Bracklesham fossils and fossil collecting |
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Brachiopods, bivalves, gastropods, fish remains, shark teeth. |
There are nearly always people collecting at Bracklesham Bay. Fossils can simply be found washed up on the sand, and you can normally come back with bags full of decent finds, especially sharks’ teeth. During scouring tides, the fossiliferous Bracklesham Formation form the Eocene is exposed and the beach can be covered with ray and sharks’ teeth, and also bivalve shells. Occasionally, you can find corals, but you will definitely find lots of the often overlooked, large, single-celled foraminifera (Nummulites laevigatus). |
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Foreshore
Fossils at Bracklesham Bay can be found simply lying on the sand of the foreshore. The best conditions are during scouring tides, especially during the spring, which expose the clay below beach level. However, you must remember that the Bracklesham Formation is not always exposed on the foreshore and you must visit on a falling tide, as the best time to collect is just before low tide. There are no cliffs here, but the dangers are soft clay during scouring conditions, which can occur during the early spring and early autumn. At these times, it can be easy to get stuck and, consequently, the tide then becomes a danger.
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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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Bracklesham Bay
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 |
Common sense when collecting at all locations should be used and you should always check tide times. |
| Last updated: |
2012 |
| last visited: |
2012 |
| Written by: |
Alister and Alison Cruickshanks |
| Edited by: |
Jon Trevelyan |
 
Locations similar to Bracklesham
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For other similar Eocene locations, you can try Barton-on-Sea or Taddiford Gap in Hampshire, Harwich in Essex, or Herne Bay in Kent, or Nacton, Bognor Regis, Ramsholt, Bawdsey, Maylandsea, Levington, Burnham on Crouch. Isle of Sheppey or Walton-on-Naze which are London Clay Locations, a similar age to Bracklesham. In London Abbey Wood is also a great place for shark's teeth.
At Whitecliff Bay on the IOW, the Bracklesham Beds are also exposed.
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Bracklesham Bay is a popular location for ray and sharks’ teeth, bivalves and gastropods. From the Bracklesham Group, a wide variety of species of shark and molluscs can be found. Fish remains are also common here. Occasionally, you can find corals and you will definitely find the often overlooked, large, single-celled foraminifera (Nummulites laevigatus).
Bracklesham is an ideal location for children and all the family, and is a classic site for fossils. You can simply walk along the beach and pick up fossils in the sand. During scouring conditions, you can wet sieve the Bracklesham Formation, which is exposed along the beach. However, you will need to visit on a retreating tide, preferably one hour before low tide to give enough time for you to have a good look. Even if you don’t find sharks’ teeth, you should at least come away with some nice shells.
Fossils washed from the Bracklesham Beds are found all over the sand
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Eocene, 48mya |
At Bracklesham Bay, the Bracklesham Beds from the Eocene are exposed below beach level. This gives a plentiful supply of fossils. During scouring conditions, clay and sand formations can be seen exposed on the foreshore. The Bracklesham Group is divided into four beds, which are all present here. Walking east or west from the car park will take you over the beds, which are, from west to east:
• The Wittering Formation.
• The Earnley Sand.
• The Marsh Farm Formation.
• The Selsey Sand.
These are around 40.5 to 49.5myrs old...[more]
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The fossils from Bracklesham Bay are found on the foreshore and all you will need is good eyesight. Hammers and so on are NOT required. However, a trowel with a long handle is especially useful. |
Geological Tools |
Microscopes |
Test Sieves for Microfossils |
Geological Supplies and Geology Equipment. Suppling Retail, Education and Trade in the UK, Europe and beyond. We have over 11,000 products online with everything from geological hammers and picks to a wide range of field equipment, rocks, minerals, fossils, geological and even microscopy!
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We ship worldwide. |
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. We also sell petri dishes, to help you store your fossils.
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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