/ Isle of Wight Trip Activities / Explore Jurassic Sea Monsters
Dinosaurland Fossil Museum offers students an incredible journey back through 200 million years of history. Housed in a beautiful, atmospheric former Victorian congregational church in the heart of Lyme Regis, this private museum contains one of the finest collections of Jurassic fossils in the country. For youngsters on a residential stay, it provides a perfect introduction to the prehistoric world, showcasing the massive marine reptiles that once dominated the tropical seas of the Dorset coast. The towering skeletons and vast array of specimens create an immediate sense of wonder, making the deep past feel entirely accessible.
The museum is a premier resource for studying fossils, rocks and soils, featuring spectacular Ichthyosaurs, Plesiosaurs, and an extensive collection of dinosaur eggs and dung. Students can investigate how the local Blue Lias clay and limestone provided the perfect conditions for preserving these ancient creatures. By exploring the displays, pupils can see how scientific technology is used to extract and clean delicate specimens, revealing the intricate details of animals, habitats and biodiversity from the Mesozoic Era. It is a hands-on look at the work of a palaeontologist in the very town where the science was born.
A visit here also highlights the significant local history of Lyme Regis and the pioneering discoveries of Mary Anning. Youngsters can learn how these early finds during the Victorian era changed our global understanding of the environment and the evolution of the sea. The dramatic sight of ancient sea monsters serves as a brilliant stimulus for literature and creative writing, as pupils imagine the lives of these giants. The museum also explains the ongoing process of coastal erosion, showing how the power of the English Channel continues to reveal new treasures from the crumbling cliffs for modern-day explorers to find.
Combining academic depth with a genuine sense of fun, Dinosaurland ensures that every student leaves with a newfound passion for natural history. The manageable size of the museum allows youngsters to engage closely with the exhibits, fostering curiosity and independent discovery. Whether they are marvelling at the size of a giant ammonite or researching the impact of climate, weather and environment on ancient life, pupils are guaranteed an enriching experience. It is an essential stop for any school group looking to uncover the prehistoric secrets of the world-famous Jurassic Coast.
Here's some of the most frequently-asked questions about school visits to Dinosaurland, posed by teachers and other group leaders
The museum is a private, densely packed collection; youngsters must be supervised closely and are strictly forbidden from touching the delicate fossil specimens or leaning on the glass display cases.
First aid kits are kept on-site. Trained staff are available at the main entrance desk to assist with any minor incidents during public opening hours.
The primary fire assembly point is the open pavement area directly outside the front of the museum, well clear of the historic church structure and neighbouring buildings.
Public toilets are near to the museum but there are no facilities inside
