Baggy Point Fossil Hunting Guide

Baggy Beds contains layers of sandy deposits yield corals, bryozoans, brachiopods, bivalves and crinoids. Deposits are sometimes hard to find and fossils poorly preserved but there are gritty pockets packed with shells.

Baggy Point (Croyde) can be found at Baggy Point headland, Croyde Bay, North Devon EX33.

From Croyde village, follow road signs to Baggy Point. Car park at National Trust Baggy Point. Walk coastal path to headland and beaches. See the section exposed in cliffs and foreshore around the point. Check tide times for foreshore access.

What Fossils You’ll Find

The most commonly found fossils at Baggy Point (Croyde) are corals, bryozoans, brachiopods, bivalves, crinoids, gastropods, plant remains from the Devonian (Upper Devonian, Frasnian, ~375-370 Ma) period.

Geologic History

The site exposes the Baggy Beds, Upcott Slates Formation, Pilton Mudstone Formation and Sandstones, siltstones, and mudstones (Baggy Beds, Upcott Slates, Pilton Mudstone).

The site exposes a section from the Upper Devonian Baggy Sandstone Formation (Frasnian, ~375-370 Ma). Sandy deposits in shallow marine to nearshore deltaic environment yielded corals, bryozoans, brachiopods, bivalves, and crinoids. Gritty pockets packed with shells represent storm or current accumulations.

Fossils here are often poorly preserved due to sediment coarseness and depositional energy. The Late Devonian (Frasnian, ~375-370 Ma) was a time where this region had tropical to subtropical climates. The climate during this period was characterized by warm productive seas with periodic storm events accumulating shell beds.

Site History

Baggy Point (Croyde) has been an internationally recognized reference for the Upper Devonian Baggy Sandstone Formation. The site is part of the North Devon SSSI designated for exceptional Upper Devonian geology. The site is also important for understanding Late Devonian marine environments and the ‘Age of Fishes’ period. Lastly it is a National Trust property providing coastal access while protecting geological features. Happy fossil collecting!

Sources

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