Shipwreck Centre and Maritime Museum
Maritime museum at Arreton Barns with thousands of relics from shipwrecks around the Isle of Wight, run by the Maritime Archaeology Trust.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Shipwreck Centre and Maritime Museum began with the finds of Martin Woodward, who started diving on shipwrecks off the Isle of Wight in the 1960s. In 1978 he opened a museum at Bembridge to display the artefacts he had recovered. The museum moved to Arreton Barns in 2006, and since 2017 it has been managed by the Maritime Archaeology Trust, a charity.
The museum says it holds the largest exhibition of its kind in the UK, with thousands of relics from wrecks of galleons, steamships and wartime submarines, including pieces of eight and Spanish gold. The galleries cover Isle of Wight prehistory, including the submerged Bouldnor Cliff site, shipwreck stories, pirates and smuggling, antique diving equipment and ship models.
A gallery on protected wrecks presents finds from sites such as The Needles, HMS Pomone, the two Shingles wrecks, SS Faith, HMS Acheron and UB-81. A video room shows a 40-minute walkaround film presented by the founder. The museum runs a schools programme and free activities for children.
Highlights
- Thousands of relics from Isle of Wight shipwrecks, including pieces of eight and Spanish gold
- Protected Wrecks gallery with finds from The Needles, HMS Pomone, HMS Acheron and UB-81
- Bouldnor Cliff prehistory exhibition
- Antique diving equipment and ship models
- Video room with a 40-minute walkaround tour
Permanent exhibitions
- Protected Wrecks at Fifty – Finds and stories from protected wreck sites including The Needles, HMS Pomone, SS Faith, HMS Acheron and UB-81.
- Prehistory and Bouldnor Cliff – The history of underwater exploration and the 8,000-year-old submerged settlement site at Bouldnor Cliff.
- Main gallery: diving, maritime Isle of Wight and ship models – Historic diving equipment, local shipwrecks, maritime heritage of the island and ship models.
- Founded
- 1978
- Operated by
- Maritime Archaeology Trust
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £7 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £6Seniors and students |
| Children & teens | £3free up to age 4 · Children under 5 are free. |
| Seniors | £6 |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · Carers go free. |
| Students & apprentices | £6 |
| Groups | –Group visits and private tours can be pre-booked by email. |
| Families | £18 |
Tickets are sold at the door; online tickets are also available. Various discounts and promotions apply.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Dogs are welcome.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 4 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | £18 |
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
Free children’s activities, including a scavenger hunt, a quiz and colouring pages, are available from the front desk. The museum also holds storytelling sessions and special events during the year.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Arreton Barns
From the Red Funnel terminal in East Cowes take bus 5 to Newport and change to bus 8; from the Red Jet terminal in West Cowes take bus 1 to Newport and change to bus 8.
By car
Free parking
Free parking in the main car park of Arreton Barns and in overflow car parks in the field.
The museum is on the A3056 between Newport and Sandown; the postcode for navigation is PO30 3AA. It is at the end of the path through the craft village, opposite the carp pond and next to the 12th-century church. It is a stop on the Havenstreet Steam Cycle route.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
The gift shop sells local and maritime-themed gifts.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Audio guide | no |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | A video room shows a 40-minute walkaround tour of the museum presented by the founder. Schools can book a two-hour programme at £3.50 per pupil, with accompanying adults free; the sessions include artefact handling and craft activities. Group visits and private tours can be arranged by email. |
