Fossil hunting in Dorset
Dorset is the best known fossil-hunting county in Britain. The Jurassic Coast between Lyme Regis and Swanage exposes a near-continuous sequence of Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous rock, and winter storms keep the beaches supplied with fresh material.
7 locations recorded
The geology
Triassic red beds in the west give way to Lower Jurassic clays and limestones around Lyme Regis and Charmouth, then Middle and Upper Jurassic strata eastwards through Kimmeridge and Portland, with Cretaceous chalk at Durdle Door and Old Harry Rocks.
Select a region on the map, or use the region list below. Every marker is a location in the database.
Dorset
7 locations
- 01Lyme RegisAmmonites · Belemnites · Bivalves · Marine reptile remainsBeginnerFamily friendlyBeach, CliffExplore location →
- 02CharmouthAmmonites · Belemnites · Bivalves · Fossilised woodBeginnerFamily friendlyBeach, CliffExplore location →
- 03Kimmeridge BayAmmonites · Bivalves · Fossilised wood · Marine reptile remainsModerateFamily friendlyBeach, Cliff, Geological siteExplore location →
- 04SeatownAmmonites · Belemnites · Bivalves · Fossilised woodEasyFamily friendlyBeach, CliffExplore location →
- 05Church Ope Cove, PortlandBivalves · Gastropods · Ammonites · Fossilised woodModerateBeach, CliffExplore location →
- 06Eype BeachAmmonites · Belemnites · BivalvesEasyFamily friendlyBeach, CliffExplore location →
- 07Ringstead BayAmmonites · Bivalves · Sea urchins · GastropodsModerateBeach, CliffExplore location →
Fossils found in Dorset
Guides for this region
- Beginner's guide to fossil hunting
- What to look for when fossil hunting
- What stones to look for when fossil hunting
- Where to go fossil hunting
- Where to go fossil hunting near me
- What to take fossil hunting
- How to identify a fossil
- Best fossil hunting beaches in the UK
- Where to find ammonites in the UK
- Fossil hunting with children
- UK fossil collecting rules