Gary and Angela Williams, a couple from Overton, Lancashire, were taking one of their regular strolls along Middleton Sands beach near Morecambe Bay when a powerful, unpleasant odor caught their attention. The smell, which reminded them of rotting fish, was so strong that they decided to follow it along the shore to see where it was coming from.
Eventually, they came across an odd-looking lump lying in the sand. At first glance, it appeared to be just a strange rock, but its unusual appearance sparked a memory of something they had read in a newspaper—ambergris, the rare and valuable substance often called “whale vomit” that is used in the production of luxury perfumes. Realizing they might have stumbled upon something valuable, they carefully wrapped the large lump in a scarf and took it home. Once home, Gary, a 48-year-old engineer, placed the object on his fishing scales and found it weighed 1.57 kilograms, which is just over half the weight of another piece found on the same coastline several years earlier.
That earlier discovery, a 2.7-kilogram lump of ambergris found in Morecambe in 2013, had been valued at an astonishing £120,000. Angela, a 49-year-old nurse, and Gary are now in contact with potential buyers to discuss the sale of their find. The lump they discovered is slightly smaller than a rugby ball, but if it is confirmed to be genuine ambergris, it could be worth around £50,000. Ambergris is formed in the digestive system of sperm whales from a hardened mass of indigestible material, such as squid beaks, which the whale consumes as part of its diet.
Scientists believe it protects the whale’s intestines from damage. Known in the perfume industry as “floating gold,” ambergris is incredibly rare and highly prized because it acts as a fixative, allowing scents to last much longer. The formation of ambergris can take years, and after being expelled by the whale, it can drift in the ocean for decades before eventually washing ashore. Exposure to sunlight and saltwater transforms it into a smooth, grey, waxy lump with a texture similar to compact rock. Gary described their find as “a bit of a shock,” noting that they came across it on a quiet stretch of beach where very few people walk. He admitted that while ambergris is valuable, its smell is far from pleasant.
“It smells awfully nasty,” he explained, “like a cross between farmyard manure and squid.” He also noted its unusual feel, comparing it to a very hard rubber ball with a waxy, candle-like texture that leaves residue on your fingers when you touch it. Despite the smell, Gary and Angela were thrilled at the possibility that their discovery could significantly change their lives. Gary said that if it turns out to be as valuable as they hope, the money could help them fulfill a long-held dream of buying a static caravan—a goal they have talked about for years.
Searching the beach for interesting or unusual objects is something the couple often does on their walks, but they never imagined they would come across something potentially worth tens of thousands of pounds. Since finding the lump on Sunday, they have stored it safely at home and reached out to two experts—one in France and another in New Zealand—for verification. Both are experienced in identifying ambergris, and their evaluation will determine whether Gary and Angela’s beach find is indeed the real thing.
The comparison to the 2013 Morecambe discovery, which was significantly larger and valued at up to £120,000, gives them hope that they might be in possession of something incredibly valuable. For now, they are waiting for confirmation while carefully considering their options. If the experts agree that the lump is genuine ambergris, it could soon be making its way into the hands of perfume manufacturers, who will transform it into an ingredient for some of the world’s most expensive fragrances. For Gary and Angela, what began as a simple walk on the beach has turned into an unforgettable adventure—one that might just lead to a life-changing windfall.
