Whitehaven Fossils and Fossil Collecting
Your Cumbria Geological Guide and Geology Info

Whitehaven is one of the only places in the UK where fossil plants from the Carboniferous can be collected on the coast both on the foreshore and cliffs. This unique location yields some well preserved specimens.

Whitehaven is a superb location for plants and is probably the most publically accessible location in the UK. There are plenty of good specimens to be found at Whitehaven either in the cliff section on simply on the foreshore.

(Not Recommended)

Whitehaven is not recommended for families. The busy railway which you will need to cross to gain access to the foreshore or tall cliffs make this location potentially dangerous. Please follow safety guidelines.

Although Whitehaven is easy to find, plenty of parking nearby and although the cliff section is a very short walk away, some of the most accessible plant beds can be found on the foreshore. A nearby tunnel provides safe access to the shore.

Foreshore, Cliff

Whitehaven is a foreshore and cliff location, so fossils can be found in both. The cliff section is separated by railway and sea defence and is badly overgrown. However there are accessible sections where you can collect plant remains in situ.

Other locations similar to Whitehaven

Whitehaven is an excellent location for plant remains, but you could also try Little Haven, Nelton Haven in wales, Writhlington in Avon, Offerton in Cheshire, Besom Hill in Lancashire or New Hay Quarry in Lancashire which is very similar or try Jurassic plant remains from Yorkshire, Cloughton Wyke and Gristhorpe Bay. In Scotland, you can also try Joppa Shore, Anstruther, East Wemyss, or Crail.