Clacton Cliffs and Foreshore, Protected geological site in Clacton-on-Sea, United Kingdom.
Clacton Cliffs and Foreshore is a roughly 26-hectare coastal site with exposed layers of clay, sand, and gravel that formed over millions of years. Marine erosion has carved these deposits into visible bands, creating a cross-section of different sediment types that span multiple geological periods.
Early twentieth century excavations at this site uncovered stone tools dating to around 400,000 years ago, showing that humans used this coastal area in prehistoric times. These discoveries helped scientists identify this location as a major source of evidence for early human activity in Britain.
This coastal site attracts researchers from different fields who come to examine the exposed rock layers and understand Earth's geological history. The cliffs reveal how environmental conditions shifted across thousands of years, making it a place where scientific learning happens naturally.
You can walk along a shoreline footpath to explore two open sections with good views of the cliffs and geological formations. Note that the third accessible area lies within Clacton Golf Course and is off-limits to general visitors.
Natural England identifies this location as holding some of Britain's most important deposits from warm periods between ice ages, a rare geological record. Few coastal sites preserve such a detailed story of prehistoric human presence alongside evidence of climate shifts.
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