Young Palaeontologists

The Jurassic Coast is a wonderland for those who love dinosaurs, fossils and discovering Earth’s astonishing ancient past. In addition, one of the Jurassic Coast Trust’s core functions is to engage and inspire the next generation with the extraordinary stories told by the rocks, fossils and landforms found across our World Heritage Site.

As a result, we are well positioned to recommend some of the best Attractions, Activities and Events on the Jurassic Coast for young palaeontologists, that will keep them entertained and informed in equal measure during their visit.

A World of Fossils at Your Fingertips

The starting point for any young palaeontologist visiting the Jurassic Coast is to look for fossils. Fortunately we have one of the best localities in the world for Fossil Collecting, and are uniquely positioned to encourage safe and responsible collecting, where you can take your finds home with you! (Unless you discover something exceptionally rare that needs to go in a museum, of course)

When fossil hunting during busier periods (e.g. school holidays), be sure to say hi to one of our friendly Fossil Wardens, who patrol the beaches during these times ensuring everyone is looking for fossils safely. They’ll be able to help you with your search and maybe even ID some of the treasure you’ve picked up on your search.

You can also explore fossils on display at our brilliant local Museums and Visitor Centres, many of which offer free or low-cost entry. Each one tells a crucial part of the Jurassic Coast story, from the Triassic reptiles and amphibians of Sidmouth Museum to the fossilised plants at Lulworth Cove Visitor Centre.

Historic Sights & Sounds

Woven into the story of the Jurassic Coast are the stories of those who hunted for fossilised treasure here over the last 200 years, and those who continue to do so today. You can explore their stories by visiting historic towns like Lyme Regis, birthplace of Mary Anning. Visit the town’s museum, built on the site of Mary’s family home, and see her statue on Lyme Regis’ sea wall as the waves roll in beneath you.

At Dorset Museum in Dorchester, you can see the skull of the incredible Pliosaurus kevani and read about its collector Kevan Sheehan, a humble café owner from Osmington Mills who collected the remarkable specimen over a period of eight years.

The geological history of the Jurassic meets the modern craft of quarrying at the Spyway Dinosaur Footprints in Purbeck. Start with a visit to the legendary Square & Compass pub in Worth Matravers then take the Priests Way to this open-air trackway site, situated to the side of a working quarry.

In this part of the coast you can explore some of the other elemental treasures on offer, such as Winspit Quarry, where you can see in-situ ammonites on the roof of the hollowed-out stone cavern. Eagle-eyed visitors (or their parents!) may recognise the locale from Dr Who, Blake’s 7 and the 2022 Star Wars TV programme Andor.

Make it an Eventful Visit

The Jurassic Coast is a haven for specialist events that welcome enthusiasts of all ages. That’s just as well, as some of the most head-scratching dinosaur-related questions our team receives, at events ranging from Lyme Regis Fossil Festival to Camp Bestival, come from young palaeontologists who may have just conquered their times tables.

From Expert Talks to Fossil Walks to Major Events & Festivals and even Dinosaur Sleepovers, there is something happening at nearly all times of year in one part of the coast or another. Keep an eye on our What’s On guide for upcoming events from across the coast, and join our mailing list to read about everything we have coming up ourselves.

Take Home Something Special

Browse our Shop for a complete range of books, clothing and other products for the young palaeontologist in your life (Pterodactyl kite, anyone?). Look out for our Black Friday specials in the lead up to Christmas, join the Jurassic Coast Trust as a Member for discounts year-round, and join our mailing list to hear about all our latest product releases.

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Spyway Dinosaur Footprints

Address

Langton Matravers, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 3HG

info@jurassiccoast.org

Swanage

Hidden away in Purbeck, within a stone's throw of the Jurassic Coast, is the Spyway Dinosaur Footprints. Nestled alongside a working quarry, and easily accessible from the Priest's Way walking path, these incredible footprints were made by Jurassic…
Stuart Line Cruises

Address

Exmouth Marina, Pier Head, Exmouth, Devon, EX8 1FE

Telephone
01395 222 144

info@stuartlinecruises.co.uk

Exmouth

Stuart Line Cruises is a multi-award-winning, family-run business which has now been operating for over 50 years from Exmouth in Devon.
The Ammonite Pavement

Address

Lyme Regis, Dorset, DT7 3RH

Lyme Regis

Taking a short walk west along Monmouth Beach at low tide will bring you to the Ammonite Pavement - a number of limestone ledges, washed clear by the sea.
City Cruises Poole

Address

The Quay, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HJ

Telephone
02077 400 400

poolesales@citycruises.com

Poole

City Cruises Poole have a variety of sightseeing cruises on offer to the public, departing from Poole Quay and Swanage Pier. From trips around Europe’s largest natural harbour with its stunning islands, to cruises past the start of the Jurassic…
Studland Bay - South Beach

Address

S W Coast Path, Studland, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 3AN

Swanage

South Beach in Studland Bay is a sandy beach, and is fairly narrow compared to neighbouring Studland beaches. As with other Studland Beaches, South Beach is very popular, particularly during peak periods.
Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre

Address

Lower Sea Lane, Charmouth, Dorset, DT6 6LL

Telephone
01297 560772

info@charmouth.org

Charmouth

Visit Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre to see our amazing fossil collections and find out how to discover your own fossils on the beach. Our guided fossil hunting walks are a great family day out on the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.
Cumulus Outdoors

Address

Cobbler's Lane, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 2PX

Telephone
01929 422480

info@cumulusoutdoors.com

Swanage

Located in Swanage, Dorset, Cumulus offer a rich and varied Residential Programme with adventure activities for a wide range of educational groups, with both tented and hard top accommodation plus field study facilities and classrooms at our…
Splashdown Poole

Address

Tower Park, Poole, Dorset, BH12 4NY

Telephone
01202 716123

info@splashdownpoole.co.uk

Poole

Join in the flumin’ good fun at one of the south’s best loved family visitor attractions. Dare you enter the lair of the resident dragon; can you slide past without waking him up?
Bridport Museum

Address

South Street, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 3NR

Telephone
01308 458703

Bridport

The small Jurassic Coast gallery in Bridport Museum boasts some wonderful specimens of local fossils including ammonites, starfish and even a plesiosaur. All of these specimens were discovered just a few miles from the museum and show how amazingly…
Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens

Address

Buller's Way, Abbotsbury, Weymouth, Dorset, DT3 4LA

Telephone
01305 871387

Weymouth

Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens is no ordinary garden, with its own micro-climate in a sheltered woodland valley on the Jurassic Coast.
The special plant collection has been built up over the last quarter of a century and with an interesting and…
Studland Bay Beaches

Address

Studland, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 3AQ

Swanage

Shell Bay, Middle Beach and Knoll Beach in Studland Bay are three very popular sandy beaches at the far eastern end of the Jurassic Coast.
Flowerdew Farm

Address

Puncknowle, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 9BU

Telephone
00447432203605

hello@flowerdew.farm

Dorchester

Flowerdew Farm is a low impact sustainable working alpaca and goat small holding, camping and glamping site, that supports community, sustainability, play, creativity and wellness through time in nature and with animals. Located in an area of…
Abbotsbury Swannery

Address

New Barn Rd, Abbotsbury, Weymouth, Dorset, DT3 4JG

Telephone
01305 871858

Weymouth

Abbotsbury Swannery is the only place in the world where you are able to walk through the heart of a colony of nesting Mute Swans, spread over a site of some 25 acres.
Highlands End Leisure Club

Address

Highlands End Holiday Park, Eype, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 6AR

Telephone
01308 426945

highlandsreception@wdlh.co.uk

Bridport

Highlands End Leisure Club is an exclusive swimming pool, sauna and steam room facility open only to local members and holidaymakers staying at a West Dorset Leisure Holidays park.
Dorset Museum

Address

High West Street, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1XA

Telephone
01305 756827

enquiries@dorsetmuseum.org

Dorchester

Come and explore 250 million years of history at the Dorset Museum!
Located in the centre of Dorchester, this award-winning Museum is one of the cultural centres of Dorset with four themed galleries, special exhibitions area, a library and a café.
Fairlynch Museum

Address

27 Fore Street, Budleigh Salterton, Devon, EX9 6NP

Budleigh Salterton

At the Fairlynch Museum (one of only a few thatched museums in the UK), you can find out about the ancient red cliffs of Budleigh Salterton which bridge the Permian/Triassic boundary, when the greatest mass extinction ever happened!
Orcombe Point

Address

Exmouth, Devon, EX8 2DH

Exmouth

The rocks exposed at Orcombe Point embody the opening paragraphs of the story contained within the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. The Geoneedle monument found here marks the official start (or end if you prefer) of the World Heritage Site.
Tout Quarry

Address

Tout Quarry, Portland, Dorset, DT5 2LN

Portland

Discover over 60 hidden sculptures in Tout Quarry, one of only two remaining on Portland where the famous Portland Stone was quarried using old methods.
West Bay Discovery Centre

Address

West Bay Rd, West Bay, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 4EN

Telephone
01308 427288

Bridport

West Bay Discovery Centre tells the story of West Bay past and present featuring information, static and interactive displays, oral history and walking trails. There is something of interest for all visitors and ages. It also aims to provide…
Beaminster Museum

Address

Whitcombe Road, Beaminster, Dorset, DT8 3NB

Telephone
01308 863623

info@beaminstermuseum.co.uk

Beaminster

Beaminster Museum in West Dorset is a small museum of local history, which visitors from far and wide have declared "delightful" and "fascinating", with plenty to see and do for all ages.