Lyme Regis, Dorset<\/h3>\n<\/div>
The abundance of fossils strewn along the Jurassic Coastline is just one of the reasons why this area is the UK\u2019s only natural UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the heart of the coastline lies Lyme Regis<\/a>, which hosts its annual Fossil Festival every spring. Visitors will be able to take part in guided fossil walks, meet scientists from the British Antarctic Survey and purchase fossils and fossil-based arts and crafts from the Fossil Fair.<\/p>\n More related articles:<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> Graptolites \u2013 derived from the Greek words \u2018writing\u2019 (graptos) and \u2018stone\u2019 (lithos) \u2013 were planktonic organisms that drifted about the oceans feeding on algae. Some species even evolved into worm-like filter feeders known as pterobranchs that still live on the ocean floor today. Just imagine, these \u2018scribbled on\u2019 rocks found at Abereiddy Bay<\/a> contain the remains of organisms with a half-billion-year-long history. Visitors from across Europe flock to Herne Bay<\/a> to search the fossiliferous beds.\u00a0 Shark teeth, mostly belonging to the Stratiolamia macrota, are the most prevalent type of fossil found. For the best chance of finding natural treasures amongst the sediment, head to the beach at Beltinge just east of Herne Bay, and walk further east towards Reculver. Visit during spring tides when water levels are extremely low, allowing visitors to search a wider area of the shoreline.<\/p>\n The small coastal town of Walton-on-the-Naze<\/a> has been attracting fossil hunters since the nineteenth century. The coastline here is said to be eroding by half a metre every year, meaning that more and more fossils are turning up on the beach as the cliffs crumble away. Park outside the Naze Tower, an eighteenth century lighthouse, and go down the steps, heading north along the beach. Look out for shark teeth, pyritised twigs and bivalve shells. Take care to avoid walking below the cliff edges, which become particularly fragile following bad weather.<\/p>\n Spring is the best time to visit Bracklesham Bay<\/a>, particularly during scouring tides when bivalves, shark teeth and gastropods litter the beach. The flat, sandy beach is ideal for children to survey the sands for the remains of prehistoric creatures. Visit an hour before low tide for best results. During early spring and early autumn, it is easy to get stuck in the soft clay during scouring conditions so watch where you\u2019re walking, particularly if the tide is coming in.<\/p>\n The ease of access, caf\u00e9 and proximity to town make Redcar<\/a> the ideal location for young fossil collectors. The absence of cliffs and crashing waves also makes this a relatively safe environment for little ones to run about on, while the shingle surface means it\u2019s easy to spot ancient shells on the surface. Although the nature of the environment here means that discoveries might not be particularly exciting for the more experienced collector, the bountiful numbers of bivalves washing up on the shore will excite new collectors both young and old.<\/p>\n Indulge in fossils on the Jurassic coastline of Dorset and Devon. Now recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it\u2019s made up of\u00a095 miles and 185 million years of prehistoric life, gradually exposed for eventual discovery.\u00a0The 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.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Beachcombing is a soothing activity which involves combing the shoreline to see what objects of interest you can see. This could be shells, pebbles, seaglass or one of the seashore marvels listed below.<\/p>\n Here is our expert guide to beachcombing, including things to look out for, how to beachcomb, and best beaches for beachcombing in the UK.<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> The soft chalk at Danes Dyke<\/a> dates back 75 million years to the Cretaceous period and is the UK\u2019s best location for collecting sponges. Experienced fossil collectors may wish to bring a hammer and chisel with them to break open boulders along the shore to find the freshest sponges, although there is plenty to find by simply scanning the loose rocks, including echinoids, crinoid plates and sea urchin spines. Danes Dyke is easily accessible, and has a caf\u00e9, car park and toilets, making it suitable for all the family.<\/p>\n Mappleton, home to an old MOD base, is one of the best places to get down onto the eroding Holderness Coastline. The rapid erosion ensures that fossils turn up on the beach on a regular basis. Fossils found along this coastline arrived here in glacial deposits, meaning that the things that turn up on the beach didn\u2019t originate in this area. Fossils found at Mappleton<\/a> can range dramatically in size, from small belemnites to large pieces of oak that would have fallen when the ice sheets came down.\u00a0Keep children away from the cliff face and pay attention to any notices around the old MOD base.<\/p>\n The cliffs overlooking the Solent are rich with fossils, making the area between Highcliffe and Barton-on-Sea<\/a> perfect for exploring. On the sandy beach, driftwood is found amongst a host of fossilised shells including gastropods and bivalves. The eroding cliffs mean that fossils often find their way down onto the beach, and great care should be taken if you choose to explore the cliff slippages as it\u2019s easy to become stuck. Visit as the tide is going out to increase your chances of finding shark teeth strewn along the shoreline.<\/p>\n![\""Pyritized\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2014\/04\/GettyImages_148227082-f95ac0b.jpg?quality=45&resize=556,556"\" "\\"\"Pyritized\\"\/")
<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section>Abereiddy Bay, Pembrokeshire<\/h3>\n<\/div>
![\""Blue\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2019\/01\/Blue-Lagoon-Aberieddy-Bay-Pembrokeshire-c635326.jpg?quality=90&resize=619%2C413"\" "\\"\"Blue\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Herne Bay, Kent<\/h3>\n<\/div>
![\""Beach\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2019\/07\/Herne-Bay-Kent-6c43b9d.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C349"\" "\\"\"Herne-Bay-Kent\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex<\/h3>\n<\/div>
![\""Beach\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2019\/01\/Walton-on-the-Naze-0d9e3ef.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C407"\" "\\"\"Walton-on-the-Naze\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Bracklesham Bay, Sussex<\/h3>\n<\/div>
![\""Bracklesham\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2014\/04\/GettyImages-540377080-98c158e.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"Bracklesham\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Redcar, Durham<\/h3>\n<\/div>
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Charmouth, Dorset<\/h3>\n<\/div>
![\""Charmouth,\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2018\/09\/Charmouth-72e2de4.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C388"\" "\\"\"Charmouth,\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>What is beachcombing?<\/h4>\n
![\""Female\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2019\/07\/beachcomber-d4b391c.jpg?quality=45&resize=556,556"\" "\\"\"beachcomber\"\\"\/")
<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section>Danes Dyke, Yorkshire<\/h3>\n<\/div>
![\""Shoreline"\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2019\/01\/Danes-Dyke-Yorkshire-3de8531.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"Danes-Dyke-Yorkshire\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Mappleton, Yorkshire<\/h3>\n<\/div>
![\""Shoreline"\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2019\/01\/Mappleton-beach-Yorkshire-918692a.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"Mappleton-beach-Yorkshire\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Barton-on-Sea, Hampshire<\/h3>\n<\/div>
![\""Barton-On-Sea,\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2014\/04\/GettyImages-510178853-823b50c.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"Barton-On-Sea,\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>West Runton, Norfolk<\/h3>\n<\/div>