What fossils to find

From the Wealden which is at the Southern end of New Swanage, you can find ostracods of Cypridea and snails of Viviparus. These along with Oysters are the most common fossil here. These Wealden beds are not that productive for fossils.

From the Lower Greensand, bivalves, gastropods (Cassiope) and ammonites (Deshayesites) can all be found. Fossils from the Upper Greensand include many different species of ammonites (Anahoplites, Prohysteroceras and Mortoniceras), oysters and Echinoids.

Look out for a hard blue-grey stone band when you pass the Gault, marked by the basal bed with a quartz layer. This bed is the most productive.

The Lower Chalk also yields many fossils, the Basement Bed which is just after the Upper Greensand yields ammonites of (Schloenbachia and Sciponoceras). Starfish, brachiopods, bivalves and echinoids are also all common.

Where to look

Most fossils can be found by looking in the boulders. The greensand and chalk boulders certainly give you a greater chance of finding fossils, but you will need a good hammer and chisel to work them. Other fossils can be found in the slippages or exposed on the foreshore during scouring conditions.

Fossils from the Wealden can sometimes be washed out of the cliff after rains and end up on the scree slopes. This is often the best chance to find fossils from these beds.

Sometimes a good eye is often all you need when fossil hunting, together with a little luck by your side!

Fossils can be found on the foreshore and in the cliff

Search the boulders along the beach.