Dinosaur Island: Places to visit on the Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight has earned the name ‘Dinosaur Island’ due to it having one of the richest sources of dinosaur remains in Europe. And thanks to this there are loads of dinosaur-themed attractions here that will be sure winners with dino crazy kids. Here we list the best Dinosaur places to visit on the Isle of Wight…

Dinosaur Isle

Dinosaur Isle in Sandown is a highly interactive museum where children can enjoy touring around touching fossils and solving puzzles on the way. The museum houses many of the Isle of Wight’s important collections of geology and fossils, all beautifully displayed for visitors to see. This is a real treat for lovers of prehistoric history, and there are fossils dating here back to the Ice Age and Cretaceous period. Kids will love the life sized skeletal reconstructions and animatronic dinosaurs. Prices are around £16 for a family ticket. The museum also arranges a number of guided fossil walks around sites of paleontological and geological interest on the island which must be booked in advance.

Compton Bay

Compton Beach, located in the west of the island, is a two mile stretch of sandy shore set against a stunning backdrop of sandstone and white chalk cliffs. Great for surfing, Compton is also ideal for a bit of fossil hunting. Around 125 million years ago the coastal area above Compton beach consisted of muddy lagoons where dinosaurs roamed; in the sticky mud they left their footprints which eventually became fossilised along with their bones when they died. As the cliffs eroded these remains fell down to the beach and visitors today can still find fossils buried in the sand - you might even find some teeth! Be sure to check out the large 3-toed footcasts of the Iguanodn dinosaur at the bottom of the cliffs. Compton is one of the best places to find fossils and there is car park and toilets - bring food and other necessities with you as there are no shops nearby.

Blackgang Chine

This is a fun, enchanting theme park particularly for younger children that has regular dinosaur themed events. Open from April to October, there are loads of rides and attractions at Blackgang Chine, including roller coasters, a maze and water slides. Even better, every Thursday in August you can be a part of Dinosaurs Discovery Day, where you can learn all about these fascinating creatures that once ruled the Earth. There are many fun-filled activities such as talks from dinosaur experts, a chance to make your own dinosaur foot print and find out what kind of dinosaur you’d be along with various quizzes and competitions to enter throughout the day. Family tickets are £45-£55 and provide entry for a whole week.

Dinosaur Expeditions

Dinosaur Expeditions is a community interest company which promotes responsible fossil discovery and conservation on the Island. They hold a number of fun and interesting fossil hunting trips in various locations that get great reviews. The centre itself has some interesting fossil displays which are explained in detail by the company’s enthusiastic and friendly staff. This makes for a friendly and informative afternoon at a venture well worth supporting.

Yaverland Beach

Yaverland Beach is one of the islands best beaches providing a wonderful long stretch of sand ideal for families. There are great opportunities for swimming and exploring rock pools here, not to mention its popularity with dinosaur lovers. The orange sandstone cliffs are the ideal place to discover fossil remains. The Yaverland Meteorite and Fossil Walk takes place here each year. This guided walk helps you discover the best fossils the beach has to offer and at only 2 miles in length it is deal for families with young children. A family ticket for one of these walks is around £16 and booking is advised.

The Isle of Wight is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit if you are looking for a fun family holiday that will keep the kids entertained. The many dinosaur-themed attractions here are sure to delight children and adults alike and offer a unique opportunity to step far back in time and have lots of fun while doing so.