Exhibition:Lily’s Fossil Footprint
When 4-year-old Lily Wilder went down to a beach in south Wales, she came across something roar-some… a 220-million-year-old fossil!
The fossil she found is a type of footprint called Evazoum, which was made around 220 million years ago by a currently unknown herbivorous dinosaur.
This fossilised dinosaur footprint from 220 million years ago is one of the best-preserved examples of its type from anywhere in the UK.
A note on fossil hunting
Fossils are a very special part of Wales’s heritage, but they can easily be damaged if people try to collect them. Although many families enjoy fossil hunting, the Museum stresses that this needs to be carried out responsibly. Members of the public should only take home a limited number of small, loose fossils from beaches where it is legally permitted to do so.
Special permission had to be sought from Natural Resources Wales to legally remove Lily’s fossil specimen. Bendricks Beach is under private ownership and is legally protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The collection of any rocks, minerals, and fossils from this site is not permitted and can result in large fines.
The landowner, the British Institute for Geological Conservation, is a charity that works to conserve natural heritage through site ownership, education, and community engagement.
Information
Lily Wilder (4 years old), who discovered the fossil at Bendricks Bay with the specimen in the Main Hall at National Museum Cardiff
Plan your visit
Opening Hours
Our opening hours are changing for the winter season.
From Tuesday 5 November until 28 February 2025, we will be open 10am – 4pm.
Parking
A Visitor Car Park is situated behind the Museum, off Museum Avenue. Visitors parking here will receive a ticket at the point of entry and need to pay £6.50 for the day at a pay-station located at the rear of the car park. Please note that the pay-stations only accept card payments – no cash payments are accepted. Visitors can use any credit/debit cards (except for American Express), or Apple or Android Pay.
Parking is free to blue badge holders. Please use the intercom at the exit barrier to verify your blue badge permit. Disabled parking is also available at the front of the Museum, on Gorsedd Gardens Road.
Visting by public transport, bike or foot?
You can plan your journey using the Traveline Cymru website or by calling their helpline on 0800 464 0000.
Eat, Drink, Shopping
- The Museum café in the Main Hall is open every day 10am-4pm offering a range of drinks and snacks.
- The restaurant is open weekends and bank holidays at 11am-3pm.
Accessibility
If you prefer to visit when we’re less crowded, there are usually fewer people on our site from 3pm each day.
Access GuideSite map
Download the Site Map >Location
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