Museums & Galleries · Swanage
Museum of Jurassic Marine Life
📍 BH20 5PH
Photo: Jpbowen (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons
- See Big Sara, a giant Jurassic sea monster
- View amazing fossils of Jurassic Dorset marine life
- Learn about life and death in ancient Kimmeridgian seas
- Hands-on learning exploring the Jurassic Coast
- Enter the children's fossil competition
The Museum of Jurassic Marine Life, home to The Etches Collection, is a modern museum showcasing amazing fossils of the marine life that lived in Jurassic Dorset's seas 157 million years ago. A highlight is Big Sara, a giant Jurassic sea creature, alongside hands-on learning opportunities exploring the Jurassic Coast. There's also a children's fossil competition to get involved with. It suits families, school groups and fossil enthusiasts, with no need to pre-book. The museum is open 10am to 5pm daily, including bank holidays. Based in Kimmeridge, Dorset, it sits just 0.7 miles from Kimmeridge Bay beach and 5.1 miles from Wareham station, with 23 bookable places to stay within 5 miles if you're planning a visit.
Practical details
- Open
- 10am–5pm Monday to Sunday, including bank holidays (except Christmas period)
- Booking
- No need to pre-book
- Best for
- School groups and GCSE/A-Level geology students
From the attraction's own website on 30 Sep 2026 — check before you travel.
Facilities
- ✓ Toilets
- ✓ Disabled Access
- ✓ Baby Changing
- ✓ Gift Shop
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Create a free account to claimPlaces to stay near Museum of Jurassic Marine Life
Make a proper break of it — these stays are all within 25 miles.
0.7 mi
2 mi
East Creech Farm Campsite
✓ Working farm with animals to meet, included in your stay
🏖️ 2.67 miles from Kimmeridge Bay (Excellent water quality)
Poole
2.1 mi
2.3 mi
2.6 mi
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🗓️ Make a break of it
Turn a visit to Museum of Jurassic Marine Life into a proper getaway — ready-made plans, and the drive worked out with fuel, EV charging and the best stops.
🚆 Or come by train
- Wareham 5.1 miles
- Wool 6.2 miles
- Holton Heath 6.7 miles
Straight-line distances · live departures on each station page