Hey Rockwatchers! Ready for an adventure? The GA Festival of Geology 2024 has some exciting Urban Geology walks in London to help you hone your geo-detective skills – perfect for young explorers and curious minds. Let’s dive into what each walk has to offer!
- Rocks and Fossils of the City of London Led by Mike Howgate | Start time: 11 am
Starting at St. Paul’s station, we’ll explore the hidden treasures around the Cathedral. Discover the amazing Shap granite bollards and look for ancient Orthocone Nautiloids in red Ooland limestone. You’ll even see masses of oyster fossils in the Purbeck limestone Grub Bed! We’ll hunt for Jurassic Portland Stone and spot ‘Portland Screws’ and ‘Osses ‘Eds’ on Roach Stone benches. Get ready for the grand finale – a real dinosaur footprint near Bank tube station!
- Geotrail around Lesnes Abbey Woods Led by Diana Clements | Start time: 11 am
At Lesnes Abbey Woods, we’ll visit the famous Fossil Pit, home to small mammal bones and fossil shark teeth. Our adventure will take us to Chalky Dell and around the woods, where we’ll learn about Chalk, Thanet Sand, and Blackheath Beds. Discover how geology shaped the history of Lesnes Abbey and its surroundings. We’ll wrap up our trail at the Chestnut Kiosk near the Abbey.
- For Families: Geological Illustrations in Crystal Palace Park Led by Peter Doyle | Start time: 11 am
Join us at Crystal Palace Park to see life-sized statues of dinosaurs and marine reptiles like ichthyosaurs, plesiosaurs, and a mosasaur! Peter Doyle will guide you through the park’s geological formations and fossil reconstructions. Step back in time and see what Victorian scientists thought the world looked like millions of years ago.
Non-GA members and beginners are welcome! Book your spot online at GA Festival of Geology. Walks 1 & 2 are £5 per person, and walk 3 is £2.50 each. Spaces are limited, so register now! Some spots will also be available for in-person booking at the Festival of Geology in Burlington House on 2 November.
For more details, email fieldtrips@geologistsassociation.org.uk or call 020 7434 9298. We can’t wait to explore with you!
