Hunt for Fossils at Highcliffe Beach, Christchurch
With spectacular views, stretches of sand and clay full of fossils, it’s not hard to understand why we love Highcliffe beach.
Highcliffe Beach
The views from the clifftop are spectacular. You can see along the coast for miles in both directions and out to the Isle of Wight and The Needles.
Cliffhanger Cafe
The Cliffhanger Cafe is a child-friendly cafe next to the car park. On arrival the staff gave us a highchair, a colouring book and some crayons.
Double High Waters…
At low tide, the beach is an expanse of sand and shingle.
At high tide the beach all but disappears.
Be sure to check the tides when planning your trip – I have been caught out on a number of occasions by the unusual ‘Double High Waters’ here.
Finding Fossils
Along the beach we noticed some lumps of clay lying on the beach that were full of small, grey shells and tubes. Some were visible on the outside of the clay and some were hidden inside.
In about fifteen minutes we managed to collect 7 fossils.
They were whole and quite small – most were less than 2cm long.
The Cliffs
The cliffs can be unstable so we do not look for fossils on or near the cliffs. They are also made of clay so you can get very muddy when you visit.
To Reach the Beach
The are two routes from the car park down to Highcliffe beach.
There is a path down the cliffs, which has a sea view but is steep with some stairs.
There is an easier route that can be accessed through a green gate on Waterford Road (by Cliffhanger Cafe) at the entrance to the car park. It doesn’t have any stairs and has a smooth and less steep surface (at the bottom left of this photo).
Highcliffe Play Area
If you find yourself waiting for the tide to change, or just fancy a play, then have a look at the nearby Highcliffe Play Area.
Visit the Highcliffe Beach website
Visit the Highcliffe Beach Fossil website
Further Information
Nearest Town: Highcliffe, near Christchurch and Bournemouth
County: Dorset
Nearest Postcode: BH23 5DG
Opens: Daily
Cost: Free
Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or try the Cliffhanger Cafe.
Facilities: Ice creams, snacks, picnic tables, cafe, toilets and accessible toilets.
How Long We Spent There: Full day.
Buggies: Buggy friendly if you use the easier route to the beach (detailed above).
Parking: Large car park
Cost of Parking: Various depending on the season.
Wildlife You Might See: Sealife and seabirds.
Information Written: November 2016
Information Checked: July 2022
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