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Rock and fossil collecting near Exeter

17 mapped collecting spots within 60 miles of Exeter, 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 Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Cornwall.

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

Closest collecting spots to Exeter

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

Most-reported finds near Exeter

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

Every spot within 60 miles of Exeter

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

SpotMineralsCoordinatesAccess
Haytor Iron Mine50.5816, -3.7348Permission
Golden Dagger Mine50.6114, -3.8603Permission
Vitifer Mine50.6158, -3.8652Permission
Meldon Aplite Quarry50.7140, -4.0325Permission
Monmouth Beach50.7201, -2.9440Public
Charmouth BeachLower Sea Lane50.7357, -2.9006Public
Black Ven50.7300, -2.8950Public
Virtuous Lady Mine50.5080, -4.1556Permission
Seatown Beach (Golden Cap)Sea Hill Lane50.7135, -2.8235Public
Blue Anchor51.1810, -3.4020Public
Devon Great Consols50.5401, -4.2221Permission
Eype Mouth50.7164, -2.7860Public
Watchet51.1820, -3.3306Public
Kilve BeachSea Lane51.1936, -3.2250Public
Kit HillKit Hill Road50.5207, -4.2939Public
Osmington Mills50.6380, -2.3650Public
Ringstead Bay50.6311, -2.3513Public

Exeter collecting FAQ

Where can I go fossil hunting near Exeter?+
There are 17 mapped collecting spots within 60 miles of Exeter. The closest is Haytor Iron Mine in Devon, roughly 13 miles away. The full list is on this page with coordinates and drive times.
What rocks, minerals, and fossils can you find near Exeter?+
Spots within day-trip range of Exeter most commonly produce ammonite, pyrite, iron pyrite, belemnite, quartz, cassiterite.
Do I need permission to collect rocks and fossils near Exeter?+
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 Exeter

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 Exeter's collecting map in your pocket

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