Determining the relative scientific and cultural “value” of the UK’s in-situ dinosaur track sites

Dinosaur tracks (footprints) provide useful information on the palaeoecology and distribution of dinosaurs over time, complementing the skeletal (body) fossil record. These tracks are among the most popular and recognizable trace fossils in the natural world, attracting significant public interest and drawing visitors to sites in England, Scotland, and Wales. Beyond their scientific importance, they offer valuable aesthetic and educational opportunities in the tourism and education sectors. However, the protection, monitoring, communication, and scientific understanding of these sites vary widely. Here we review the nature of the fourteen in-situ dinosaur track sites present in the UK today, and subsequently use an established quantitative system to determine the relative scientific and cultural ‘value’ of each site. We find that the relative scientific and cultural value of UK track sites varies considerably, and that the two value types do not correlate with one another. UK sites with considerable national and international scientific value, include the Late Triassic dinosaur track site Bendrick Rock, in South Wales, and the Middle Jurassic site Ardley Quarry, in Oxfordshire. By contrast, the Early Cretaceous dinosaur track sites at Hanover Point, Isle of Wight, and Spyway Quarry, Dorset, have relatively high cultural value due to their accessibility and visitor appeal, but modest scientific value. This assessment helps identify threats and opportunities for UK dinosaur track sites, guiding future conservation, scientific research, and public engagement efforts.