Wyke Regis fossils and fossil collecting
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Medium
Fossils at Wyke Regis are very common, but are mostly the giant oysters. Other fossils are much rarer.
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Suitable for Children
Wyke Regis is suitable for children, but they will need boots and keep away from the mud-flaps. Please also check tide times and visit on a falling tide. |
Good Access
Wyke Regis is a fairly easy location to access, with a cafe, toliets and parking nearby. |
Foreshore
Most fossils are found along the
foreshore, these can often be simply picked up. |
No Restrictions
There are no restrictions at this location. Access is fully permitted, and you are allowed to collect and take samples. |
Common sense when collecting at all locations should be taken and knowledge of tide times should always be noted. There are two main cautions to take note of, the first is tide times, as you may get cut off in places and the second is the Mud on the banks. Stay along the banks and DO NOT attempt to go too far into the mud banks, it is possible to become Completely stuck. |
Wyke Regis
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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Accommodation
Higher Spence
Farm Cottage, beautiful location 3 miles Charmouth. Double and Family rooms En Suite.
Contact: Christine Nutkins
Tel: UK (01297) 560556
Tel: International +441297 560556 Address: Higher Spence, Wootton, Fitzpaine, Charmouth, Dorset.
Email: higherspence@eurolink.ltd.net Website: (Typing "Higher Spence into your search engine)
Dorset coastal cottages
We are a holiday agent for 120 carefully selected and inspected cottages within 10 miles of Dorset's spectacular World Heritage Coast and Path. All are old, many are beamy and thatched, most have open fires or logburners plus central heating. Rents include electricity, gas etc. and all linen/towels.
Rentable by the week or 3 day Short Break all year round!!
Please call: 0800 9804070 for a Brochure or visit our website on www.dorsetcoastalcottages.com
Jennifer Owens Direct:
01305 851033 jen.o@dorsetcoastalcottages.com
If you would like to advertise on this page, please 'contact us'.
£10/Year or 'FREE' for return links from accommodation website pages. |
Last updated:
last visited:
Written by: |
29/05/08
2001
Alister and Alison Cruickshanks
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Fossils can be found by simply walking down the East or west side of Wyke Regis. The West side is much better and has more exposures of clay.
Simply search along the foreshore especially around areas of clay or shingle. Fossils can be seen within the clay, and all you need is a knife or pick to remove these. It is very easy to find fossils here.
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Jurassic, 150mya |
At Wyke Regis, Ferry Bridge, the upper beds of Corallian and the Lowest bed of Kimmeridge Clay are well exposed. Sandsfoot grit can be seen to the North West. Walking further West towards Camp road, Nothe Grits are seen west of the Coastguard Station and some very good exposures of Osmington Oolite. East of Ferry Bridge at Sandsfoot cove, Osmington Oolite is followed by the Trigonia Beds near Castle Cove...[more]
Wyke Regis - Kimmeridge Clay
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Near Ferry bridge, (both sides) Kimmeridge Clay are well exposed along the banks. The flat oyster, Deltoideum sp.(seen above) is most common. Large excellent specimens are best found scattered around at the West end of Ferry Bridge.
Bivalve Ctenostreon and the smaller oyster, Nanogyra are often found. Ammonites of Pictonia are well known from this location. Worm tubes are common especially at the West end. There are quite a variety of fossils found at Wyke Regis, it is however sometimes difficult to search as there is a large amount of foreign material (rubbish) along the beach.
Giant Oysters are common here
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Other Locations similar to Wyke Regis
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TOOLS: A Pick is best for the clay and a knife. Suitable footwear or boots should be worn as the clay along the banks and on the foreshore in places can be quite sticky.
CONTAINERS: Many of the fossils are quite hard so small bags and containers will do fine. They can be cleaned once taken home....[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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Wyke Regis can be reached by heading towards Portland from Weymouth. 
