Dinosaur Isle

About

Dinosaur Isle is a unique, purpose-built museum that brings the age of dinosaurs to life on the Isle of Wight’s south coast. The landmark building, designed in the shape of a giant pterosaur, sits on the charming beachside town of Sandown and showcases more than 40,000 fossils, skeleton replicas and immersive displays that transport visitors back to the prehistoric world. From the moment guests enter, they are greeted with an animated Ophthalmosaurus recreation from BBC’s *Walking with Dinosaurs* and a vivid journey through Pleistocene and Mesozoic ecosystems. The museum’s flagship exhibit is a life‑size allosauroid, Neovenator salerii, which was discovered near the Isle of Wight in 1978 and is displayed in spectacular detail. The central dinosaur hall is home to over 100 species of dinosaur skeletons, including the iconic Iguanodon MIWG.5126 "Pink Iggy" and a large Allosaurid replica. Beyond the main hall, visitors can explore the museum’s dedicated sections on marine life, pterosaur reconstructions, and interactive fossil‑hunting activities that are especially popular with school groups and families. With over 60,000 annual visitors, Dinosaur Isle offers a blend of scientific rigor and engaging storytelling that appeals to history enthusiasts, dinosaur lovers, and curious minds of all ages.