Lyme Regis Museum, Lyme Regis, Dorset
Full of surprises, Lyme Regis Museum is a great way to not only escape the bustling seafront crowds during the busy summer months, but also an opportunity to learn something new. Full of exciting exhibitions that are constantly changing, there is something fresh to see every time you visit. The museum sits by the shore on the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and was built on the site of Mary Anning’s home, where she also ran a small fossil shop. There’s a whole wing dedicated to her and the brilliant discoveries she made back in Victorian times; many of the fossils she found, including her ichthyosaur, plesiosaur and pterosaur are now on permanent display at the Natural History Museum in London.
There are local fossil collections and maritime exhibitions, town history and very informative sections about the Undercliff Nature Reserve and Lyme Regis’ literary connections including Henry Fielding and John Fowles.
Walk in Mary Anning’s footsteps on a guided Fossil Walk led by experts who will take you along the East Beach and Black Ven; these are tide dependent, but if you can go, it’s highly likely you’ll find a fossil of your own to take home. If not, the well stocked shop will be the next best answer. Sir David Attenborough named Lyme Regis Museum ‘a gem’, so take his word for it, not ours.
Lifts are available to the first floor. Walks should be booked in advance to avoid missing out. Opening times vary throughout the year so best to check the website.
T: 01297 443370 All information correct at the time of writing