Natural History Centre

High Street, Godshill, PO38 3HZ (view map)
Telephone: 01983 840333
Website: www.shellmuseum.co.uk

Opening times: All year, daily
Admission prices: Adults £1.50, children £1.

A unique collection gathered from the earth and the sea. Housed in the delightful 17th century Squire's cottage. Opened by the BBC in 1965. The entrance to this exciting world has its own fish pond with Koi carp and display fountains.

Famous sea-shell collection of over 40,000 sea-shells from both tropical and local shores. Man's use of shells from the beginning of time as tokens of wealth, love and ornamentation. The importance of the shell as a symbol used in many circumstances and still used today. Includes the worlds tiniest shell, most poisonous shell mollusc and the most beautiful shells.

Precious and semi-precious stones displayed to reveal their wonderful colours. A set of crystal replicas showing the worlds most famous diamonds and how they were cut. Local fossils and dinosaur bones, minerals from around the world.

A colourful setting of stuffed birds and animals from Austrailia. Beautiful butterflies and other insects, small British mammals. Of interest to school parties.

The set of crown jewels on display was used for the rehearsal of the queen's coronation in 1953. They are crystal replicas not paste and are therefore quite an important set.

There is an aquarium featuring piranhas and many other colourful tropical fish. Display tanks showing coral, shells, stones etc. available in the shop.

There is a gift shop with an exciting range of precious and semi-precious stones sold separately or set in jewellery to display their natural beauty. Tropical shells, corals and starfish etc. for display, aquariums and around the home. Collectors minerals, crystals and fossils, some found locally and others from the far corners of the world. Childrens ranges include inexpensive fossils, educational toys, lifelike puppets and collectable boxed minerals.