Let’s face it folks, the Yorkshire coast is the best place in the world for quite a few things. The best fish and chips, the best weather, the best sandcastles and, beyond doubt, the best rocks and fossils. Due to a quite wonderful quirk of nature (the earth was obviously designed by a Yorkshire woman) the rocks of the coast slope gently southwards, so that in a 70-mile stroll from Saltburn to Flamborough it is possible to take in 120 million years of earth history. Yes, time travel is here already.
Not only that, but those 120 million years cover the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods – the time when dinosaurs roamed the earth, and when the seas were home to giant ichthyosaurs, plesiosaurs, ammonites and coral reefs.
If that wasn’t enough the changing conditions during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods are reflected in the rocks and fossils along this beautiful coast. So, in the north around Staithes, Whitby and Saltwick there are deep-sea creatures preserved in dark shales; around Scalby Mills and Scarborough there are plant fossil and footprints left by dinosaurs in mudbanks. Further south we’re back to fossil sea creatures like ammonites, gastropods and corals.
Add in the contrast between towering cliffs and sandy bays, and the fascinating remains of the alum, jet and iron industries and you have what amounts to a natural geological theme park.
Lots of people – visitors and residents – are waking up to the natural treasures on their doorstep and the Yorkshire coast is getting more widely known for its rocks and fossils. I know because I’ve been drafted in to help cope with the huge demand for fossil trips with Hidden Horizons. We always find lots of fascinating remains and it sure beats sitting at home. So don’t miss out, get to the website and start doing some Yorkshire time travel.