Hinkley Point Fossils and Fossil Collecting
Your Somerset Geological Guide and Geology Info

At Hinkley Point, you can find complete fish and complete reptile skeletons exposed on the foreshore. Reptile and fish remains can also be found in the cliff or on the foreshore such as vertebras, scales or ribs. There are also ammonites and shells to be found too.

This location is highly productive during winter storms for reptile and fish remains, but ammonites and shells are less common.

(Suitable for Familes)

Although this location is suitable for families, it is most suited to the fossil enthusiast because most of the fossils can only be found during the winter storms and high tides.

Access to the beach can be made via Knighton. Access used to be via the visitor centre at Hinkley point, but this has since closed.

Foreshore, Cliff

This is a foreshore and cliff location, so fossils can be found in both. The vast majority of fossils are found exposed on the foreshore after high tides, or exposed on the foreshore during scouring conditions.

Other Locations similar to Hinkley

There are many locations in the UK which can be seen to be similar to Hinkley. apart from those in the nearby proximity such as Quantoxhead, Kilve, Doniford Bay, St Audries Bay, Watchet, and Lilstock.

In Dorset, you can find fossils from the Lias around Charmouth, Chippel Bay, Seatown (Golden Cap), Thorncombe Beacon and Lyme Regis, In South Wales, you can also try Llantwit Major, and Lavernock. There are plenty of good locations along the Yorkshire Coast too, such as Saltwick Bay, Staithes, Port Mulgrave, Kettleness, Whitby, Ravenscar, Runswick Bay, Sandsend, and many more.

If you are interested in the Rhaetic Beds similar to that of the Hinkley Formation, you can also try Blue Anchor in Somerset. Other good locations include Hock Cliff which is along along the River Severn, this time in Gloucestershire and Aust. Another famous location is Lavernock or Penarth both in South Wales.