The museum holds a comprehensive archive of the work of Charles Lapworth, who famously defined the Ordovician geological period.
The collection includes the 'Dudley Bug' (Calymene blumenbachii), a signature trilobite fossil that serves as a symbol for the geology of the West Midlands.
The museum displays original geological maps drawn by Charles Lapworth himself, reflecting early advancements in stratigraphy.
The collection houses fossilized remains of marine reptiles, such as Ichthyosaurs and Plesiosaurs, found within UK deposits.
It maintains a significant collection of rare minerals and gemstones, including specimens donated by Victorian-era industrialists and collectors.
The building's architecture is a Grade II listed structure designed by Sir Aston Webb, who also designed the main facade of Buckingham Palace.
The Lapworth Museum of Geology is located within the historic Aston Webb Building at the University of Birmingham. It houses one of the oldest and most extensive geological collections in the United Kingdom, originating from the mid-19th century. The museum showcases over 250,000 specimens, including fossils, minerals, and rocks spanning 3.5 billion years of Earth's history. Key exhibits feature displays on the evolution of life, the geology of the English Midlands, and the history of scientific research. It is named after Charles Lapworth, a pioneering geologist and the university's first professor of geology. The facility provides a research-focused environment with interactive stations and tactile displays. It is free to the public and serves both academic and educational purposes. The space was significantly refurbished in 2016 to improve accessibility and modern exhibition standards. It remains a primary destination for those interested in paleontology and mineralogy within the West Midlands.
The central atrium beneath the glass ceiling, which provides natural light for photographing the larger fossil displays.
Check the university's campus map before arrival as the building has multiple entrances.
Look for the 'Lapworth Explorers' trails if visiting with children to engage with the collection.
Use the onsite digital kiosks to zoom in on high-resolution images of specimens that are too fragile for direct handling.
Do not attempt to park directly outside the museum, as campus parking is strictly permit-only for staff and students.
Closed on Mondays. Open to the public Tuesday through Sunday.
