Gram Clay Pit & Palaeontology Museum
Dig into a 10‑million‑year‑old seabed, then step indoors to meet colossal whale fossils and giant sharks at Denmark’s hands-on Gram Clay Pit.
Gram Clay Pit in southern Jutland is a rare place where you can literally dig into Denmark’s prehistoric past. Ten million years ago this was the seabed of the Gram Sea; today, an engaging palaeontology museum and adjoining clay pit invite you to learn about ancient whales, giant sharks like Megalodon, and a host of marine creatures. Families and fossil fans can borrow tools and rubber boots, hunt for fossils in the soft clay, then step indoors to see spectacular whale skeletons and expertly curated exhibitions that bring this vanished ocean world to life.
A brief summary to Gram Clay Pit
- Lergravsvej 2, Gram, 6510, DK
- +4565370806
- Visit website
- Duration: 1.5 to 4 hours
- Budget
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Mixed
- Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
- Monday 10 am-5 pm
- Tuesday 10 am-5 pm
- Wednesday 10 am-5 pm
- Thursday 10 am-5 pm
- Friday 10 am-5 pm
- Saturday 10 am-5 pm
- Sunday 10 am-5 pm
Local tips
- Wear old clothes and bring spare socks; the clay gets extremely muddy, especially after rain, and you may be kneeling or sitting in it while digging.
- Start at the museum exhibition or introductory film before heading into the pit so you know which fossils to look for and what might be scientifically important.
- In school and summer holidays, time your visit for guided fossil hunting sessions, when staff are present in the pit to help identify your finds.
- Show any bones, teeth or unusual pieces to museum staff; common shells can usually be kept, but rare fossils may need to stay for research.
- Check seasonal opening dates and last entry times in advance, as the museum is typically closed from November to March.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drink Options
- Drinking Water
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Sheltered Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
- Visitor Center
Getting There
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Car from Haderslev
From Haderslev town centre, driving to Gram Clay Pit typically takes 25–35 minutes. The route follows regional roads through the countryside with clear signage near Gram. Parking is available by the museum and is usually free, but spaces can fill on busy summer days. There is no entrance fee for parking, but standard museum admission of roughly DKK 80–90 per adult and reduced rates for children apply at the entrance.
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Car from Ribe
If you are staying in Ribe, expect a 25–35 minute drive to Gram along regional roads. Traffic is generally light and the approach to Lergravsvej is straightforward. Parking by the museum is at ground level and suitable for regular cars; no 4x4 is needed. Visiting the clay pit itself is included in the museum ticket, which is usually around DKK 80–90 for adults, with family and child discounts available.
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Bus and short walk from Gram town
Local buses connect Gram with nearby towns such as Haderslev and Ribe, with journey times in the 30–45 minute range depending on route and departures. From central Gram, you can walk to the clay pit area in about 20–30 minutes along pavements and quiet roads, though surfaces may be uneven close to the site. Bus fares within the region are typically around DKK 20–40 one way, paid by card or travel card, and timetables can be reduced on weekends and public holidays.
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Cycling from Gram surroundings
The gently rolling countryside around Gram makes cycling a pleasant way to reach the clay pit. From accommodation in or near Gram, expect 10–30 minutes of cycling on a mix of minor roads and local cycle-friendly routes. There are no major climbs, but surfaces can be rough near the pit, so wider tyres are helpful. There is no extra charge to bring a bike onto the grounds, and standard museum entrance fees apply when you access the exhibition and borrow digging equipment.
Gram Clay Pit location weather suitability
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Clear Skies
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Mild Temperatures
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Any Weather
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Rain / Wet Weather
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Cold Weather
Discover more about Gram Clay Pit
A former seabed turned open-air fossil playground
Ten million years ago, the quiet fields around Gram lay beneath the waters of the Gram Sea, a shallow arm of the ancient North Sea. At Gram Clay Pit, you stand on what was once the soft seabed, now exposed as grey-black clay rich in fossil treasures. The active clay pit stretches as a broad, open bowl in the landscape, its terraced sides and pools of water hinting at the site’s industrial past. Visitors come here not just to look, but to get their hands dirty. The museum lends spades, small tools and rubber boots, so you can step down into the clay and start searching. The material is soft and easy to work, making this a particularly accessible fossil site for curious beginners and children.Whales, Megalodon and other legends of the Gram Sea
Right beside the pit, the palaeontology museum reveals what once swam above this seabed. Inside, you encounter some of Denmark’s largest fossilised whale skeletons, including species like Uranocetus, suspended or displayed in dramatic gallery spaces. These remains come directly from the clay layers outside and represent species not found anywhere else. Displays on giant sharks such as Megalodon, along with fossils of seals, rays, fish, crabs, sea urchins, snails and mussels, fill in the food web of this ancient sea. Clear texts and models show how scientists use these finds to reconstruct climate, currents and ecosystems from millions of years ago.Hands-on fossil hunting for all ages
Out in the pit, the experience becomes wonderfully tactile. You scrape through the moist clay, watching for the tell-tale shine of a shell or the distinctive form of a sea urchin. Common discoveries include mussel and snail shells and small invertebrates, which you are usually allowed to take home as souvenirs of your time travel. To help you get started, the museum offers introductory films and, in holiday periods, a Fossil Hunter guide who roams the pit giving tips, identifying finds and explaining why some pieces are scientifically important. Any bones, teeth or unusual specimens are shown to staff and, if rare, may be kept for the national fossil collection.From working clay quarry to centre of science
The story of Gram Clay Pit is also one of industrial heritage. For decades, the clay layers were quarried for brick production, gradually revealing the fossil-bearing strata. As spectacular finds emerged, the area attracted palaeontologists and eventually a dedicated museum, which moved to its current building beside the pit in the early 2000s. Today, research continues behind the scenes. New excavations, painstaking preparation of bones and scientific collaborations all flow from the material still coming out of the clay. Visiting the site, you glimpse this ongoing work through information panels and changing displays that highlight recent discoveries.Planning your visit to a seasonal outdoor site
Gram Clay Pit is primarily a seasonal destination. The museum and organised activities usually run from April to October, when weather and light suit outdoor digging; the site is generally closed in winter. Clay and water make the pit muddy, especially after rain, so sturdy clothing is essential. Fortunately, the museum’s stock of boots and tools means you can travel light. The combination of indoor exhibition and outdoor quarry makes it easy to tailor a visit. You might spend a short time exploring the galleries before trying a quick dig, or devote several hours to a slow, methodical hunt broken up by museum breaks. Benches, simple facilities and the relatively flat surroundings support a relaxed day out in the name of deep time.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
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Kammerslusen Ribe
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Saint Michaels Church
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Borchs Gård
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Saint Nicolas Church
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Milling Hotel Saxildhus
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Kolding St.
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stormflodssøjlen mandø
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Rømødæmningen
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Unmissable attractions to see
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Glad Zoo
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Museum For Vikingtid Og Middelalder
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Museet Ribes Vikinger
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Ribe VikingeCenter
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Wooden bridges
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Buste af Jacob A. Riis
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Essential places to dine
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Ribehøj
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Ribe Pizza & Grill
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Ribe Bryghus
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Skovgrillen Ribe
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Mama Mia Pizza
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Relaxed pizzeria and takeaway near Ribe’s historic heart, serving generous, family-friendly pizzas, pastas and café classics at moderate prices all week.
Mr.Fish Sushi Ribe
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Saltgades Pølsevogn
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Postgaarden
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Mongolian Barbeque
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Huset Ribe
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Sct. Peder Butik & Café
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Peking House Restaurant
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Terpager & Co
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Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
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Røde Kors Butik
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Like ANNA Ribe
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Kvickly Ribe
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NORMAL Ribe, Saltgade
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Compact everyday-discount store in Ribe’s historic center, ideal for low-priced toiletries, snacks, and household basics between sightseeing stops.
Only
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Moxi
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Frøken Anna
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Tip Top I/S
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Tøjeksperten
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Essential bars & hidden hideouts
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Termansens
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Klubben 1811
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Grosmann's
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Bodega Pubs v/ Kim
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Tribunen ApS
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Boldts Bar
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Snapstinget
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Drop-inn ( 75 50 34 92 )
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Papegøjen
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Nightclubs & after hour spots
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Fishi
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Pitstop
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No.31 - Bar & Natklub
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Kabyssen
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Club Fanø Rindby
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For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Adventurous
- Fun-filled
- Unique
- Casual
- Scenic
For the architecture buff
- Modern
- Parks & Gardens
- Landmarks
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
For the social media creator & influencer
- Photo Spots
- Selfie Spots
- Reel-Friendly
- Architectural Shots
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Low Impact
- Public-Transport Accessible
- Leave-No-Trace Critical
- Locally Managed
- Wildlife Habitat
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Adventure Photo Shoot
- Nature Escape
- Day Trip
- Roadtrip Stop
- Myth & Legends
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly
- Vegetarian Friendly
- Vegan Friendly
