Danes Dyke fossils and fossil collecting
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 To get to Danes Dyke take the B1265 from Bridington to Flamborough. There is a dip in the road into a wooded valley, turn right at the bottom of the dip which is easy to miss and drive to the car park. A one way system exists.
At the car park, there is a cafe and toilets, although the cafe is not always open. There are also some lovely walks nearby including one through a wooded area.
Once you are on the shore, walk to the West, this is where the best fossils are found although you can also find fossils to the East.
GRID REF: 54.10431°N, 0.14204°W
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Cliffs, Foreshore
Most fossils are found in the fallen chalk boulders around the foreshore, but fossils can also be found in the cliff although we do not recommend collecting from near the cliff as it is too dangerous.
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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.
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Common sense when collecting at all locations should be taken and knowledge of tide times should always be noted. This part of the coastline can be very dangerous for tidal conditions, make sure you return before the tide turns. The cliffs are quite high, it is important to keep away from the base of the cliff as rocks often fall.
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Danes Dyke
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: |
11/07/08
2008
Alister and Alison Cruickshanks
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Geological Tools
A Hammer and chisel is required at this location. Suitable footwear should also be worn. Fossils should be wrapped well and placed carefully into containers. It maybe best to also take preserving liquid to preserve fossils such as the fantastic corals on scene. A pry bar may also come in handy for prying rocks with natural cracks and a lump hammer for breaking apart rocks.
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Locations similar to Danes Dyke
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Danes Dyke is the most easily worked chalk in the whole of Yorkshire, it is also the richest in fossils. The fantastic sponge beds are full of good condition sponges. There is a huge variety of these to be found. Various shells, echinoid and belemnites are also common along with crinoids including the complete cups.
The best fossils are found by searching the boulders on the foreshore, it is also better to try to split a few of these as the sponges are best clean unweathered and the better specimens are those not on view. Sponges can also be seen in the sides of boulders and the cliff. The chalk is nice and soft so it is fairly easy to get these out.
Echinoid's can usually be collected by simply searching along the foreshore, sea urchin spines and crinoids plates are also found in the same way in loose rocks.
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Cretaceous, 75mya |
The chalk at Danes Dyke is upper chalk from the Campanian stage. It is part of the Flamborough Chalk Formation, and all three members including the South Landing Member, Danes Dyke Member and Sewerby Member are present. The chalk is white, well-bedded, flint-free with common marl seams (typically about one per metre). Common stylolitic surfaces and pyrite nodules. Formal subdivision: None herein. Divided into three members by Whitham (1993). This formation is up to about 265m thick (onshore)....[more]
The geology of Danes Dyke, East Riding
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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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