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Rock and fossil collecting near Newcastle

14 mapped collecting spots within 60 miles of Newcastle, all within day-trip range. This stretch of the country is best known for fossil hunting: ammonites, belemnites, and other finds weather out of the coastal cliffs after every storm, with solid mineral collecting inland. Below: a map, the closest spots, what they produce, and full coordinates with access notes. Americans call this hobby rockhounding; whatever you call it, the spots are the same.

Covering parts of Durham, Northumberland, Cumbria, North Yorkshire.

Map of rock and fossil collecting spots within 60 miles of Newcastle

Closest collecting spots to Newcastle

The 6 nearest mapped spots, with straight-line distance and an approximate drive time.

Most-reported finds near Newcastle

Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each material.

Every spot within 60 miles of Newcastle

Sorted by distance from Newcastle. Tap a row to open the spot detail page with full directions, access status, and nearby trips.

SpotMineralsCoordinatesAccess
Rogerley Mine54.7380, -1.9843Permission
Settlingstones Mine55.0089, -2.2453Permission
Groverake Mine54.7921, -2.1639Permission
Rampgill Mine54.7860, -2.3408Paid / fee
Nentsberry Haggs Mine54.7993, -2.3655Permission
Staithes54.5580, -0.7830Public
Port Mulgrave54.5467, -0.7703Public
Kettleness54.5540, -0.7220Public
Runswick Bay54.5316, -0.7448Public
Sandsend
  • Whitby Jet
  • Ammonite
  • Pyrite
  • Reptile Bone
54.5030, -0.6712Public
Whitby Beach54.4930, -0.6060Public
Saltwick Bay54.4854, -0.5817Public
Robin Hood's Bay54.4300, -0.5330Public
Driggith Mine54.7270, -3.0481Permission

Newcastle collecting FAQ

Where can I go fossil hunting near Newcastle?+
There are 14 mapped collecting spots within 60 miles of Newcastle. The closest is Rogerley Mine in Durham, roughly 22 miles away. The full list is on this page with coordinates and drive times.
What rocks, minerals, and fossils can you find near Newcastle?+
Spots within day-trip range of Newcastle most commonly produce ammonite, belemnite, pyrite, galena, whitby jet, calcite.
Do I need permission to collect rocks and fossils near Newcastle?+
Usually, yes. Most land in the UK is privately owned and there is no general right to collect, so inland sites like quarries, mine tips, and fields need the landowner's permission first. Beaches and foreshore are the main exception: picking up loose pebbles and fallen fossils for personal use is generally tolerated. Each spot page lists what is known about access; confirm before you travel.
Can I use a hammer at protected sites?+
Not at protected ones. Many classic UK localities are Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), where hammering, digging, or removing material can be illegal without consent. In Scotland, follow the Scottish Fossil Code. Check a site's designation before taking tools, and when in doubt collect loose surface material only.
What is good practice for coastal collecting?+
Collect loose material from the beach rather than digging into cliffs, which is both dangerous and usually prohibited. Check tide times before you set out, keep well back from cliff faces after wet weather, take only what you will keep, and record where each find came from.

Other cities near Newcastle

More “collecting near” guides for cities within range.

More county coverage

The spots above span 4 counties. Open the county page for the full list.

Pack Newcastle's collecting map in your pocket

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