The Etches Collection - Museum of Jurassic Marine Life

Museum of Jurassic Marine Life Kimmeridge

About

Come and visit the ‘Jewel’ in the crown of the Jurassic Coast, The Etches Collection Museum of Jurassic Marine Life situated in the village of Kimmeridge, Dorset

Housing the finest single collection of Late Jurassic age fossils all found by just one man, Dr Steve Etches MBE - you will be mesmerised by sea monsters, prehistoric predators and the marine flora and fauna of 152-157 million years ago when Kimmeridge was but a shallow, tropical sea, during the great age of the Dinosaurs. All of the fossils in the collection were found by Steve in the Kimmeridge Bay locality, from the world famous oil rich Kimmeridge Clay, within 2 miles of where the Museum is located.

Learn about their Stories from Deep Time interpreted with state of the art CGI imagery of Jurassic marine life swimming above the amazing fossils in the museum gallery.

Watch as Steve Etches cleans and conserves his latest finds in the museum lab and workshop - our collection of world class fossils include many which are new to science and of national importance.

The museum features:

Exhibition fossil gallery with CGI imagery and interactives

State of the art workshop, lab and reserve fossil collection

Wolfson Education room with geological and palaeontological interactive displays and information, library, microscope and fossil handling collection, fossil excavation pit, fossil mould painting and activities

Our lifesize recreation of the top chain predator of the Jurassic seas, the giant sea monster Pliosaur - Goliath

Video information guides on the collection

Shop featuring unique gifts, jewellery, branded merchandise, rare fossils and minerals for sale, Jurassic and dinosaur themed goods

Clore Room - our Village Hall which features events, pop up exhibitions and is available for hire

Refreshments

Fully accessible, carbon neutral, modern museum building

Our unique ‘Centre of Excellence’ for learning and discovery will engage and fascinate visitors young and old!

Pay once and return free for a whole year!  Special concessions, see our website for more details.

Book Now

Guide Prices

Ticket TypeTicket Tariff
Adult£9.50 per ticket
Children (5 - 16 years)£4.75 per ticket
Children under 5 yearsFree
Family ticket (1 adult + 3 children)£19.00 per ticket
Family Ticket (2 adults + 2 children)£23.75 per ticket

Special concessions: if you are a group, school, educational institution or university please contact.

Opening Times

Opening Times (1 Jan 2024 - 31 Dec 2024)
DayTimes
Monday - Sunday10:00 - 17:00*

* Last ticketed entrance to the Museum is at 4.15pm.
Open on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

Dates and times marked with a '*' are provisional and may be subject to change

Video

  • Welcome the Etches Collection
Kimmeridge
Wareham
Dorset
BH20 5PE
Close window

Call direct on:

Tel01929 270000

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

4.5 of 5 stars
    • Excellent
      171
    • Very Good
      42
    • Average
      19
    • Poor
      5
    • Terrible
      3

    Recent Reviews:

      Awards

      • Regional and MiscellaneousWTTC Safe Travels WTTC Safe Travels 2021

      Map & Directions

      Hide Facilities

      What's Nearby

      1. The Blue Pool

        Please note Blue Pool is currently closed until further notice. Please refer to the…

        2.79 miles away
      2. Swanage Railway

        What’s better than a leisurely trip behind an historic steam engine through an area of…

        7.01 miles away
      3. Monkey World - Ape Rescue Centre

        Enjoy a fun-filled, fascinating day out for all ages at Monkey World – Ape Rescue Centre!…

        7.09 miles away
      1. The Tank Museum

        The Tank Museum brings history to life, with the world’s best collection of tanks &…

        7.68 miles away
      2. Farmer Palmer's Farm Park

        Farmer Palmer’s is the fabulous Farm Park where young adventurers can frankly ‘let their…

        8.1 miles away
      3. Sea Music Sculpture

        Sea Music. located on Poole Quay is the only British public site specific sculpture made…

        8.8 miles away
      4. Brownsea Island - National Trust

        Take a short boat trip from Poole Quay to discover an island rich in history, wildlife &…

        8.82 miles away
      5. Poole Museum & Scaplen's Court

        Discover the story of Poole - Harbour, Town & People from prehistory to the 21st century.

        8.83 miles away
      6. Twin Sails Lifting Bridge

        Poole's landmark structure and the first bridge of its type to be built in the world.

        8.87 miles away
      7. Poole Old Lifeboat Museum & Shop

        Housing one of Poole's historic lifeboats, Thomas Kirk Wright, the old boathouse offers…

        9.01 miles away
      8. Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts

        Experience, explore, discover and join in with the arts at Lighthouse, the largest…

        9.35 miles away
      9. Poole Speedway

        Poole Pirates are a motorcycle speedway team based in Poole, England, competing in the…

        9.53 miles away
      10. Upton Country Park

        Whatever the season, there's something for everyone - enjoy the wildlife along the…

        9.63 miles away
      11. Poole Park

        Just a short walk from the centre of town you'll discover a haven of peace and rare…

        9.79 miles away
      12. Compton Acres

        Enjoy over 10 acres of horticultural heaven with spectacular themed gardens, relax in the…

        10.54 miles away
      13. Splashdown Poole

        Splashdown Poole is the South’s favourite all-action waterpark! Whatever the weather,…

        11.6 miles away
      Previous Next