(Collecting from the London clay) - 2003

The majority of the fossils at Walton can be found from the areas of Shingle and Pyrites, fossils become 'trapped' in these areas and are just waiting to be picked up. On a general rule, the more pyrites that is exposed the greater your chance in finding fossils. Fossils can be picked up anywhere on the beach. Look carefully, get down on your knees and comb the beach. Light coloured nodules contain lobsters, crabs, bird bones and other finds. These are not uncommon but are often found after scouring tides or stormy waters. The actual level these come from is below beach level, therefore it is more likely these will be washed up or found on extreme low tides.

From the car park to just before concrete blocks, fossils are much rare, from the middle part of cliff area foreshore where the large concrete blocks start, it becomes much more productive, this then decreases in productivity as the cliff height decreases, The bird bones and nodules containing lobsters etc are mostly found at the far end of the Walton cliff. Most of the bird bones are found by taking home samples of London Clay surrounding areas of pyretic wood, they often contain fish remains surrounding that wood.

(The Foreshore, look within the shingle and pyrites) - 2003

(Searching for pockets of wood in the London Clay) - 2007

Look out for pockets of fossil wood within about 1m above beach level, often fish remains and small mammal remains can be found 'trapped' around the fossil wood. This is also where most of the shark teeth come from.

The Red Crag at Walton is now the best coastal location in the UK, since Bawdsey became heavily protected by sea defences, it has become too overgrown and the Red Crag Exposures are mostly covered up. At Walton, there is no such protection, so regular erosion keeps the Red Crag on view. The Red Crag slumps and can often be seen at the base of the cliff. Whilst climbing the cliffs is not recommend and digging in the cliffs is banned due to SSSI Restrictions, shells can be found in the scree slopes, in many cases much better condition that any you would find in the main face of the cliff. Rainfall also plays its part, doing all the natural sieving for you.

(Walton Red Crag) - 2003