Dinosaur Isle
Isle of Wight council museum on the Sandown seafront with real island fossils, life-size dinosaur models and guided fossil walks.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Dinosaur Isle is the Isle of Wight’s museum of dinosaurs and other fossils, which opened in 2001 on the seafront at Sandown. The island is well known for its fossils, and the museum shows real finds from the island next to life-size models and walk-through scenes of prehistoric landscapes. It is run by the Isle of Wight Council.
The museum also offers guided fossil walks on the nearby beaches, a weekly quiet hour for visitors who prefer a calmer visit, and a programme for schools. In September 2025 it closed for essential repairs. A grant of £498,000 from the Museum Estate and Development Fund, led by Arts Council England, was combined with £180,000 from the council to pay for a new roof, better heating and air conditioning and new lighting in the galleries to protect the fossils. The museum reopened in March 2026. Visitors can also buy a year ticket that allows repeat visits, and entry is cheaper for children, students and pensioners.
Highlights
- Real dinosaur and other fossils found on the Isle of Wight
- Life-size animatronic dinosaurs
- Walk-through scenes of prehistoric landscapes
- Hands-on exhibits for families
- Guided fossil walks on the beach and a weekly quiet hour
Permanent exhibition
- Dinosaurs and fossils of the Isle of Wight – Real island fossils, life-size dinosaur models and walk-through scenes of prehistoric landscapes.
- Founded
- 2001
- Operated by
- Isle of Wight Council
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £8 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £5Students and pensioners |
| Children & teens | £5free up to age 4 · Child ticket for ages 5 to 15; under-5s are free. |
| Seniors | £5Pensioner concession. |
| Students & apprentices | £5Student concession. |
| Families | £18Family day tickets cost £18.00 (1 adult and 3 children), £19.50 (2 adults and 1 child), £20.00 (2 adults and 2 children) or £24.00 (2 adults and 3 children). |
| Year ticket, adult | £15 |
| Year ticket, concession | £12 |
| Year ticket, child | £10 |
| Public fossil walk, adult | £7Booking by phone is required. |
| Public fossil walk, child | £4Booking by phone is required. |
Tickets can be bought at reception and no advance booking is needed. Family year tickets cost between £40.00 and £45.00.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum describes itself as easy to reach by wheelchair, and a tourism listing mentions level access, a lift and three designated disabled parking bays. Only guide dogs are permitted in the building. The weekly Wednesday quiet hour turns off sound effects and audio narration.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 4 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | £18 · Family day tickets cost £18.00 (1 adult and 3 children), £19.50 (2 adults and 1 child), £20.00 (2 adults and 2 children) or £24.00 (2 adults and 3 children). |
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
- Stroller-friendly
- Baby changing facilities
The museum describes itself as easy to visit with small children, and it has hands-on exhibits, baby-changing facilities and guided fossil walks. A quiet hour runs every Wednesday morning.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Sandown station
Rail: the Island Line runs to Sandown station.
By car
Paid parking
A public pay-and-display car park is directly behind the museum; the disabled bays are on the tarmac section.
- Accessible parking
The museum is on Culver Parade on the seafront at Sandown.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
The shop sells dinosaur models, toys and educational items, as well as cold drinks and confectionery. Items can also be ordered by phone.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided fossil walks on the beach run on selected dates and must be booked by phone. |
