Description
* Suitable for children 6+ (All children must be accompanied by an adult).
* HARD HATS (No Cycle Helmets), and HIGH VISIBILITY VESTS or jacket essential. We do not provide these, but you can purchase from our Earthlines.com shop.
MEMBERS FREE, OR £14.40 per person
SIGN UP FOR A MEMBERSHIP you can then join any of our many events throughout the year for FREE.
Please note, many of our locations will not have toilet facilities, water, or other amenities.
Llantwit Major is an excellent location in Wales for Jurassic fossils. The huge cliffs yield a wide range of fossils and unique is the large amount of marine life, for example corals and giant brachiopods and gastropods.
Expect to find anything here!….the beds are similar to Watchet but ammonites are less common and shells, sponges, corals, echinoids are far more common.
There is a vast range of different shells including gigantic 5 inch gastropods and gryphea the size of tennis balls. In short excluding ammonites, everything else seems much bigger here. Bones can also be found both of fish remains and of Ichthyosaurus.
The cliffs at Llantwit Major are extremely high and the foreshore is vast, its one of these locations that you get to and you stop to wonder where to start, the main tip is to not try to cover everything, search and concentrate on key areas, the best area is to the east of the cafe where the beach is less built up and cliff falls are more regular, the best area is from approximately half a mile from the cafe. Also like Lavernock, most fossils you have to work for as they will be in rock and not washed out like many of the Watchet fossils.
The dark shale areas on the foreshore between the hard limestone are worth a search since this is the location where bones and the giant gastropod can be found.
FAQ
Can I bring a younger child?
We are sorry, but to comply with insurance cover and to ensure the safety of the event, we do not allow any exceptions.
Can I book over the phone?
Unfortunately, as terms and conditions and waivers need to be signed, we can only accept bookings online.
Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?
This will greatly help us and speed things up, but leaders will have a list of those attending on the day.
Are toilets nearby?
Most events will not have access to toilets. The best places to find fossils are mostly areas away from built up areas, and tend to be quite remote. There are a few exceptions where toilets are close by, but it is best to presume they wont be available.
What happens if the event is cancelled?
We try very hard to avoid having to cancel, but if an event needs to be cancelled due to adverse weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances, we will notify you immediately.
Can I bring my dog/pet?
UKAFH does not permit members to bring dogs or pets, unless under exceptional circumstances such as guide dogs. Some members may suffer from Cynophobia, or allergies. In addition, we need to ensure the safety of all members. Many beaches also do not permit dogs.
