Saltwick Bay - In the Footprints of Dinosaurs

Join your qualified geologist guide on a >3 hour tour of this world-class fossil location, finding ammonites, dinosaur footprints and Whitby Jet.
SUITABILITY – Ideal for families, beginners, and amateurs. Not suitable for children under 6 years old or for adults with mobility issues.
LEVEL: Intermediate & Beginner – Over 2 miles walked, including wet & slippery rock platforms
START LOCATION – Outside “Natural Wonders” Fossil Shop, Grape Lane, Whitby, YO22 4BA

Starting from Whitby’s famous Fossil Shop, in the heart of the picturesque seaside town of Whitby, North Yorkshire, the tour is a must for every fossil enthusiast.

The trip departs through the cobbled streets of Whitby and ascends the “199 Steps” to the Glorious Ruins of Whitby Abbey.
From here we travel east along the Cleveland Way towards Saltwick Bay, learning about the heritage of this coast.

Upon descending the track to Saltwick Bay, you’ll learn about the different fossils to be found and how they relate to the environment within the Jurassic Period. Once primed with this knowledge it is time to start looking through the pebbles on the beach and see what we can find. Our tour guide is on hand to identify your finds and if your pebble needs splitting open to reveal the fossil inside.

We will visit at least two dinosaur trackways in the National Park’s ‘Outdoor Museum’ before making our way west under the Abbey Headland - a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest for it’s Fossils and Geological Heritage. Under these cliffs we head back to Whitby via an Ammonite Graveyard and learn how to hunt for Whitby Jet.

This >3 hour tour combines academic knowledge with tips for keeping safe on the coast and the important message of responsible fossil collecting.