When you think of picturesque beaches full of fossils, it's probably the Jurassic coast of Dorset and Devon that springs to mind. But did you know that you don't have to travel all the way to Lyme Regis if you want to get your fossil hunt fix on a day trip, as there is a hidden gem right on Bristol's doorstep?
Nestled between Minehead and Bridgwater is Kilve beach, a real jewel and a stunning fossil beach accessed through a remote, narrow laneway, around one hour and 20 minutes drive from Bristol. But as you make your way down Sea Lane to the rocky beach, you'd think you were a million miles away.
Near Watchet, Kilve beach is a fascinating stretch of the Somerset coast with fantastic rock formations and was once described by poet William Wordsworth as a "delightful shore". The beach is on the West Somerset Coast Path and sits within the Quantock Hills, which was the first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, to be established in 1957.
