Hastings fossils and fossil collecting
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Not for children
Access to the beach can be difficult for children now that the old official way down is eroded. The foreshore is also very rocky. Keep away from the base of
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Fair Access
Hastings is easy to find, right next to a very large car park, toilets and many food outlets/ shops. You don't have to walk very far but be warned that the beach can be very rocky and access down can be difficult for some due to the eroded old ramp/steps.
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Foreshore, Cliffs
Most of the fossils at Hastings can be found on the foreshore especially after storms or scouring conditions, but fossils are also commonly found at the base of the cliff on the scree slopes. Extreme Care must be taken and hard hats should be worn if collecting near the base of the cliff.
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No Restrictions
There are no restrictions at this location, but please follow our own code of conduct for all locations.
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Hastings
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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Common sense when collecting at all locations should be taken and knowledge of tide times should always be noted. Two dangers are apparent along the Hastings coastline, the first is the tidal conditions which need to be taken note of, and good time allowed to return. MANY PEOPLE EACH YEAR ARE CUT OFF BY THE TIDE. The other important note is the danger of falling debris and cliff falls from the high cliffs. Stay away from the foot of the cliff and if you are knocking fossils or hitting rocks, do so well away from the cliff as hammer vibrations can cause debris to fall. Hard hats should be worn.
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| Last updated: |
2012 |
| last visited: |
2012 |
| Written by: |
Alister and Alison Cruickshanks |
Other Locations similar to Hastings
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For other similar locations, try nearby Bexhill, and Cooden.
You can also collect from Fairlight, a similar age and just up the coast.
Looking for more good fossil hunting trips? Why not try the following locations which are all very good for finding fossils...
Whitby, Bracklesham, Kettleness, Eastbourne, Hope, Staithes
Quantoxhead, Fishguard, Abereiddy, Whitehaven, Aust, Hunstanton,
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Keep an eye open for Dinosaur footprints, the most common being of Iguanodon. These are quite hard to see, but look for three indentations in soft rocks, where it looks as if something has pressed into the rock. You can also find Crocodile bones and teeth, a variety of bivalves and gastropods and many plants. Other reptile remains have also been found here.
A good find at Hastings is often subject to beach conditions. The ideal times to visit Hastings is after exceptional high tides and storms. A good scour will clear this shingle and allow one to search the foreshore for bones, shells, teeth and plants.
Fossils can generally be found anywhere along the foreshore at Hastings, search around the areas with clay and examine the rocks. Most of the bones and fish are found in the hard rocks.
Many small teeth can be collected from the clay, especially at Rock-A-Nore itself. Search the scree slopes in the clay and mud, especially after heavy rain. Fossils are washed out and often just waiting to be picked up.
Iguanodon footprints are common at Hastings, but hard to identify.
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Cretaceous,130mya |
The high sandstone cliffs at Rock-A-Nore are part of the Upper Ashdown Formation and are overlain by shale's and sandstones from the Wadhurst Clay. There is also a junction bed between them. The Ashdown formation is split into two parts, the majority of the cliff at Rock-A-Nore is of the Ashdown Sandstone but as you walk towards Ecclsbourne Glen, the Fairlight Clay is exposed in the lower part of the cliff and foreshore.......[more]
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Many fossils can be found on the foreshore or scree slopes, but the best fossils are normally found in the hard rocks around the beach, for that reason it is best to come well prepared. |
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Estwing Geological |
Meteorites |
Microscopy |
For high quality, steel hammers, Estwing are the best make. They are solid forged. Estwing Geological Hammers come as either Chisel or Pointed picks. We sell Estwing Hammers via our webshop and Estwing Geological Pointed Picks.
We also sell the classic British Geological Hammer in Hickory, Steel or Fibre Glass Handles. As well as over 10,000 related geological tools, equipment, books and maps via our store. UKGE, specialising in Geological and MIcroscopy tools and equipment. |
Meteorites can be found all over the world. Often, large pieces are broken down either naturally or by hand, or sliced and sold as small fragments, each fall is well documented. Meteorites are very collectable, especially ones of Mars or Moon rocks.
We sell Meteorites, which are in stock and mostly come in a display boxs. Our meteorites are from all over the world and include Mars and Moon Meteorites, and rocks from outer space. For more information, please see our meteorite page.
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For viewing the tiny teeth and microfossils from Hastings, we have a wide range of microscopes for sale, a Stereomicroscope will be needed for viewing these fossils. The most popular is our IMXZ which comes with zoom control, but a basic microscope will be fine.
At most locations, you can find microfossils. Often, only a small amount of sample is needed. You then need to wash it in water and sieve using a test sieve. Once it is processed, you can then view the contents using the microscope.
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The cliffs at Hastings are best accessed from the large car park at ‘Rock-A-Nore'. Simply follow the Hastings seafront eastwards and head towards the 'Old Town'. It is also the road to where the famous fishing shops and facilities are found. 
