The Dorset village of Charmouth \u2013 the gateway to the Jurassic Coast \u2013 is pleasantly removed from the blare and glare of other seaside amusements, and is a wonderful starting point for a fossil-hunting daytrip.\u00a0It was near here, in 1811, that 12-year-old Mary Anning and her brother unearthed the skull of an ichthyosaur.<\/p>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2014\/04\/Charmouth-village-and-beach-92adfc6-e1665564442941.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C409"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Where is Charmouth?<\/h2>\n
Charmouth is a coastal village on the Dorset coast, two miles east of Lyme Regis and the Devon border.<\/p>\n
The beach itself is a short distance beyond the village, and it has all the amenities you could need, including a car park, caf\u00e9, souvenir shop and fossil-focussed visitor centre.<\/p>\n You may also like:<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> The Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre<\/a> has well-presented displays of locally discovered fossils, including the eponymous Charmouth dinosaur \u2013 Scelidosaurus<\/em>.<\/p>\n This was the earliest complete dinosaur fossil to be unearthed in England, and is thought to be the best known species of dinosaur that lived here 190 million years ago.<\/p>\n The first fossils of this four-legged plant-eater, about 4m (13ft) long, were uncovered by Charmouth quarry owner James Harrison during the 1850s. They were sent to Professor Richard Owen of the British Museum, who classified it Scelidosaurus harrisonii<\/em>.<\/p>\n The staff are as bright and helpful as the displays, and they happily let our children put on the dinosaur head-pieces created by a local artist.<\/p>\n The best place to find fossils at Charmouth is to the right of the visitor centre (facing the sea) towards a section of lumpy, grey cliffs \u2013 the result of a landslide in 1959 now known as the Black Ven.<\/p>\n It\u2019s only a mile or so along the beach from here to Lyme Regis but due to landslides blocking the way this is only really accessible at low tide \u2013 the centre will have a timetable.<\/p>\n A note of caution: the coastline is very dynamic here, and landslips are common (especially with last year\u2019s wet weather), so make sure the whole family avoid the area immediately beneath the cliffs.<\/p>\n In any case, the beach itself is both the safest and the best place to find fossils \u2013 cleaned and sifted by the sea. Fossil hunting is one of those outdoor pastimes where bad is good: wild weather often reveals\u00a0more treasures released from their ancient settings.<\/p>\n Searching soon becomes a happy obsession: a steady stroll, eyes flickering over the stones, occasionally punctuated by a shriek of \u2018Eureka!\u2019 and a gathering of the clan as a new treasure is discovered.<\/p>\n This area is no secret location \u2013 in fact its attractions are proudly proclaimed, but the beauty of fossil hunting is that there\u2019s room for everyone to fan out and find their own space on the beach, becoming caught up in the thrill of the hunt.<\/p>\n Fossil-finding success rates are variable, dependant on both individual skill (and patience) and luck on the day, and success can stir easily inflamed sibling rivalries and intra-family jealousies. So you can increase the odds of finding one by heading to the visitor centre, which offers regular guided walks led by a team of enthusiastic wardens.<\/p>\n Key fossil types at Charmouth include ammonites, belemnites, coprolites and fossilised wood.<\/p>\n Hunt for fossils near you<\/strong><\/p>\n There is nothing more exciting than taking a walk along the beach and stumbling across a fossil that dates back hundreds of millions of years. It\u2019s an outdoor experience perfect for children of all ages, and it continues to delight adults, too. But where are the best places to find fossil near you?<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> It\u2019s best to time a trip to Charmouth for just after high tide, with the sea receding, leaving hours to scour the shingle beach for fossils that have come away from the cliffs or been turned over by the tide. Check the tide times at Charmouth<\/a> before you visit.<\/p>\n Charmouth Fish Bar and Pizzeria<\/strong><\/p>\n Fish and chips takeaway and pizzas.<\/p>\n The St, Charmouth, DT6 6PU, 01297 560220, charmouthfishbar.co.uk<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n The Bank House Caf\u00e9<\/strong><\/p>\n Refuel at this colourful, welcoming caf\u00e9 that serves award-winning sausages.<\/p>\n The Street, Charmouth,\u00a0DT6 6PU,\u00a001297 561600 facebook.com\/TheBankHouseCharmouth<\/a><\/p>\n![\""Rock\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2022\/01\/Foula-Island-Shetland-e5673b0.jpg?quality=45&resize=556,556"\" "\\"\"Gada's\\"")
<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section>Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre<\/h2>\n
Fossil hunting in Charmouth<\/h2>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2022\/09\/Child-fossil-hunting-on-Charmouth-Beach-020c800.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>![\""Fossils\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2022\/01\/Charmouth-fossil-674f672.jpg?quality=45&resize=556,556"\" "\\"\"Jurassic\\"")
<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section>Charmouth tides times<\/h2>\n
Where to eat in Charmouth<\/h2>\n
Where to stay in Charmouth<\/h2>\n