Welcome to the 2022 Lyme Regis Fossil Festival located on the world-famous Jurassic Coast. After two years of delivering the Lyme Regis Fossil Festival online, the popular festival is returning, and we are thrilled to be back in Lyme Regis town centre for a weekend of science, discovery and fun from Saturday April 30th – Sunday May 1st 2022!

Lyme Regis Fossil Festival

Lyme Regis is blessed with some of the most remarkable palaeontology and geology on the planet (as well as being stunningly beautiful) and we can't wait to welcome you back.

Fossil famous!

The coast around Lyme Regis and Charmouth is one of the most famous, significant and unique fossil sites in the World. It is the richest source of fossil marine reptiles, fish and insects anywhere in the World and is the place where the first ichthyosaur and plesiosaur were described in science thanks to Mary Anning (1799-1847), quite possibly the most famous fossil collector of all time.

Fossils waiting to be discovered

What makes this place so good is because there are lots and lots of fossils to be found. They are very well preserved and the rapidly eroding cliffs ensure a sustainable supply, although that is dependent on the landslides and therefore the weather. We love rough, stormy weather as that is what uncovers the fossils. So collecting is unpredictable and unfair but given time, commitment and a bit of luck, anyone can make an important discovery. Today, several collectors quite literally follow in Mary Annings footsteps and despite over 200 years of scientific collecting, new and exciting discoveries are made every year.

Fossil Walk

There are fossil walks that you can join to ensure that you have the best possible chance of finding your own treasure and that you hunt for fossils safely.  Always check tide times and it’s always advisable that you go fossil hunting at a falling tide.

Fascinating exhibitions

The Fossil Festival will host some fascinating exhibits throughout the town centre including representatives from the Natural History Museum, Palaeontological Association, Bristol University’s Palaeontology department, The ‘Etches Collection’, The Dinosaur Isle and many more. 

Lyme Regis Fossil Festival

They'll be plenty of interactive displays and stands so you can get hands-on and you can also join some thought-provoking and entertaining talks and lectures in the Marine Theatre, an immersive educational 360° cinema in the Hub and lots more entertainment over the weekend.

Join us at the Lyme Regis Fossil Festival for an adventure 200 million years in the making!