Pegwell Bay Fossils and Fossil Collecting
Your Kent Geological Guide and Geology Info

The cliff section between Pegwell Bay and Ramsgate Harbour is composed of Upper Chalk. There are many fallen blocks to investigate in search of sea urchin fossils, with other common finds including crinoid stem parts, brachiopods, starfish plates.

There is plenty of evidence of echinoid fossils, but the majority are broken, having been eroded by the weather and the sea. Complete examples can be found with enough patience. Sponges and small fossils such as the plates from starfish are common.

(Suitable for Children)

This location is suitable for children. The cliffs should be avoided, however, and watch out for the tide.

There is plenty of free parking at this location and a fairly short walk over easy terrain to get to the main fossil hunting area.

Cliffs, Foreshore

Fossils are found in the wave-cut platform and in the fallen blocks that have come away from the cliff. They are also present in the cliff-face itself but hammering into it should be avoided for obvious safety reasons.

Other Locations similar to Pegwell Bay

If you are interested in the Thanet Beds, try Herne Bay.

If you are interested in chalk locations, you could try Seven Sisters Peacehaven, Beachy Head or Eastbourne both in Sussex.

In Kent, St Margaret's Bay and Samphire Hoe may be of interest, or in Dorset, Whitenothe.

At Whitecliff Bay and Culver Cliff on the Isle of Wight, Culver Cliff (west of the bay) has tall cliffs of Upper Chalk.