About
Dinosaur Isle is Europe's first purpose-built dinosaur museum, located on the seafront at Sandown on the Isle of Wight — an island that ranks as one of the richest sources of dinosaur fossils in Europe and one of the most important dinosaur fossil sites in the world. The Isle of Wight has yielded the remains of over twenty species of dinosaur, and the museum brings these extraordinary finds together in a spectacular building designed to resemble a giant pterosaur, its sweeping roof and dramatic silhouette immediately recognisable from the beach and seafront.
The Cretaceous rocks exposed along the Isle of Wight's coastal cliffs — particularly between Compton Bay and Yaverland — are continuously eroded by the sea, regularly revealing new fossil specimens that have lain hidden for over 125 million years. This geological good fortune has made the island a magnet for palaeontologists and fossil hunters for over two centuries, with major scientific discoveries still being made today. In 2021, two new species of apex predatory dinosaurs were named from Isle of Wight material — among the largest predatory dinosaurs ever found in Europe.
The museum opened in 2001, purpose-designed for its role as a centre of dinosaur education and fossil interpretation. Its collection includes genuine fossil specimens from the island alongside life-size dinosaur reconstructions, interactive exhibits and an outstanding programme of fossil discovery activities. The combination of real science — authentic specimens from the Cretaceous period — with vivid interpretation and hands-on engagement makes Dinosaur Isle one of the most effective science education venues in the South of England.
Key species represented in the museum include Neovenator salerii — the large island-dwelling predator first identified in the 1990s — Iguanodon bernissartensis, the famous plant-eating dinosaur whose remains have been found in abundance on the island, and Baryonyx walkeri, the remarkable fish-eating spinosaur. Pterosaurs, crocodilians and marine reptiles from the island's fossil record are also represented, providing a comprehensive picture of the Cretaceous ecosystem that existed here when the island was a river delta environment teeming with life.
Regular guided fossil walks to the beaches where fossils are still being found today extend the museum experience into the landscape itself, giving visitors the extraordinary opportunity to search for genuinely ancient remains under expert guidance. These walks are among the most popular activities the museum offers and represent a direct connection between the display cases inside and the living science happening outside on the cliffs and shores.
Categories:
Plan Your Visit
⏱️ Recommended Visit Duration
📅 Best Times to Visit
💡 Visitor Tips
- Book the guided fossil walk in advance — they are extremely popular and fill up quickly in summer, especially during school holidays
- Visit Yaverland beach (1 mile north of the museum) after your visit for a chance to find your own fossils in the Wealden cliffs — you do not need to book a guided walk to visit the beach independently
- The museum shop has an excellent selection of real fossil specimens for sale if you want to take a genuine piece of Cretaceous history home with you
- The café overlooks the beach — a perfect place for lunch or ice cream after the museum, especially on sunny days
- Children under 10 in particular will be thrilled by the hands-on fossil discovery activities — allow plenty of time in the Discovery Zone
- Check the museum website for current pricing and the fossil walk schedule before your visit, as these change seasonally
- The Isle of Wight's coastal path near Sandown provides beautiful walking with views of the Culver Cliff where fossils are found — combine with your museum visit for a full day
- The museum is easily combined with a visit to Brading Roman Villa (4 miles) for a full day of prehistoric and ancient heritage on the island
Highlights
Discover the unique exhibits and collections at this museum.
Collections
The museum holds a significant collection of dinosaur fossils from the Isle of Wight alongside associated Cretaceous fauna including marine reptiles, pterosaurs, crocodilians and fish.
Key specimens include material attributed to Neovenator, Iguanodon, Baryonyx and various sauropod species. The collection is regularly supplemented by new discoveries from the island's coastal exposures.
Many specimens are on long-term loan from the Natural History Museum, London.
Walk with Dinosaurs
The main gallery featuring life-size dinosaur reconstructions of species found on the Isle of Wight, with fossil specimens and detailed interpretation of the Cretaceous ecosystem that existed here 125 million years ago.
Fossil Discovery Zone
Hands-on area where visitors of all ages can handle real fossil specimens, use excavation tools in a replica dig and learn the skills of palaeontology through direct engagement with genuine Cretaceous material.
Isle of Wight Palaeontology
The scientific story of fossil discovery on the Isle of Wight from the earliest Victorian collectors to the latest discoveries, including the identification of new species and the ongoing importance of the island to palaeontological science.
Prehistoric Seas and Skies
Displays covering the marine reptiles, pterosaurs and other flying and swimming animals that shared the Cretaceous world with the dinosaurs, many represented by Isle of Wight fossil material.
Themes
Time Periods
Current Exhibitions
No current exhibitions. Please check the museum website for updates.