Dinosaur Isle Reopens Tomorrow After Major £678,000 Refurbishment

Dinosaur Isle Museum reopens its doors tomorrow (Tuesday) after a £498,000 refurbishment, supported by the Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND) and a further £180,000 from Isle of Wight Council.

The Sandown seafront attraction will welcome visitors from 10am, following essential upgrades to protect its nationally important fossil collections and improve the visitor experience.

Work included a new roof, updated lighting, and improved heating and air‑conditioning to safeguard more than 35,000 fossils, many unique to the Island.

The museum also has a new curator and general manager, Dr David Button, and highlights include the fossil remains of the Island’s newest named dinosaur — Istiorachis — discovered in early 2025, just before the closure for repairs.

Visitors can also watch ongoing research in the museum’s fossil lab.

While the building remains instantly recognisable, some external maintenance will

continue, with scaffolding in place for a short period.

Visitors with access needs are advised to call ahead on 404344.

Opening hours from 17 March are 10am to 4pm, Tuesday to Saturday, with daily opening from 30 March to 10 April during the Easter holidays.

The refurbishment is part of a wider investment in the Island’s cultural heritage, helping to protect Dinosaur Isle’s world-class collections and enhance the visitor experience on Sandown seafront.