Aust Cliff

#323 among destinations in the United Kingdom

Nature, Natural attraction, Top attraction, Cliff

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Facts and practical information

Aust Cliff, situated in South Gloucestershire, United Kingdom, presents a remarkable geological and paleontological site that captures the fascination of both casual visitors and scientific researchers. This significant cliff, overlooking the Severn Estuary, is renowned for its rich fossil beds and striking stratification, offering a window into the ancient past.

The cliff's sedimentary layers provide a record of the late Triassic and early Jurassic periods, dating back approximately 200 million years. Aust Cliff is particularly famous for its bone bed, which contains an abundance of prehistoric marine reptile fossils, including ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs. These discoveries have contributed valuable insights into the evolutionary history of marine life.

In addition to its paleontological importance, the cliff is a visually stunning natural feature. Its red and blue-grey mudstones and limestones create a distinctive color palette that contrasts with the lush green surroundings and the waters of the estuary. Erosion by the tidal forces of the Severn has shaped Aust Cliff over millennia, revealing the geological layers that draw enthusiasts and scholars alike.

Conservation efforts are in place to protect Aust Cliff's delicate ecosystem and its scientific interest. While collecting fossils requires permission to preserve the integrity of the site, visitors can still enjoy guided walks that offer educational insights into the cliff's geological significance.

Coordinates: 51°36'18"N, 2°37'29"W

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EnglandUnited Kingdom

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Day trips

Aust Cliff – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Offa's Dyke Path, Chepstow Castle, Severn Bridge, Second Severn Crossing.

2.2 miNW
Hiking, Hiking trail
Offa's Dyke Path, Chepstow
55 min walk • Offa's Dyke Path is a long-distance footpath broadly following the Wales–England border. Officially opened on 10 July 1971, by Lord Hunt, it is one of Britain's National Trails and draws walkers from throughout the world.
3.5 miNW
Ruins of a centuries-old fortification
Chepstow Castle, Letcombe Valley
89 min walk • Chepstow Castle, a commanding medieval fortress, stands proudly on the cliffs above the River Wye in Chepstow, Wales. Built in the 11th century, it is renowned for being one of the oldest surviving stone castles in Britain.
0.7 miNW
Bridge
Severn Bridge, Chepstow
17 min walk • The Severn Bridge is a motorway suspension bridge that spans the River Severn between South Gloucestershire in England and Monmouthshire in South East Wales.
3.9 miSW
Bridge
Second Severn Crossing, Severn Beach
99 min walk • The Second Severn Crossing, officially renamed the Prince of Wales Bridge since July 2018, is the M4 motorway bridge over the River Severn between England and Wales, inaugurated on 5 June 1996 by the Prince of Wales to supplement the traffic capacity of the Severn Bridge built in 1966.
3.2 miNW
Nature, Natural attraction, Cave
Gloucester Hole, Chepstow
83 min walk • The Gloucester Hole is a roughly square opening in the limestone cliffs of the River Wye, directly opposite the town of Chepstow.
3.4 miNW
Historical place, Bridge
Old Wye Bridge, Chepstow
88 min walk • The Old Wye Bridge or Town Bridge at Chepstow, also known historically as Chepstow Bridge, crosses the River Wye between Monmouthshire in Wales and Gloucestershire in England, close to Chepstow Castle.
3.8 miE
51°35'57"N • 2°32'16"W
Thornbury Golf Centre, Thornbury
96 min walk • Outdoor activities, Golf
3.2 miNW
Monuments and statues, City wall
Chepstow Port Wall, Chepstow
81 min walk • The Port Wall in Chepstow, Monmouthshire, Wales, is a late thirteenth century stone wall, which was constructed for the twin purposes of defence and tax collection by permitting users of the town's market only one point of access through the wall at the Town Gate.
3.3 miNW
City hall
Chepstow Town Gate, Chepstow
85 min walk • The Town Gate at Chepstow, Monmouthshire, Wales, known locally as the Town Arch, was historically the only landward entrance to the town through the Port Wall, and a point where tolls for those resorting to the town and its market were collected.
3.4 miNW
Hiking, Hiking trail
Gloucestershire Way, Chepstow
88 min walk • The Gloucestershire Way is a long-distance footpath, in the English county of Gloucestershire. It was devised by Gerry and Kate Stewart, of the Ramblers Association and Tewkesbury Walking Club.
3.3 miNW
Memorial
Chepstow War Memorial, Chepstow
86 min walk • Chepstow War Memorial, in Beaufort Square, Chepstow, Wales, commemorates the men of the town who died in the First and Second World Wars. It was designed by Eric Francis, a locally-born architect. The memorial's Neoclassical design is uncommon.