While in Lyme Regis recently for the 2025 Fossil Festival, I stopped by the local museum as it was free to enter that weekend (adult tickets are usually £8.95). The Lyme Regis Museum offers a compelling journey through earth’s deep history and local heritage, anchored by its close ties to pioneering fossil hunter Mary Anning. Stepping into the museum, visitors are immediately struck by the seamless blend of heritage and modern design: the historic rotunda and spiral staircase juxtaposed with the light-filled, contemporary Mary Anning Wing, complete with panoramic views across Lyme Bay. Known historically as the Philpot Museum, is a landmark institution located in the heart of Lyme Regis, Dorset. Built in 1901 on the site of Mary Anning’s former home and fossil shop, the museum holds a commanding position on the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its exceptional geological and palaeontological value. The building itself is an architectural blend of Victorian heritage and modern innovation.

The museum serves as both a tribute to Lyme Regis’s most famous daughter, pioneering fossil hunter Mary Anning, and as a dynamic centre for the interpretation of local geology, archaeology, maritime history, and literary culture. Its exhibitions range from spectacular marine reptile fossils and Jurassic-period ammonites to relics of Lyme’s seafaring and smuggling past. The site is especially celebrated for its world-class fossil displays, many of which were discovered in the cliffs just a short walk away. A standout feature of the new wing is the cast of Mary Anning’s original ichthyosaur skull (found in 1811–12), formerly housed at the Natural History Museum in London. This cast sits near the restored pastel portrait of Anning by Benjamin Donne, returned from the Geological Society, adding emotional depth and a personal connection to the landscape she shaped.

The museum further highlights Anning’s ground-breaking discovery of the first plesiosaur skeleton in 1823, offering a juvenile specimen under a sleek model of the full creature. The museum has also celebrated the 200th anniversary of this discovery with a special display which underscores Anning’s lasting impact on our understanding of long-necked marine reptiles. Nearby, a pterosaur model recalls Anning’s 1828 find, the first British pterosaur skeleton, further showcasing her extraordinary discoveries. Lower displays include Anning’s personal effects and memorabilia: her “commonplace book”, her geological reference texts, and what was once believed to be her fossil-hunting hammer and trowel, though recent scholarship suggests the tools may be symbolic rather than authentic . The museum also celebrates the legacy of Duria Antiquior, the first paleoart scene painted by Henry De la Beche in 1830. Created from pieces unearthed along these same cliffs, its lithograph propagates Moran’s vision of ancient life, a testament to Anning’s influence

In terms of contemporary discovery, the museum’s collaboration with local fossil hunters shines through in displays like the 2017 Charmouth crocodile. The Charmouth Crocodile (Turnersuchus hingleyae), is a ground-breaking fossil discovery now displayed at Lyme Regis Museum. Unearthed in 2017 after landslips at Charmouth Beach, this marine reptile lived approximately 185 million years ago during the Early Jurassic and measured around 2 metres in length. This specimen fills a critical gap in the fossil record, pushing the origin of the group back closer to the Triassic period, and includes multiple portions of the skull, vertebrae, limb bones, ribs, and even an osteoderm, found in multiple sandstone blocks. This newly described genus donated by Paul Turner and Lizzie Hingley, proving Lyme Regis remains a living frontier for palaeontology. The interactive drawers below feature around 300 fossils, including the largest ichthyosaur found on the Jurassic Coast, and a world-record Lego model, add immersive learning opportunities for all ages.

The museum also focuses on the challenges and contributions Lyme Regis made during and between the two World Wars. Like many small coastal towns in Britain, Lyme Regis experienced significant social and economic changes. In the First World War, the town contributed to the war effort through enlistment, and its harbour served minor strategic roles, though Lyme was largely spared from direct conflict. The interwar years brought economic hardship and population decline, as traditional industries such as fishing and shipbuilding continued to wane. However, tourism gradually became more important, with holidaymakers drawn to its sea views, fossil-rich cliffs, and literary associations. During the Second World War, Lyme Regis was part of coastal defence efforts, with anti-tank obstacles and pillboxes installed along the seafront. The town also hosted evacuees and military personnel, transforming daily life for residents. Despite the war’s pressures, Lyme retained its strong community spirit and emerged from the conflict with a renewed appreciation for its heritage and natural beauty, paving the way for its post-war revival as a historic seaside destination.

The Literary & Local History Galleries shine a light on Lyme Regis’s cultural heritage, offering a rich and evocative exploration of the town’s cultural and social past, weaving together the lives of its residents, writers, and visitors across centuries. These galleries highlight Lyme’s maritime heritage, including its history as a bustling port and fishing hub, through displays of old navigation instruments, ship logs, and smuggling artefacts. Literary connections are brought to life through exhibits on Jane Austen, who set key scenes of Persuasion in Lyme, and John Fowles, author of The French Lieutenant’s Woman and a former museum curator. Personal items, original manuscripts, and visual interpretations of these works connect the town’s dramatic setting with the stories it inspired. The galleries also chronicle Lyme’s evolution from medieval borough to Victorian resort, showcasing historic maps, civic regalia, and photographs that reflect changing fashions, trades, and local identities. Together, they offer an engaging journey through the layered history and literary legacy of this remarkable seaside town.

In sum, the Lyme Regis Museum masterfully weaves scientific discovery, personal history, and immersive storytelling. The artefacts of Mary Anning, from prehistoric giants and intimate relics of her life, combined with the museum’s modern presentation, make it a temple of palaeontology and one of Britain’s most evocative natural history institutions despite its small size. With that in mind, if you do plan on visiting, make sure you are comfortable with tight spaces and narrow staircases and it quickly becomes cramped. If you do manage to visit, please let me know what your favourite artefact or new piece of information you learned was in the comments below.

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