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UK Fossils Guide
Eype, Dorset
Continuing from Seatown, what used to be known as the Dorset Junction Bed (now known as the
Beacon Limestone) at Eype yields plenty of ammonites, but will require some hard work with a large
geological hammer. Many of the fossils are also poorly preserved, but decent specimens do turn up,
if you look hard enough.
The best way to access Eype is to either walk from Seatown, which can be quite a walk, or from
a narrow road off the A35, which is better. If you walk from Seatown, double check tide times to
ensure you can return the same way safely.
The narrow road is just west of Bridport and leads through the village of Lower Eype to Eype
Mouth. There is limited parking near the shore, otherwise it is possible to park in a field. This
road is not suitable for large vehicles.
Once on the beach, walk west. You can start finding fossils almost immediately.
50.71644°N
2.78595°W
Find frequency ****
If you are prepared to take heavy lump hammers and split blocks from the Junction Bed, there is
plenty to be found. This includes a great range of species of superb ammonites, along with starfish
and many other types of fossil.
Suitable for children ***
This location is suitable for family trips, but not for young children. While you can find fossils on the
foreshore, most have to be worked hard for - by breaking rocks with a geological hammer.
Accessibility ***
Access to the beach is easy with a car park nearby. However, walking along the beach is much
harder due to the large number of rocks and slippages.
Type – cliffs and foreshore
This is a foreshore and cliff location, so fossils can be found in both. The vast majority of fossils are
found by smashing blocks of Junction Beds on the foreshore.
Equipment
Eype is a location where you have to work hard for your finds. Take a good, strong, heavy hammer,
together with safety goggles, to crack open rocks from the Dorset Junction Bed.
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Geology
The Dorset Junction Bed (now the Beacon Limestone) contains all of the North Yorkshire geology in
one narrow layer. At Eype Mouth, the Eype Clay forms the base of the cliff with the Eype Nodule
Bed running along from Thorncombe Beacon, which is to the west. Above this are the Down Cliff
Sands, with the Starfish Bed lying between the two. Above this are the Thorncombe sands, with the
Junction Bed resting on its top. At West Cliff (to the west of Eype Mouth), there is a major fault (the
Eype Mouth Fault) that marks a major change in geology, where the Frome Clay and Forest Marble
appear.
Fossil collecting
This site is part of the Jurassic World Heritage Coastline, so follow the Fossil Code of Conduct. This
is a SSSI, so no hammering on the cliff or bedrock is allowed. It is also private and, so digging in the
cliff is strictly forbidden. Damage has already been caused to the heritage site by people using
power tools. This is strictly against SSSI rules and any attempt to ignore them may result in
prosecution.
If you have parked at Eype, you should access the beach at Eype Mouth. Here, the Eype Nodule
Bed is raised above sea level and can normally be seen.
Ammonites (Tragophylloceras, Metacymbites, Leptaleoceras, Amaltheus and Liparoceras) can all
be collected, along with the brachiopod, Davidsonella moorei. On the east side of Eype Mouth, the
ammonite, Pleuroceras, can be found, along with the brachiopod, Quadratirhynchia.
You need to look out for blocks of Dorset Junction Bed. Look in the rocks around the foreshore for
the yellow, layered colours unique to the Junction Bed and smash these open with a heavy lump
hammer, then fine split using normal splitting hammers. They are usually packed full of ammonites,
shells and many other types of fossil.
Also, keep an eye on the surface of weathered rocks. Most of the starfish (Palaeocoma egertoni)
are found in rocks on the foreshore. However, think twice before trying to get these out. You will
need cutting equipment. Attempts to try and get these out by hammers will often result in destroying
the fossils. Therefore, you are better off just taking pictures of the fossils in situ.
Safety
Common sense when collecting at all locations should be used and prior knowledge of tide times is
essential. The main issues to be aware of are the tides and the cliffs. It is easy to become cut off, so
it is important to return at least three hours before high tide. Also, be careful of falling debris and
hard hats are recommended here, as the cliffs are unstable.
While we (UKGE/UK Fossils) try to ensure that the content of this location guide is accurate and up to date, we cannot and do not
guarantee this. Nor can we be held liable for any loss or injury caused by or to a person visiting this site. Remember: this is only a
location guide and the responsibility remains with the person or persons making the visit for their own personal safety and the safety of
their possessions. That is, any visit to this location is of a personal nature and has not been arranged or directly suggested by UK Fossils.
In addition, we recommend visitors get their own personal insurance cover. Please also remember to check tide times and rights of way
(where relevant), and to behave in a responsible and safe manner at all times (for example, by keeping away from cliff faces and mud).