Dinosaur Isle

About

Closed from 1 September until early 2026

Dinosaur Isle will close from the beginning of September 2025 re-opening in January 2026 (date to be confirmed) as it undergoes essential repair work. 

The works are funded by the Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND) which provides capital funding for Accredited museums. The funding stream is targeted at historic buildings and nationally important collections. Led by Arts Council England (ACE) investment of £498,000 has been awarded to undertake essential repair work at Dinosaur Isle Museum. The council itself is contributing £180,000 towards the major project. The works will include essential roof repairs, provide new lighting in some exhibition spaces, and install heating and air conditioning.

Staff will still be accessible by telephone (01983 404344) and email to answer enquiries and assist with identifications throughout the closed period.

Dinosaur Isle Museum is the start to your journey into the Island’s prehistoric past!

Britain's first purpose-built dinosaur attraction is just over the sea wall from Sandown’s blue flag beach. In the heart of the Isle of Wight UNESCO Biosphere Reserve the museum is a spectacular Pterosaur-shaped building soaring over Sandown Bay.  It is also just a short walk to where the dinosaurs roamed 125 million years ago.

The museum is home to almost every newly discovered dinosaur from the UK, with many of the real bones on display. Set in amongst a recreated landscape you will meet life-sized models of the Isle of Wight's famous five dinosaurs - NEOVENATOR, EOTYRANNUS, IGUANODON, HYPSILOPHODON and POLACANTHUS. Flying above you amongst the haunting sounds of a long-lost forest are pterodactyls.

You will see dinosaur skeletons as they are found by the fossil hunters and can watch our professional staff, and volunteers preparing the latest exciting finds. At Dinosaur Isle you will be able to encounter the lost world of dinosaurs that once roamed the Isle of Wight.

As well as the dinosaurs are fossils from across the Island representing the different layers of rock and ages which make our beautiful landscape. The tusks of Ice Age elephants, the teeth and bones of tropical alligators, and a wide variety of fossil shells and ammonites. The fossils take you back to the animals and plants that shared the Cretaceous biosphere.

We usually keep one of our qualified palaeontologists on site to be available to identify your finds, as well as give advice on where to look yourself. Just ask at the lab door or reception. As the only accredited dinosaur museum on the Island, our collections are held for future generations to enjoy and learn from.

FUTURISTIC DINOSAUR:
Amongst the many hands-on interactives in the museum there is even a robotic dinosaur that you can control!

Quality Assured Visitor Attraction

Accredited Museum