World Heritage Day Festival
World Heritage Day, also known as the International Day for Monuments and Sites, is celebrated every year on 18 April. The day shines a spotlight on the diversity, significance, and fragility of cultural and natural heritage worldwide. Established by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) in 1982 and officially recognised by UNESCO in 1983, it invites everyone to engage with heritage through themed activities, site visits, exhibitions, and talks. It’s a moment to reflect on why protecting our shared heritage is vital for future generations.
In 2026, we mark a special milestone: the 25th anniversary of the Jurassic Coast being designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. This breathtaking 95-mile coastline, stretching from Exmouth in Devon to Studland Bay in Dorset, is celebrated internationally for its unbroken geological record spanning 185 million years, preserving rock formations from the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods. More than just a geological wonder, the Jurassic Coast offers a glimpse into Earth’s deep history—ancient landscapes, fossils, and the forces that have shaped our planet.
To celebrate, Dorset Museum & Art Gallery are hosting a special World Heritage Day programme featuring talks and presentations that explore the science, art, and stories of the Jurassic Coast. Join in for a day of expert insights, engaging storytelling, and celebration of one of Britain’s most remarkable natural landscapes.
Celebrate World Heritage Day and experience the wonder of the Jurassic Coast—a landscape of science, history, and beauty that belongs to the world.
Speakers
Thomas Hardy: Archaeology and the Jurassic Landscape | Mark Damon Chutter
This illuminating talk for World Heritage Day will explore Thomas Hardy's fiction and poetry in the context of archaeology, deep time, and the Dorset Jurassic landscape.
Sat 18th Apr - 10:15am
VIEW
The Jurassic Coast at 25 | Sam Scriven
In this talk for World Heritage Day, Sam Scriven revisits the original reasons the Jurassic Coast was awarded World Heritage status, exploring the scientific, educational, and cultural values that first brought global recognition to this unique landscape.
Sat 18th Apr - 11:45am
VIEW
The Human Story of the Jurassic Coast | Steve Wallis
In this talk for World Heritage Day, Steve Wallis explores the long and fascinating history of human life along the Jurassic Coast, examining how people have lived on, shaped and responded to this dramatic landscape over the past few thousand years.
Sat 18th Apr - 1:15pm
VIEW
Strata | Jeremy Gardiner
The focus of this illustrated talk for World Heritage Day is Strata, a major body of work comprising 100 new paintings by renowned landscape artist Jeremy Gardiner.
Sat 18th Apr - 2:45pm
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Guardians of Deep Time: Celebrating the Outstanding Universal Value of Geological World Heritage | Dr Anjana Khatwa
Join award-winning earth scientist, broadcaster, and author of The Whispers of Rock: Stories from the Earth, Dr Anjana Khatwa, as she takes us on a captivating global journey to uncover the hidden narratives etched in stone.
Sat 18th Apr - 4:15pm
VIEW
Family Activities
Fossil Handling in Natural Dorset Gallery
Discover the ancient history of Dorset through our interactive Fossil Handling Trolley
Sat 18th Apr - 10:00am
VIEW
Fossil Identification
Have you discovered a fossil and wondered what it might be?
Sat 18th Apr - 10:15am
and 2 future schedules
VIEW
Tales from the Jurassic Coast
Step into a world of legends and storytelling inspired by the dramatic landscapes of the Jurassic Coast.
Sat 18th Apr - 11:00am
and 1 future schedules
VIEW
Fossil Folklore and Badge Making
Discover fascinating fossil tales—from prehistoric creatures to myths they inspired.
Sat 18th Apr - 11:30am
and 2 future schedules
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Do You Dream of Dinosaurs? – Book Reading & Signing
Join author and illustrator Sally Alce for a fun, interactive children’s event inspired by her book Do You Dream of Dinosaurs?
Sat 18th Apr - 3:00pm
VIEW
Tours
World Heritage Day Store Tours
Go behind the scenes and discover the museum’s hidden treasures.
Sat 18th Apr - 10:15am
and 2 future schedules
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Special Roman Town House Tour
Step back in time and explore Roman Dorchester on this special behind-the-scenes tour.
Sat 18th Apr - 10:30am
VIEW
People’s Dorset Gallery Tour with Steve Wallis
Explore the stories of the people who have shaped Dorset’s history.
Sat 18th Apr - 11:00am
VIEW
Natural Dorset Gallery Tour with Sam Scriven
Exploring the incredible fossils discovered along the Jurassic Coast.
Sat 18th Apr - 3:00pm
VIEW
The Victorian Hall will feature a lively collection of stands from local museums, heritage organisations, and wildlife groups. Visitors can meet the people behind these organisations, explore their work, and learn how they are preserving and interpreting the region’s remarkable natural and cultural heritage. This vibrant showcase offers a hands-on, engaging way to connect with Dorset’s history, wildlife, and communities.
These currently include:
- Bridport Museum
- Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre
- Dorset National Landscape Partnership
- Dorset Wildlife Trust
- English Heritage
- Lyme Regis Museum
- Portland Museum
- The National Trust
- Weymouth Museum
