Bessingby fossils and fossil collecting |
Low
Although the chalk is rich in fossils, nearly all of this old quarry is now disused. There is one small section left, but this is hard work trying to climb up the brambles to get to it! A great shame for a quarry, once visited by many geological societies.
|
Not for Children
This quarry has some very steep slopes and is overgrown, it is not recommended for children. |
Good access
The quarry is easy to find with parking nearby! The problem is getting to the last remaining section of bedrock which is not overgrown. You will need to climb up a slope full of brambles.
|
Disused Quarry
An old quarry that is now almost overgrown. Fossils are found in the quarry face bedrock and scree, although the scree is mostly overgrown.
|
No Restrictions
There are no restrictions at this location, but you should always collect sensible and safely, please see our code of conduct below.
This location is on old MOD land, parking is free at the top of the cliff. |
Common sense and safety should always be given priority at all sites, two important safety notes for this location, the first is to be aware of falling rocks. Hard Hats are recommended at all times. The second is when actually climbing this small cliff, it is very steep and you can easily slip or fall.
|
| Last updated: |
2010 |
| last visited: |
2010 |
| Written by: |
Alister Cruickshanks |
Other Locations similar to Bessingby
|
Neaby Danes Dyke and Bridlington have similar chalk to Bessingby being part of the Flamborough Head Formation of Lower Campanian age. .
|
|
  |
|
|
This old quarry was once rich in ammonites, echinoids, belemnites, sponges and molluscs. One particular zone is full of scaphites and is still visible today. This occurs in the higher beds, and includes the common binodosus and rare examples of its dimorph, scaphites inflatus.
The first time the quarry was visited by UK Fossils in 1991, good section of bedrock existed with plenty of scree to look through. Unfortunately today, 20 years on and the bedrock is mostly covered. Some shells can be collected from the slopes of the quarry but work will be required in clearing these using a pick.
Loose chalk rocks and scree on the quarry floor
|
  |
Cretaceous, 75mya |
Bessingby Quarry is part of the Sewerby Member of the Flamborough Chalk Formation, Lower Campanian Age. The chalk here that is still visible covers the zones in order of appearance, thinly bedded chalk, Sphnenoceramue patootenole, Inoceramus lingua, Orange Marl (Upper), Orbithynchis sp, Grange Marl (Upper), with further zones now overgrown....[more]
|
A hammer and chisel is required at this location. Suitable footwear should also be worn. Fossils should be wrapped well and placed carefully into containers.
|
|
Geological Tools |
Compasses |
Geological Supplies |
We sell a wide range of geological tools from our online store. These include hammers, chisels, and pick.
We also sell starter packs with everything you need to start fossil collecting.
Our online store includes books and publications on fossils and geology, and a range of geological maps on the Crook Ness area.
We have over 10,000 items for sale, covering almost every aspect of geology and fossils. |
When visiting locations such as Crook Ness, a compass is most handy. A compass is a navigational instrument that enables you to find directions on the Earth. compasses consist of a magnetised pointer which moved to align itself accurately with the Earth's magnetic field. The cardinal compass points are north, south, east and west. Compasses are mostly enclosed with liquid compass in which a needle floats. Any instrument with a magnetised bar or a needle turning freely upon a pivot and pointing in a northerly and southerly direction can be considered a compass.
|
UKGE, the owners of UK Fossils, are your market leader for Geological Supplies and Geology Equipment. Suppling Retail, Education and Trade in the UK, Europe and beyond.
We sell a wide range of geological hammer and geological picks as well as fossil tools, starter packs and geological chisels.
UKGE is your geological superstore, selling a wide range of field equipment, rocks, minerals, fossils, geological and even microscopy! |
|
|
To access Bessingby, you need to head towards Scarborough along the A165, past Driffield. The Quarry is near Bridlington, on a busy road. 
