Builth

[trialsin101]

Hi am planning a trip to Builth in a few days, Ive never collected from Central Wales but I've heard only good things about the quality of Trilobites that can be collected from this region.
I have missed the Gilwern trip that was rescheduled for the day of my girlfriends birthday but I have bookmarked a few places that I think might turn up my first whole trilobite. I was hoping that someone might be able to point me any closer than these places I would like to visit...Llandrindod Wells, Builth Wells & Newbridge on Wye, Rhyader. Or if there is any reading that can be recommended I would be very grateful for any pointers.

[Joe Botting]

Hello, and sorry for the delay - we're still in travelling mode at the moment.

So, you're after a complete trilobite, are you..? To be honest, if you just want a nice specimen, then Gilwern is the place - you can also contact the owner directly. There are very few sites where you're more likely to find a complete trilobite in Wales, and these tend to be sensitive ones where there are much more important fossils also present, which we're currently working on.

I think it's fair to say that complete trilobites never just fall into your hand, but spend a whole day at a decent site and you should find a few. To be honest, though, any Ordovician mudstones in Mid Wales are likely to yield the goods if you look hard enough...

Let us know how you get on, or if you need the contact details for the Gilwern owner.
All the best,
Joe