iTravelUK > Attractions > Museums > England > Southwest > Dorset
Lyme Regis Philpot Museum
An award-winning attraction, the Philpot Museum is housed in a building built at the turn of the 20th century by Thomas Philpot. The museum's collections are dedicated to the history of Lyme Regis and supported by a rich collection of artefacts. History is the source of its wealth. You'll meet Mary Anning, a 12 year old palaeontologist who sold shells to support the family income. Little Miss Anning was the first to discover a 30 foot skeleton ichthyosaur, unearthed by a storm. Her discoveries, (the first pterodactyl fossil in England and the first skeleton of a pterosaurs in 1821) would provide hard evidence supporting the theory of extinction. Also celebrated at the Lyme Regis Philpot Museum are some of England's best loved author's. You'll meet Jane Austen who wrote Persuasion here. In his time, John Fowles was the Hon. Curator of the Museum and is well-known for putting Lyme Regis' geological attractions on the map. Beatrix Potter used the scenic aspect of Lyme Regis in Little Pig Robinson . On his stay in town, Henry Fielding behaved much like a hero from one of his novels, Tom Jones . He attempted to run away with Sarah Andrews but when his plan was foiled by her ward, Andrew Tucker, he skipped town leaving a public notice, "This is to give Notice to all the World that Andrew Tucker and his son John Tucker are Clowns and Cowards. Witness my hand, Henry Feilding.".
Dinosaurland
Dinosaurland is housed in a former church in which Mary Manning was baptised. The museum houses a collection of fossils such as the plesiosaur and ichthyosaur. A time walk takes you over eras of geological transformation and aspiring fossil hunters will also learn some tricks of the trade. Dinosaurland also organises Fossil Hunting Walks.
Dorset County Museum
The museum's exterior belies the extent of the collections hidden behind the fa?ade. The Dorchester Gallery details the history of the area from prehistoric times to the present. The Archaeological Gallery has a wealth a Roman artefacts found in the area with many Iron Age artefacts excavated from Maiden Castle. The main gallery at the Dorset County Museum is the Victorian Hall housing an eclectic selection of objects which tell the tale of Dorset's past. Amongst the artefacts you'll find here are Roman Mosaics, Tudor art and modern sculptures. In 'A Writer's Dorset' there's the the most extensive Thomas Hardy collection in the world. Donated to the museum by his second wife, Florence Hardy, the collection includes manuscripts, diaries, books, photos and a reconstruction of his study using an authentic desk and writing materials. Other attractions at the Dorset County Museum includes the Art Gallery, Dorset Wildlife Gallery, Geological Gallery and the Farming History Gallery. Regularly held temporary exhibitions range from photography and art to Natural Science.
Tutankhamen Exhibition
An internationally acclaimed exhibition of a recreation of Tutankhamen's tomb and the treasures buried alongside him. Tutankhamen's tomb was discovered by Howard Carter in 1922. One of the most important archaeological finds in history, Tutankhamen was buried in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. This brilliant museum is now frequently the setting for documentaries on the subject as access to the original site is limited.
Dinosaur Museum
An acclaimed hands-on exhibition, the Dinosaur Museum will engage amateurs and palaeontologists alike. Real skeletons and fossils are intermixed with audio-visual and interactive displays. Recently voted Dorset's Family Attraction of the Year, the Dinosaur Museum is the only museum solely dedicated to the subject in Britain. Meet vegetarian Hypsilophon and watch carnivorous Megalosaurus attack Scelidosaurus, a frequent scene you may have witnessed in Dorset some 65 million years ago!
Portland Museum
This little museum is spread over two quaint, thatched, historic cottages. The first is better known as Avice's Cottage, which featured in Thomas Hardy's novel, The Well-Beloved as the home of fictional Avice Caro. The other cottage was certainly the home of Marie Stopes known for her pioneering work in birth control. Indeed, Portland Museum itself was founded by Dr. Marie Stopes in 1930. The museum now displays a Shipwreck and Smuggling Exhibition, a Dr. Marie Stopes exhibition, ship models, artefacts, the Rosette Gem and many other exhibits including an interesting section on Portland's Victorian Convict Prison. In the surrounding garden, you'll find various fossils and ammonites all providing a lovely setting for a picnic.