New exhibition celebrates a lifetime of collecting fossils!
Calling all fossil fans! One man’s lifetime passion for fossil hunting is the subject of a remarkable new exhibition at the Jurassic Discovery centre in nearby Seaton.
Visitors will have the unique opportunity to enjoy the Leon Garner Fossil Collection, which showcases the lifelong work of fossil-hunter Leon Garner (1941-2024). This collection, never accessible to the public before, will be housed within the Jurassic Discovery exhibition and is included with entry to the animatronic Last Day of the Dinosaurs experience.
The collection, which features more than 1,500 fossils, was generously donated to Jurassic Discovery by Leon’s sister, Karenina Bennett and Megan Rodgers following his death in 2024.
Karenina said: “Leon’s fascination with fossils shaped so much of his life, and this collection is a wonderful tribute to that. I think he would be delighted at the outcome, as is his older brother, Stefan, and as am I. His collection tells the story of his adventures, his dedication, and his sheer determination to uncover the past. We are so pleased that others can now share in his lifelong passion.”
Mr Garner’s fascination with fossils began in childhood, as he explored the Jurassic Coast with his father Ron and brother Stefan. From hunting shark teeth at Bracklesham Bay to fossil expeditions in Morocco’s Atlas Mountains, Leon’s dedication to discovery spanned decades. His adventures, from sneaking into the Natural History Museum to camping in tin huts above the Lyme Regis cliffs, are now part of an exhibition that celebrates both his personal journey and the wider story of fossil collecting.
Karenina added: “Leon had wanted his collection to go to a museum and had expressed his wish to assist in education in terms of donating his microscopes. In his later years, he began to try to find a home for it all as an entire collection, but this had been problematic. Generally, only some items were wanted due to specialisation, or most of it would never have seen the light of day again. That’s why I’m so pleased that Jurassic Discovery has taken on the complete collection.”
The collection also features an exploration of the legacy of Mary Anning, the pioneering fossil collector of Lyme Regis, placing Leon’s contributions within the broader history of paleontological discovery.
Jenny Nunn, Chief Executive of Jurassic Discovery, said: “We are incredibly proud to unveil the Leon Garner Fossil Collection, offering visitors a glimpse into the extraordinary life of a man whose passion for fossils never faded. His story is one of curiosity, adventure, and a deep love for discovery - something we hope will inspire the next generation of fossil-hunters.”
The collection will also play a key role in expanding Jurassic Discovery’s educational offering, forming the basis for new learning sessions designed for schools and educational groups. These sessions will provide hands-on experiences, helping students engage with real fossils while learning about the history of palaeontology and the rich geological heritage of the Jurassic Coast.
The Leon Garner Fossil Collection will be on permanent display at Jurassic Discovery.
Find out more at Jurassicdiscovery.com
Leon Garner with his wife Sandra and Jenny the dog, in Sidmouth, around 1995. Photo courtesy of Leon Garner Family
