Dinosaurland Fossil Museum, Coombe Street, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3PY

(01297)443541

steve@dinosaurland.co.uk

The Jurassic rocks of Lyme Regis have been famous for fossils since Mary Anning discovered the first Ichthyosaur in 1811.

Dinosaurland Fossil Museum is housed in a magnificent grade 1 listed building which was once the church where Mary Anning was baptised and where she used to worship.

Dinosaurland Fossil Museum is a private museum which is owned and run by Palaeontologist Steve Davies and his wife Jenny. It is a traditional museum using the beauty and majesty of more than 8000 specimens to show people just how exciting and wonderful the world of fossils and dinosaurs really is.

The museum contains a spectacular collection of the local Jurassic marine fossils. The collection grows each year and is now probably the best fossil collection on public display in SW England.

Mary Anning will be recognised as one of the great fossil hunters.

She was born on 21st May 1799 to a poor family. Her father Richard supplemented the family income by selling local curiosities to the increasing visitors to Lyme Regis (many came from Bath by the direct coach service after the Bath season ended). Richard taught Mary how to hunt for fossils and she also learnt from the local Philpot sisters.

Richard Anning died in November 1810 following a cliff fall. Mary and her brother Joseph (1796 -1849) continued to collect fossils to support the family. But the Anning family still featured regularly in the poor book recording handouts to needy families.

In 1811, Mary Anning made her first major discovery when she found the first ever Ichthyosaur. The exact time and place of discovery are lost in the mists of time. Joseph’s son, writing in 1847 claimed that Joseph found the skull in 1811 and Mary found the rest of the skeleton 12 months later. The final excavation is recorded in newspaper reports of the time.

Mary Annings Ichthyosaur was 17 feet long with a four foot skull. It was bought from her for £23 by Henry Host Henley of Sandringham, Norfolk and also Lord of the Manor of Colway near Lyme. He donated it to William Bullocks London Museum of Natural History in Piccadilly.

Mary Anning went on to make many more major discoveries including the first Plesiosaur in 1824 and the first Pterodactyl (Dimorphodon) in 1828.

She died from breast cancer at the age of 47 in 1847 but is immortalised by the tongue twister “She sells sea shells on the sea shore.......”

Open daily throughout the year from 10am to 5pm. But please check during weekdays from November to February because I may close to go fossil hunting!!

Admission to the Museum costs £5.00 for adults and £4.00 for children (5 to 16). Family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) £16.00. School discounts are available on booking.