"Whilst any good ironmonger can supply cold chisels and strong knives or trowels, he is very unlikely to have safe and suitable hammers in stock. The steel of ordinary domestic and many trade hammers is far too soft for use on most rocks. It will splinter and flying fragments of steel can cause nasty wounds, particularly to the eyes, not only of the hammerer but also of his companions." Fossils in Colour - 1967 - J.F. Kirkaldy, D.Sc. Formally Head of the Department of Geology, Queen Mary College London.

Many fossils can be found on the foreshore or scree slopes, but the best fossils are normally found in the hard rocks around the beach, for that reason it is best to come well prepared.

Crack Hammers: You will need good quality crack hammer and Chrome chisels at Hastings, the rocks can be very hard.

Chisel Picks: For the more 'weathered rocks' These chisel picks work well in loosing weathered layers. Geological hammers are also suitable.

Chisels: Because the rock are extremely hard, most normal chisels will blunt quickly. It is therefore highly recommended that Special Chrome Vanadium Steel Chisels are used. These are made from the highest quality steel and are coated for extra protection. They are also much sharper than normal chisels and will last much longer. As for the type of chisel, standard 1" or less are best, it is also ideal to take a small chisel around 1/2" for any delicate work and a splitting chisel to split layers.

Safety Wear: Goggles or Safety Glasses are absolutely essential at this location when using hammers and chisels, rock splinters can pierce the skin.

Hard Hats: The cliffs at hastings are extremely high and constantly crumble, it is highly recommended that you bring safety hats.

Specimen Bags: These are ideal for Hastings. Sealable Clear Specimen Bags can hold your finds. These can be purchased from UKGE for low prices and can easily be re-used.

Field Lenses: Hastings can yield many tiny fossils including teeth which sometimes will require a magnifying lenses. It is not always possible to tell very small objects with normal eyesight. The most common type is the 10x.

Geological Bags: Strong, Waterproof and durable geological bags that last years are ideal for any keen fossil hunter. These quality bags from Estwing are ideal for bringing back those heavy finds back home.

Footwear: Hiking Boots are recommended fine for Hastings because the shore can be very rocky.