Kettleness is the most productive location in Yorkshire for reptile remains. These are common and can be found loose or in nodules. Kettleness is also very popular for ammonites, which are similar to those from Port Mulgrave.
DIRECTIONS
♦ It is possible to access Kettleness via a rope, however this is not advisable. There is a drop at the bottom and it is a long steep way down.
♦ Access for this location is best by a long walk from Runswick Bay. This MUST be done on a falling tide, and enough time given to return BEFORE the tide turns.
♦ Postcode to car park: TS13 5HT, Google Maps
♦ What3Words: ///ultra.recur.many
PROFILE INFO
FIND FREQUENCY: ♦♦♦♦♦ – Kettleness yields excellent ammonite specimens and dinosaur/reptile remains, but is also frequently collected from, so you will have quite a lot of competition. The best time to collect is after winter storms or scouring conditions.
CHILDREN: ♦ – Due to the dangerous access to this location, children and families should not visit. This area is for the fossil enthusiast, who has plenty of energy for the long hike from either end of Kettleness, or those with rope climbing skill!
ACCESS: ♦ – The only access is by a long rope, or a very long walk from either Runswick Bay or Sandsend, which can also be dangerous and access is limited because of tidal conditions.
TYPE: – Most of the fossils can be found on the foreshore at Kettleness within nodules or loose within the shingle and shale, especially after storms or scouring conditions. However, fossils are also commonly found in the cliff on the scree slopes either in nodules or loose.
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FOSSIL HUNTING
The middle of the bay at Kettleness is particularly well known for vertebrate material, and this is where most marine reptile and occasional dinosaur remains have been discovered. Fossils can sometimes be seen exposed in the cliff face, within scree at the base of the cliff, or amongst freshly fallen shale spread across the foreshore. After heavy rain or strong storm tides, nodules and bone fragments are washed down from the cliffs and accumulate at the base before being redistributed along the beach by wave action. These newly disturbed shale piles are often the most productive areas to search.
Carefully examine accumulations of shale and shingle, as the sea naturally concentrates heavier fossil material in these zones. Ammonites are particularly common here, including species such as Dactylioceras commune, recognised by its evenly ribbed whorls, and Hildoceras bifrons, with its more compressed shell and elegant ribbing. These are usually found preserved within siderite nodules scattered across the foreshore.
Fine shingle areas can also be surprisingly productive, especially near the waterfall and directly beneath active cliff sections. Smaller ammonites, belemnites and bone fragments are frequently overlooked in these deposits. Belemnites, most commonly preserved as their solid guards, are regularly found weathered free from the shale.
At the top of the cliffs, ironstone beds occasionally shed blocks onto the beach. These ironstone fragments can contain plant remains, including fossil horsetails such as Equisetites, representing vegetation washed into the Jurassic sea from nearby landmasses.
In addition to ammonites, Kettleness has yielded brachiopods such as Terebratula punctata, bivalves including Gryphaea depressa, fish remains and significant marine reptile material. Ichthyosaur and plesiosaur fragments have both been recorded from the area, typically preserved within the darker shales of the Whitby Mudstone Formation. Rarely, isolated dinosaur bone fragments — likely washed into the marine environment from adjacent land — have also been discovered.
The combination of abundant ammonites, diverse invertebrates and occasional vertebrate material makes Kettleness one of the more varied and exciting collecting sites along this stretch of coast. As always, avoid working directly beneath unstable cliffs and remain aware of tide times when searching the central part of the bay.
GEOLOGY
Kettleness exposes an important section of Lower Jurassic strata within the Cleveland Basin, representing deposition during the Pliensbachian and Toarcian stages (approximately 185–180 million years ago). The foreshore and cliffs clearly display the transition from ironstone-dominated shallow marine environments to deeper, organic-rich shale deposition.
Cleveland Ironstone Formation
The most prominent beds visible around Kettleness belong to the Cleveland Ironstone Formation, which is divided into two principal members:
- Penny Nab Member (lower)
- Kettleness Member (upper)
Large, dense ironstone blocks found scattered across the foreshore originate from these beds. These ironstones formed during periods of reduced sediment input, when iron became chemically concentrated on the Jurassic seabed. Their resistance to erosion explains why they commonly accumulate as heavy blocks along the beach.
The Cleveland Ironstone Formation records fluctuating shallow marine conditions, with alternating mudstones and ironstone seams reflecting repeated environmental changes.
Transition into the Whitby Mudstone Formation
Above the Cleveland Ironstone Formation lies the Whitby Mudstone Formation, marking a shift into deeper marine conditions during the Toarcian Stage.
The lower part of this formation includes the Grey Shale Member, which is exposed on the foreshore. These fine-grained marine mudstones were deposited in quieter offshore conditions. Within this unit, fossils are often found concentrated in pockets — belemnites frequently occur in dense accumulations (sometimes described as “belemnite battlefields”), while bivalve shells may appear grouped together in small death assemblages or colonial clusters. These groupings reflect either mass mortality events or post-mortem sorting by marine currents.
Mulgrave Shale and Jet Rock
Within the upper part of the sequence, the Mulgrave Shale Member becomes significant. This includes the well-known Jet Rock, composed of dark, bituminous shales rich in organic matter. These sediments were deposited under low-oxygen (anoxic) seabed conditions, which enhanced fossil preservation.
It is from these darker shales that many fossiliferous nodules originate — including those containing ammonites, marine reptile remains and occasional dinosaur material. The anoxic conditions of deposition contributed to the exceptional preservation potential of vertebrate remains within this horizon.
Alum Shale and Higher Units
Further south, past the first headland, a distinctive reddish to pink-coloured rock can be seen exposed on the foreshore. This belongs to the Alum Shale Member, historically worked for alum production along the Yorkshire coast.
Within this interval, the Ovatus Band can also be identified, although many of its characteristic nodules have been removed by collectors over time. This band represents a specific ammonite-bearing horizon within the Toarcian sequence.
Above this lies a series of harder shales, including the main Alum Shale and, at the top of the exposed sequence, the Cement Shale, a more resistant unit that forms part of the upper Whitby Mudstone succession.
SAFETY
Common sense when collecting at all locations should be used and knowledge of tide times is essential. It is easy to get cut off at Kettleness and the sea always reaches the base of the cliff. Therefore, you should ensure you return in good time. Also be aware of sticky areas on the slippages, as it is easy to get stuck especially after rain.
EQUIPMENT
At Kettleness, most fossils are found within foreshore nodules or loose amongst shale and shingle, although vertebrate material can sometimes occur within larger nodules or exposed in fallen cliff debris. A geological hammer (16–24 oz) is essential for splitting siderite nodules, and a sturdy flat chisel will help guide controlled blows along natural seams. A small hand pick can be useful when carefully working material from softer shale, but precision is always preferable to force to avoid damaging specimens. Eye protection should always be worn when striking rock, and strong, waterproof boots with good grip are vital due to uneven shale, loose scree and potentially slippery surfaces. As parts of the site are affected by unstable cliffs and rising tides, remain aware of your surroundings at all times and avoid working directly beneath overhangs. Any finds should be wrapped securely in paper or protective material and stored in a rigid container for safe transport.
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.
ACCESS RIGHTS
This site is 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‘
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