The Dinosaur Museum, Dorchester

The Dinosaur Museum stands in central Dorchester, the county town of Dorset in southern England. It is the only museum in mainland Britain devoted entirely to dinosaurs. The building lies on Icen Way, close to the Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site to the south. Outside the entrance stands a triceratops model, restored in 2012. Each Easter the museum holds a dinosaur-themed egg hunt for families. Inside, visitors find life-size dinosaur skeletons arranged through several rooms. Displays explain how fossils form and where they are found along the Dorset coast. One gallery focuses on the creatures that lived in the region during the Jurassic period. Another room shows how scientists piece together bones to rebuild skeletons. Small interactive exhibits let children handle replica fossils. Beyond the indoor exhibits, the museum’s courtyard contains more models of prehistoric reptiles. A short walk leads to the town centre of Dorchester, where Roman and medieval remains can be seen. The museum’s Easter event draws families back each spring. Its location makes it an easy stop for anyone exploring the Jurassic Coast.