Lyme Regis is a lovely little town in Dorset, on the western end of the Jurassic Coast. Lyme Regis is famous for its fossils, and for being the birthplace of Mary Anning, a renowned palaeontologist. Fossil hunting in Lyme Regis has been popular since Mary Anning discovered some of the most significant fossils in the world, and visitors flock here in the hope of finding their own legendary fossil. Check out all of my Lyme Regis fossil hunting tips to help you find some fossils too!
Why Lyme Regis is So Good for Fossil Hunting
Lyme Regis is one of the best places in the UK to find fossils. I am no palaeontologist, so to simplify things in terms I can understand I’ll try to explain why there are so many fossils in Lyme Regis.
Going back 200 million years, the vast ocean that covered much of what is now Britain, Europe, North Africa and parts of Asia was teeming with life. The sea over Britain was relatively shallow, and mud was carried to this area by rivers that flowed into the sea.
Many of the sea creatures that lived and died here were preserved as fossils thanks to the unique conditions of shallow water and mud.
When the animals died, their bodies fell into the mud which preserved them. The mud covered the bodies of the creatures, stopping oxygen from getting to them and preventing decomposition. Over thousands of years, the mud layers were covered with more sediment and the pressure of the weight of the layers eventually turned them into stone and the bodies of the creatures into fossils.
Usually, these kinds of fossils would be buried deep underground and we would never find them. But here, land movements pushed the fossil layers closer to the surface, forming the cliffs along the coast. As the cliffs erode naturally, new fossils are continuously being exposed, earning this region the name Jurassic Coast.
The Jurassic Coast is England’s only natural UNESCO World Heritage Site and covers 95 miles of coastline from Dorset to East Devon. The rocks and fossils here have recorded 185 million years of the Earth’s history, and these fossilised remains of ancient sea creatures have given fossil hunters a glimpse into what life was like so many millions of years ago.
Can You Take Fossils from Lyme Regis?
Yes, you can take fossils from Lyme Regis – within reason. There are so many small fossils on Lyme Regis beach that if people didn’t take them home then they would be lost to the sea as the cliffs wear away. It is better to have these fossils loved and appreciated than lost forever.
However, if you come across any significant or rare specimens, it’s recommended to report them to the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre or local authorities for scientific and educational purposes.
The larger fossils which are embedded in huge rocks shouldn’t be taken from the beach, so leave those for other people to enjoy.
Lyme Regis Fossil Hunting Tips
Go in the Winter
The best time for fossil hunting is actually in the winter when rough seas and bad weather loosen the soil in the cliffs and expose more fossils. While the weather is more pleasant for you in the summer, there is less chance of uncovering the Lyme Regis fossils which get washed up onto the beach, and down from the cliffs.
Stay Away from the Cliffs
It might be tempting to dig around in the cliffs, but that is very dangerous. Cliff falls can happen suddenly without warning, and even a single rock falling in the wrong place could prove fatal. Keep a safe distance away from the cliffs, and focus your fossil hunting on the beach.
Be Aware of the Rubbish Dump
Unfortunately, fossils aren’t the only things you’ll find on Lyme Regis Beach. On top of the cliffs was the site of a Victorian rubbish dump, and all sorts of detritus are ending up on the beach as the cliffs erode. Some finds are quite interesting, while some can be dangerous so take care while you’re sifting through the sand.
Check the Tide Times
You should only ever go hunting for fossils when the tide is going out. It’s easy to lose track of time and the beach is cut off very quickly as the tide comes in so you don’t want to get trapped without an exit route.
As well as being much safer, as the tide recedes you can explore more of the beach, and there is a better chance of finding fossils that have recently been uncovered by the waves, so it is a win-win all round to look for fossils on a falling tide.
Keep Your Eyes Peeled
I was surprised to find that there were fossils just lying around on the beach! You don’t really need to go fossil hunting at all, you can just take a walk and spot ammonites almost everywhere in Lyme Regis, as well as other fossils preserved in the rocks all over the beach.
Forget the Equipment
Almost every budding fossil hunter will be tapping away at random rocks with their rock hammer in the hope of cracking open a rock to reveal a beautiful fossil. However, if you’re wondering how to find fossils, you don’t need actually need any equipment, just some patience and a good eye!
Join a Guided Fossil Walk
As a complete fossil-hunting novice, the only way I had of uncovering my own fossil was to join one of the Lyme Regis Museum’s fossil walks. The experienced and highly knowledgeable guides show you how to find fossils on Lyme Regis beach, from finding loose fossils in plain sight to cracking open rocks to find a hidden gem.
More about my experience on one of these fossil walks in a moment, but I highly recommend doing that if you’d like some help hunting fossils in Lyme Regis!
The Best Places to Find Fossils in Lyme Regis
There are plenty of places to look for fossils in Lyme Regis, from museums to shops and of course the beaches! Here are some of the best places to find fossils to learn more about them, and to have the best chance of finding your own fossil to take home:
Lyme Regis Museum
The Lyme Regis Museum is built on the site of Mary Anning’s family home, and although the actual building she lived in was demolished, the museum pays homage to her and her work. After extensive redevelopment, the museum in its current form was opened in 1997.
Lyme Regis Museum is home to some incredible fossils, including a huge ichthyosaur skull and some wonderful ammonites. The museum also covers the history of Lyme Regis and books that have been written in and about the area, as well as lots of information about Mary Anning.
It’s a good idea to come here before going fossil hunting to get an overview of Lyme Regis, the Jurassic Coast, and the fossils you might find here.
During the Dorset school summer holidays, the museum is open daily 10am to 5pm (except Sundays when it closes at 4pm). From mid-September to mid-July the museum is closed on Mondays. Entry costs £7.95 per adult or £4.95 for children. If you take a fossil walk, the museum entry fee is included in your walk ticket.
Lyme Regis Fossil Walks
The Lyme Regis Museum also runs fossil walks, led by expert geologists who share their vast knowledge of fossils and take you along the beach to find fossils of your own. I joined one of the walks and absolutely loved it!
Our guide Chris was fabulous, he clearly knew his stuff but was also great at sharing that knowledge in a fun and interesting way. Before we set off walking, we gathered in a circle and he pulled out various models of dinosaurs and some fossils to demonstrate what he was talking about, making jokes and getting everyone involved.
I know practically nothing fossils, so it was fascinating to get some background before we got down to business. We walked slowly along the beach, picking up rocks and pointing out things that we thought might be interesting, and Chris explained what each thing was, from actual fossils to just nice bits of rock.
Chris also shared lots of fossil-hunting tips we could use to find fossils on the walk. He was determined that we would all head home with a Lyme Regis fossil and made sure that if we didn’t find our own fossils he found some for us. I ended up with a lovely ammonite fossil that now has pride of place on my desk back home.
You can book your fossil walk on the Lyme Regis Museum website here. Prices start from £14.75 per adult and £8.75 for children. Private fossil walks are also available. Tickets for the walks do sell out, especially during the summer holidays, so book in advance to avoid disappointment!
Lyme Regis Fossil Beach
Of course, Lyme Regis Beach is the best place to find fossils, and it is where most of the museum’s fossils were found. Even just walking around you will be able to spot the distinctive spiral-shaped ammonites in rocks all over the beach.
If you know what you’re looking for you can find your own ammonites and other fossils to take home with you. Due to the presence of iron pyrite (fool’s gold) in the soil here, you can even find ‘gold’ ammonites. Bivalve shells, sea urchins and ichthyosaur vertebrae are also fairly common.
The Lyme Regis Museum has an eBook of fossils you may find on the beach, for just £2.50 it gives you a good idea of what to look for if you don’t join one of their fossil walks.
Monmouth Beach
About 30 minutes’ walk west of Lyme Regis is what’s known as the Ammonite Pavement, the other side of Monmouth Beach. Apparently, there you can find ammonites up to a metre wide, but I walked down there and didn’t see anything more spectacular than I had on Lyme Regis Beach – perhaps I was looking in the wrong place!
Charmouth Beach
Further along the coast, Charmouth Beach is another great place to find fossils – as well as plenty of sea glass. There’s also another fossil museum at Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre and another fossil shop, so you won’t be short of places to find fossils here either!
Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre is also home to the ichthyosaur that starred in the BBC documentary ‘Attenborough and the Sea Dragon’, which is now on display for a year here, loaned to the centre by local collector Chris Moore who discovered this intriguing fossil.
Dinosaurland Fossil Museum
This privately-owned museum has an excellent selection of fossils on display, and plenty for the kids to explore with models of dinosaurs and skeletons on show. Entry is £5 for adults and £4 for kids and is open from February to October from 10am to 5pm. Winter opening hours vary, so check their website for details.
Lyme Regis Fossil Shops
If you don’t manage to find your own fossils to take home then you can always buy one as a souvenir. There are lots of gift shops in Lyme Regis which sell some sort of fossil memorabilia, whether that is in the Lyme Regis Museum, Lyme Fossil Shop or any of the other fossil shops in Lyme Regis.
Some fossils will be beautifully cleaned and polished, whereas other specimens are less pristine but usually cost less.
Spot Ammonites in Lyme Regis
The ammonite has become the symbol of Lyme Regis, and you can find ammonites all over the town. Whether that is real ammonites embedded in the pavements, logos of businesses or even in the shape of lampposts, you really can’t avoid finding ammonites in Lyme Regis!
I hope this post has prepared you for finding fossils in Lyme Regis, I certainly had a great time exploring the beach and town. Don’t forget that there are plenty of other things to do in Lyme Regis apart from fossil hunting, so take your time here and enjoy!
Lyme Regis Fossil Hunting FAQ
Here are some common FAQs people ask about fossil hunting in Lyme Regis, along with their answers:
Where is the Best Place to go Fossil Hunting in Lyme Regis?
The most popular spots for fossil hunting in Lyme Regis are the beaches, particularly Lyme Regis, Monmouth Beach and Charmouth Beach. These locations have a higher chance of yielding fossils due to erosion and the constant exposure of new rocks.
What Fossils can I find in Lyme Regis?
Lyme Regis is famous for its ammonite fossils, particularly the large and well-preserved specimens of the species “Ammonites planorbis.” Other common finds include belemnites, fossilized wood, crinoids, and sometimes even marine reptile remains like ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs.
When is the Best Time to go Fossil Hunting?
Fossil hunting in Lyme Regis is best during the winter months when the beaches are less crowded, and the coastal erosion tends to expose fresh fossils. However, it’s essential to consider the tides and weather conditions, and always put safety first when exploring the coast.
Do I need any Special Equipment for Fossil Hunting in Lyme Regis?
While you don’t need any special equipment, it’s recommended to bring a few essentials. Sturdy footwear with a good grip is crucial for navigating rocky beaches. You may also want to bring a small hammer or a geological pick to carefully split rocks to reveal fossils. Additionally, a bag or container to hold your finds and some protective eye gear can be helpful.
Is Fossil Hunting Safe in Lyme Regis?
Fossil hunting can be safe if you follow some basic guidelines. Pay attention to the tide times and avoid hunting close to cliffs, as they can be unstable and prone to rockfalls. Be cautious while navigating the rocky terrain and wear appropriate footwear to prevent slips and falls. It’s also important to be mindful of others on the beach and to respect the natural environment.