Fossil / jet hunting around Scarborough

tub28

Hi
We're coming to stay in Scarborough for half term week and bringing 10 year old grandson. He's looking forward to fossilling and looking for jet, could anyone tell me please the best beaches for this within about 30 miles of Scarborough.
Also someone told me they used to go to Hilton beach, but I can't see this on the map, - have they got the name wrong?
Thanks

Poly,put_the_kettle_on

I don't know about Jet, although I do remember some Whitby friends saying that Staithes beach was really good for fossils.

Errata

I think the chances of finding any jet along that coast are exceedingly slim, it's been well picked over for at least the past 150 years. Fossils can sometimes be found around Filey and on Filey Brigg, but again, those areas have been well picked over.
Enjoy your holiday.

daveyjp

Best bet for fossils is Robin Hoods Bay, but you need to check the tide tables to ensure it is out and not likely to come in while you are distracted.

Go down the slope at the bottom of the main street to the beach, turn left and walk along the beach underneath the huge seawall. All the cliffs at the far end are made of shale and full of fossils. Take a hammer to break the rocks. There is no need to go climbing - there are lots of loose lumps of rock on the beach and at the base of the cliffs. At a similar age I found plenty without much looking including an ammonite which I still have somewhere.

You will possibly find small pieces of jet - test it by rubbing it on paper - real jet makes a light brown mark, not black.

savemoney

Local lad here use to go fossil hunting in 70's

Jet can really only be fond it Whitby as it comes from Monkey puzzle tree its one of the view places in the world where the Earths rocks where jet may lie pops up from the ground

You can find fossil all along East coast from Robin Hoods bay to Filey Brigg. Cayton Bay is quite good just down road from Scarborough

Oh Jacksons bay was good too but difficult to get too its North from Sea life centre at North side of Scarborough. Two ways down one the cliff or around the cliffs at low tide

Just up road at Cloughton there is a nice spot too haven't been there for years but I have found some there before

savemoney

Dont know where Hilton beach never heard of it and I lived in this area 48 years

BenL

I went on a school Geology trip and we walked from Staithes to Runswick Bay finding fossils.We had some success we had a small hammer with us each to break open a few rocks for possibilities.

Ben

gamston

i used to get my fossils at whitby, down the steps by the side of the pub on the abbey side of the harbour
is that still any good

charis18uk

We holidayed near Scarborough this year and took our 9yr old to Filey Brigg, fossil hunting and rock pool dipping, take wellies, bucket and a net (all can be bought cheaply nearby). Absolute must to know the tides as Filey Brigg only accessible at low tide and it is possible to get cut off if you don't.

Doubt you'll find jet but still an excellent experience.

An excellent book to buy in preperation of your visit would be:

http://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/online-shop/?bID=128

3980

not sure where the best fossills are but the lad might like the dinosaur footprints to be found in seabed rock at low tide just up from scalby mills pub / sea life centre a good map here , sorry site wouldnt let me show a link , google dinosaur footprint scalby and click on first one geologyrocks