Skip to main content Accessibility statement

We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience.

By clicking the Accept button, you agree to us doing so. More info on our cookie policy.

Histories of Northamptonshire
View in timeline

Dinosaur Footprint

166 million years ago Geologic to Prehistoric

This 166-million-year-old dinosaur footprint cast, found in Irchester, is Northamptonshire’s first dinosaur evidence, likely made by a Megalosaurus

Dinosaur footprint cast, one of several found at Irchester Country Park. © NMAG
Dinosaur footprint cast, one of several found at Irchester Country Park.
Reconstruction of Megalosaurus with a mostly hypothetical head © Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Reconstruction of Megalosaurus with a mostly hypothetical head

This dinosaur footprint (technically a footprint cast) is the first evidence of dinosaurs ever found in Northamptonshire. Found in Irchester Country Park in early 2024, it has been confirmed as probably belonging to a large meat-eating dinosaur called a Megalosaurus which lived around 166 million years ago.

During this period, called the Middle Jurassic, Northamptonshire was part of a narrow seaway between two land masses and the climate was much warmer.

At some point during this time a dinosaur walked across soft ground, possibly a sandy shore, leaving behind impressions of its feet. Over time, sediment (like sand, volcanic ash, or mud) washed into the footprint and filled it. These layers hardened into rock over millions of years until eventually, erosion (from wind, water, or geological activity) wore away the upper layers covering the filled footprint and only hardened infill remained as a raised cast of the original footprint. Another two such footprint casts have since been found in Irchester Country Park. The footprint cast measures approximately 1 metre in width.

Number 4 of the objects selected for the A History of Northamptonshire in 100 Objects Exhibition 2025

Irchester Country Park
Contributed by Stephen Pulley

Explore related content (external site)

See our disclaimer

Previous object
Next object

Related objects

  • Neolithic flint axe found in Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire © NMAG
    Geologic to Prehistoric

    Thorpe (Neolithic) Axe

    The Thorpe axe, named after the finder of the Axe in the inter-war years, is a large neolithic flint axe found in Higham Ferrers.

  • pieces of decorative marble from Piddington Roman villa © UNAS
    Roman and Early Medieval

    Mediterranean marble used as decorative inlays on luxurious Roman furniture

    These marble pieces were excavated at the Roman villa at Piddington, from a third or fourth century rubbish heap.

  • Fossil brachiopod Kallirhynchia sharpi. © NMAG
    Geologic to Prehistoric

    Jurassic Fossil Kallirhynchia sharpi

    168 million years ago, Northamptonshire lay beneath a warm sea teeming with marine life, including this fossil brachiopod Kallirhynchia sharpi.

  • Fossil screw pine - Pandanocarpum ooliticum (Carruthers) © NMAG
    Geologic to Prehistoric

    Screw Pine Fossil

    This screw pine fossil is a rare type specimen. Parts of Jurassic Northamptonshire were submerged in a shallow warm sea and tropical plants thrived on the nearby land.