Places to Visit
Geoparks and other great sites
The United Kingdom has 8 of UNESCO’s Global Geoparks – areas with internationally important rocks and landscapes – the most recent being the Black Country Geopark, designated in 2020. There are also a few more candidate Global Geoparks and locally-designated Geoparks. For more information on all of these, visit the BGS web page.
The Geological Society has a wonderful introduction to 100 great sites to visit all over the British Isles, grouped into various categories. And explore their interactive map. The Scottish Geology Trust offers a more extensive selection of the 51 best sites in Scotland.
Fossil-spotting is often the way in to a deeper interest in geology and palaeontology. Fossils can be found in a huge ranges of settings. While the shoreline is perhaps the most obvious place to look, they are also plentiful in many inland locations – wherever there is rock exposed at the surface. And polished stone in historic buildings as well modern facing- and paving-stones can sometimes reveal a beautiful array of fossils.
There are a number of commercial websites, easily found on-line, which offer guided fossil walks etc. Some of them provide a lot of free information about the sites and their geology. The examples below give a selection of the best fossil locations, with detailed geological and practical information about each.
UK Fossils Network – location finder map
Discovering Fossils – locations organised by geological age.
Please follow the codes of conduct.
Picking up and collecting loose fossils on the beach is fun – but remember, hammering out specimens still embedded in the rock is in general prohibited or requires a permit. Also, approaching or climbing cliff faces can be very hazardous; and be aware of possible danger from the sea and tides.
UKAFH/Natural England Code of Conduct GA Foreshore Code of Conduct (pdf)
National Museums
There are a number of major UK museums focusing on geology and palaeontology – all of them well worth a visit. Many of them give a lot of information and learning material on their web sites, and some offer virtual tours.
The Natural History Museum, London – hardly needs an introduction!
Lapworth Museum of Geology, Birmingham – one of the oldest geology museums, with state-of-the-art galleries
Oxford University Museum of Natural History – another historic museum providing a totally modern display
Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences – a great museum in the heart of Cambridge, with several other science museums just around the corner.
National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh – it’s Restless Earth gallery investigates the geological processes that constantly shape and reshape the planet.
The Hunterian, Glasgow – excellent displays of geology and palaeontology, as well as a number of other major collections such as the Antonine Wall, Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Whistler.
Regional museums
When visiting an area, it is worth seeking out regional and local museums and Heritage Centres, which often have displays and information about the regional geology and its influence on local history, landscape, industry and livelihoods. Here is just a brief selection:
Whitby Museum, Yorkshire – a great collection of local fossils famous for its ammonites and its massive marine reptiles – plus, of course, jet.
The Booth Museum of Natural History, Brighton – the Geology gallery shows not only fossils from the local Chalk, but the history of the world over the past 4 billion years.
The Museum of London – see their “London before London” gallery
The National Stone Centre, Derbyshire – an unusual, mainly outdoor ‘museum’ with discovery trails, stone-working courses and more.
Staffin (Dinosaur) Museum, Isle ofSkye – exactly what it says on the tin – dinosaurs found on Skye.
Watchet Museum – a wide selection of fossils largely from the local Lias (200-215mA)
The Museum of Somerset, Taunton – their Foundation Stones gallery explores how the Somerset landscape was created during 400 million years of change.
The Dinosaur Museum, Dorchester is specially aimed at children
The Dorset Museum, Dorchester – its Natural Dorset gallery covers the county’s geology as well as landscapes, habitats and wildlife.
The Jurassic Coast (the World Heritage extending through east Devon and Dorset) has two exceptional museums concentrating on the geology of the area and its amazing fossils:
The Etches Collection – unique award-winning modern museum.
Lyme Regis Museum – in the historic home-town of Mary Anning.
Hertfordshire Museums
While these local museums do not generally have extensive geology displays, their stories of local landscape, settlement history, traditional livelihoods and industries are all interwoven with the underlying geology, soils and natural resources.
Ashwell Village Museum – the nearby Ashwell Springs are a Biological SSSI.
Hitchin Museum – local history includes Mabel, the Baldock mammoth.
Hertford Museum – its extensive collection of specimens, though not all on display, is available for view or research by appointment.
Stevenage Museum – try their virtual tour.
Scotts grotto – not strictly a museum but well worth a visit! See their amazing 3-D tour.
Verulamium Museum and St Albans Museum The Verulamium Museum concentrates on the Roman era.
Ware Museum – as well as their local geology display, perhaps the brewing exhibits will hit the spot!
If you want to take your interest a step further, see the Learning Resources page for ideas.