Llantwit Major fossils and fossil collecting
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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. The cliffs at Llantwit Major are extremely high and cliff falls are frequently occurring along this coast. Please keep clear of the cliffs and if you are searching below the cliffs, ensure that you wear a hard hat. |
Llantwit Major
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:
last visited:
Written by: |
22/07/08
2003
Alister and Alison Cruickshanks
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Geological Tools
It is recommended that you take a hammer and chisel since many of the fossils are in large boulders and slabs on the foreshore. However it is not essential since fossils can also be found in the dark shale on the foreshore and al you need is a good eye and a small knife or trowel (or even a screwdriver) to life the fossils out of the shale since they are usually quite hard. Bones should be more carefully removed from the shale using a fine chisel and small hammer. Wrap fossils well and place into containers or bags.
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Other Locations similar to Llantwit Major
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The blue liass at Llantwit Major 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 Lavernock, Penarth, and Gileston,
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One of the best locations for collecting fossils from Wales is Llantwit Major, expect to find anything here!....the beds are similar to Watchet but ammonites are less common and shells, sponges, corals, echinoids are far more common.
There is a vast range of different shells including gigantic 5 inch gastropods and gryphea the size of tennis balls. In short excluding ammonites, everything else seems much bigger here. Bones can also be found both of fish remains and of Ichthyosaurus.
The cliffs at Llantwit Major are extremely high and the foreshore is vast, its one of these locations that you get to and you stop to wonder where to start, the main tip is to not try to cover everything, search and concentrate on key areas, the best area is to the east of the cafe where the beach is less built up and cliff falls are more regular, the best area is from approximately half a mile from the cafe. Also like Lavernock, most fossils you have to work for as they will be in rock and not washed out like many of the Watchet fossils.
The dark shale areas on the foreshore between the hard limestone are worth a search since this is the location where bones and the giant gastropod can be found.
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Jurassic, 200mya |
Blue Lias at Llantwit Major
The lower lias at Llantwit Major are 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...[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 Llantwit Major, follow the main road through the centre of town heading towards the beach. 
