Jurassic Coast big beach fossil hunt

Family-friendly natural history group Wild About Plymouth are heading to the Jurassic Coast on Sunday 28 April for a ‘Big Beach Fossil Hunt’.

The group, which is a partnership between Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery and Plymouth University, usually organises a natural history or science-based event in and around the city every month. For its April event it has decided to travel a bit further afield.

The Big Beach Fossil Hunt will take place at Charmouth Beach in Dorset from 12pm to 4pm.

“People can come along and help us hunt for ammonites, belemites and maybe even an ichthyosaur skeleton,” said Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery’s Natural History Curator, Jan Freedman. “Our experts will be on hand to help people identify what they discover and hopefully everyone will return home with a fossil.”

People are advised to take along some warm clothes and a packed lunch. Fossil hunting hammers and goggles can be bought from the beach shop although they are not essential. Toilets and a café are also situated by the beach and there is a pay and display car park where the team will meet everyone just before midday.

For more information about the Big Beach Fossil Hunt and the full Wild About Plymouth programme visit the What’s On pages at www.plymouthmuseum.gov.uk, email wildabout@plymouth.gov.uk or call 01752 304774.