05/08/2025
Fossil Hunting on Cromer Beach
If you’re just starting out with fossil collecting, North Norfolks beaches are a fantastic place to begin your journey – and one of the most common and exciting fossils you might find here is the belemnite.
Belemnites were ancient marine creatures related to modern squids and cuttlefish. They lived around 100 to 200 million years ago during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. Unlike today’s squids, belemnites had a hard internal shell called a guard, which is the fossilised part most often found on beaches. These guards are smooth, bullet-shaped, and usually orange to brown – often the tips break off leaving little cylinder shapes .
đź’ˇ Top Tip: After high tides or storms, keep your eyes peeled for small, pointed shapes among the rock pools and along the shore. You might be surprised at what turns up!
Cromer’s coastline is part of the famous Deep History Coast, and belemnite fossils are a brilliant way to get hands-on with that history. They’re durable, easy to spot once you know what to look for, and a great introduction to fossil hunting for all ages.
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After the Beach – Pop into Little Gems!
Once you’ve had a good explore, why not swing by Little Gems Rock Shop, just a stone’s throw from the Cromer’s seafront? We’re open 7 days a week and love seeing what people have found on the beach. Whether you want to identify your new fossil finds, learn more about belemnites and other ancient sea creatures (take a peek low down near tge front window) , or just browse our beautiful selection of crystals, fossils, and gifts – there’s something for everyone.
And if you didn’t strike lucky on the beach this time, don’t worry – we’ve got a great selection of local and worldwide fossils so you can still take home a piece of natural history.
🌊⚒️ Happy hunting – and see you soon at Little Gems!