This fossil site exposes the Chalk and Upper Greensand Formations, providing highly fossiliferous deposits for ideal collecting. Ammonites, echinoids, brachiopods and bivalves can be found at Seaton.

Location and Directions

Seaton can be found at Seaton Beach, Beer Road, Seaton, Devon EX12.

From Seaton town center, follow signs to seafront. Park at the parking lot at the seafront and access the beach from the promenade. Chalk and Upper Greensand cliffs are to the east toward Beer. Collect fossils from the foreshore and from fallen blocks. Check tide times to be mindful of what deposits will be exposed and collecting conditions.

What Fossils You’ll Find

The most commonly found fossils at Seaton are ammonites, echinoids, brachiopods, and bivalves from the Cretaceous (Cenomanian to Turonian, ~95-89 Ma) period.

Geologic History

The site exposes the Upper Greensand Formation and Chalk Group.

The fossils formed in shallow shelf seas during the Cenomanian (~95-93 Ma) as glauconitic sandy deposits. Rich marine fauna including ammonites, echinoids (sea urchins), brachiopods, and bivalves thrived in productive Cretaceous seas. Cliff exposures show the transition from Greensand to Chalk deposition. Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian-Turonian, ~95-89 Ma) Chalk deposits show fossils from the time where the area had very high global sea levels and warm greenhouse conditions. Britain was submerged beneath warm, clear, shallow, tropical to subtropical seas.

Site History

Seaton is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic Coast (though technically Cretaceous here). This important exposure of Upper Greensand and Chalk Group shows the transition from sandy shelf to pure carbonate deposition. It’s a popular collecting site for Cretaceous fossils with good preservation of ammonites and echinoids, and is an accessible location with regular cliff falls refreshing fossil exposures.

Collecting Rules and Regulations

There are no restrictions related to collecting at this site. Visitors should be respectful of the area.

Sources

• British Geological Survey
• Jurassic Coast Trust
• UK Fossils Network https://ukfossils.co.uk/
• accessed December 9, 2025