Peacehaven fossils and fossil collecting
|
Medium
Fossils at Peacehaven are best found from the foreshore exposures during scouring conditions. During these periods, fossils are very common. Fossils can also be found in the fallen blocks on the beach.
|
Not for children
This location is not suitable for families. The foreshore is rocky and the sea always reaches the base of the cliff at high tide. The cliffs are frequently falling here due to rapid rates of erosion.
|
Fair Access
Peacehaven is fairly easy to find and get to, and not too far to walk to. There are quite a number of steps down to the beach though. The foreshore can be very rocky and not suitable for children.
|
Cliffs and Foreshore
Fossils at Peacehaven are mostly found simply lying on the foreshore, but they are also found in the rocks fallen from the cliff. From the steps fossils are not only found from the main ‘unprotected’ cliffs, but also behind the seawall west of the steps.
|
No Restrictions
There are no restrictions at this location, but please follow our own code of conduct for all locations.
|
Peacehaven
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 taken and knowledge of tide times should always be noted. Two dangers are apparent along the Peacehaven coastline, the first is the tidal conditions which need to be taken note of, and good time allowed to return. MANY PEOPLE EACH YEAR ARE CUT OFF BY THE TIDE. The other important note is the danger of falling debris and cliff falls from the high cliffs. Stay away from the foot of the cliff and if you are knocking fossils or hitting rocks, do so well away from the cliff as hammer vibrations can cause debris to fall. Hard hats should be worn. |
| Last updated: |
2012 |
| last visited: |
2012 |
| Written by: |
Alister and Alison Cruickshanks |
Other Locations similar to Peacehaven
|
In Sussex and Kent, there are many excellent locations for collecting chalk fossils. Newhaven, Seaford, Seven Sisters, Beachy Head, Peacehaven and Eastbourne, Dumpton, Kingsgate, Samphire Hoe, Pegwell Bay, Dover, St Margarets Bay.
|
|
  |
|
|
Peacehaven is a popular location for Echinoids, molluscs and fish remains. Echinocorys cincta is quite common here found on the foreshore or higher up in the cliff. Echinoid's can also be found in flint.
Most of the Echinoid's can be found on the chalk exposed on the foreshore. The largest Echinoid's are higher up in the cliff face, so can only be found by fallen boulders or loose in the shingle.
Scouring conditions are best for this location, when clean chalk is fully exposed on the foreshore. Such exposures are also found on the beach below the sea wall defences, where beach shingle and sands have been washed away.
Chalk exposed as a wave-cut platform
|
  |
Cretaceous, 80mya |
The chalk at Peacehaven is of the Newhaven Group and covers the Campanian and Santonian ages including the Peacehaven Group which is extensively exposed here. ....[more]
|
|
Related Books |
Microscopes |
Geological Supplies |
 Fossils of the Chalk
A fantastic book covering the chalk of the UK. This book covers most of the fossils that can be found in the chalk. It is a fully illustrated guide. This is the second edition of this popular book and is available from our own UK Fosils/UKGE Store.
All of our books have FREE UK Delivery, We have hundreds of geological books for sale.
|
At Peacehaven, you can find Microfossils from the chalk. They are much easier to collect because they are so small that you only need a small amount of chalk sample. You then need to break it down in water and view using a microscope to view these.
Chalk is actually composed of fossil shells, so you only need a small amount of sample on your microscope.
We have a wide range of microscopes for sale, you will need a Stereo microscope for viewing microfossils.
|
UKGE, the owners of UK Fossils, are your market leader for Geological Supplies and Geology Equipment. Suppling Retail, Education and Trade in the UK, Europe and beyond.
We sell a wide range of geological hammer and geological picks as well as fossil tools, starter packs and geological chisels.
UKGE is your geological superstore, selling a wide range of field equipment, rocks, minerals, fossils, geological and even microscopy! |
|
|
From the A259, head towards the Eastern side of Peacehaven. Just before 'Peacehaven Heights', there are several roads leading to housing estates. Any of these will take you to a grassed parking area. 
