UK Fossils Network Logo Fossil Collecting at Gisleham QuarryGeological Tools, Microscopes, Fossils and Test Sieves - UKGE LTD
Fossils and fossil collecting Fossil Collecting Locations Fossil Guides Fossil Resources Fossil Discussions Geological Links Earth Science News Fossil Events Earth Science Magazine Geological Shop

Gisleham Quarry fossils and fossil collecting

From the A12, head towards Lowestoft. At Kessingland, continue along the duel carriageway, until you reach the next roundabout.
From here, take the first left towards Gisleham. Continue along this road and it will veer South. Keep going until you come to some houses, with a sharp bend. There is a trackway ahead, but the road veers round to the West
Take the trackway, you can park along the side of the road on the grass. From here its a short walk, further down the trackway. You will come to an iron gate, but a footpath to the side of the iron gate gives entrance to the quarry. Walk throught the quarry and then to the left.

GRID REF: 52.43413°N, 1.71186°E

ammonites, molluscs, belemnites
Fossil Collecting at Gisleham Quarry


The disused quarry contains good sections of the Chalky Boulder Clay, seen at Pakefield and Corton. The rain washes fossils out of the beds, and you can find ammonites, belemnites and if lucky, reptile remains on the surface of the exposures.
Where is it

Medium

 

You can find some nice fossils at Gisleham Quarry, but it is best to visit after heavy rain as fossils are washed out of the clay.Ammonites and belemnites are the most common finds, but most are fragments.


Not for Children

 

We don't recommend any quarry for children either used or disused as there are to many dangers. In addition, vehicles still use this quarry for dumping building waste.


Good Access

 

Gisleham Quarry is easy to find, you can park neaby and it is a short walk away. There is a footpath to the left hand side of the iron gate taking you into the quarry.


Disused Quarry

 

Fossils are found in the slopes of the old disused quarry. Rain washes the fossils down these slopes. Although the quarry is disused, the Northern end of the quarry is used for a dumping for building waste.


Permission Required

 

This quarry is currently a dumping ground for building waste, so please make sure you ask before entering. You can however access on Sundays when vehicles are not allow and a footpath runs through the site.

 

Gisleham Quarry although disused, is now a dumping site for building waste. Although the area with boulder clay is away from the area now being used, you have to walk through the area where large vehicles make it a possible danger.


Accommodation

Bay House

 

Proprietors Joan Thompson and Tom Gurteen look forward to welcoming you to their non-smoking home overlooking the sea at Pakefield. This old fishing village, still popular with sea anglers today is 1.5 miles south of Lowestoft.

Our Accommodation 2 Double rooms with en-suite facilities enjoying panoramic sea-views One Single room with private bathroom The comfortable, well appointed rooms are equipped with colour TV, tea & coffee making facilities, mini-fridge and hairdryer. Our professional catering background is reflected in the quality of our breakfasts using local produce and home-made bread and preserves.

Easy access from the A12 makes Bay House ideal for visitors to the CEFAS laboratory or the many other businesses in the area.

From £25.00 per person per night inclusive of Full English Breakfast.

Special discounts for stays of 3 nights or more.

Address: Bay House, 47 Pakefield St, Pakefield, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 0JS, UK. Telephone: +44 (0)1502 568879

E-mail: info@bay-house.net

 

If you would like to advertise on this page, please 'contact us'.
£10/Year or 'FREE' for return links from accommodation website pages.


Last updated:  2008
last visited:  2008
Written by:  Alister and Alison Cruickshanks


Other Locations similar to Gisleham


For other locations in Suffolk where the Boulder clay can yield belemnites, ammonites, reptile remains, shells etc, try Pakefield, Field Farm, Priory Farm, or Corton all nearby.

Location Photos
        
Chalky Boulder Clay at Gisleham Quarry

Fossil Collecting
Your Reports
Discussions

The Chalky Boulder Clay contains a wide variety of different rocks brought down during the ice age. Jurassic and Cretaceous rocks contain ammonites, belemnites, brachiopods, bivalves and sometimes reptile remains.

The most common finds are belemnites and ammonites. The rain washes these out of the clay and you can find them on the bottom of the slopes in this disused quarry. All you need is a good eye and a little patience.

Small ammonite seen at Gisleham Quarry
Small ammonite seen at Gisleham Quarry

Giant belemnite from the chalky Boulder Clay
Giant belemnite from the chalky Boulder Clay

Fragment of large ammonite
Fragment of large ammonite


Geology Guide
Pleistocene, (Erratic's)

The quarry consists of the Chalky Boulder Clay, formed during glaciation, in which the glaciers scrapped the land and brought many rocks from the north. The boulder clay contains many Kimmeridge Clay rocks, some Oolite rocks and chalk. . ...[more]

Geological Succession of Gisleham Quarry
Chalky Boulder Clay

Stone Tumblers
Microscopes
Geology Supplies

If you are interested in fossil collecting, then you may also be interested in a stone tumbler (Lapidary). You can polish stones and rocks from the beach which will look fantastic polished using a stone tumbler.

You can polish rough rock and beach glass whilst collecting fossils, on those days where you come back empty handed. These are all high quality machines to give a professional finish to your samples. They can even be used for amber and fossils.

At most locations, you can find microfossils. You only need a small sample of the sand. You then need to wash it in water and sieve using a test sieve. Once the sand is processed, you can then view the contents using a microscope.

We have a wide range of microscopes for sale, you will need a Stereomicroscope for viewing microfossils. The best one we sell is the IMXZ, but a basic microscope will be fine. Once you have found microfossils, you will need to store these microfossils.

UKGE, market leaders in Geological Supplies and Geology Equipment. We supply retail, education, wholesale and trade in the UK, Europe and beyond.

With our wide range of geological hammers 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!


Rock and Fossil Magazine, Deposits
Fossil Hunter Starter Packs with Geological Tools and Safety wear
Microscopes and Microscopy equipment
Geological Tools and Equipment
Minerals for sale
Rocks for Schools
Geological Hammers
Fossils for sale, Ammonites, Belemnites, Dinosaurs, Trilobites, Reptiles, Fish
Field Lenses, Loupes and Double Lens /></a><br />
        <a href=Specimen Boxes for Fossil Storage
Preparation ToolsCompasses and Compass Devices

 
(C)opyright 2008 - UKGE Limited, UK Fossils Network and Deposits Magazine, all rights reserved.
Whilst we try to ensure that all content is accurate and up to date we cannot guarantee this. UK Fossils takes no responsibility in the accuracy of this content, nor takes any liabilities for any trips, events or exchanges between visitors using either the discussion board or the UK Fossils planner. Any posted trips and events by UK Fossils are personal and not arranged by UK Fossils, therefore visitors should seek their own personal insurance cover. Please remember to always check the tide times.
Fossil Discussions | News | Stone Tumblers | Magazine | Search Geo | UKGE | Geological Timeline | A to Z | Contact us