Jurassic Pints

From April 2026 to October 2027, a 75% complete dinosaur skeleton will be on display in Hollytrees Museum. Discovered in Wyoming in 2020, it is thought that it may be a brand new species.
In this talk, Ben Paites will share the journey of Juliasaurus, a late Jurassic theropod. From its discovery to being put on display here in Colchester, he will answer some of the key questions people might be asking. What do we know about the species? What was the world she lived in like, almost 150 million years ago? Why is she visiting Essex?

Set inside a medieval church, the Colchester Natural History Museum has been telling Essex’s story since 1957 and is now undergoing its biggest transformation yet. The museum not only explores the county’s modern species and environments, but also its deep past, with over 11,000 fossil specimens spanning 100 million years in its collection. Join Dr Chris McKean to explore his personal museum highlights, handle real fossils and test your skills in ‘What’s That Fossil?’ with prizes to be won!

Join Peter, a volunteer for the Wildlife Trust based at the Naze Discovery centre, as he explains how he got involved with the Wildlife Trust and how his great passion for fossils began. Along the way, you will hear about why the Naze is the premier fossil site in Essex and how it has European significance, and what you need to know to find them yourself! Sit back and sip a pint as you learn all about the geology of the local area and even see real-life fossils!