Finding the fossilised remains of a creature that has been hidden, encased in rock for over 65 million years is quite magical. It’s dinosaurs that you can search for, pick up and take home. You will be the first human being to ever see that once living creature.
Below is a map of places recommend for families to search out their first fossils. These beaches have relatively easy access. Though walking back up with a pocket full of fossils can be a challenge for tired little legs.
1, Runswick Bay: A large sandy bay, great for a day on the beach. Fossils can be found in the rocks in front of the main village’s houses and right down the beach towards Kettleness. Keep away from unstable cliffs as they fall down all the time.
2, Whitby Cove: Rocky shore to the east of the piers. Only accessible at low tide. Keep away from unstable cliffs as they fall down all the time.
3, Saltwick Bay: Drive towards Whitby Holiday Park and park in the free parking just before it. Steep walk down to beach. Keep away from unstable cliffs as they fall down all the time.
4, Robin Hoods Bay: Park at the top of the bank and walk down. Fossils can be found all over this rocky beach. Keep away from unstable cliffs as they fall down all the time.
5, Boggle Hole Beach: Ammonites can be seen in the bedrock around this beach. You are not allowed to cut these out. But you can find them loose amongst the stones. Keep away from unstable cliffs as they fall down all the time. Parking at the top of the hill is free. Café in the YHA.
Other rocky beaches in the area are also good for fossil hunting but can have access issues for families.
Fossils to look for:
Ammonites: See image at top of page, a spiral shaped shell.
Belemnites: Bullet shaped, mostly found in bits, so can just be cylinders of stone, but nice to find the pointed end. See round fossils in child’s hand image above.
Crinoids: Can be of varying length but these 5 pointed star shaped stones are very satisfying to find. Very small, see star shaped fossils in image above. Also known locally as fairy coins.
Gryphaea or Devils Toe Nail: A curved shell from an fossilised extinct oyster.
Dogs: Dogs are allowed on all of these beaches all throughout the year.
Always check the tide times to avoid getting cut off and to avoid disappointment.
Tides explained very simply:
It takes 6 hours for the tide to come all the way in.
30 minutes standing water as it changes direction
6 hours for the tide to go all the way out.
30 minutes standing water.
So each day the tide times will be roughly 1 hour later than the day before.