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Rock and fossil collecting near York

17 mapped collecting spots within 60 miles of York, 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 North Yorkshire, Derbyshire.

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

Closest collecting spots to York

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

Most-reported finds near York

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

Every spot within 60 miles of York

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

SpotMineralsCoordinatesAccess
Ravenscar54.4010, -0.4880Public
Robin Hood's Bay54.4300, -0.5330Public
Sandsend
  • Whitby Jet
  • Ammonite
  • Pyrite
  • Reptile Bone
54.5030, -0.6712Public
Whitby Beach54.4930, -0.6060Public
Saltwick Bay54.4854, -0.5817Public
Runswick Bay54.5316, -0.7448Public
Port Mulgrave54.5467, -0.7703Public
Staithes54.5580, -0.7830Public
Kettleness54.5540, -0.7220Public
Odin Mine53.3482, -1.8017Public
Dirtlow Rake53.3365, -1.7747Permission
Treak Cliff Cavern53.3446, -1.7972Paid / fee
Blue John Cavern53.3455, -1.8032Paid / fee
Jeffrey Lane Open Cut53.3211, -1.7433Permission
Ladywash Mine53.2877, -1.6655Permission
Milldam Mine53.3032, -1.7389Permission
Magpie Mine53.2106, -1.7424Public

York collecting FAQ

Where can I go fossil hunting near York?+
There are 17 mapped collecting spots within 60 miles of York. The closest is Ravenscar in North Yorkshire, roughly 39 miles away. The full list is on this page with coordinates and drive times.
What rocks, minerals, and fossils can you find near York?+
Spots within day-trip range of York most commonly produce ammonite, belemnite, calcite, fluorite, pyrite, baryte.
Do I need permission to collect rocks and fossils near York?+
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 York

More “collecting near” guides for cities within range.

More county coverage

The spots above span 2 counties. Open the county page for the full list.

Pack York's collecting map in your pocket

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