Isle of Sheppey - What Tools and Equipment do you need for Fossil Collecting in Kent?

"Whilst any good ironmonger can supply cold chisels and strong knives or trowels, he is very unlikely to have safe and suitable hammers in stock. The steel of ordinary domestic and many trade hammers is far too soft for use on most rocks. It will splinter and flying fragments of steel can cause nasty wounds, particularly to the eyes, not only of the hammerer but also of his companions."
Fossils in Colour - 1967 - J.F. Kirkaldy, D.Sc. Formally Head of the Department of Geology, Queen Mary College London.

The fossils from Sheppey are found on the foreshore, so it is best to take a pick, a knife and of course those knee pads! Most fossils you will only need good eyes for. hammers etc are NOT required, however a trowel with a long handle are especially useful. Long handled trowels and forks and the following products are available from our UK Fossils store, UKGE.

Knee Pads: For all locations which are mostly based on foreshore beach combing, knee pads are ideal, they will protect your knees and also prevent you from getting so wet. Sharp rocks or beach litter will always cause a risk of injury when searching for fossils on your hands and knees.

Knives: A handy tool to pick fossils out of the clay with.

Field Lenses: Sheppey can yield many tiny fossils including teeth which sometimes will require a magnifying lenses. It is not always possible to tell very small objects with normal eyesight. The most common type is the 10x.

Specimen Bags: These are ideal for collecting from the London Clay, expecially for taking back samples. Sealable Clear Specimen Bags can hold your finds. These can be purchased from UKGE for low prices and can easily be re-used.

Geological Bags: Strong, Waterproof and durable geological bags that last years are ideal for any keen fossil hunter. These quality bags from Estwing are ideal for bringing back those larger finds or sample bags.

Footwear: Wellington Boots are ESSENTIAL for footwear for Sheppey, the foreshore is very muddy and soft. Please read Safety notes on sinking sand and clay.