Tag: Trilobites

Devon by UK Fossils (UKGE Group)Aug 7, 20039:50 am

Limestone cliffs and shore at Daddy Hole, Torquay.

Hope’s Nose and Daddy Hole

Hope’s Nose and Daddy Hole reveal Devonian corals and stromatoporoid sponges in Torquay’s limestone coast. Their folded rocks record changing shallow-sea environments, while Hope’s Nose also preserves a much younger raised beach with fossil shells. Visit these two separate localities for observation and photography only, leaving fossils, rocks, minerals and living marine life in place. Steep ground, unstable cliffs and tidal ledges require careful planning and a safe viewpoint. Devonian, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦

West Midlands by UK Fossils (UKGE Group)Jul 12, 201210:28 am

Wren’s Nest

Wren’s Nest National Nature Reserve, north-west of Dudley, exposes fossil-rich Silurian limestones formed in a warm, shallow sea. Corals, brachiopods, crinoids and trilobites reveal a varied marine community, while reef mounds and spectacular ripple-marked beds preserve the shape and activity of its ancient seabed. Quarrying revealed the folded succession that makes this an exceptional place to understand Britain’s geological past. Silurian, Disused Quarry, Rating: ♦♦♦♦♦

Shropshire by UK Fossils (UKGE Group)Mar 4, 20037:57 am

Wenlock Quarry

Wenlock Quarry, also known as Edgefield Quarry, cuts through the wooded escarpment near Much Wenlock. Its Silurian limestone and ballstone buildups preserve corals, brachiopods, crinoids and bryozoans. The old workings offer an unusually clear view of changing limestone facies, but steep approaches and overhanging faces require a cautious visit. Silurian, Disused Quarry, Rating: ♦♦♦

Shropshire by UK Fossils (UKGE Group)Mar 4, 20038:21 am

The Onny Trail

The Onny Trail, near Craven Arms, follows river and old railway exposures through an important Ordovician succession. Brachiopods, trilobites and other marine fossils accompany two very different geological contacts: Silurian strata above Ordovician rocks and, farther along the route, Ordovician grit above ancient Longmyndian basement. The historic five-area walk requires current access and safety checks. Silurian, Ordovician, Cuttings, Stream, and Disused Quarry, Rating: ♦♦♦

Shropshire by UK Fossils (UKGE Group)Mar 4, 20077:37 am

Hope

Hope, near the nature reserve on the A488, has small stream-bank shale exposures where trilobites and graptolites have occasionally been found. The wider valley preserves a much richer scientific record, including volcanic ash, fossil type localities and a younger Silurian sandstone succession. Those named research sites are distinct from the short stream visit described here. Ordovician, Stream Embankment, Rating: ♦

Shropshire by UK Fossils (UKGE Group)Mar 4, 20038:15 am

Upper Millichope

Upper Millichope is a scientifically important stream section through fossil-rich Silurian mudstones and siltstones. Brachiopods, trilobites and graptolites record the Middle Elton marine environment, with corals and other fossils historically found among loose stream material. The protected section is sensitive to damage: arrange access and any sampling with the landowner before visiting. Silurian, Stream, Rating: ♦♦♦

Shropshire by UK Fossils (UKGE Group)Mar 4, 20038:39 am

Vinnels

Vinnels, in Mortimer Forest near Ludlow, is a small stream-bank locality known for trilobite fragments and graptolites in Silurian mudstone. The documented trail-stop horizon belongs to the Middle Elton Formation. Historic collecting has left fragile, undercut banks, so enjoy the geological evidence from a safe position and obtain permission before removing material. Silurian, Stream and Cuttings, Rating: ♦♦♦♦♦

Cumbria by UK Fossils (UKGE Group)Mar 22, 20047:59 am

Coniston

Around Coniston, Ashgill Quarry, Ashgill Beck and Torver Beck reveal a varied succession of Ordovician and Silurian marine rocks. Trilobites and brachiopods occur in shell-bearing beds, while younger mudstones preserve graptolite assemblages. These are separate upland exposures, with steep quarry faces and fast-changing stream conditions; arrange collecting permission and leave protected rock faces undisturbed. Silurian, Ordovician, Cuttings, Disused Quarries, Rating: ♦♦♦

Cumbria by UK Fossils (UKGE Group)Mar 22, 20048:17 am

Stockdale Quarry

The hillside quarries above Stockdale Farm in Longsleddale expose Late Ordovician fossil-bearing rocks of the Stile End Formation. Their scientific importance includes type material of trilobites, although loose spoil commonly preserves incomplete, weathered moulds. Arrange access and collecting permission with the landowner before visiting these steep, exposed workings. Ordovician, Disused Quarry, Rating: ♦♦

Cornwall by UK Fossils (UKGE Group)Jul 9, 200411:06 am

Pendower Beach

Pendower Beach combines a Devonian coastal section with much older fossil-bearing quartzite carried into the rocks as large blocks. The eastern shore offers elusive brachiopod impressions, while the raised beach and folded bedrock reward a careful geological visit even when fossils are scarce. Devonian, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦♦

Wales - South by UK Fossils (UKGE Group)Aug 22, 201910:17 am

Trefil Quarry

The old northern quarry at Trefil opens a window into a Carboniferous tropical sea. Weathered limestone preserves corals and shells, while the surviving tracks and quarry faces tell the story of limestone working for the South Wales iron industry. Carboniferous, Disused Quarry, Rating: ♦♦♦

Wales - Southwest by UK Fossils (UKGE Group)Oct 26, 200712:35 pm

Marloes Sands

Marloes Sands combines Silurian fossils with spectacular folded cliffs and the volcanic rocks of an ancient coastline. Corals and brachiopods are the main attraction, with trilobites, crinoids and other marine remains recorded in the fossiliferous beds. The wide sandy bay is also an excellent place to see how shallow seas gave way to river floodplains. Silurian, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦♦♦

Wales - Central by UK Fossils (UKGE Group)Jun 2, 20169:36 am

Upper Gilwern Quarry

Upper Gilwern Quarry, near Howey in Powys, is known for its well-preserved Ordovician trilobites, from tiny growth stages to occasional complete specimens. Its fine-grained rocks record an ancient marine environment. This privately owned quarry is available to booked accommodation guests under the operator’s current access and collecting conditions. Ordovician, Private Quarry, Rating: ♦♦♦♦♦

Wales - Central by UK Fossils (UKGE Group)Mar 22, 20141:22 pm

Llanfawr Quarries

These series of disused quarries, in Llandrindod Wells, are rich in trilobites and graptolites. The largest of the quarries has deep water (also shown on OS maps), and is now fenced over following an accident in which a child sadly drowned. A second quarry, slightly further to the northeast, contains no water and has easy access, with productive shales. Ordovician, Disused Quarry, Rating: ♦♦♦♦

Wales - Central by UK Fossils (UKGE Group)Mar 22, 20141:12 pm

Bettws

A small stream cutting near Bettws exposes Ordovician mudstone with occasional trilobite fragments and graptolites. Its dark, fissile rocks offer a close view of marine life preserved in a much older succession than many of the surrounding Silurian hills. Ordovician, Stream cutting, Rating: ♦♦

Wales - North by UK Fossils (UKGE Group)Mar 22, 200812:25 pm

Gallt Yr Ancr Hill

The wooded slopes of Gallt Yr Ancr, west of Meifod, contain shell-rich Ordovician sandstone associated with old quarries. Brachiopod moulds and occasional trilobite fragments reveal a marine fauna in the rocks beside the Glyndwr’s Way walking route. Ordovician, Disused Quarry, Rating: ♦♦

Scotland - Central by UK Fossils (UKGE Group)May 9, 20057:32 am

Elie

Elie offers two contrasting places to look for Carboniferous fossils: the sand-covered beds of Elie Shore and the rocky exposures at Wood Haven. Shells and crinoid fragments record ancient seas, while nearby volcanic necks reveal how later eruptions disrupted the sedimentary rocks. Carboniferous, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦♦

Scotland - South by UK Fossils (UKGE Group)Oct 31, 20077:14 am

Aberlady

This is a peaceful location where fantastic bryozoans can be seen in Carboniferous rocks. You can also find many slabs of the tracks of trilobites, preserved in the mud over which they crawled. Fish and the trilobites themselves can also be found here. Carboniferous, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦♦♦

Scotland - South by UK Fossils (UKGE Group)Aug 18, 20116:46 am

Haddington

The River Tyne is a long and beautiful river. Its tributaries wind their way down from the glacially eroded Lammermoor and Pentland Hills. The river gains volume as it crosses the alluvial plain, cutting through the carboniferous country rock, transporting minerals and fossils along the way. Carboniferous, River Section, Rating: ♦♦♦

Scotland - South by UK Fossils (UKGE Group)Nov 12, 20087:32 am

Pentland Hills

This is an area extremely rich in Silurian fossils, but which is also a challenging place to collect fossils from. The locations discussed in the guide are suitable for those who are used to exploring and walking. However, it is a beautiful landscape, with many different types of fossils to be collected. In fact, the area is famous for its rich diversity of fossil species, some of which are unique. Silurian, Cuttings, Outcrops, Disused Quarries, Streams, Rating: ♦♦♦♦♦

Scotland - South by UK Fossils (UKGE Group)Jun 12, 20087:00 pm

Aldons Quarry

The volcanic rocks at Aldons Quarry contain a variety of Ordovician fossils, including trilobites, brachiopods, bivalves, cephalopods, gastropods, graptolites and goniatites. They can be found in mudstones, which can be seen in the scree slopes. Ordovician, Disused Quarry, Rating: ♦♦♦

Scotland - South by UK Fossils (UKGE Group)Dec 16, 20087:57 am

Glenmard Wood

This is a very productive little quarry that is easy to access. It is an occasionally worked quarry, which is fully accessible from the trackway. This means fresh faces and scree are available to search through. Take plenty of paper for bags of finds, but, be warned, it involves quite a long walk. Ordovician, Part Working Quarry, Rating: ♦♦♦♦♦

Scotland - South by UK Fossils (UKGE Group)May 1, 20086:46 pm

Craighead Quarry

Ordovician rocks at Craighead Quarry are very fossiliferous and this disused quarry is often visited by local schools and colleges to study the fossils and geology at this site. While it is now quite overgrown, there is still plenty to be found. The most common finds are graptolites, brachiopods, trilobites and goniatites. Ordovician, Disused Quarry, Rating: ♦♦♦

Scotland - South by UK Fossils (UKGE Group)Jun 30, 20086:59 pm

Woodland Bay

The rocks at Shalloch (to the south of Girvan) to Whitehouse, including Woodland Bay, contain fossil graptolites and trilobites. Girvan is a well-documented area for fossils and is one of the most popular areas to collect in Scotland. This foreshore location is easy to access, but you will need the correct tools. Ordovician, Silurian, Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦

Northumberland by UK Fossils (UKGE Group)Mar 21, 20091:41 pm

Beadnell

Beadnell’s tilted limestone reefs and shell-rich shale preserve a varied Carboniferous marine fauna. Brachiopods, crinoids, corals and bryozoans occur in distinct beds along the village shore, while folds, faults and a dolerite dyke make the coast as interesting for its structure as for its fossils. Carboniferous, Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦

Northumberland by UK Fossils (UKGE Group)Mar 21, 20092:14 pm

Howick

The faulted Carboniferous shore at Howick brings together fossil-rich marine limestone, ancient coastal sandstones and rooted plant-bearing beds. Crinoids, brachiopods, corals and trace fossils reward careful observation, while the discovery of a giant Arthropleura moult has revealed an exceptional part of the younger delta-plain landscape. Carboniferous, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦♦