Discover Bristol and Explore the Fossils and Geodiversity of Quarry Steps at Durdham Down in Clifton
- Wayne Munday
- 13 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Sip back and discover the fossils and geodiversity of Quarry Steps at Durdham Down in Clifton, Bristol a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) where the Bristol Dinosaur, Thecodontosaurus antiquus, was discovered. Step into deep time at this unique Triassic site just a stone’s throw from the vibrant city of Bristol where the first-ever reptile-bearing fissure deposits were discovered in Britain that helped shape our understanding of early dinosaur evolution.
Quarry Steps has now been developed into houses and there is only a remnant of what was once an extensively quarried area on Durdham Down. In the autumn of 1834, surgeon Henry Riley and curator Samuel Stutchbury began excavating saurian fossils at Durdham Down. By 1836, they had named a new genus, Thecodontosaurus, meaning "socket-toothed lizard" due to its distinctive teeth set in separate sockets rather than fused jaws. Thecodontosaurus also became known locally as the "Bristol Dinosaur".
Thecodontosaurus was the fifth dinosaur ever named and predated the formal creation of the term Dinosauria in 1842. In 1843, John Morris assigned the full species name: Thecodontosaurus antiquus, meaning "ancient socket-toothed lizard". The original holotype of the lower jaw was unfortunately destroyed during the Bristol Blitz a period of heavy bombing during World War II, mainly between autumn 1940 and spring 1941. Many fossils were salvaged and are now housed at the Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery.
Among the fossils found at Quarry Steps at Durdham Down near Clifton include:
Two species of the saurischian dinosaur Thecodontosaurus ("socket-tooth lizard")
A phytosaur, a crocodile-like reptile
Two species of sphenodontid lizards, distant relatives of the modern Tuatara a species of reptile endemic to New Zealand whose Māori name means "peaks on the back".
Durdham Down is part of the wider area known as The Downs in Bristol. Geologically this area is known as Durdham Island or Downs Island. Though not a true island its is a limestone highland that existed during the Late Triassic period. Composed of ancient Carboniferous Limestone it rose above its surrounding shallow seas, mudflats, and lagoons when much of Britain was covered by warm, shallow tropical seas.
Over time, fissures opened in the limestone due to tectonic activity and erosion. These were later filled with younger sediments including Dolomitic Conglomerate and Westbury Beds dated both from the late Rhaetian stage of the Upper Triassic. These fissures also became natural traps for fossils and sediment preserving a remarkable snap shot into the Late Triassic.
The Quarry Steps fossils were unearthed from fissure fillings likely dating to the Westbury Beds during the late Rhaetian stage of the Upper Triassic period approximately 208 - 201 million years ago just before the Jurassic Period. The Rhaetian Age was a time on Earth marked by profound environmental change including:
A major extinction event, eliminating many marine reptiles and reef-builders
Increased tectonic activity and rising sea levels
The gradual formation of shallow shelf seas, ideal for preserving fossils
The end of lineages like dicynodonts, rauisuchids, phytosaurs, and perleidiform fish an extinct order of ray-finned fish or Actinopterygii that lived during the Triassic period.
The Westbury Beds form part of the Penarth Group composed of marine and marginal marine sediments formed during a time of rising sea levels. If Thecodontosaurus fossils originated from these beds they lived at the very end of the Triassic shortly before the Triassic-Jurassic extinction event. There is also evidence that other dinosaurs and reptiles coexisted with Thecodontosaurus on the Downs Island.
At Durdham Down, this unique ancient geodiversity story comes to life. The fossil record here captures the dawn of the Mesozoic Era’s reptilian rise, offering insight into the ancient ecosystems that once thrived across what is now southern England.
Why does Quarry Steps belongs on your Fossil Coast travel itinerary. Visiting Quarry Steps isn't just about geodiversity it’s also about experiencing the thrill of discovery, connecting with Britain’s natural heritage, and finding joy in the unexpected.
It's a very small nationally significant fossil site right in the heart of Bristol
The perfect blend of urban exploration and natural history
Close proximity to cultural attractions, green spaces, and scenic walks
Ideal for day trips from Bath, Bristol, or the South West Coast
Enhances your travel experience with a meaningful story that predates the dinosaurs we all know and love
Whether you're planning a weekend getaway, a dinosaur-themed road trip, or simply love discovering the secrets beneath your feet, Quarry Steps offers a unique and inspiring destination that speaks to Earth’s deep history. So pack your walking shoes, charge your camera, and get ready to uncover 200 million years of history then raise a glass with Fossil Coast Drinks and drink to time well travelled.
