Matthew Myerscough: In Search of Sea Dragons

Step into the wild landscapes of Wales’s ancient past with Cardiff-based fossil hunter Matthew Myerscough, as he talks about his remarkable debut book, In Search of Sea Dragons: A Fossil Hunter’s Odyssey.

Following a life-changing avalanche on the slopes of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), Matthew turned to fossil hunting as a way to slow down, reconnect with the natural world, and rebuild. What began as a hobby soon became a passion, leading him to the windswept cliffs of the Glamorgan Heritage Coast, the muddy banks of the River Severn, and lesser-known fossil sites across South Wales and Dorset.

Matthew will be talking about the book, sharing stories from the field, answering questions, and offering insight for aspiring fossil hunters of all ages. We’ll be starting at a little earlier than usual at 6.30pm, making this a family-friendly evening for anyone fascinated by fossils, the natural world, and the quiet thrill of discovery.

An inspiring, thoughtful event for adults and young explorers alike.

In Search of Sea Dragons
Part adventure narrative, part practical guide, Matthew charts his journey from novice to expert fossil hunter. Along the way, he reflects on mindfulness, wellbeing, and personal growth, while offering clear, accessible advice for anyone curious about starting their own fossil-hunting adventures. Central to the book is his months-long search for a dream discovery: a complete ichthyosaur - and the question of whether it is the find itself, or the journey towards it, that matters most.

Matthew Myerscough is a civil engineer and fossil hunter based in Cardiff, now well known within the fossil-hunting community for his extraordinary marine reptile discoveries. His finds include a beautifully preserved ichthyosaur skull, a rare plesiosaur flipper, and the lower jaw of a 16-foot-long pliosaurus — the first of its kind found in Wales — which he generously donated to National Museum Cardiff.

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Wednesday 1 April | 6.30 pm
Griffin Books, 9A Windsor Road, Penarth, CF64 1JB*
Tickets: From £5.00
BOOK NOW: GriffinBooksEvents.co.uk