The Etches Collection Museum of Jurassic Marine Life — Attraction in Kimmeridge

This is truly a masterpiece of a museum and certainly rivals The Natural History Museum in terms of being the best museum at highlighting prehistoric history but also having a fossil collection. The museum has outstanding display of fossils to see of all different types of Marine creatures from the Prehistoric era with the two stand out fossils are Bridget the Ichthyosaur and The Pliosaur Skull. The Pliosaur Skull is by far the best fossil of the lot due to the level of detail of it but also it's magnificently preserved condition and seeing the Skull up close is particularly as it gives you a real clear idea of what a Pliosaur would be like in the Prehistoric era but also envisage it really vividly in your mind and it is also remarkable to think that this Skull was located in the cliffs of Kimmeridge Bay nearby and it is exciting what else fossilwise could be lurking to be found. The Pliosaur Skull is located in the main fossil gallery amongst other fossils on display. The visit to the museum starts off in the Discovery Room on the ground floor where you can watch an introductory video about the museum, Steve Etches and what you can see. In the Discovery Room you can learn about the study of Geology and also the Geology of the local area but also the people that also settled in the local area and all of which is very informative and interesting. You can also see some interesting fossils in the Discovery Room along with some Roman Pottery from the Roman times and some some Jewellery from the Iron Age and animal bones giving you an idea of how the area has evolved through thousands and millions of years. On the first floor you can see Bridget the Ichthyosaur which is an awesome sight to see and then you can enter the Fossil Gallery where you straightaway greeted by the Pliosaur Skull, which is truly memorable and spectacular view to see and in the Fossil Gallery you can see some interesting fossils of Prehistoric shellfish, lobsters and fish and there are some wonderful ammonite fossils to see along with some intriguing information about the Prehistoric Animals themselves, which is brilliant. Other memorable fossils in the Fossil Gallery are more Ichthyosaur fossils are again wonderfully and beautifully preserved. If you are very lucky in the Fossil Gallery you may even catch a glimpse Steve Etches himself working in the fossil lab and again shows the gravity of the man how hard he works to make this place so special. The Fossil Gallery you can see another short video about the Pliosaur Skull from the point it was found in the cliffs to the point it was put on display, which is very fascinating and intriguing. There is also a gallery Room of paintings of the local area and also an area which is very fun and interactive for Adults and Children alike where you can have a look at some fossils up close to see which animals they are. It is also remarkable to think the building which houses the collection was only built in 2016 and the facilities are outstanding and amazing. There is a gift shop on the ground floor housing a nice array of gifts at decent reasonable prices. Overall this is a truly special to visit and very memorable place to visit to see of the best preserved Prehistoric fossils in the UK and makes for a lovely and amazing day out. 100% this place is a must see when visiting the Isle of Purbeck as you will not be disappointed. Strongly recommend for Fossil...

An amazing hidden gem with an incredible collection of beautiful and well preserved items.

We attended an experience evening last night and travelled down from Bristol. It was a birthday gift for our Dino-mad 11 year old.

The talk by Nick was fascinating and grabbed everyone’s attention from the youngest (a 6/7 year old) all the way up to the older grandparents amongst the group. Even our 11 year old who has been dinosaur mad since the age of 2 came away having learnt things!

This was followed by a tour around the artefacts themselves, again full of information and Nick was happy to answer all questions thrown at him.

Finally we met and had a Q&A with Dr Etches himself- an incredible gentlemen full of knowledge and the passion he has for finding fossils and what they represent shone through in abundance.

My boys (11 and 8) were so excited to visit, especially following the BBC programme about the Pliosaur skull and David Attenborough having been there but they came away even more excited and in awe of Steve Etches and his legacy. That along with seeing his workshop and the time and dedication he gives to each of his finds has made my 11 year old even more obsessed with dinosaurs and fossil hunting (which I didn’t thing was possible!) He has come away with his head in books to learn more and many more questions for when we return!

A brilliant museum with amazing staff- 100% worth the visit and we will be back!

A huge thank you to Nick and Steve (and the lovely lady in the shop- sorry I cannot remember your name) for a fantastic evening that won’t...

A small but incredible collection of prehistoric marine fossils collected over decades by Steve Etches and with other fossils donated by other fossil hunters.

The displays are well presented with interesting information without going in to too much detail so you have to stand and read for ages. There are activities for kids to get them interacting and engaged in the fossils too.

All of the staff are very friendly and on hand to answer and questions you may have about the exhibits.

If you’re a fan of Sir David Attenborough and have watched ‘Attenborough and the Giant Sea Monster’, then you’ll want to visit here as the pliosaur skull is ok display as it was found locally. I’d known about The Etches Collection for a while and live in the area, but never visited, watching the Attenborough show spurred my husband and I on… you won’t regret making a little trip out of it.

There is free parking, a lovely pub/restaurant across the road and you’re round the corner from Kimmeridge Bay so you can do your own fossil hunting after!

The ticket is valid for 12 months so you can come back as many times as you like… don’t forget to do Gift Aid if you’re a UK Tax Payer - every little helps keep places...