The eastern shore of Lyme Regis exposes Early Jurassic limestone and shale at Church Cliffs, East Cliff and Broad Ledge. Ammonites, belemnites and shells are the familiar fossils, while named limestone ledges and dark mudstones reveal a detailed marine succession with a long history of scientific study. Jurassic, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦
Helwell Bay at Doniford is one of the best locations in Somerset for collecting iridescent ammonites, a highlight of the Blue Lias. The extensive foreshore also yields small white ammonites, reptile bones and a variety of bivalves, often exposed after erosion, making it a highly rewarding site for collectors. Classic Helwell Bay finds include the early Jurassic ammonites Psiloceras planorbis and Caloceras johnstoniJurassic, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦♦
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Runswick Bay is a highly regarded Yorkshire Coast locality, known for its diverse ammonite fauna and productive foreshore exposures. Under the right conditions, the bay can yield a wide range of ammonite species along with bivalves and other marine fossils, often found loose or within nodules. With its broad beach and regular fresh material from erosion, it can be a very rewarding site for collectors.Jurassic, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦
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Sedbury Cliff, beside the Severn near Chepstow, exposes a Late Triassic to Early Jurassic succession with contrasting fossil-bearing rocks. Its limestone and shale record ammonites and bivalves, while older sandy bone-bed material contains fish remains. The tidal shore, soft mud and unstable cliffs make this a locality for careful observation and well-planned visits. Triassic, Jurassic, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦♦
Skinningrove’s rocky shore is a useful place to examine Jurassic shell beds, animal burrows and rippled sandstone. The collecting area lies east of the beck, where hard fossiliferous blocks cover parts of the foreshore. Observation and photography are often more rewarding than trying to extract fossils, and the difficult, tidal route needs careful planning. Jurassic, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦
At Llantwit Major’s Cwm Colhuw beach, pale limestone ledges and darker mudstones reveal a fossil-rich Early Jurassic sea. Ammonites and bivalves are the main attractions, often preserved as impressions or shells within the foreshore rocks. The striking cliffs and jointed platforms also make this a rewarding place to see how sedimentary rocks weather and break apart. Jurassic, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦
Hallaig is at the southern end of the Isle of Raasay. Fossils can be found along the east shore, and in burns and streams at various places on the island. Raasay boasts geology of international importance, and Hallaig is an excellent location to see it. Jurassic, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦
