white cliffs and stacks seen towards Freshwater Bay. These were deposited in a warm, clear, tropical sea and are composed largely of microscopic marine organisms. The chalk provides a striking visual contrast to the darker sediments below and represents the final stage in the transition from land to open marine conditions.
EQUIPMENT
Fossil collecting at Compton Bay is relatively straightforward, and in most cases no heavy tools are required, as many fossils can be found loose along the foreshore, particularly after storms or periods of active erosion. A good eye and patience are the most important tools at this location.
However, it is strongly recommended to bring a camera or smartphone, especially for recording finds such as the famous dinosaur footprints. These footprints are protected and must not be removed, so photographing them is the best way to document your discovery.
A small bag, backpack or collecting box is useful for carrying your finds, and it is advisable to bring tissue, newspaper or padding to protect more fragile specimens during transport. Some fossils, particularly shells or delicate bone fragments, can be easily damaged if not handled carefully.
While tools are generally not needed, a small hand trowel can occasionally be useful for gently moving shingle or sand to reveal partially buried fossils. If using any tools, always do so responsibly and only on loose material.
As the beach consists of shingle, sand and uneven surfaces, sturdy footwear with good grip is recommended. Conditions can vary depending on tides and weather, so appropriate outdoor clothing, including a waterproof jacket, is also advisable.
SAFETY
This site is situated long a rapidly eroding coastline and cliff falls are very frequent and sudden. Therefore, keep clear of the cliffs at all time and only visit on a falling tide, as the sea often reaches the base of the cliffs.
CLEANING AND TREATING
Begin by removing any loose sediment very carefully using a soft toothbrush. 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.
ARTICLES
- In the shadow of the Isle of Wight dinosaurs
- Book review: Isle of Wight: Landscape and Geology, by John Downes
- Histology of a sauropod rib bone from the Wessex Formation, Hanover point, Isle of Wight
- Fossil fakes and their recognition
ACCESS RIGHTS
The site is protected by the National Trust, the dinosaur footprints must not be removed from the beach. This site is also a site of special scientific interest (SSSI). This means you can visit the site, but hammering the bedrock is not permitted. For full information about the reasons for the status of the site and restrictions, download the PDF from Natural England.
It is important to follow our ‘Code of Conduct’ when collecting fossils or visiting any site. Please also read our ‘Terms and Conditions‘
LINKS
♦ Fossil Discussions
♦ Fossil Articles
♦ Buy Fossils, Tools and Equipment
♦ Buy Crystals, Meteorites, and Artefacts
♦ Join Fossil Hunts
♦ UK Fossils Network
