What do I need to collect ? Where to go collecting Fossil hunting is a great outdoor hobby, so The Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site covers 95 Fossil Collecting your choice of clothing and good strong boots miles of coast and beaches but not all of these and Beach Safety should reflect this beaches are good places to find fossils. Rules A guide to enjoyable, safe and about fossil collecting vary along the coast, so Sharp eyes! Fossil collecting please take note of and respect local signs. responsible collecting is all about looking carefully and are world famous for Your rucksack should fossil collecting and you have a good chance of contain: finding fossils loose on the beaches in this area. It is recommended you seek local expert advice. • Newspaper and small The staff at Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre or freezer bags to protect Lyme Regis Museum can advise you or take you your fossils on a guided walk. A point in the right direction • A waterproof marker pen can save time and avoid disappointment. to write on the bags, to www.charmouth.org remind you of the Tel: 01297 560772 contents and where and when found www.lymeregismuseum.co.uk • A camera to record big fossils Tel: 01297 443370 Remember, big spectacular fossils are best If you find a special or rare fossil from the West left for everyone to enjoy Coast, please register it at the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre. They will simply take Hammers and chisels are NOT essential - details for a database and you can keep the fossil. plenty of fossils can be found without them A full version of the Fossil Collectors’ Code of If you do choose Conduct for the Coast is available at to use a hammer, www.charmouth.org a geological hammer is best. Where to find out more Always wear eye Visit museums and visitor protection and centres on the Jurassic keep hammering to Coast a minimum Your local library Very few rocks are actually worth breaking www. jurassiccoast.org Visit your local museum Do not dig in the cliffs or rocky ledges Fossil Collecting and Beach Safety

The best place to find fossils is on the beach Look for fossils trapped between boulders and among pebbles on the beach.

pantone 484 Keep away from pantone 484 the cliff edge

Always go collecting on a falling tide Beware of large waves, especially during rough weather. Stay away from the cliffs, as rockfalls can happen at any time. Mudflows are dangerous Please do not hammer Stay well away or you could lose more than just your or dig in the cliffs. wellies! Always tell someone where you are going and how long you will be

Finally, good luck and enjoy your fossil collecting