Barton on Sea (Hampshire) Discovering Fossils

The fast- eroding coastline at Barton on Sea provides a fantastic location for collecting fossils from the Barton Beds, which are comprised of Eocene clays and sands of approximately 40 million years in age.

Barton on Sea (Hampshire) Discovering Fossils

DIRECTIONS ♦ Beckton Bunny can be found at the eastern end of Barton on Sea. ♦ From the A337, drive to Barton on Sea. You will find three car parks at the East end, along the sea front. There are two methods of access to this location: ♦ Along the seafront at Barton on Sea, you will see a cafe and just past this is a large car park.

Barton on Sea (Hampshire) Discovering Fossils

The cliffs of the famous fossil collecting area of Barton on Sea are part of the (often slumped) sea cliffs of Christchurch Bay in Hampshire and Dorset, extending, in the west, from Friars Cliff, near Christchurch, to Milford-on-Sea, near Lymington in the east (Fig.1). These are composed of Eocene clays and sandstones, overlain by Pleistocene.

Barton on Sea (Hampshire) Discovering Fossils

The skull of a colossal sea monster that was unearthed from the Jurassic Coast has gone on public display. The 2m-long fossil belongs to a pliosaur - one of the most fearsome predators the planet.

Barton on Sea (Hampshire) Discovering Fossils

A Collection of Eocene and Oligocene Fossils compiled by Alan Morton This Website displays about 3,000 of the characteristic fossils of the Eocene and Oligocene deposits of England. It is provided as a visual resource for those wishing to identify their own fossils.

Barton on Sea UK Fossil Collecting

However, Barton-on-Sea, with abundant fossils is only a short distance from Bournemouth so that was inevitably the local, attractive geological area to visit. Nearer to Bournemouth, Hengistbury Head does not have calcareous shell fossils preserved but it was always notable for fossil sharks teeth. There are rare, hollow moulds of fossil mollusc.

Barton on Sea (Hampshire) Discovering Fossils

The cliffs of the famous fossil collecting area of Barton-on-Sea are part of the (often slumped) sea cliffs of Christchurch Bay in Hampshire and Dorset, extending, in the west, from Friars Cliff, near Christchurch, to Milford-on-Sea, near Lymington in the east (fig.1).

Barton on Sea (Hampshire) Discovering Fossils

General view of the central part of the sea front at Barton-on-Sea, an easily recognised location. [Re: location. Arriving. There is a small row of shops, next to Barton Court, which you should encounter when you drive to the coast at Barton-on-Sea. Go to the main car park, which is nearby, just a short distance to the west of these shops.

Barton on Sea (Hampshire) Discovering Fossils

Barton on Sea is the world type locality for the Barton Beds which is a series of grey and brown clays with layers of sand from the Upper Eocene age. This is roughly 40 million years old and the clay contains numerous specimens of fossils.

Barton on Sea (Hampshire) Discovering Fossils

Barton on Sea is a suburb of New Milton, a coastal town on the south coast of Hampshire, 6 miles east of Bournemouth. The town is home to 23,000 people, many of whom have a heightened awareness of the coastline, if not for its fossils, then for the rate at which it retreats due to erosion, threatening land and properties in the process.

Barton on Sea (Hampshire) Discovering Fossils

Sturdy sea-defences have been constructed over the years to give some protection to Barton-on-Sea to the west. Thus the beach sediment supply to Hordle Cliff has been cut off in the west. The consequence is the increased erosion here, down-drift (eastward), of the last groyne of the Barton sea defences, and more fossil remains are being exposed.

Barton on Sea (Hampshire) Discovering Fossils

Geology of Barton-on-Sea, Hampshire. This is a classic locality for fossil collecting, and it is well worth a visit. It is on the south coast of England, 13 kilometres (8 miles) east of Bournemouth. The fossils are mostly marine shells, about 40 million years old.

Barton on Sea (Hampshire) Discovering Fossils

The Barton Clay at Barton on Sea is famous for its hundreds of different species of shells, in particular, its gastropods. The beds are also rich in sharks' teeth, fish and mammal remains. Sharks' teeth at Barton can be picked up from the foreshore making this location ideal for all the family. DIRECTIONS

Barton on Sea (Hampshire) Discovering Fossils

Fossils! The Barton beds are famous for over 600 species of shells, in particular, gastropods. The beds change from west to east, allowing you to collect a variety of fossils.. Barton-on-Sea is situated little over 1 mile west of New Milton and is famous for its scenic stretch of coastline with safe swimming and a cliff-top golf club. Views.

Barton on Sea (Hampshire) Discovering Fossils

In July Iain Fletcher led his biennial fossil-collecting trip to Barton-on-Sea. It was billed as a family event and advertised with Rockwatch as well as through OUGS sites. Alas, no families came; instead just four of the regulars joined Iain. Barton is the most fossiliferous place in the Southeast and there are plenty of Middle Eocene fossils.