Betteshanger Park, formerly Fowlmead, preserves a fossil-hunting area in material from the Kent coalfield. Its Carboniferous plant fossils can be explored through the park’s authorised fossil activities. Carboniferous, Spoil, Rating: ♦♦♦♦♦
Where to find fossils and what to find. UK Fossils features hundreds of fossil collecting locations in the UK, with geological guides and fossil hunting events.
Tag: Westphalian
Parton Bay
Parton Bay, just north of Whitehaven, has Carboniferous fossils in loose beach stones, including plant remains in shale and corals in limestone. The shore also contains sea glass and other reminders of its industrial past. Reach the village beach through the public railway underpass, check tides and conditions, and leave coastal defences and archaeological remains untouched. Carboniferous, Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦♦
Saltcom Bay
Saltcom Bay in this guide is South Beach beside West Pier, immediately south of Whitehaven harbour. Historical finds include Carboniferous plant remains in mixed colliery spoil. Beach access was reported prohibited for safety in the 2020 Coastal Strategy, and reopening has not been verified. Do not plan a shore-collecting visit without current confirmation from the landowner or Cumberland Council; remain on open signed routes and respect all barriers. Carboniferous, Cliffs and Foreshore, Rating: ♦♦♦
Holymoorside
A small wooded quarry near Holymoorside preserves plant fragments in Carboniferous sandstone. The rock belongs to the Wingfield Flags, a named sandstone unit within the Pennine Lower Coal Measures Formation. Stem debris is more characteristic than complete leaves. Follow the public path, keep clear of the unstable face and obtain the landowner’s permission before entering the quarry or collecting. Carboniferous, Disused Quarry, Rating: ♦♦
Stone Edge Plantation
Stone Edge Plantation preserves traces of former coal and clay workings, with plant-bearing Coal Measures shale reported from loose mine spoil. Fossils were uncommon and often poorly preserved in the original visit. Because old mine workings can be dangerous, remain on the public path, avoid shafts and disturbed ground, and obtain permission before any off-path visit or collecting. Carboniferous, Spoil, Rating: ♦♦
