Fossils Guides for Gloucestershire, and hundreds of geological guides for the rest of the UK

The Famous Red and White cliffs that can be seen when crossing the river Severn contain a highly productive bone bearing bed at the very top from the Rhaetian Penarth series. This bed is full of teeth, reptile, fish remains.

Cleeve Common

There are many old quarries on the west side of the elevated golf course at Cleeve Hill. Fossils are varied and abundant, and plenty can be collected from scree below the faces. However, the in situ rock should not be hammered. Views from the top of this, the highest hill in Gloucestershire, are stunning.

Sedbury

On the opposite side of the River Severn from the famous Aust Cliff, is the much less famous Sedbury Cliffs. At what first appears to be a location similar but far less productive than Aust, is actually a very productive location for Jurassic fossils.

Westbury on Severn

Further up the River Severn from other classic sites such as Aust and Hock Cliff, Westbury on Severn is one of the finest localities for collecting from the famous Rhaetian Penarth Boned Bed. Out of all of the localities along the Severn, this has the most rapid erosion, with bone bed to look through.

Robinswood Hill

The two large quarry faces at Robinswood hill are sites of special scientific interest as they expose the best inland section of Early Jurassic rocks in the country. As such, fossil hunting is limited. However, some fossils may be collected from loose material, and the views from the top of the hill are worth the walk after fossil hunting.

Gilberts Grave

A disused railway cutting, hidden away in a thick forest. This small cutting has good exposures of inferior Oolite. This location is well documented for its Clypeus sinuatus flat echinoid's, but many brachiopods and bivalves also found.

Whitecroft Spoil

The Forest of Dean is full of evidence of past coal mining. This old spoil head in Whitecroft, although overgrown, contains some excellent shale full of fossil plant remains. It is a shame the site is so overgrown as you will need to do some digging.

Leckhampton Hill

A pleasant few hours can be spent at Leckhampton Hill. There are numerous old quarry faces with their associated scree piles to investigate. Fossils are not abundant but, with patience, some should be collected. The views from this hill are impressive and the walk to the various sites is an enjoyable, if hilly, one.

Hock Cliff

For those who have visited Watchet in Somerset, looking for fossils in the Blue Lias, this location will seem remarkably similar! Indeed, the same fossils can be found in thick limestone bands and soft shale. Hock cliff is a classic Jurassic location to explore.

Wainlode Cliff

Wainlode Cliff is a less popular location for collecting fossils from the Triassic bone beds of the Rhaetic Rocks. The cliff height is quite impressive, but the problem is this location is more overgrown than others, and doesn’t wash out as regular. The taller cliffs also mean that the bone bed rarely falls.

Soudley Valley

Soudley Valley is a geological trail, taking you through the geological features of the Forest of Dean. One of these locations features a spoil heap of carboniferous coal measures, where you can find plants. This guide concentrates on this location.

Crickley Hill

Crickley Hill is now part of a national park which is an official geological trail. There are a few sites along the official guide taking you through the geological history of the area, this guide concentrates on the Pea Grit Quarry.