If you have a dinosaur-mad kid in your family, you’ll know that “Dippy”, the famous Diplodocus skeleton cast which formerly stood in London’s Natural History Museum, has made the Dorset County Museum his first stop in a UK-wide tour and is on display there until the 7th of May.

Image © Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London [2018]. All rights reserved.

If you’re planning on taking a trip to see this Jurassic giant during the Easter holidays, why not take the time to stop off at one of these other fantastic prehistoric attractions in Dorset too?

Lyme Regis Museum

This marvellous museum in Lyme Regis is great for getting immersed in the history of fossil hunting on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, as well as learning all about the prehistoric animals that once lived there. You can also hear the story of the famous fossil hunter Mary Anning, who, as well as making many other discoveries, found the first complete ichthyosaur specimen.

It’s a great place for a family visit, with free entry for under-18s. The interactive geology gallery and extensive fossil collection is sure to fascinate any child with an interest in ancient life, and they can learn about Dorset’s Jurassic heritage and how scientists came to understand the prehistoric world.

Despite its compact size, this museum is bursting with exhibits to explore, and boasts a superb view of Lyme Bay. It also hosts regular fossil walks on the local beach, where the whole family can try their hand at finding a prehistoric keepsake of their very own.

As well as the history of fossil hunting in Lyme Regis, the museum covers many other facets of the town’s heritage. With exhibits on local history and literary connections, as well as a gallery of painting and pictures, there’s something for everyone here.

Dinosaurland Fossil Museum

A private museum based in a Grade I-listed former church, Dinosaurland, in Lyme Regis, has over 12,000 fossils on display for everyone to enjoy. The collection mostly consists of a variety of local marine life dating back to the Jurassic period, but there’s a range of other specimens to see too - kids in particular will likely get a kick out of the 73kg lump of dinosaur dung!

Immerse yourself in prehistory in the Time Gallery, where a range of evocative dioramas show how life evolved throughout the ages, ending up in the Natural History Room with a range of animal specimens and displays from the modern day. There’s also a shop with a range of fossils, gems and dinosaur toys.

Etches Collection

This amazing museum in the village of Kimmeridge is based around the fossils collected by just one man, local expert Steve Etches, over the course of 30 years. The immersive exhibits tell the story of life in the marine environment of the late Jurassic, when prehistoric sea creatures such as plesiosaurs and ichthyosaurs roamed the deep.

If you’re lucky, you may get to meet Steve Etches himself on your visit, or watch him at work preparing new specimens for study or display – an experience that’s sure to be inspiring for any budding palaeontologists in the family!

Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre

If your kids were glued to the TV for the documentary ‘Attenborough and the Sea Dragon’ back in January, the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre is a must-visit, as the incredible ichthyosaur fossil seen in the show is on display here until January 2019.

That’s certainly not all that’s on offer, though. You’ll find information and exhibits on local marine life both past and present, with displays of local fossils and advice on how to find them. And don’t forget to say hello to the Dorset Dinosaur, Scelidosaurus!

The centre also runs fossil-hunting and rockpooling outings along the nearby coastline. If you and the kids want to have a go at finding your own fossils, this is probably the best and safest place along the Jurassic Coast to try it out – book ahead to avoid being disappointed.

Mighty Claws Adventure Golf

Not every dino-obsessed kid wants to spend all their time in museums, and every parent needs a break from reading plaques out loud. Why not enjoy some more light-hearted prehistoric fun at this dinosaur-themed outdoor miniature golf course in Bournemouth?

Kids and adults alike can put their skills to the test as they play through the hazards of the prehistoric landscapes of the Roaring Kingdom, complete with animatronic dinosaurs both friendly and ferocious. There’s secrets to find and a story to uncover as you make your way through this 18-hole course, suitable for the whole family.

Follow up an afternoon of mini golf by heading to the course’s Kitchen Club for a delicious pizza or a refreshing cup of coffee.

Keates Quarry Dinosaur Footprints

One for the die-hard dino fans in the family, this one is exactly what it sounds like – preserved footprints that were left in a flat layer of ground by a group of dinosaurs, thought to be brachiosaurs, over 140 million years ago. There’s no museum, café or gift shop in sight, just a little signpost and a path that prehistoric creatures once walked.

If your kids are more into the spectacle of looming dinosaur skeletons or roaring animatronics, this probably won’t grab them, but more scientifically minded young ones won’t want to miss the chance to see tracks left by real dinosaurs. As an added bonus, the area is a nice spot for a family walk through Dorset’s beautiful countryside.

The Lyme Fossil Shop

If you’re hoping to take home a souvenir of your time on the Jurassic Coast, and haven’t managed to dig up something appropriately impressive from the beach, it might be time for a trip to the Lyme Fossil Shop in Lyme Regis. With a range of fossils of varying rarity, there’s something to suit any budget here, right down to the level of a budding palaeontologist’s pocket money.

Even if you don’t plan on purchasing a piece of prehistory for yourself or the kids, it’s still worth a visit – there are lots of fascinating fossils on display as museum-style exhibits. Well-informed staff are also on hand to answer any questions and even identify fossils that you’ve found yourself. Other excellent fossil shops in the town include Jurassic Gems and the Old Forge Fossil Shop.

You can read more about fossil hunting in Dinosaur Island: Prehistoric Secrets of the Isle of Wight.