A visit to the coast at the Naze, Walton-on-the-Naze is a great family friendly day out in Essex! The Naze nature reserve has beautiful, coastal walking trails and is the home of the iconic Naze Tower. Children and adults alike will also love fossil hunting on the Naze beach! Walton-on-the-Naze is a great spot for fossil hunting in Essex.
Where to find Fossils in Essex? The Naze Nature Discovery Centre
The Naze Nature Discovery Centre Old Hall Lane
Walton-on-the-Naze
CO14 8LE
🅿️ Parking at The Naze
Naze Car Park operated by Tendring Council - Old Hall Lane, CO14 8LJ
1 Hour - £2
Up to 2 Hours - £3
4 Hours - £5
All Day - £7
MiPermit Location Code 706004
Payment by phone/card/app
Fossil Hunting at The Naze, Walton-on-the-Naze
The Naze is a special place. It's famous for its fossils! It is common to find fossilised seashells, wood and shark teeth around the cliffs edge at the Naze. The cliffs around the Naze are made of red cragg, which is a soft rock. As the sea erodes the cliff edges, fossils can be discovered! Although uncommon, it has been known for the teeth of Meglodons to be found at the Naze. Meglodons were an extinct species of giant shark that lived approximately 23 to 3.6 million years ago.
If you aren't lucky enough to find any fossils on the beach, there are plenty on display at the visitor centre at the top of the cliffs, including a giant Megladon tooth! The Essex Wildlife Trust visitor centre is full of information about the coastline's prehistoric history, military past and how the environment is shaping the cliffs today.
Fossil Hunting Events at The Naze
Essex Wildlife Trust run regular family events, including nature tots and fossil hunting events. We have attended an Essex Wildlife Trust Fossil Hunting Event and thoroughly enjoyed it! You can find upcoming events at the Naze here - What's On at The Naze
The Naze Nature Discovery Centre - Toilets and Cafe at the Naze
As well as lots of local history and information, The Naze visitor centre also has a cafe, gift shop and toilets. There are accessible toilets and baby change facilities. The Naze Nature Discovery Centre is open from 9.30am to 4pm in the winter and 4.30pm in the summer season (15th February to 3rd November).
The Beach at the Naze
The walk down to the cliffs is very steep. There are metal steps and is pretty much impassable with a buggy. Make sure you check tide times as the beach can pretty much disappear at high tide.
Trails at The Naze
At the top of the cliff edge there are plenty of walking trails. You can find out what route is best for you from the information at the visitor centre.
The Naze Tower
The site of The Naze Discovery Centre is also the home of the iconic Naze Tower. The Tower had a viewing platform, which can be accessed for a small fee during open season 28th March - 3rd November). The Naze Tower also hosts a tearoom and art gallery. You can find out more about visiting the Naze Tower on the website.
Is there a playground at The Naze?
There is no playground at The Naze. However there is a great playground a short drive away - Bath House Meadpw Playground.
Facilities
🛝 Playground ❌
🐶 Dog Friendly ✅
☕ Cafe ✅
ℹ Visitor Centre/Shop ✅
🚻 Toilets ✅ baby change and accessible toilets
♿ Accessible
🐶 Dog Friendly ❌
🪑 Picnic Tables ✅
🐶 Dog Friendly ❌
⏰ 30 minutes - 1 hour
Last Updated February 2025
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