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Rock and fossil collecting near Plymouth

13 mapped collecting spots within 60 miles of Plymouth, all within day-trip range. This part of the country is best known for mineral collecting, from old mining districts and quarries, with fossil hunting within reach on the coast. 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 Devon, Cornwall, Dorset.

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

Closest collecting spots to Plymouth

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

Most-reported finds near Plymouth

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

Every spot within 60 miles of Plymouth

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

SpotMineralsCoordinatesAccess
Virtuous Lady Mine50.5080, -4.1556Permission
Devon Great Consols50.5401, -4.2221Permission
Kit HillKit Hill Road50.5207, -4.2939Public
Golden Dagger Mine50.6114, -3.8603Permission
Vitifer Mine50.6158, -3.8652Permission
Haytor Iron Mine50.5816, -3.7348Permission
Meldon Aplite Quarry50.7140, -4.0325Permission
Cligga Head50.3401, -5.1834Public
Poldice Mine50.2405, -5.1740Permission
Trevaunance Cove50.3197, -5.2046Public
Chapel Porth Beach50.3008, -5.2378Public
Monmouth Beach
  • Ammonite
  • Belemnite
  • Pyrite
  • Iron Pyrite
50.7201, -2.9440Public
Charmouth BeachLower Sea Lane
  • Ammonite
  • Belemnite
  • Pyrite
  • Ichthyosaur
  • Iron Pyrite
50.7357, -2.9006Public

Plymouth collecting FAQ

Where can I go rock collecting near Plymouth?+
There are 13 mapped collecting spots within 60 miles of Plymouth. The closest is Virtuous Lady Mine in Devon, roughly 9 miles away. The full list is on this page with coordinates and drive times.
What rocks, minerals, and fossils can you find near Plymouth?+
Spots within day-trip range of Plymouth most commonly produce quartz, cassiterite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite, hematite.
Do I need permission to collect rocks and fossils near Plymouth?+
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 Plymouth

More “collecting near” guides for cities within range.

More county coverage

The spots above span 3 counties. Open the county page for the full list.

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