Mary Anning
Born along the Jurassic Coast, Mary Anning (1799–1847) became one of the most important fossil hunters and palaeontologists in history. Despite having no formal education and being excluded from scientific societies because she was a woman, she made discoveries that transformed our understanding of prehistoric life. Her finds — including the first complete ichthyosaur and plesiosaur skeletons — put Dorset on the global scientific map. Today, she is celebrated as a pioneer of science and a symbol of determination, curiosity, and coastal heritage.
Mary Anning is such a brilliant choice for HerBCP — and the best part is that people can actually visit places connected to her life, her discoveries, and her legacy. It makes her story feel real and rooted in our coastline.
Location:
Long Entry, Lyme Regis, Dorset
Right on the seafront overlooking the beach where she made many of her discoveries.
The statue was unveiled in 2022 after a huge community campaign led by a local schoolgirl, Evie Swire — another brilliant “girl who shaped history” story you can feature later.
The statue is life‑sized, beautifully detailed, and placed so visitors can look out to the cliffs she worked on.
It’s free, outdoors, and accessible.
This is the most important place for anyone wanting to understand her life.
Built on the site of Mary Anning’s actual home and fossil shop
Exhibits about her discoveries
Fossils she found
Guided tours of the beaches
Talks and events
It’s the closest you can get to stepping into her world.
Mary Anning’s discoveries helped define this entire coastline.
Key spots:
Black Ven (where she found the ichthyosaur)
Church Cliffs
Monmouth Beach
There are safe, guided fossil walks available.
Many of her most famous finds are displayed here, including:
Ichthyosaurs
Plesiosaurs
Fossils she collected as a teenager
They credit her properly now, after decades of being overlooked.
A modern fossil museum along the coast with strong links to Mary Anning’s legacy.
Great for families, schools, and curious girls.
If people want to dive deeper:
“The Fossil Hunter” by Shelley Emling
“Remarkable Creatures” by Tracy Chevalier (novel based on her life)
“Ammonite” (film starring Kate Winslet — fictionalised but atmospheric)