During ancient times, large parts of the U.K. were underwater, covered by a prehistoric sea. Today, the U.K.’s limestone cliffs make it one of the best places in Europe to find fossils. A study by South Western Railway looked at 23 coastal locations to find the top fossil-hunting spots in the country.
The study checked each place for fossil abundance, rock type, and past finds. It also looked at the weather, including sunshine and rainfall, to find the most enjoyable places for fossil hunters.
Top Fossil Spot: Walton-on-the-Naze
Walton-on-the-Naze in Essex was named the best place to find fossils in the U.K. This seaside town is known for its Red Crag formation, which holds fossils from the Paleogene period, dating back 65.5 to 23 million years.
Other Great Fossil Locations
- Folkestone, Kent: Visit at low tide to find pterosaur bone fragments and other reptile bones in the gault clay.
- Bracklesham Bay, West Sussex: Known for Paleogene fossils over 65 million years old.
- Seaford Head, East Sussex: A good spot for echinoids, belemnites, and bivalves.
- Warden Point, Isle of Sheppey: Also popular for fossil hunting.
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