Cool Places
Dinosaur Isle
Culver Parade Sandown PO36 8QA
Dinosaur Isle opened a decade ago, taking over the job of housing the island’s extensive geology and fossil collections from the Museum of Isle of Wight Geology. That move could have been a footnote in the fossil world were it not for the fact that this is the first, purpose-built fossil exhibition in Europe – you won’t miss the unusual, pterosaur-shaped design – and it has become one of the island’s signature attractions. Deservedly so, for with more than a thousand of the collection’s best fossils on display, as well as animated models and enthusiastic and very well informed staff, this is an exceptional show. It’s a great place to bring children, who can do fossil rubbings and try out fossil-hunting in the sand.
