The Etches Collection

This place is not usually open now.

The Etches Collection is a unique, modern museum of amazing fossils from the marine life of the Jurassic Coast. Learn about life and death in the Kimmeridgian Seas 157 million years ago during the age of the dinosaurs. The museum houses the finest single collection of Late Jurassic age fossils and you will be mesmerized by sea monsters, the marine flora and fauna and the prehistoric predators of 152 to 157 million years ago, when Kimmeridge was a shallow, tropical sea.

The museum was created by Steve Etches, who began collecting fossils from the Kimmeridge Clay over 35 years ago, 2 miles away from the museum at Kimmeridge Bay. Steve has become a renown expert on fossils and it has always been his wish to donate the collection to the nature so that generations can learn from the amazing species. Approximately 10% of the collection is on display – those specimens which are most stunningly beautiful and scientifically important.

The ‘Sea Rex’

The incredible and unique Pliosaur skull that Steve Etches found and was featured in the excellent BBC Documentary “David Attenborough and the Giant Sea Monster”, is on show at The Etches Collection. Learn more about how it lived, hunted and died in the Jurssic Seas of Kimmeridge 150 million years ago.

Learn about stories from Deep Time interpreted with state of the art CGI imagery of Jurassic marine life. Watch as Steve cleans and conserves his latest finds in the museum lab and workshop. Explore the Wolfson Education room with geological and palaeontological interactive displays and information, fossil handling collection, fossil excavation pit, fossil mould painting and other activities. There are video information guides on the collection and a shop with unique gifts, jewellery and rare fossils.

The ticket price includes 12 months complimentary admission. Only assistance dogs are allowed in the museum. The modern building has step free access and a lift between the two levels with accessible toilets on both levels. There is a free car park at the museum.