Sidestrand fossils and fossil collecting
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 Sidestrand is best reached from Trimingham. This can be easily missed as it is accessed down a track road. Drive towards Trimingham, heading towards Cromer, you will discover a large hill with a military base; a giant 'Golf Ball' shaped dome will appear.
Before you reach the golf ball and half way up this hill a small turning right, (Vale Lane), follow down and then right at the interception, and this will eventually take you down to the beach with a large amount of parking space at the bottom.
The car park area actually sits on top of a chalk erratic (covered under the Trimingham guide). Instead, walk North West along the beach until you reach the stretch where the wave baffles have been damaged and the sea, and where the sea washes the cliffs out.
GRID REF: TG 29976 37794
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Low
You can find all kinds of erratic fossils at Sidestrand. Most of these come from the Cromer Till. Microfossils of mostly seeds can be found in the Sidestrand Organic Bed. |
Suitable for Children
This location is suitable for children, the wooden sea baffles provide an idea sea-fence for young children and ensures you cannot be cut off. A sandy beach is ideal for families; just remember to keep away from the cliff edge. |
Good Access
Sidestrand sits between Trimingham and Overstrand. It can be reached from both, but is more easier to access from Trimingham as the car park is very close to the beach access. It is a fair walk to the best beds, but worth the walk. You can also visit the chalk erratic (covered in the Trimingham guide). |
Foreshore, Cliffs
Fossils are found washed along the foreshore and also in the cliffs. The fossils are mostly erratic’s, such as belemnites, echinoids which have been deposited by glaciers. |
No Restrictions
There are no restrictions at this location, you are free to collect fossils and hammer the rocks. |
Common sense when collecting at all locations should be taken and knowledge of tide times should always be noted. The wave baffles protect the cliffs here, but there is a section of beach where the defences have been damaged. The sea can reach the base of the cliff and cut you off, so visit on a falling tide. |
| Last updated: |
2011 |
| last visited: |
2011 |
| Written by: |
Alister and Alison Cruickshanks |
 
Other locations similar to Sidestrand
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The coastline from Trimingham to Overstrand, and especially covering Sidestrand, has always been subject to erosion both by rain and sea. Wave baffles have successfully slowed down this rate, but in recent years the middle part of the Sidestrand defences have been destroyed by the sea, allowing the beds to once again become washed out.
Erratic fossils found in deposits brought down by the last ice age, yield Jurassic and Cretaceous fossils, mostly from the Cromer Till. Belemnites, echinoids are common along with sponges in flint; these can be found by searching in the rocks along the foreshore.
What has become interesting in recent years is the Sidestrand Organic Bed, which was all but buried for 20 years before 2008, then with recent erosion, the bed has once again been exposed. This bed is full of fossil seeds, pollen and plant remains of Middle Pleistocene age and is a blue-grey coloured layer at the top of the cliff, only exposed in one small area.
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The top most beds are glacial beds. These can contain crags, sands, clays, chalk and pebble beds. Below this is the Cromer Till, consisting of a sandy texture and coloured dark brown. This bed contains erratic’s of fossils and boulders, these can be found scattered along the foreshore after being washed out by the Sea.
The Sidestrand Organic Bed is sometimes exposed. It disappeared for 20 years until 2008 when it reoccurred. This bed is Middle Pleistocene age, and is full of pollen, seeds and plant remains. At the time of writing it is found at the top of the cliff as a blue layer...[more]
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All you need is a good eye for collecting most fossils, if you have a special interest in microfossils, then a sample bag, and trowel is recommended to take samples of the Organic Bed.
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Metal Polishing |
Meteorites |
Microscopy |
Metal Barrelling Machines are used for de burring, polishing, cleaning or removing surface scratches from metal and jewellery.
These are ideal for cleaning or polishing a variety of metals including brass, silver, steel and gold. They can be used for silver clay and other hobbies.
The machines have a barrel with special fins inside, which helps turn the metal round, to polish or debur. We sell a variety of different sized machines from hobby to commercial. |
Meteorites can be found all over the world. Often, large pieces are broken down either naturally or by hand, or sliced and sold as small fragments, each fall is well documented. Meteorites are very collectable, especially ones of Mars or Moon rocks.
We sell Meteorites, which are in stock and mostly come in a display boxs. Our meteorites are from all over the world and include Mars and Moon Meteorites, and rocks from outer space. For more information, please see our meteorite page.
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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. |
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Bryozoans along with other chalk fossils are the most common