From the hills of Hollywood to the beaches of Britain, movies have sparked a passion for fossil hunting in the UK.
Films such as The Dig, which stars Carey Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes, and Ammonite with Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan, have fuelled a surge in hunting for ancient treasures.
Sites like eBay have seen searches for geological equipment rise by 500% in the last month alone. And the word "compass" has been searched for every three minutes.
Fossil fans have even sparked an Instagram trend, with treasure hunters sharing their finds online. Paleontologist Dr Elsa Panciroli, who studies fossil mammals and is the author of Beasts Before Us: The Untold Story of Mammal Origins and Evolution, said: "People have been collecting fossils for centuries, trying to understand what they tell us about the evolution of our planet.
"I think the recent films have reminded people what joy they can have just grubbing about for a day on the beach. We’re all looking for simple pleasures that get us outside and connect us to something bigger."
Some of the world’s most fascinating fossils can be found right here, on British shores. Read our guide to discover where to find them…
Precious stones in Castleton
Blue John stone is a semi-precious mineral with bands of purple-blue or yellow that can only be found in Castleton, in Derbyshire’s Peak District.
To try to find some, park at the base of the Treak Cliff and take the path leading up to the caves where the ornamental mineral is still mined. It’s well worth paying the cavern a visit.
From here, continue towards Mam Tor, where you will see a few outcrops of rock and some loose limestone.
Fossils can be found all around the area, but much of it is owned by the National Trust and has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
This means you can only look at the fossils you find, and not take them home.
Ammonites in Dorset
Dorset is home to an ammonite graveyard that is almost 200 million years old.
The bed of extinct marine molluscs in Lyme Regis is the only one of its kind and is part of the 95-mile World Heritage-listed Jurassic Coast.
Dr Panciroli said: "The sheer number of fossils beneath your feet here is incredible.
"Mary Anning, one of the greatest fossil hunters of all time, lived nearby – so you are walking in her footsteps, as well as standing on an ancient seabed."
The cliffs at Aust are more than 230 million years old and contain a number of fossils, including reptile bones and teeth.
Triassic fossils are regularly found in the area and just a small amount of the famous bone bed can yield a high number of teeth, coprolites and bone fragments.
Dr Panciroli said: "The nice thing about this one is that it’s accessible for families, and fossils are relatively common."
Dinosaur bones on the Isle of Wight
European visitors have made Herne Bay very popular – and shark teeth are the most common fossil found here. For the best chance of unearthing them among the sediment, head to the beach at Beltinge, then on towards Reculver. Dr Panciroli said: “Sharks shed their teeth regularly, so multiplied by millions of years… that’s a lot of teeth!”
The Isle of Wight – dubbed "Dinosaur Island" – offers ample opportunities for fossil enthusiasts. After all, this is where the most dinosaur bones have been found in the whole of Europe.
Bones are often discovered where the Wealden beds are exposed so Compton Beach is a great place to start looking.
More than 20 different species of dinosaur have been found here – some of which have never been discovered anywhere else. Dr Panciroli told how the island is "a real pilgrimage site for fossil enthusiasts" – but if you’re a newbie, it might be worth signing up for a guided walk so you know what you’re looking for.
Grey rocks with embedded seashells are easy to find – often, they are just lying on the beach.
According to the National Trust, fossilised dinosaur bones are usually black and shiny with a honeycomb texture.
Marine shale at Trearne Quarry, Scotland
You’ll find plenty of marine shale deposits at this working quarry south-west of Glasgow.
Brachiopods, gastropods and corals are among the fossils unearthed here.
The best specimens are found in the dark grey beds of shale, with the rock face to your right.
Dr Panciroli said: "You will need permission from the quarry manager to visit this one, and it is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, so be sure to check the Scottish Fossil Code before you go."
Marine-based fossils dating back more than 400 million years can be found at this amazing beach in Pembrokeshire.
These include corals, brachiopods and bivalves. The area, managed by the National Trust, has towering cliffs and a huge expanse of sand.
Dr Panciroli said: "This is a particularly ancient site where you can find animals that lived on the sea bed. There was very little living on land at this point in time."
Gemstones at Whitby, North Yorkshire
The fossilised wood of the Araucaria tree - known as Whitby Jet - dates back more than 180 million years.
The beautiful black stone is buried in seams of shale around the seaside town which, according to Dr Panciroli, "tells us there were abundant conifer woodlands in Britain at that time, thriving in a much warmer climate than today".
Queen Victoria famously wore Whitby Jet jewellery after her husband Prince Albert's death in 1861.
Tree fossils at Kingsbarns
Find plant remains dating from 335 million years ago at Kingsbarns in Fife.
The fossils can often be found on the foreshore at low-tide and within the eroded rock face - but they're quite well-hidden.
The trunk and roots of Lepidodendron trees are the most commonly-found items. The leaves have diamond-shaped patterns, while the roots are covered by small pits.
Marine fossils at Marloes Sands
Marine-based fossils dating back more than 400 million years can be found at this amazing beach in Pembrokeshire.
These include corals, brachiopods and bivalves.
The area, managed by the National Trust, has towering cliffs and a huge expanse of sand.
Dr Panciroli said: "This is a particularly ancient site where you can find animals that lived on the sea bed. There was very little living on land at this point in time."
Reptile remains in Watchet, Somerset
This area is a must-visit for fossil enthusiasts. , with spectacular faults, fossil casts of giant Ammonites and frequent reptile remains on the foreshore.
Some of the most impressive fossils have been unearthed west of Warren Bay, but rocks from the Triassic Blue Anchor bone bed can also be found, containing fish, reptile and shark remains.
Dr Panciroli said: "Watchet is a great family day out whether you find fossils or not.
"The best place to search is on the beach itself. But take care about incoming tides."
Shark teeth in Herne Bay, Kent
European visitors have made Herne Bay very popular - and shark teeth are the most common fossil found here - .
For the best chance of unearthing them among the sediment, head to the beach at Beltinge, then on towards Reculver.
Dr Panciroli said: "Sharks shed their teeth regularly, so multiplied by millions of years? that's a lot of teeth!"
The key to safe fossil hunting lies in your equipment, and keeping your eyes and ears open to spot any changing patterns, shapes and colours in rocks. Equip yourself with geological hammers, stone chisels, safety goggles, a hard hat and sealable bags to keep potential finds safe. Ensure you dress appropriately for the location and the weather, and have some decent walking boots to deal with slippery rocks.
Make sure you research an area before you visit, too - and never try to climb cliffs or sit too close to the edge.
SAFETY GUIDE TO FOSSIL FINDING
The best time to go looking for fossils is at low tide. If you spot something that looks interesting or is too big to carry home, take a photo and report it to a museum where palaeontologists may wish to do further research.
Dr Panciroli said: "There are so many fossil hunters nowadays, it's important not to take everything you find. I suggest you make notes about anything you collect, take only the top three fossils and put the rest of them back for others to enjoy.
"Stay safe - avoid cliffs, mudflats or other dangerous landforms. Wear the right clothing for the weather. Don’t use a hammer to collect from the rock face – most fossil localities are protected so this is not allowed."
- Beasts Before Us: The Untold Story of Mammal Origins and Evolution by Elsa Panciroli, published by Bloomsbury Sigma, and is out now, priced £20.
