The Dinosaur Museum of Dorchester

Life-size dinosaurs, real fossils and hands-on activities make this compact Dorchester museum a dream day out for young dinosaur fans.
4.8/5
KIDSPEAK SCORE

4.8

/5

A small museum absolutely crammed with dinosaur discoveries and hands-on fun.

QUICK FACTS

Price

£15.00

Rating

4.8/5

Verdict

Fantastic

Attraction

Dorchester, Dorset

Type

Dinosaur museum

Review Time

2 min

It seems as though every child at some time or another gets caught up in the world of dinosaurs and it’s easy to understand why. However, a trip to London to go to the Natural History Museum doesn’t always sound appealing and we discovered a gem of a museum right here on our doorstep that would mean you would never need to… The Dinosaur Museum of Dorchester.

Smaller than it’s big city counterpart, this museum is packed to the rafters with staff who are passionate, friendly and eager to educate, and an endless number of exhibits and amazing things to see and interact with. It’s a dinosaur lovers paradise for all ages!

The Dinosaur Museum is housed in an old converted Victorian schoolhouse right in the centre of town making it easy to find and the perfect all weather attraction. There was so much to see I know we’ll be visiting often as the boys could have spent all day walking amongst life-size reconstructions of all their favourite dinosaurs and playing with all the hands-on interactive displays.

Just a hand full of miles from the Jurassic coast this is the perfect place to learn more about Mary Anning and Richard Owen, while exploring the extensive real fossil displays which include eggs, teeth, dinosaur heads and poo!

There is an excavation pit to experience, fun worksheet to attempt, puzzles to solve and if you are brave enough, a freely box to put your hand inside! They might even manage to earn a Dino Hunters Achievement Certificate by the end of their day.

This was such a fun day, that I know they’ll be talking about for weeks to come.

Don’t forget to visit the website below to find out more about times and prices, and while your there print out some cool dino colouring sheets and discover some amazing dino facts which I’m betting you didn’t already know!

https://www.thedinosaurmuseum.com/

Tell us more...

Life-size dinosaur reconstructions

Real fossils

Hands-on interactive displays

Excavation pit and puzzles

Dino Hunter activities

WHY WE LIKE IT

Dinosaur Heaven

The museum is focused completely on dinosaurs, which makes it especially exciting for young enthusiasts.

Hands On

Interactive displays, puzzles and an excavation pit give children plenty to do rather than just read.

Real Fossils

Eggs, teeth and other fossils connect the giant reconstructions with real palaeontology.

All Weather

Its central indoor location makes it an easy choice when Dorset weather is not cooperating.

THINGS TO KNOW

The museum is currently open daily from 10am to 4pm

Children under three currently enter free

2026 tickets include free re-entry until the end of October, subject to the museum's terms

KIDS VERDICT

97.0%

would recommend

4.8/5

average rating

The excavation pit

favourite thing to do

PARENT TIP

Pair the visit with a Jurassic Coast-themed day and leave enough time for the hands-on activities rather than rushing through.

DID YOU KNOW?

The museum is housed in a converted Victorian schoolhouse in the centre of Dorchester.

KIDS SAY...

I loved the fossils and digging in the excavation pit — I wanted to stay all day!
~ Leo, 7

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