The Etches Collection Museum of Jurassic Marine Life
About This Museum
People make the pilgrimage to this unassuming corner of Dorset for one reason: to be utterly transported back 150 million years, when this now-quiet coastline was a tropical sea teeming with bizarre and terrifying life. It's the life's work of one man, local fossil hunter Steve Etches, who has single-handedly pulled thousands of these incredible specimens from the nearby cliffs. The real show-stopper is the 'sea dragon,' a pliosaur skull so immense and perfectly preserved it feels like it could snap its jaws at you. You leave not just impressed by the fossils, but completely in awe of the passion that brought them all together in this one special place.
Collection Highlights
The star is undoubtedly the colossal pliosaur skull, but don't rush past the smaller cases filled with intricate ammonites, fossilized fish that look frozen mid-swim, and the bizarre, coiled shell of a Tropidoceras. Each piece is lit like a jewel, making it easy to get lost in the details.
Visitor Information
It's tucked away in the tiny village of Kimmeridge—more of a destination than a place you just stumble upon. Definitely pair your visit with a walk down to the famous ledge on the coast; seeing where these treasures were found makes it all even more magical.
Architecture & Building
Housed in a sleek, modern building with lots of dark wood and clean lines that feels surprisingly intimate, almost like you're stepping into a beautifully designed contemporary gallery rather than a traditional museum.
Contact & Location
Address: Wareham, Dorset, England, BH20 4AW, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 1929 270000
Website: Visit Website
