Celebrate World Heritage Day and 25 Years of the Jurassic Coast at the Dorset Museum & Art Gallery
On Saturday 18 April 2026, Dorset Museum & Art Gallery will host a landmark celebration of World Heritage Day, marking not only this important global observance but also the 25th anniversary of the Jurassic Coast being inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 2001.
Also known as the International Day for Monuments and Sites, World Heritage Day was established by the International Council on Monuments and Sites in 1982 and formally recognised by UNESCO in 1983. The day provides an opportunity to celebrate the diversity and richness of cultural and natural heritage around the world, while also reflecting on the responsibility we share to protect these irreplaceable places for future generations.
The 2026 celebrations carry special significance for the South West as the Jurassic Coast reaches its 25-year milestone as England’s only natural World Heritage Site. Spanning 95 miles from Exmouth in East Devon to Studland Bay in Dorset, this remarkable coastline is globally renowned for its outstanding geological record, charting 185 million years of Earth’s history through its cliffs, beaches, and fossil beds. The exposed rock sequences from the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods provide scientists and visitors alike with an unparalleled insight into ancient environments, climate change, mass extinctions, and the evolving story of life on Earth. Beyond its geological importance, the Jurassic Coast is also a cultural landscape—shaping communities, inspiring artists and writers, and connecting people to deep time in a tangible and awe-inspiring way.
To honour this dual celebration, the Museum has curated a full and engaging day of events designed to appeal to visitors of all ages. Throughout the day, guests can take part in guided gallery tours exploring the science and stories of the coastline, enjoy drop-in make-and-take craft activities for families, handle real geological and historical objects, and receive expert help with fossil identification. Behind-the-scenes tours will offer a rare glimpse into the Museum’s collections and conservation work, while community talks will highlight local research and heritage initiatives. The Victorian Hall will also host a vibrant showcase of stands from museums, heritage organisations, and wildlife groups, creating opportunities for visitors to connect directly with those working to preserve and interpret the region’s extraordinary natural and cultural heritage.
A series of illustrated talks will make the day even more enjoyable for everyone. Mark Damon Chutter, Chair and Academic Director of the Thomas Hardy Society, will present “Thomas Hardy: Archaeology and the Jurassic Landscape,” examining how the Dorset environment and deep history shaped the imagination of Thomas Hardy and informed his fiction and poetry. Sam Scriven’s talk, “The Jurassic Coast at 25,” will revisit the original case for World Heritage inscription, reflecting on the scientific, educational, and cultural values that secured international recognition and exploring how those values continue to resonate today. In “The Human Story of the Jurassic Coast,” Steve Wallis will trace thousands of years of human interaction with this dynamic landscape, revealing how communities have adapted to, depended upon, and been inspired by the coast’s dramatic geology.
Artistic perspectives will also take centre stage with “Strata,” an illustrated presentation by renowned landscape artist Jeremy Gardiner, focusing on his major body of work celebrating the Jurassic Coast through 100 new paintings created to mark its 25th anniversary. The day will culminate in “Guardians of Deep Time,” a compelling talk by award-winning earth scientist, broadcaster, and author Anjana Khatwa, who will take audiences on a global journey through geological World Heritage sites, uncovering the hidden narratives written in stone and emphasising the concept of Outstanding Universal Value that underpins World Heritage status.
Sam Scriven, Principal Officer World Heritage, Dorset Coast Forum, said, "It is wonderful to see such a vibrant celebration of World Heritage Day taking place at Dorset Museum & Art Gallery this year. The breadth of activities and talks on offer showcases how interconnected and how valuable our shared heritage really is. A perfect way to mark the 25th anniversary of the Jurassic Coast being a World Heritage Site."
Claire Dixon, Executive Director, Dorset Museum & Art Gallery, said: ‘We are delighted to host this programme for World Heritage Day, working with Dorset Coast Forum to showcase the World Heritage status of Dorset’s Jurassic Coast. As a civic space, our museum welcomes those who work, live and visit Dorchester to take part, highlighting the value of our stories, collections and people and making them accessible to everyone.
This special World Heritage Day festival offers a rare opportunity to reflect on the meaning of heritage in a rapidly changing world. By bringing together science, art, literature, and community voices, the Museum aims to celebrate the Jurassic Coast not only as a geological treasure but as a shared inheritance that belongs to the world. Visitors are warmly invited to join this day of discovery, inspiration, and celebration, and to experience first-hand the wonder of a landscape that continues to shape our understanding of the planet’s past—and our responsibility for its future.
Visitors attending World Heritage Day (18 April) can also enjoy a 10% discount on Museum admission, available both at the door and when booking online.
For a full programme of events, visit dorsetmuseum.org
Picture credit: Pliosaurus kevani discovered on the Jurassic Coast © Fernando Manoso, Dorset Museum & Art Gallery
