​EMGS provides a diverse summer programme of geological field trips, ranging from short walks in our local region to extended two-day excursions to renowned British geological sites. These trips cater to both amateur and professional geologists alike. Our finalized annual programme is typically announced in February and detailed below. If you have recommendations for future EMGS field trip destinations or leaders, please Contact Us.

​2026 Field Trips Programme

Our programme for 2026 is under construction. Our earliest trips are listed below. Venues and dates for later trips will be advertised when finalised. Bookings will open soon.
Sunday 29th March 2026     
Day excursion to Monsal Trail, Derbyshire
Leader: Dr Peter Gutteridge
Maximum number of participants - to be advised
 
Sunday 26th April 2026
Day excursion to Lathkill Dale, Derbyshire (joint trip with the North Staffordshire Group of the Geologists' Association)
Leader: Dr Vanessa Banks
Maximum number of participants - to be advised
​​

NSGGA Field Trips

The North Staffordshire Group of the Geologists' Association are kindly offering EMGS Members the opportunity to attend their summer field trips, subject to availability of places. The trips and dates for 2026 will be advised soon.
 
For details on NGGSA field trips and information on how to book, visit the NSGGA Field Excursions Webpage. 

 
​Field Trip Details​ 
Sunday 29th March 2026, 10.00am to approx. 4.30pm    
Day excursion to Monsal Trail, Derbyshire
Leader: Dr Peter Gutteridge
The Litton Tunnel East Portal (Image: Mike Allen)

​The excursion entails a 7km walk along the level, well-surfaced Monsal Trail, through tunnels, with a final short steep section on a rough track back up to Monsal Head.
Summary

The Monsal Trail between Millers Dale and Monsal Head exposes an almost continuous record of the evolution of the Derbyshire carbonate platform from the Asbian through to the Brigantian. The succession commences with Asbian shelf limestones of the Bee Low Limestone, followed in the Brigantian by the Monsal Dale Limestone - deeper water re-sedimented carbonates with occasional coral beds deposited in a subsiding, intra-shelf basin. Interbedded lavas and tuffs represent episodes of volcanism. The Headstone cutting at the end of the trail exposes freshwater limestone and dolostone deposited while the carbonate platform was sub-aerially exposed and then re-submerged towards the end of the Brigantian, at the boundary between the Monsal Dale and Eyam Limestones.
General information for field trip participants
Booking is required for all EMGS Field Trips. Following booking you will be provided with full joining instructions (meeting time, place, transport, parking, lunch etc.), safety information and any accessibility recommendations. Participants are advised that the Society has only public liability insurance and that personal accident insurance is a matter for individuals to arrange as they consider necessary. The field trip organiser will advise on any recommended protective clothing and footwear. Hard hats and high visibility vests may be obligatory for some trips, especially in visits to quarries or coastal cliffs. Participants without suitable protective clothing may be refused access to certain sites! Hard hats and hi-viz vests can be ordered from online retailers such as Amazon, Screwfix or Safetec Direct, and may also be stocked at DIY superstores such as B&Q or Wickes.

Non-EMGS members are welcomed on EMGS Field Trips but will be required to pay a nominal temporary membership fee of £2.00 on the day for insurance purposes. All participants will be required to sign an attendance form at the start of the trip and supply a telephone number of a family member or friend to be contacted in the event of an emergency.