Lavernock fossils and fossil collecting
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Medium
Fossils are quite common at Lavernock, with brachiopods and bivalves being the most common. Ammonites can be found, but you are more likely to find worn ammonites and ammonite fragments |
Older Children
Lavernock is suitable for older children since the foreshore can be very rocky and there is a walk to the best beds. |
Good Access
Parking space for four cars, with good access to the beach. There is a short walk to get to the main sections at Lavernock. |
Cliffs, Foreshore
Fossils are mostly found in the rocks along the foreshore but can also be found in the cliff face and also in the scree slopes. The cliffs are too dangerious to collect from, so please stick to the foreshore boulders and shale. |
No Restrictions
There are no restrictions at this site, hammering and collecting is permitted. However we ask that you follow our fossil code of conduct which can be found in the link below. |
Common sense when collecting at all locations should be taken and knowledge of tide times should always be noted. It is very east to become cut off at Lavernock, ensure you know the tide times. Cliff falls frequently occur, hard hats should be worn when searching below the cliff. |
Lavernock
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
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| Last updated: |
2008 |
| last visited: |
2003 |
| Written by: |
Alister and Alison Cruickshanks |
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Geological Tools
It is recommended that you take a hammer and chisel since most of the fossils are in large boulders and slabs on the foreshore and these normally require splitting. Wrap fossils well and place into containers or bags.
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Other Locations similar to Lavernock
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The blue liass at Lavernock is similar to Watchet, Quantoxhead, Kilve, Lilstock, Hinkley Point, Doniford Bay, and St Audries Bay, in Somertset. You can also collect Blue Lias fossils from nearby Llantwit Major, Penarth,and Gileston,
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Ammonites are not uncommon but fragments can be seen around the beach. Fossils are rarely found just lying on the beach, normally you have to work hard to get them by splitting boulders that already contain worn ammonites or part ammonites.
Shells are by far the most common fossil at Lavernock. Many of the best finds can be found from around the area when you first enter the beach from the steps.
To the Left as you walk down the steps, the cliffs change from Jurassicc to Triassic and the bone bed similar to Aust can be seen, however at Lavernock it is very thin (about half an inch to the maximum) so any bones are normally far too small to collect. The rest of the red rock is unfossiliferious.
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Jurassic, 200mya |
Geological Succession at Lavernock
The Jurassic rocks at Lavernock are lower lias similar to those of Watchet which of course it just across the Bristol Channel. These are early blue lias, but differ from those of Watchet since the fossils are completely different. Giant gastropods, bivalves and brachiopods dominate the rocks, with only a few ammonites.
The Triassic red cliffs are mostly the Mercia Mudstone Group of the Sully Beds and are unfossilferous. At the top of this bed and below the Jurassic lower lias, is the Rhaetian Penarth Group. This bed is recognised by Grey to black mudstones with subordinate limestones and sandstones; predominantly marine in origin...[more]
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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.
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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. |
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Our International Rock
and Fossil Magazine |
 
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From the B4267, turn off at the signpost to Lavernock, follow the road all the way to Lavernock heading towards 'Lavernock Point' which will turn off down a small track road. 
