Redcar fossils and fossil collecting
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You will be sure to find plenty of fossils, although most will be either rolled by the sea, or fragments. The beach is full of them, as they have been washed from the cliffs south of Redcar. Although the fossils are not that great for the enthusiast, for beginners and children, this is a great location.
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Shingle Bank
Fossils have been washed on a large shingle bank running down the coast. The fossils would have come from the Jurassic cliffs to the south, so you never know what you might find. This also means, you can find the same fossils as also found along the Yorkshire coastline, but without the dangers of tide and cliffs. |
No Restrictions
There are no restrictions at this location, you are free to collect fossils, please be aware that further north at Redcar Rocks, these are SSSI and restricted, no hammering allowed. |
Common sense when collecting at all locations should be taken and knowledge of tide times should always be noted. This is generally a safe area to collect because there are no cliffs and you can easily leave the beach at any time. |
Liam Strover and Timothy J Woodstrover, keen fossil hunters who kindly notified us of this location.
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Last updated:
last visited:
Written by: |
23/08/09
2009
Marc Strover and Charles Paxton
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This is a location that is mainly for beginners and children. Don't expect to find fantastic fossils, but you should find plenty of rolled and fragments of fossils. These of course are fantastic for children and beginners and are really easy to find! You should also find complete bivalves here simple laying in the shingle, waiting to be picked up. It makes an ideal day out, and it is amazing now much it will occupy the kids, before you know it, the day will be gone!
What makes this location special is that it is a safe environment for children, you can park really close and walk along the beach picking up fragments of ammonites, bivalves and other fossils normally found along the famous Yorkshire coastline, without the dangers of the cliffs, sea and strong tidal conditions!
The shingle bank full of Jurassic fossils!
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Jurassic |
Because the fossils and pebbles have been washed from other locations, in particular Yorkshire, it is impossible to give exact dates to the fossils, however, they are Jurassic age and roughly 200 million years old.
Bivalves are the most common find at Redcar
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Other Locations similar to Redcar
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If you enjoyed collecting at Redcar, nearby Saltburn is also similar in geology, but will be too dangerious for children. Other locations in Yorkshrie such as 'Robin Hoods Bay', and 'Staithes' are also very good.
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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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The location is near Millclose Howles. This is between Redcar and Marske-by-the-sea, but before the Red Howles sewage pipe.
