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FAQs
- Where is the Dinosaur Museum?
The Dinosaur Museum is situated in the centre of Dorchester, the county town of Dorset. It is in Icen Way, off High East Street, close to all main car parks. The postcode for those using sat nav is DT1 1EW.
- Where is the best place to park?
Use one of the town centre car parks they are all only a short walk away. There is a fairly small car park just around the corner in Allington Terrace, just off Icen Way. The main town centre car parks off Acland Road, near Waitrose, are only a couple of minutes walk away.
- How long does it take to go round?
This varies depending on your interest, but in general allow between an hour and an hour and a half.
- Which is the nearest train station?
Dorchester has two train stations - Dorchester South and Dorchester West. Both are only about a 15 minute walk from the museum. Dorchester South is the station for the London Waterloo to Weymouth line, which also calls at Winchester, Southampton, Bournemouth, Poole and some other smaller stations. Dorchester West is on the Bristol to Weymouth line, which also calls at Yeovil & Bath.
- Where are the nearest toilets?
The Museum has its own toilets.
- What is there for me to see at the Museum?
The Dinosaur Museum has a combination of actual fossils, skeletons, life-size dinosaur reconstructions plus hands on, interactive and AV displays. The museum’s family friendly approach make it ideally suited for children from 4 to 10 years old.
- Are the dinosaurs real?
The museum uses a mixture of actual fossils with special museum quality casts of rare fossils. For instance the Megalosaurus skeleton in the Buckland Room is a cast, mounted over actual fossilised Megalosaurus footprints. The use of skeletal casts is common practice among museums, including the Natural History Museum in London, as it allows the dinosaurs to be displayed dramatically without harming the rare and scientifically valuable original skeleton.
- Is there anything else to do or see in Dorchester?
Yes, Dorchester is excellently supplied with attractions. There is the world renowned Tutankhamun Exhibition, the enchanting Teddy Bear Museum, and the Terracotta Warriors Museum.
- What else does the town offer?
Dorchester was originally a roman town called Durnovaria and still has a Roman Town House. It was the home to Thomas Hardy the famous author. Dorchester has a great deal of history and heritage and is a market town. It offers a good selection of individual shops.
- Where is the best place to eat?
There are numerous cafes, restaurants, and pubs within Dorchester.
The Walnut Grove in Durngate Street offers a good selection of food. The Wetherspoons Royal Oak is a good pub for food & drink.
To enjoy a rural, village pub, visit the Sun Inn, at Lower Burton, near Charminster, or the Saxon Arms at Stratton
- What is the Jurassic Coast?
Almost the whole of the coastline of Dorset and East Devon has been designated as a World Heritage Site and has been called the Jurassic Coast. This is in recognition of its unique geology and coastal formations. The Dinosaur Museum is only 7 miles from the Jurassic Coast.
