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Museum Details
Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre
Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre
Lower Sea Lane
Charmouth
DT6 6LL
Dorset
England
Facilities
Parking: yes
Food: yes
Shop: yes
Guided tours: yes
Contact details
General information (Tel)
:
01297 560772
General information (Fax)
:
01297 560772
E-mail
:
info@charmouth.org
Website
:
www.charmouth.org
Open
From 1st April 2006 the centre will be open seven days a week until October.
Admission charges
Admission free - but as a charity, donations are welcome.
Description
The picturesque sea side village of Charmouth is located on the World Heritage Site Jurassic Coast. The Lower Jurassic clays in this part of Dorset are full of fossils that are washed out of the cliffs and left in the gravel and sand to be found by those who look carefully enough.
The Centre was set up in 1985 to encourage safe and sustainable collecting of Jurassic fossils from the local beaches. Since that time we have slowly expanded and now have three wardens plus a large group of hard-working volunteers. The Centre provides a large and varied programme of events and activities throughout the year for both the public and schools. We also have a number of ongoing research projects centred on local biodiversity, geology and coastal science.
In 2005 over 75,000 people visited the Centre including over almost 4000 school children as part of our educational programme.
We have interactive computers, hands on displays and lots of information on fossils, fossil hunting and the local coastal and marine wildlife. There is even a video microscope that you can use to examine your finds. You will always find a helpful warden or volunteer who can identify your finds for you!
The Centre has a Jurassic Theatre, where for a small charge (adults £1, children 50p) you can watch a short film on 'Finding fossils at Charmouth' or 'Black Ven; life on the edge'.
Throughout the year we run guided fossil hunting expeditions, rockpooling walks, plus countryside and marine discovery activities along the local coastline.
Articles
Jurassic Coast Fossil Warden Warns Against Climbing On Landslide
MGM 2008 - Top Ten Events For The May Bank Holiday Weekend
General Information
Foreign language leaflet or brochure available
Parking for coaches
Guided tours
Collections
Object identification and/or written enquiry service
Children and Families
Events and resources for children and families
Picnic area
General Education
Adult lectures and courses held
Education facilities available
Member of staff available with responsibility for education
Facilities
Auditorium
Cafeteria
Facilities for private functions and events
Picnic area
Shop
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Information published here was believed to be correct at the time it was prepared. Welsh language pages developed with CYMAL: Museums Archives and Libraries Wales, funded by the Welsh Assembly Government.