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The South West has plenty of dinosaur-themed activities – perfect for celebrating International Dinosaur Day or National Dinosaur Month. Looking for inspiration? Our guide explores the best dinosaur-related things to do in the South West and London, including how to get to each location with South Western Railway.
What is International Dinosaur Day?
International Dinosaur Day is a day to learn about dinosaurs, taking place annually on June 1. People celebrate by going fossil hunting, visiting museums, reading their favourite dinosaur books and hosting dinosaur-themed parties.
When is National Dinosaur Month?
October is National Dinosaur Month, making it a great time to visit a dinosaur-themed attraction or learn more about these fascinating prehistoric creatures! Whether watching films, reading books, visiting museums, or taking part in fun, family-friendly activities, there’s something everyone can enjoy.
Whether watching films, reading books, visiting museums, or taking part in fun, family-friendly activities, there’s something everyone can enjoy.
Jurassic Coast
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Dorset’s Jurassic Coast is the perfect place to celebrate your love of dinosaurs, with plenty of dinosaur-related history and activities. It stretches over 95 miles, with dramatic coastal views and picturesque sightseeing areas.
Stations along the Jurassic Coast include:
- Bournemouth
- Weymouth
- Hamworthy
- Holton Heath
- Wareham
- Wool
- Moreton
- Dorchester South
- Upwey
- Poole
Dinosaurland Fossil Museum
Head to Lyme Regis to begin your dino-themed day at Dinosaurland Fossil Museum. Admire the spectacular collection of marine fossils in all shapes and sizes, including the Diving Ichthyosaur and the Langdon Ichthyosaur. Then, head to the Time Gallery to discover how geologists date and identify rocks.
Price: Tickets cost £6.00 for adults, £5.00 for children (ages 5-16) and under 5s go free. Family tickets (2 adults and 2 children) cost £20.00.
How to get there: Axminster is the nearest station to the museum, with regular services to and from Exeter St David's and London Waterloo. Walk 9 minutes from the station to Trinity Square (stop B), then take the X51 or X53 bus to Lyme Regis town centre – a 34-minute journey.
Jurassic Coast fossil beaches
The Jurassic Coast beaches are some of the best areas for finding fossils. Natural rock erosion constantly exposes new fossils from the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous geological periods – some from around 250 million years ago! The best beaches to find fossils are East Cliff Beach and Monmouth Beach (both in Lyme Regis), Bowleaze Cove in Weymouth, St Oswald’s Bay near Lulworth, and Pirates Cove at the end of Pirates Lane in Wyke Regis.
How to get there: You can easily travel to the Jurassic Coast by train, as there are several stations nearby. Weymouth and Wool are two of the closest stations to the best fossil beaches, with regular services to and from London Waterloo. From there, you can walk or take a short bus or taxi ride to the beaches we’ve listed.
London
Catch a train to London for International Dinosaur Day and enjoy everything the city has to offer! Our services take you to different parts of the capital, including London Waterloo, Clapham Junction and Vauxhall.
Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is famous for its dinosaur exhibitions. Housing an impressive collection of fossils, including dinosaur bones, mammoth teeth, coprolites and amber, it’s one of the best places to see fossils in the UK. Why not go all out with an exclusive dino tour? These tours take place out of hours on Fridays and Saturdays, allowing you to explore the museum before the crowds arrive.
Price: General admission is free, letting you access the museum’s permanent collection (including the dinosaur and fossil exhibits), but special exhibitions are ticketed.
How to get there: Take the northbound Jubilee line from London Waterloo to Green Park, then change for the westbound Piccadilly line to South Kensington. From there, it’s a 5-minute walk to the museum.
Jurassic Encounter Adventure Golf
Combine your love of dinosaurs with adventure golf for an action-packed day at Jurassic Encounter Adventure Golf. With nine life-size dinosaurs that move and roar, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time as you pass waterfalls, island greens and prehistoric caves! Jurassic Encounter Adventure Golf is a 17-minute walk from Raynes Park station, just a short train ride from London Waterloo.
Price: Tickets cost £11 for adults, £9 for children and £35 for a family pass (up to 4 people).
How to get there: Jurassic Encounter Adventure Golf is a 17-minute walk from Raynes Park, just a short train ride from London Waterloo.
Bournemouth
If you’re celebrating International Dinosaur Day in Bournemouth, you’ll find plenty to do – particularly for science enthusiasts. Catch a train to Bournemouth station to begin your fun-filled day out.
Science Zone UK
There are many dino-related activities at the Science Zone, a fun museum that explores the past and present. Admire the fossils and dinosaur models (including a life-size skeleton) in the Dinosaur Zone. You’ll then have the opportunity to dig your own genuine fossils using a chisel, brush and magnifying glass provided by the museum.
Price: Entry to the Dinosaur Den and Sensory Zone costs £2 per person or £6 for a family ticket (2 adults and 2 children).
How to get there: Walk 11 minutes from Bournemouth station to St Swithun’s Roundabout, then take the m2, 1c, 1a or 1b bus to the museum – a 5-minute journey.
Bournemouth Natural Science Society
Bournemouth’s Natural Science Society houses one of the largest fully catalogued paleontological collections in the South of England – impressive! See fossils from millions of years ago, many of which are rare or extinct. The Jurassic Exhibit is the best place to start, with plenty of fascinating remains.
Note: the museum is only open to the public on Tuesdays from 10:00 to 16:00 (with some extra days during the school holidays – visit their next open day page for more information).
Price: Entry is free, but donations are welcomed as this is a charitable organisation.
How to get there: It’s a 14-minute walk to the museum from Bournemouth station.
Dorchester
Dorchester is a historic town with a fantastic selection of museums, shops and restaurants. Catch a train to Dorchester South for easy access to the town centre.
The Dinosaur Museum
It’s only appropriate to start your day at the Dinosaur Museum, a place dedicated to the prehistoric world of dinosaurs. Walk among dinosaur skeletons, real fossil displays and life-size models of your favourite dinos, with interactive features throughout. You can even smell the breath of a T-Rex – if you dare!
Price: Tickets cost £13 for adults and £9 for children (under 3s go free).
How to get there: Walk 12 minutes from Dorchester South to the museum.
Isle of Wight
Known as ‘Dinosaur Isle’, we can’t think of a more appropriate place to visit on International Dinosaur Day than the Isle of Wight. It’s easy to catch a ferry here from England. Hop on a train to Southampton Central or Portsmouth Harbour to access the ports. Remember to combine your train and ferry tickets for a discount!
Fossil hunting
There are many areas for fossil hunting on the Isle of Wight, whether you join a guided fossil walk or plan your own itinerary. Compton Bay and Downs is a great place to start, home to dinosaur footprints and fossilised oyster shells from over 125 million years ago! As the seawater erodes the cliffs, dinosaur remains have been known to fall onto the beach – so you never know what you might find.
Yaverland Beach is another brilliant area for fossil hunting, containing remains of dinosaur bone, oyster shells, water snails and wood from 90 to 123 million years ago.
How to get there: Compton Bay and Downs is best accessed by car – it’s a 25-minute drive from the capital, Newport. Alternatively, the Island Line is a great way to get around when visiting the Isle of Wight. Sandown is the nearest station to Yaverland Beach, then it’s a 5-minute drive or a 12-minute ride on the number 8, 24 or 68 bus.
Ventnor Botanic Garden
Ventnor Botanic Garden grows in the Ventnor Undercliff on the Isle of Wight’s south coast. Its subtropical climate and plant life make it a unique attraction on the island. On entry, you’ll collect a Walking with Dinosaur Plants Trail Map that will take you to various prehistoric plants, including Ginkgo trees, the Wollemi Pine and fossilised Cycads.
Price: Tickets cost £11.50 for adults (ages 17+), £7 for children (ages 6-16), £9.50 for students and £28 for families (2 adults and up to 3 children).
How to get there: The botanic garden is an 18-minute drive from Shanklin station.
Dinosaur Isle
Celebrate International Dinosaur Day at Dinosaur Isle, the Isle of Wight’s purpose-built dinosaur museum in Sandown. With a collection of 30,000 geological specimens, many of which are fossils, it’s the best place to learn all about the island’s dinosaur history. Afterwards, enjoy the museum’s picnic area or head to the beach across the road.
Price: Museum entry costs £8 for adults (ages 16+), £5 for children (ages 5-15) and £5 for concessions. Family tickets and yearly passes are also available. Fossil walks must be booked separately and cost £7 for adults, £4 for children and £5 for concessions.
How to get there: Sandown is the nearest station to Dinosaur Isle. From here, walk 22 minutes to the museum or take a 4-minute drive.
Windsor
There are plenty of dinosaur-related activities to enjoy in Windsor on International Dinosaur Day. Hop on a train to Windsor & Eton Riverside to kickstart your day.
Natural History Museum, Eton College
Open on Sundays between 14:30 and 17:00, Eton College’s Natural History Museum is a free museum packed with dinosaur artefacts. It boasts a collection of fossils dating back to the Precambrian era, as well as skeletons from a Camarasaurus, an Allosaurus and an Iguanodon.
Price: Free entry.
How to get there: Walk 13 minutes from Windsor & Eton Riverside to the museum.
DUPLO Dino Coaster, LEGOLAND®
Did you know that LEGOLAND® has its very own dinosaur-themed rollercoaster? Named the DUPLO Dino Coaster, this fun, family-friendly ride takes you around the track on the back of a LEGO dragon. With lots for kids to enjoy, visit LEGOLAND® this International Dinosaur Day. When you travel by train, you can save 10% on your entry with SWR Rewards.
Price: Book online for the best prices, with tickets starting at £29 per person. Children under 90cm go free, and you can save 1/3 on your entry to LEGOLAND® with SWR Rewards.
How to get there: LEGOLAND® is an 11-minute drive from Windsor & Eton Riverside or a 23-minute bus ride on the number 702 or 703.
Travel to your dino-destination with SWR
Whatever activity you choose for International Dinosaur Day or National Dinosaur Month, South Western Railway can help you get there. Get cheap train tickets when travelling off-peak or booking in advance, and enjoy further discounts with a Railcard. Travelling with family or friends? You could benefit from our GroupSave offers. For extra flexibility, choose our Sunday Out or Semi Flex Return tickets.
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