New for 2025! Explore the world-famous fossils of the Barton Clay at Highcliffe in Hampshire, with New Forest-based fossil guide Joe Thompson from South Coast Fossils! From shark teeth and eagle ray plates to exquisite fossil shells, the 40 million year old Eocene fossils at Highcliffe are a fantastic way to discover the joy of fossil hunting and the geological history of the Hampshire Basin!
Fossil Hunting at Highcliffe
Highcliffe is a world-famous UK fossil site dating to the mid-Eocene c.40 million years ago! The cliffs are formed of the Barton Clay Formation, a marine deposit laid down at a time when a shallow sub-tropical sea covered large areas of what is now Hampshire and the northern Isle of Wight.
This sea was home to a rich marine ecosystem, and today a diverse array of fossils can be found along Highcliffe’s shores, including a shark teeth, ray plates, fish bones, sea turtles, more than 500 species of beautifully preserved mollusc shells and even the extremely rare bones of early whales!
Your guide and experience..
Joe Thompson is a life-long fossil hunter and palaeontologist, holding an MSci. in paleontology and evolution from the University of Bristol. Born and raised in the New Forest, Joe works as a fossil guide across the Isle of Wight and the south, and has a wealth of knowledge on fossil hunting at Highcliffe.
Your adventure will begin at the Highcliffe Cliff Top Carpark in Christchurch, before heading back into the Eocene seas with Joe. Together you’ll search for fossils of the ancient marine life that once called these seas home, and discover the fascinating geology of the Hampshire Basin!
Pricing
Private Fossil Walks
- 1 Hour – £65.00 (Group size up to 5)
- 1.5 Hour – £75.00 (Group size up to 5)
- School Sessions (1 Hour): Child – £2.50 | Adults – Free
- Please note: For private group sizes greater than 5 there is a charge of £5 per extra person
Public Fossil Walks
- Adult – £9.50
- Child (5 – 17) – £7.00 | Under 5s – Free
- Senior (60+ yrs) – £7.50
- Family Ticket ( 2x adults 1x child) – £22.00
- Family Ticket (2x adults 2x children) – £25.00
- Family Ticket (2x adults 3x children) – £28.00
- Grandparent Ticket (2x seniors 2x children) – £20.00
All children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult
Upcoming Highcliffe Public Fossil Walks:
- 29th March | 14:00 – 15:30
- 2nd April | 12:30 – 14:00
- 4th April | 13:30 – 15:00
- 8th April 2026 | 09:00 – 10:30
- 12th April 2026 | 13:00 – 14:30
- 24th May | 10:00 – 11:30
- 30th May | 16.00-17.30
- 26th July | 14:30 – 16:00
- 30th July | 17:00 – 18:30
- 3rd August | 09:00 – 10:30
- 9th August | 13:00 – 14:30
- 22nd August | 12:30 – 14:00
- 24th August | 14:30 – 16:00
- 26th August | 15:00 – 16:30
To book a public fossil walk at Highcliffe please follow the link below! Or to book a private fossil walk at Highcliffe please contact Joe directly at scoastfossils@gmail.com!
