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Wondering where is best to see or hunt for fossils on the Jurassic Coast?
The rocks that make up the cliffs at Charmouth, Lyme Regis and Kimmeridge are rich in fossils of animals that swam in the Jurassic seas. This part of the Jurassic coastline erodes rapidly resulting in thousands of fossils being fed onto the beaches from the landslides in the surrounding cliffs, especially after winter storms.
The remains that have been found along the Dorset coast since the eighteenth century represent one of the richest slices of life in Jurassic times anywhere in the world!
The Museum of Jurassic Marine Life at Kimmeridge is home to some world firsts and the fossils on display were all collected along the local coastline by renowned fossil collector, Dr Steve Etches MBE. If you happen to find a fossil down on the beach you can take it up to the museum for it to be identified.
You can also see Dorset fossils exhibited at the Dorset County Museum, including the famous Weymouth Bay pliosaur.
And if you want the real Jurassic experience, you can literally walk in the footsteps of dinosaurs at Keates Quarry near Swanage, where more than 100 fossilised tracks are preserved in a flat layer of rock.
Join a fossil hunting expedition
One of the best and safest ways to hunt for fossils is to join a guided walk.
Visit the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre and join a fossil hunting walk with a professional guide like Jurassic Coast Guides or from the Lyme Regis Museum.
Dr. Steve Etches M.B.E runs guided bay tours at Kimmeridge starting at the Museum of Jurassic Marine Life - which is also home to Steve's own fossil collection, all found within the local area.
Safety First
Fossils are eroded from the cliffs of the World Heritage Site and tumble onto the beaches where we can find them. But not every beach is safe, and not all fossils should be collected.
Always follow the Fossil Hunting Code before setting out on your expedition.
It's very important that you also consult tide tables before collecting fossils; it is advisable that you hunt for fossils on a falling tide.
