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White Park Bay is a scenic stretch of North Coast shoreline. This white arc of sand sits between two headlands. It's sheltered by ancient dunes and backed by chalk cliffs. It's a unique habitat for animals and birds. It's notable for its orchids. So why take the children? At White Park Bay kids can run free. Fly kites, find fossils, collect shells, build sandcastles and enjoy a picnic.

Ammonite Facts

There are lots of fun facts about ammonites. Did you know that?

Ammonites are an extinct marine animal. They are a member of the class of mollusks known as Cephalopoda. Their nearest living relatives are the octopus, squid and cuttlefish.
Ammonites lived between 240 million and 65 million years ago in a period of time known as the Mesozoic Era or Age of Reptiles.
Ammonites were soft-bodied invertebrates with a flat, coiled shell. They had long tentacles, well-developed eyes, and a sharp beaklike jaw.
Ammonite shells ranged in size from 1 inch (2.5 cm) to 9 feet (3m) in diameter. They lived in the outer chamber of their shell and formed new, larger chambers as they grew in size.
Ammonites were likely swimmers but not all species moved by jet propulsion, the motion produced by squirting streams of liquid.
Ammonites were both predators and prey. They preyed on fish and crustaceans. They were prey for large marine lizards, such as the mosasaur.
Ammonites are the most commonly found fossil. They are important guide or index fossils as they help geologists date layers of rock.