Planet Earth Museum

About the museum

Planet Earth Museum is one of the attractions at Paradise Park in Newhaven, East Sussex, where it stands alongside the gardens, play areas and a separate local history museum. Its displays follow the story of the planet from rocks more than four billion years old to the present day.

The galleries show how life began with single-celled organisms and developed into shelled animals about 560 million years ago, and they include fossils, minerals and crystals, some of them up to 500 million years old. A dinosaur zone imagines what Sussex looked like around 65 million years ago, and it recalls that the first dinosaur fossil was found in Sussex in 1834.

Further sections cover the arrival of early humans in Europe some 60,000 years ago, including a Neanderthal zone with tools copied from a recent archaeological dig. The museum closes with a message about protecting biodiversity.

Highlights

• Fossils, minerals and crystals up to 500 million years old
• Dinosaur zone showing Sussex 65 million years ago
• Neanderthal zone with replica tools
• Timeline from rocks over four billion years old to modern humans
• Included in the day pass for Paradise Park

Permanent exhibitions

• Planet Earth Museum – A walk through the history of the planet, from ancient rocks and early single-celled life to shelled animals, with fossils, minerals and crystals.
• Dinosaur zone – Shows what life in Sussex may have looked like 65 million years ago and notes the first dinosaur fossil found in the county.
• Neanderthal zone – Introduces early humans in Europe, with tools reproduced from a recent archaeological dig.

Operated by

Paradise Park

Admission & discounts

The day pass covers the museum together with the gardens and play areas. The prices shown are those published for the summer saving scheme (25 June to 1 September); prices at other times of year may differ. Extras such as the train ride (£1.50) are charged separately.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The park describes itself as wheelchair accessible, with mainly flat or tarmac paths and ramps where needed. A limited number of free self-propelled wheelchairs can be borrowed from the garden centre customer services desk. Accessible toilets are at the front of the park and within the visitor attraction. Disabled parking is next to the entrance. Only fully trained assistance dogs are allowed in the attractions.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

The park has ample space for pushchairs and wheelchairs, and every toilet has baby-changing facilities. Indoor and outdoor play areas are on site, and birthday parties with a private room are offered from £15.99 per head, with free entry for the birthday child.

Getting there & parking

The park is at Avis Road in Newhaven; its website does not give public transport directions.

Amenities & dining

• Café

The park has a coffee shop (open daily; shorter hours on Sundays) and a coffee pod. The garden centre is on the same site.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit