Weymouth fossils and fossil collecting

Furzy Cliff can be approached from the car park along the A353 at Weymouth.
Alternatively, it can be reached by walking along the beach from Bowleaze Cove.
At the end of the sea defence, walking East. Furzy cliff is directly after the sea defence, Redcliff point is quite a walk.
This location yields few fossils these days since the sea rarely washes the cliffs out, however fossils are often found after heavy rain. This location is part of the World Heritage Coastline.

GRID REF: 50.63340°N, 2.43113°W

oysters, reptiles, crocodile, ammonites

The Oxford Clay at Weymouth yields ammonites and is rich in reptile remains. The Giant fossil Oyster shells are also plentiful. This location is best during scouring tides, though during these times you will need wellington boots.

Low

The sea at Weymouth rarely washes Fuzzy Cliff, so few fossils are found, apart from after heavy rain. Fossils are also found at Redcliff Point which the sea does often wash out, but these beds are not so productive

Suitable for Children

Weymouth is suitable for families, a car park,toliets, cafe and lovely beach.

Good Access

Weymouth is easy location to access, a short walk, and near to toliets, cafe and not far from the town centre.

Cliff, Foreshore

Most fossils are found along the foreshore, but fossils can also be found washed out of the clay on the slippages after rain.

No digging in the cliff

This location is part of the Jurassic World Heritage site, and hammering or digging in the cliff is not permitted.

Common sense when collecting at all locations should be taken and knowledge of tide times should always be noted. Furzy cliff is rarely washed out by the sea, and as the sea defence is just West of the cliff, their is little danger here. The dangers of being cut off from the tide are along Red Cliff point, here tide times should be noted.

Weymouth
Tide Times

UK Tidal data is owned by Crown Copyright, and therefore sadly we are not allowed to display tide times without paying expensive annual contracts. However we sell them via our store, including FREE POSTAGE
Click here to buy a tide table

Last updated:	2008
last visited:	2002
Written by:	Alister and Alison Cruickshanks


At Fuzzy Cliff, it is best to collect fossils after heavy rain, this often causes slips. The sea rarely washes the cliff, but at Redcliff Point, the sea regulary washes the cliffs, so you may have a better chance at this location. Search the washed clay on the foreshore, or search the areas of shingle. At Furzy Cliff, the ammonite Cardioceras can be found along with Oysters, Gryphaea dilatata and Lopha. Ichthyosaurus, Crocodile and Crustacean remains have been reported, but the sea rarely washes these cliffs out anymore, so collecting is best done after heavy rain. Walking further East at Redcliff point, pyritized ammonites of the Mariae Zone can be found. Oxford Clay and Corallian

Jurassic, 155mya

Other Locations similar to Weymouth

Other locations which are similar to Weymouth are, Lothbeg, Portgower, Helmsdale, Balintore and Eathie, in Scotland, or Wyke Regis, Weymouth, Bowleaze Cove, and Ringstead in Dorset.

Geological Tools

TOOLS: A Pick and knife are best at this location, hammers may be required if looking at the corallian beds of Red Point cliff, though most collecting may be achieved in the Oxford clay. Suitable footwear should be worn especially after heavy rain. CONTAINERS: Simple containers and small bags can be taken to store fossils, they may be cleaned of residual clay at home.....[more]

Stone Tumblers

Microscopes

Test Sieves for Microfossils

If you are interested in fossil collecting, then you may also be interested in a stone tumbler (Lapidary). You can polish stones and rocks from the beach which will look fantastic polished using a stone tumbler.

You can polish rough rock and beach glass whilst collecting fossils, on those days where you come back empty handed. These are all high quality machines to give a professional finish to your samples. They can even be used for amber and fossils.

At most locations, you can find microfossils. You only need a small sample of the sand. You then need to wash it in water and sieve using a test sieve. Once the sand is processed, you can then view the contents using a microscope.

We have a wide range of microscopes for sale, you will need a Stereomicroscope for viewing microfossils. The best one we sell is the IMXZ, but a basic microscope will be fine. Once you have found microfossils, you will need to store these microfossils.

Test Sieves are used when searching for microfossils. Microfossils can be found in many locations, and all you need is a small amount of sample such as clays, sands and shales, or if you have acid, limestone, oolite or chalk.

Our UKGE Store sells Endecotts Test Sieves, which are the highest in accuracy and extremely durable and long lasting. These Test Sieves are fantastic for microfossils. Endecotts Test Sieves come in a variety of sizes, frame material and types, they are certificated to EU Standards.

(C)opyright 2008 - UKGE Limited, UK Fossils Network and Deposits Magazine, all rights reserved.
Whilst we try to ensure that all content is accurate and up to date we cannot guarantee this. UK Fossils takes no responsibility in the accuracy of this content, nor takes any liabilities for any trips, events or exchanges between visitors using either the discussion board or the UK Fossils planner. Any posted trips and events by UK Fossils are personal and not arranged by UK Fossils, therefore visitors should seek their own personal insurance cover. Please remember to always check the tide times.
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