Lapworth Museum of Geology
Lapworth Museum of Geology
Lapworth Museum of Geology
5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
The Lapworth Museum of Geology holds the finest and most extensive collections of fossils, minerals and rocks in the Midlands. Dating back to 1880, it is one of the oldest specialist geological museums in the UK. The Museum is now open following a £2.7m redevelopment, made possible thanks to a transformative Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant of £1.5m and the generous support of University of Birmingham alumni, as well as a number of grant awarding bodies, trusts and foundations. Throughout its long history the Lapworth Museum has provided a valuable resource for students, schools and colleges, research workers, enthusiasts and anyone with an interest in, or desire to learn, about geology. The museum supports teaching and research in the Earth Sciences and natural history within the University and the West Midlands region. The Museum is named after Charles Lapworth, the first Professor of Geology at Mason College, the forerunner of the University of Birmingham. Lapworth was one of the most important and influential geologists in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. Located in the University’s Grade II listed, Aston Webb Building, the museum retains its original Edwardian setting and interior. The collections contain in excess of 250,000 specimens. In addition to rocks, fossils and minerals, there are large collections of early geological maps, equipment, models, photographic material, and also zoological specimens and stone axes. The Lapworth Archive contains one of the most complete records of the work of a scientist of that period. The fossil collections are important both scientifically and historically, with exceptionally well-preserved specimens from the Midlands and many other famous fossil localities in the UK, and throughout the world. The museum has some of the finest collections from the Wenlock Limestone of Dudley, famous for its fossils that lived 420 million years ago when the area was covered by a shallow, warm, tropical sea that enabled a highly diverse ecosystem to develop. From the rocks of the old Midlands Coalfields are important collections of fossil plants, fish, insects, arachnids, fossil footprints and animal tracks. There are beautifully preserved fish, dragonflies, crabs, lobsters and pterosaurs from the Solnholfen Limestone in Germany; outstanding fish collections from Brazil, Italy, Lebanon and USA; 510 million year old animals unique to the world famous Burgess Shale of British Columbia. The mineral collection contains around 15,000 specimens, many of them rare, and displaying stunning colours and crystal shapes. The specimens come from all over the world, but particularly from the old mining areas of the UK. Of historical interest is the mineral collection of William Murdoch, engineer and inventor, who worked with James Watt and Matthew Boulton at Soho House in Birmingham. A visit to the Lapworth Museum provides an insight into how the Earth formed and changed through time, and how life on earth developed and evolved.
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Neighborhood: Edgbaston
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See what travelers are saying
- William A841 contributionsNice museumA very interesting little museum for those interested in geology, fossils and evolution. No refreshment facilities but there is a Costa not far away. There is very little signage on campus to direct you - could be much better indicated for visitors.Visited March 2024Traveled with familyWritten March 7, 2024
- UKGirl12345625 contributionsLovely place, something for everyoneGood quality, friendly staff. Light and airy. Larger than it looks. Good mix of exhibit types - video, hands on, glow in the dark rocks. Simple trails for kids with sticker prize. Could do with colouring sheets for kids room, interesting adult tour but could do with something really family friendly talks to draw some kids in. Hard to imagine they could do better apart from this minor point. Would go back.Visited April 2024Traveled with familyWritten April 6, 2024
- Jamie R5 contributionsWonderful small dinosaur and fossil museumObviously doesn't compare with the natural history museum in London because it's very small, but it has some wonderful exhibits and giving its free as well it's a great way to spend an hour with children. Twilight Saga complete dinosaur in the middle and the interactive projected globe upstairs as well as some of the boxes of curiosities. If anyone seriously interested in geology or fossils they have some truly amazing examples. Just remember it's relatively small although it is packed with great stuff..Visited May 2024Traveled with familyWritten May 11, 2024
- Martin M4 contributionsDinosaurs and fossils - and FREE admissionHow about this for a winning combination: FREE admission; loads of fossils and dinosaurs; an exhibition that treats you as an intelligent adult and doesn’t assume you have the IQ of a gnat. This is Lapworth Museum for Geology at Birmingham University – open to the general public. Today was the first time I have visited and previously resisted going, assuming it would be a tiny room full of rocks covered in a layer of dust. How wrong was I! A great exhibition that held my interest for well over an hour and there was still more to see. And it is completely FREE.Visited October 2024Traveled soloWritten October 26, 2024
- Ellie KBirmingham, United Kingdom714 contributionsFantastic!We absolutely loved the Lapworth Geology museum. Fossils, dinosaurs, mammoths, crystals etc etc, there was so much to see and it’s incredible that admission is free! The prices in the gift shop were also extremely reasonable. We spent hours reading all of the information.Visited August 2024Traveled with friendsWritten January 21, 2025
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
134 reviews
Excellent
106
Very good
27
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Ruth M
32 contributions
Jan 2024 • Friends
We visited the museum today as a group of all ages. I had my 8 year old with me. It was free entry - and parking on campus is free at weekends. The museum was amazing! It was absolutely packed with exhibits, yet didn’t feel crowded. Brilliant information boards and interactive displays that taught you really interesting information that you didn’t know - I challenge anyone of any age or geology experience to leave not having learnt something new! The museum was extremely well thought out and staff couldn’t do enough to make our visit the best it could be. There is a small education room with colouring, jigsaws and books for younger children which is just perfect if they need a time out. I was honestly blown away by just how good this museum is. If you like geology, fossils, dinosaurs or anything to do with our planet, you will love this place!
Written January 20, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Simon M
3 contributions
Oct 2022
This fabulous museum has something for everyone. Sure, the dinosaurs are eye-catching and exciting in their own right, but their collection of other fossils includes some of the best specimens in the world. The Rock Wall is a true work of art, with rocks of all kinds from around the world, and the mineral gallery is not only gorgeous but packs a few surprises. It is also free entry, which means that if you're in the vicinity of the University you can keep going back to see little bits at a time. I've been thrice in a week!
Written October 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura J
Sheffield, UK258 contributions
Sep 2022
This place is such a hidden gem. Though small, it packs a lot of exciting information into it, fossils being the main focus downstairs with some sections on world changing events and natural disasters, such as volcanoes. Upstairs changes topic to all things Rock and crystals with a marvelous collection of glow in the dark crystals (my personal favorite). As a dinosaur/fossil lover myself, I found this place overall, absolutely amazing and with it being free to enter, I would encourage anyone to have a visit if given the chance.
Written July 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
williamsfamilyrules
Market Rasen, UK9 contributions
Feb 2022 • Couples
This a lovely little museum and great place to spend time on a wet afternoon but hard to find. We walked round and round the university campus looking for it and had almost given up when a man who worked for the university who was cycling passed asked us where we we looking for and directed us to the museum.
There is an interesting time line display downstairs with fossils from the earliest plants to dinosaurs and early humans. There are some great videos showing what the landscape and animals would have looked like.
But I think upstairs is better. It is full of the most beautiful rocks, gemstones and crystals. I was amazed at the variety of shapes and colours that occur naturally in rocks. I wanted to take most of them home! Don't miss the UV light display.
There is an interesting time line display downstairs with fossils from the earliest plants to dinosaurs and early humans. There are some great videos showing what the landscape and animals would have looked like.
But I think upstairs is better. It is full of the most beautiful rocks, gemstones and crystals. I was amazed at the variety of shapes and colours that occur naturally in rocks. I wanted to take most of them home! Don't miss the UV light display.
Written February 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ama
204 contributions
Oct 2021 • Family
We parked free in the side streets outside of the university ground near this museum and just walked for a couple of minutes into the site. Free worksheets for kids. Even 8 and 4 year old keep themselves occupied. Small enough for you to sit comfortably and watch them without fear of losing them. However packed with so much for them to see and learn. Perfect if you take along a cup of coffee and another friend and let the kids run around with a worksheet from the desk. Just loved the UV mineral display.
Written November 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah
Leamington Spa, UK43 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
What a find! I had no idea this museum existed until we had the opportunity of doing a "Behind the Scenes" tour. It was well worth the visit - I would definitely recommend. Jon was incredibly engaging and brought the subjects covered to life. We had the opportunity to see some truly unique fossils and learn a little more about the history of Birmingham and the surrounding area. A truly unique and very informative experience.
Written January 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leslie Nicholas... R
Birmingham, UK106 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
We have lived in Birmingham many years and only found out about this fantastic museum on the University campus this week. It has been open 6-7 years. Really was a good way to spend a few hours. We have been to many great museums, Natural history museum London, Harvard Museum Boston and this is a mini gem because it links the geology directly to the West Midlands and places we have visited, e.g Dudley, Cotteridge, Bromsgrove regarding fossils, rocks and geology. We learnt things and all for free.
Written November 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dmunnir
Solihull, UK50 contributions
Jan 2020
This is a fantastic museum. So much information and exhibits and the contents in the drawers which are labelled "open me" contain wonderful diverse items ranging from a poignant letter from a geologist detailing the effects of WW1 on his family to amazing fossils and gems. A range of interactive areas are set up around the museum and a particular favorite was the interaction of ultra violet light on rocks which was fantastic. There are stickers on the floor for "selfies" in front of the exhibits and many item from the West Midlands I will look on Dudley with new eyes! The museum seems small but if you take your time to read the information and have a good look at the exhibition it is very educational and interesting and will take much longer than you realise. Plenty of seating is available and a lift to the upper floor is provided and there is a small reading area for children with a shop at the front of the building. Entry is free but you can make a donation.
Written January 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NB1957
648 contributions
Nov 2021
I came across this museum by chance whilst planning a return to the excellent Barber Institute. I was so glad that I did as it really is a fascinating little museum with such an array of well presented exhibits. I didn't know how long I would spend there but I found so much that was of interest I kept going around looking at the exhibits and finding more and more that interested me.
Written November 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
valharris27
Colchester, UK22 contributions
Aug 2022
We stayed at The Edgbaston Park Hotel especially so that we could visit this fantastic geology museum which is a short walk away It is not very large but is over two floors with a children's activity room on the ground floor. There is only one dinosaur there but the exhibits are well displayed and described and upstairs where the minerals are there was an interactive exhibit.
Entry is free.
Entry is free.
Written August 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My 7 year old son is doing a project about extreme earth (weather and it’s causes) would this museum be suitable?
Written January 28, 2023
Is there parking?
Written December 30, 2018
There is some directly outside the museum but we couldn’t as it’s part of uni campus so we couldn’t get a space (extremely limited). We parked in multi-storey on other side of campus and walked over (you pay in multi-storey).
Written December 31, 2018
Is this suitable for a 7 year old doing a school project on rocks n fossils?
Written July 29, 2017
Yes plenty of examples and some interactive stuff. Might be worth seeing if they have any school holiday activities
Written July 30, 2017
Hi
I have a 3 and a half ur old who is mad about dinosaurs. Would this museum be suitable?
Written February 14, 2017
Yes, definitely. There are lots of exciting things to look at! There is also an activity room with dinosaurs to colour in. The museum often has young children visiting. There is also written information for older children and adults.
Written February 23, 2017
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