Rotunda Museum
Explore modern interactive displays to learn about the fascinating Geology of the Yorkshire Coast. Find out about this unique geology that brought William Smith to the town and inspired him to design this fabulous iconic building in 1829. Known as the father of English geology, Smith changed the world with his discoveries and the museum has been a focal point for geology and local history enthusiasts ever since.
The awe inspiring central Rotunda Gallery is a remarkable space that explains the Scarborough that existed in Smith's days as well as some of the characters that populated the town at the time.
The first floor Shell Gallery focuses on 21st century developments and is home to our most famous resident; Gristhorpe Man, a unique Bronze Age skeleton and tree trunk burial find.
The Dinosaur Coast Gallery offers bright, colourful and family friendly hands on experience of our coastline and its treasures.
The Rotunda is fully wheelchair accessible and has a shop with a wide selection of geology books and crafts for all ages. FREE introductory guided tours are available and enhance the visiting experience so are highly recommended.
Our popular Dinosaur Coast programme features a series of fossil hunts along the coast so you can continue to discover more about our unique geology following your visit to the museum. This programme is currently in development and will commence again in 2015
Venue Type:
Museum
The Rotunda Gallery houses specimens from William Smith's own collection that is on display for the first time and focuses on social history through various well know characters of Smith's time.
The Dinosaur Coast Gallery focuses on the nature and geology of the coast from Redcar to Flamborough and includes a fossil ID station for budding geologists.
The Shell Geology Now Gallery primarily focuses on the scientific processes behind both geology and archaeology with dinosaurs and Gristhorpe Man.
Collection details
Archaeology, Archives, Natural Sciences, Personalities, Social History
Key artists and exhibits
- William Smith
- Father of English Geology
- Geology
- Archeology
- Dinosaurs
- Bronze Age Buriel
- Gristhorpe Man
- Dinosaur Coast
- Fossils
- Dinosaur Footprints
Getting there
By Road (A64): At traffic signals turn right onto the A171 (signposted Town Centre, Bridlington)
At traffic signals turn right onto the A165 (signposted Bridlington)
At traffic signals turn left onto Ramshill Road (signposted South Cliff)
At roundabout take the 2nd exit onto Vernon Road
By Road (A165): Take the A165 following the signs to Scarborough
At South Cliff Roundabout take the 1st exit onto the A165 (signposted Scarborough, Whitby)
At traffic signals turn right onto Ramshill Road (signposted South Cliff)
At roundabout take the 2nd exit onto Vernon Road
By rail: From Scarborough station, walk down Westborough (towards town centre). Take the first right down York Place. At the end on the road turn left, down Somerset Terrace (back of Debenhams). At the roundabout turn right (3rd exit) on to Vernon Road. The Rotunda is at the bottom of the road.
Rotunda Museum
Vernon Road
Scarborough
North Yorkshire
YO11 2NN
England
Website
Telephone
01723 353665
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