Rutland Water fossils and fossil collecting |
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 Head towards Edith Weston. From Ketton, this is the small road heading West. From the A606, take the road South of Bunkers Hill, and then towards Edith Weston.
To the southern end of Edith Weston, you will find a large car park and picnic area (well parked on maps). Park here, and you will see the Rutland Water at the bottom of a large green slope. The rocks are found all along the water bank at the bottom.
Although this location is ideal for children, please watch younger children near the water. The water is very deep.
GRID REF: SK 92999 05859 |
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The South East side of Rutland Water, at Edith Weston, has Oolite rocks around the edges of the water. These blocks are not particular very fossiliferious, but do contain the odd bivalve. This location is only worth a visit if in the local area (For example, visiting Top Grange). |
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Low
The Oolite here is poor in fossils, although the occasional bivalve can be seen. It is often the case that you will come away with no finds here, but it is an excellent location to stop by for a picnic after visiting other local sites such as Top Grange.
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Reservoir embankment
Fossils are found in the rocks around the edges of the reservoir embankment. These rocks are quite big and are found all the way around the South East side. |
No Hammering
This site is privately owned, you can collect loose rocks, but you must not hammer the large rocks. These form part of the water defence. |
Rutland Water is very deep, keep away from the water, as it is not possible to tell how steep the sides are. stay along the embankment to be safe. |
| Last updated: |
2011 |
| last visited: |
2011 |
| Written by: |
Alister and Alison Cruickshanks |
 
We recommend just taking a camera to photograph this site, although loose small rocks can be collected.
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Rutland Water is not a location to visit purely for fossils, as it is quite poor. However, Ketton Quarry and Top Grange are very close by. This location is ideal to visit when in the area, as it has toilets, food and a good picnic area.
At the bottom of the slope from the car park, you will see plenty of large Oolite blocks. Some of these contain bivalves on the surfaces. In the slope itself, you can see the Blisworth Clay.
The large Oolite blocks are actually placed here, as a water-defence, so please do not hammer these, but lots of very small fragments have broken off over time, and some of these can also contain fossils which can be collected.
Blisworth Limestone
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Jurassic, 170mya |
In the embankment, you will see that the slope is made of clay. This is the Blisworth clay. The large oolite blocks are of the Great Oolite, from the Blisworth Limestone. Sadly, the blocks here are from the much less fossiliferious section.
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Bivalve in a large Oolite block
 
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Stone Tumblers |
Microscopes |
Test Sieves for Microfossils |
If you are interested in fossil collecting, then you may also be interested in a stone tumbler (Lapidary). You can polish stones and rocks from the beach which will look fantastic polished using a stone tumbler.
You can polish rough rock and beach glass whilst collecting fossils, on those days where you come back empty handed. These are all high quality machines to give a professional finish to your samples. They can even be used for amber and fossils. |
At most locations, you can find microfossils. You only need a small sample of the sand. You then need to wash it in water and sieve using a test sieve. Once the sand is processed, you can then view the contents using a microscope.
We have a wide range of microscopes for sale, you will need a Stereomicroscope for viewing microfossils. The best one we sell is the IMXZ, but a basic microscope will be fine. Once you have found microfossils, you will need to store these microfossils.
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Test Sieves are used when searching for microfossils. Microfossils can be found in many locations, and all you need is a small amount of sample such as clays, sands and shales, or if you have acid, limestone, oolite or chalk.
Our UKGE Store sells Endecotts Test Sieves, which are the highest in accuracy and extremely durable and long lasting. These Test Sieves are fantastic for microfossils. Endecotts Test Sieves come in a variety of sizes, frame material and types, they are certificated to EU Standards. |
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