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Lovers of dinosaurs will be happy to know that there are all sorts of great dinosaur related activities in the UK. Although the USA tops the list for most dinosaur fossils found, the UK comes in at a pretty impressive number 7 on the list. Kids and adults share an interest in these amazing prehistoric creatures can literally have a dinosaur hunting experience here in the UK. It’s far easier and more cost-effective than you might think and is a great way to have a fun-filled holiday doing something different in the UK.
So how would one look plan this unique yet fabulous trip? That’s simple enough, jump in your caravan and start your adventure.
Raymond James Caravans
Caravans can be a good way to get around, see different sites and get the family enjoying the great outdoors. With many owning a caravan, it gives them an ideal opportunity to create wonderful family memories that they will be treasured for always. Raymond James Caravans in Warwickshire, one of the UK’s largest dealerships sells new and used caravans as well as accessories for them. They can also service your caravan before you begin your first adventure this year.
Raymond James Caravans stock a range of caravan brands including Bailey, Coachman, Buccaneer and more.
The great thing about Raymond James Caravans is that there are various options available including some great luxury layouts wth new and used options available. Traveling with the family has never been so easy and comfortable. The kids will be distracted doing whatever they do at home between each new and exciting stop.
Raymond James Panther Bailey Special
If you are considering buying a caravan then you might like to consider the Panther which is exclusive to Raymond James Caravans. This comes with various additional features making travel and stays away from home that much easier, and more luxurious.
Places to visit:
The Jurassic Coast
You are guaranteed a fun filled holiday when visiting this UNESCO world heritage site. It’s ideal for a fossil hunting adventure. It’s a popular British destination and attracts visitors from all over the globe. Take a walk along the beach and enjoy the scenic views whilst fossil hunting. The fossils are eroded from the cliffs and end up on the beach waiting to be discovered. The Jurassic Coast is 95 miles long providing plenty of opportunities to discover a range of different fossils. The best time of year to visit if you are after fossils is during the winter. This is when the beaches are quieter and as a result, you are more likely to find something. Wrap up warm and check tides before you go.
Beginners don’t need any tools, just keep your eyes peeled and have something to put your find(s) in. The best places that you can visit that don’t require permission and are safest to visit are Charmouth and Lyme Regis. Look out for ammonites fool’s gold (iron pyrites) and belemnites bullet-shaped which are the most commonly found at both beaches. If you are exceptionally lucky you may come across fossilised parts of giant marine reptiles or even rarer echinoids (sea urchins).
Lyme Regis
If you do decide to stop a Lyme Regis for some fossil hunting on the beach you might also consider visiting the Lyme Regis Museum. Here you will discover a large fossil collection from those that have been washed out of the crumbling cliffs. As well as seeing the impressive number of fossils displayed the museum also offers guided fossil walks.
Dinosaurland Fossil Museum Lyme Regis
This private museum is owned and run by palaeontologist Steve Davies and his wife. This traditional museum has a permanent display of more than 12,000 specimens. Here you can get close to the exhibits and will be surprised at how much you will learn as you venture around the museum especially if you opt to take the quiz. Although not particularly large, there is plenty to see and all that work there are extremely passionate about what they do and very helpful and informative. Be sure to visit the gift shop where you will find some great fossils that are better quality than many in the local shops.
Dinosaur Island
Not only is the Isle of Wight a popular holiday destination it is also one of the richest areas for dinosaur discoveries in Europe. Over 20 species of dinosaurs have been found here including the Neovenator, a deadly carnivore that could grow up to 10 meters. There are various “hot spots” that dinosaur fossil hunters really should visit.
Dinosaur Isle
This award winning museum located in Sandown on the Isle of Wight is a great place to visit. The purpose built museum features fossil displays, several life-size dinosaurs, and an animatronic Neovenator. Some of the displays are interactive and the museum has made great use of lights, sounds and smells to help recreate the time of the dinosaurs. Visitors will also find outdoor fossil and geology walks. Children will enjoy the interactive play area where they can build models, do some colouring, play with dinosaurs and more. Don’t forget to visit the gift shop before you leave.
Blackgang Chine
This is the UK’s oldest amusement park and is home to some fabulous themed lands. This too is located in the Isle of Wight. Dinosaur hunters will love restricted area 5. There they will come face to face with life-size animatronic dinosaurs that move and make noises including the largest T-Rex in the country. There are also fiberglass dinosaurs that children can climb on.
Compton Bay
With fossils from so many different dinosaur species, you never know what you might find. Here there are large Iguanadon at the base of the cliff near the car park at Hanover Point. On the beach where the tide has recently gone down amongst the stones. Fossilised bones are commonly washed up. They have a shiny honeycomb appearance. As well as these teeth and black fossilised wood can often be found. There are often rock pools so double the fun for little ones. They can have fun looking for fossils and then after go searching for crabs and fish in the rock pools.
Roarr Dinosaur Adventure
This is the largest dinosaur themed adventure park in the UK. This Norfolk based 85 acre theme park is somewhere my son and daughters would love to visit. You’ll find animatronic dinosaurs, Norfolks largest indoor play area, a great splash zone for the warmer seasons, an indoor racing circuit, fossil dig and more. You’ll need a full day as there is plenty to see and do.
Gullivers Dinosaur and Farm Park
Tread carefully through the Lost World of the Living Dinosaurs located in Milton Keynes. Can you find all 32 realistic animatronic dinosaurs? Visitors should look out for the park’s resident roaming dinosaur. Why not ride a dinosaur or visit the reptile and bug center, perfect for little ones that love creepie crawlies. Little ones will love the farmyard. Here they can stroke and even cuddle a range of cute creatures.
Paradise Wildlife Park
Fabulously good fun for all the family in Hertfordshire. We visited Paradise Wildlife Park last year and the kiddies can’t wait to go again. There is a varied range of different animals to see including reptiles and creepy crawlies. The play areas jotted about are good fun too and there is a good mix including an indoor soft play. Then venture over to the World of Dinosaurs, one of the largest dinosaur attractions in the UK. 30 life size animatronic dinosaurs are spread around the natural woodland. These moving and roaring dinosaurs are pretty realistic. Don’t get too close! Visitors should watch out for the T-Rex – a great photo op!!!
Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex
Here you will find a variety of fossils including some of the largest shark teeth in the UK (Carcharocles megalodon), pyritised fossil wood, and bivalve shells. In 2016 the tooth of a woolly mammoth was discovered on the beach. Whilst there you can also visit The Naze Tower an 18th century Georgian lighthouse.
Herne Bay (between Beltinge and Reculver)
Located in Kent, this is a popular destination for UK and international fossil hunters. Here you can find teeth from approximately 24 types of shark, and crocodile and turtle remains hidden amongst the shingle all year round during low tides. Spring is the best time to go to guarantee a good haul.
Warning when Fossil Hunting
When fossil hunting at beaches make sure you check the tides, the water can come in quite quickly.
Never leave children unattended.
Do not stand/walk near unstable cliffs.
Getting started
These are just some of the places that will appeal to those that love dinosaurs and are interested in fossils. There are numerous other places in the UK that are also worth a visit. It’s best to plan your trip in advance before setting off to make sure you can fit in a wide range of activities for all traveling. Then once you’re ready jump in the caravan and away you go.
You can substitute places you visit with whatever interests you or the family which is great. Would you consider an adventure like this?
Have fun!!
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It’s fair to say that I love dinosaurs and so does my grand son. I think my grand daughter does too, though I’m not sure. I do know they would love to visit these places!
I agree. These are perfect and great ways to create lasting memories.
I like the beaches on the south coast for fossils. Can’t remember which one was the best for it.
There are some great places to go fossil hunting. It can be fun for all the family.
What an interesting blog post and who would have thought that you could still go dinosaur hunting in 2020! Travelling on a budget in the Raymond James Caravans is such a great idea!
I know!!! It is a lovely idea for anyone wanting to travel around the UK.
My children love it when we visit different dinosaur parks, we did dinos after dark thing last year and they loved it.
That sounds great. I’d love to do that with the kids.
I remember going to Lyme Regis as a kid and I loved it, I really want to do the Jurassic Coast though as it looks stunning x
I don’t blame you. I want to take my son, he would love it there.
We are lucky enough to live on the jurassic coast and love going fossil hunting. Our fave beach is Charmouth
Oh wow, that is very lucky. I bet you have a great fossil collection!
I had no idea there were so many dinosaur activities in the UK! I really want to go to the jurassic coast, its somewhere that we will all enjoy as who doesn’t love dinosaurs?!
I know, so many all over the country. It is a very popular place to visit.
I have never been caravanning we were always a camping family, but as the kids grow and I get older I am sorely tempted to start looking in to getting one.
It’s ideal for those that don’t like to rough it as much.
My oldest son would have loved this when he was younger. It’s something I’d still likely take my youngest to if in the area.
These sites are all perfect for dinosaur lovers and a great way to have a unique trip that all will enjoy.
This looks like a lot of fun and it reminds me of a dinosaur park that I use to visit when I was a child.
These are lovely places to visit. It’s great that there are so many choices.
Oh wow, these all sound like such fun! My kiddos would love any of these!
They sure would, who doesn’t love dinosaurs x
Lots of fab suggestions for dinosaur lovers there! We have been to a few already but will have to bookmark and try out some more
That’s great. You’ll find so many wonderful places to visit in this country for dinosaur fans.
Definitely looks like a wonderful place to visit with the family. Plenty of wonderful areas to explore and you’ll never be bored while you are there.
Loads of great places to visit. There is no chance of being bored x
Oh my what an interesting adventure. My daughter would love this, going to plan something…Thanks for sharing.
Wow this looks like so much fun for the kids and grown ups! Your son’s face in the first pic is just brilliant!
What a fabulous post, I never knew there were so many dinosaur places to visit in the UK! Thanks for the information about Caravans too, Raymond James is very local to me so we’ll check them out. I think lots more people will be interested in Caravan holidays in the current climate.
I totally agree. It’s great to have a holiday in our home country and see things we wouldn’t normally.
Oh wow this is very cool!! We love jurrassic park so a dinasour adventure looks like so much fun. Love the piccy of the kids in the jeep too by the way xx
It’s something different and there are loads of dinosaur-themed places you can visit. Thanks, they had a great time looking at the dinosaurs.
Oh my. So many places to visit for kids (and kids at heart) who love dinosaurs. I’d love to visit these places with my grandson!
There sure are. It’s great!
I didn’t know that places like this exist! Seems like it would be fun for adults and children!
They sure are. Who doesn’t find dinosaurs fun!
OMG, this is incredible!! I love dinosaurs and I’m trying to get my son to love them too, can’t wait to visit!
There are plenty of places you guys can visit!
This looks so much fun. Will wait for my son to be a little older though <3
I’m sure he’d love to see the dinosaurs.
I love going dinosaur tours I enjoy to see a different kind of dinosaur statues and perfect for family and kids bonding.
Great days out are lovely for family bonding.
Such good guidance. I love dinosaurs and so does my daughter. You mentioned places that I was not aware of and just gave me a good idea how to spend Saturday afternoon!
They are lovely places to visit. I’m sure your daughter would love to go visit the dinosaurs.
There are so many options for a great adventure. A well detailed post you’ve got here. Nice.
Thanks so much. I’m so glad you enjoyed it.