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STUTTON GEOLOGY
A GEOLOGICAL FIELD GUIDE TO STUTTON, SUFFOLK BILL GEORGE Background. This geological field guide has been compiled as part of an ongoing GeoEssex project to publicise and promote the geology of the Stour Estuary. Casual visitors to the remote village of Stutton may not be aware of the incredibly rich geology of this area revealed by a walk along the beach (British Geological Survey 2010). The whole walk is about 7 kilometres or 4.5 miles. Objectives: To view the low cliffs on the north bank of the tidal River Stour at Stutton which expose the 54 million year old Wrabness Member of the Harwich Formation, previously recorded as London Clay and Pleistocene river terrace gravels, sands and brickearth which have produced many large vertebrate remains including elephant, ox and deer, and freshwater molluscs, about 210,000 years old (Oxygen Isotope Stage 7). Evidence of a failed attempt to discover coal in the mid-1890s may be found. Access for this itinerary is by car. Vehicles may be parked at the Stutton Community Centre [TM143347]. The adjacent community shop has toilets and provides light refreshments. The beach is reached by following the footpath southwards to Stutton Ness and turning west at the beach. See map below.
Map showing walking route and locations mentioned in text. Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc. 57 (2021)