New ‘Leon Garner Fossil Collection’ opens celebrating a lifetime of fossil-hunting and discovery
From 15th February, visitors to Jurassic Discovery will have the unique opportunity to visit the Leon Garner Fossil Collection, a remarkable new exhibit showcasing the lifelong passion of fossil-hunter, Leon Garner (1941-2024). This collection, never accessible to the public before, will be housed within the Jurassic Discovery exhibition and is included with entry to the animatronic Last Day of the Dinosaurs experience.
Leon Garner’s fascination with fossils began in childhood, as he explored the Jurassic Coast with his father Ron and brother Stefan. From hunting shark teeth at Bracklesham Bay to fossil expeditions in Morocco’s Atlas Mountains, Leon’s dedication to discovery spanned decades. His adventures, from sneaking into the Natural History Museum to camping in tin huts above the Lyme Regis cliffs, are now part of an exhibition that celebrates both his personal journey and the wider story of fossil collecting.
The collection also features an exploration of the legacy of Mary Anning, the pioneering fossil collector of Lyme Regis, placing Leon’s contributions within the broader history of paleontological discovery.
Jenny Nunn, Chief Executive of Jurassic Discovery, said: “We are incredibly proud to unveil the Leon Garner Fossil Collection, offering visitors a glimpse into the extraordinary life of a man whose passion for fossils never faded. His story is one of curiosity, adventure, and a deep love for discovery—something we hope will inspire the next generation of fossil-hunters.”
The Leon Garner FossilCollection was generously donated to Jurassic Discovery by Leon’s sister, Karenina Bennett, and Megan Rodgers, following his death in 2024. This incredible donation ensures that Leon’s lifelong passion for fossil-hunting will be preserved and shared with the public and inspire future generations.
Karenina Bennett, Leon Garner’s sister, added: “Leon’s fascination with fossils shaped so much of his life, and this collection is a wonderful tribute to that. I think he would be delighted at the outcome, as is his older brother, Stefan, and as am I. His collection tells the story of his adventures, his dedication, and his sheer determination to uncover the past. We are so pleased that others can now share in his lifelong passion.”
“Leon had wanted his collection to go to a museum and had expressed his wish to assist in education in terms of donating his microscopes. In his later years, he began to try to find a home for it all as an entire collection, but this had been problematic. Generally, only some items were wanted due to specialisation, or most of it would never have seen the light of day again. That’s why I’m so pleased that Jurassic Discovery has taken on the complete collection.”
The Leon Garner Fossil Collection will also play a key role in expanding Jurassic Discovery’s educational offering, forming the basis for new learning sessions designed for schools and educational groups. These sessions will provide hands-on experiences, helping students engage with real fossils while learning about the history of palaeontology and the rich geological heritage of the Jurassic Coast. This initiative is part of Jurassic Discovery’s wider commitment to education and outreach, which has recently been strengthened by an £88,600 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for the Discovering Seaton’s Jurassic Past and Present project. This funding will support further developments, ensuring that the site continues to inspire curiosity and discovery for future generations.
The Leon Garner Fossil Collection will be on permanent display at Jurassic Discovery, offering an exciting new experience for visitors of all ages.
Seaton, Devon – Jurassic Discovery is thrilled to announce its most festive event yet – ‘Jurassic Christmas’, running from 23rd December 2024 to 5th January 2025. This family-friendly celebration is set to bring prehistoric cheer to visitors of all ages, blending the magic of Christmas with the wonder of the Jurassic era.
This unique experience will feature the dinosaurs from the popular ‘Last Day of the Dinosaurs’ exhibition dressed in festive attire. Expect to see your favourite dinosaurs donning scarves, Santa hats, and other cosy winter outfits, adding a whimsical twist to their usual fearsome appearance.
What’s on at Jurassic Christmas:
Dinosaurs in Christmas Gear: The iconic dinosaurs are getting into the Christmas spirit! Marvel at their festive transformations in the Last Day of the Dinosaurs exhibit.
Unique Photos for Christmas: Enjoy plenty of photo opportunities with the holiday-dressed dinosaurs.
Winter Warmers: Treat yourself to hot chocolate, mulled cider, and other seasonal delights available at the café.
Dino Soft Play: Enjoy a session in our Soft Play! Open late on select dates
Whether you’re looking for a fun family day out or a unique way to celebrate Christmas, Jurassic Christmas promises a memorable experience for everyone.
We are looking for volunteers to help develop our Jurassic Discovery Garden for the Dinosaur Exhibitions Grand Summer Opening!
We are following our landscape gardening plans to create an outdoor space that will reflect our fun, new Jurassic Discovery.
If you are green fingered and looking for something and somewhere a little different to use your skills as well as some great benefits when volunteering in the Seaton Tramway Team – please get in touch!
To find out more please call 01278 20375 Option 2, to speak to Mel
We know lots of you are looking forward to the release of our memberships and birthday offers, however we are committed to providing exceptional experiences that meet the highest standards of quality and enjoyment.
To ensure that our new offers live up to those standards, we are taking additional time to enhance and refine both the content of our packages and the systems that support them.
What This Means for You:
Memberships:
The launch of our new membership tiers is being delayed. We are working diligently to upgrade these memberships, to give a smoother user experience.
Birthday Packages
The introduction of our birthday packages is also being postponed.
We aim to create unforgettable birthday experiences, and deliver joy and excitement in the most seamless way possible.
We understand this may be disappointing news, particularly for those eagerly anticipating these offerings. Please know that this decision was made with your best interests in mind.
Next Steps and Updates:
Part of the upgrade to memberships is waiting for our new payment gateway, so that we can move away from PayPal.
To stay up to date with any news or updates, please follow our social media channels and sign up to our newsletter.
We deeply appreciate your patience and understanding during this period. Our team is excited about the enhancements we are making and we can’t wait to share them with you.
Get ready as the much-anticipated visitor attraction Jurassic Discovery in Seaton, East Devon, announces the grand opening date of its Soft Play & Café on 29th March 2024!
Perfect for families and dinosaur enthusiasts, the Soft Play area offers fun for kids to explore, climb, and play. Meanwhile, adults can relax and recharge in the café, indulging in a full menu of hot and cold food and drinks.
When are you opening your Soft Play & Café?
Soft Play sessions will be available from 29th March and will be available to book soon. The Café can be enjoyed by all ticket holders.
How is it going to work?
Jurassic Discovery will offer four two-hour play sessions daily between 9:30am and 5:30pm. Tickets will be for 2 – 12-year-olds, those under 2 and adults enter for free.
Tickets can be booked online via jurassicdiscovery.co.uk.
Soft Play sessions are £6 per child. The off-peak price will be £5.
Off-peak pricing is available online only. We will accept walk-ins but at the full price.
Can I get a membership for my child?
Yes.
Soft Play Memberships, will allow a named child and accompanying adult entry to a pre-booked soft play session. It will grant holders 24 free pre-booked sessions a year – or two per month. Sessions after that allocation will be £1. If you don’t pre-book and you just turn up, it will be £1 per session. Memberships will also get cardholders 10% off in the Cafe and Gift Shop plus Seaton Tramway tickets. All prices and membership offers can be found on the website at jurassicdiscovery.co.uk
Where is Jurassic Discovery?
You can find Jurassic Discovery in Seaton, East Devon, next door to Seaton Tramway.
The full address is, Jurassic Discovery,
The Underfleet, Seaton
EX12 2WD.
Parking can be found in the neighbouring Underfleet car park. This is a council-run pay and display.
Are you only opening the Soft Play & Café?
Yes!
This is just the first part of the offer from Jurassic Discovery. Later this year, we will allow visitors to explore prehistoric wonders and the story of the Jurassic Coast. It will offer an immersive experience like no other, featuring life-like animatronic dinosaurs that bring history to life in the captivating Walk with Dinosaurs exhibition.
You will step into a world of giants and immerse yourself in the fascinating era of dinosaurs at Jurassic Discovery. The interactive exhibition, set to open in the summer of 2024, will take visitors on a journey through time, showcasing the incredible diversity of prehistoric life.
Whether you’re a seasoned palaeontologist or simply seeking a fun-filled adventure with the family, Jurassic Discovery promises an engaging, educational, and entertaining experience for all.
Make sure to mark your calendars for 29th March 2024, and be among the first to experience the excitement of Jurassic Discovery’s Soft Play & Café. Stay tuned for updates on the official website and social media channels as the countdown to the opening begins!
Seaton Tramway & Jurassic Discovery are thrilled to sponsor the new book written by Wayne Munday and illustrated by Eleanor Western
Inspired by the Jurassic Period of Britain and the fossil record of the Dorset coast designated by UNESCO as a natural World Heritage Site in the South West of England we travel back in time to between 201.4 – 143.1 million years ago.
Take an immersive journey through this stunningly illustrated book as we explore this fascinating world.
This will be available from Seaton Station, Colyton Station and Jurassic Discovery shops!
