VISITING

LAST ADMISSION ONE HOUR BEFORE CLOSING.

We sometimes close for essential maintenance during January, however during 2012 we will be open every day.

There are three areas, close to the museum, for parking.

Behind the museum is a tarmac surfaced car-park with 16 car spaces and 3 designated disabled bays. Nearby is a gravel-surfaced car-park with 155 car spaces, 4 disabled bays and a hard-standing for 3 to 4 motorcycles. A side road can be used for 5 to 6 coaches during school visits. Parking for school coaches is free during term time, but coaches must use the designated side-road.

Parking charges operate from 1st April to 31st October (including bank holidays), 7 days a week, from 10am to 6pm.

Charges for 2011 are as follows -

upto 4 hours £3.40
4 - 6 hours £4.50
6 - 8 hours £6.60

The tickets from the machines near the museum are two-part.  Bring in the voucher part to the museum for redemption of £2.50 against admissions only. 

There is additional parking available further away at Fort Street Car-Park, Yaverland Car-Park and some on-street parking nearer the town centre. Standard IW Council charges apply for these areas. No vouchers are produced for these areas.

A view of the museums parking areas can be seen on the About Us webpage.

For education groups, societies and clubs please contact us if you wish to bring a large group.

We can be contacted by:

• telephone: (01983) 404344
• fax:           (01983) 407502
• email:        dinosaur@iow.gov.uk

Please tell us:

• Your preferred date and time.
  
• What activities you would like to do.
  
• How many children and adults you are bringing.
  
• The children’s ages and any special requirements.
  
• Name and contact number of your trip leader.
  
• Any specific needs or learning outcomes.
  
• Whether you have a coach or not.
  

Paving outside the building is flat and there are no steps at the doors.

Wheelchair useage by visitors is possible throughout the museum.

All internal floors are flat with wide doors linking spaces.

There is a lift to the upper floor.

Wheelchairs are provided for those who require them within the building.

There are disabled toilets on the ground and upper floors.

We aim to make our displays as accessible as possible.

Baby changing facilities are available in our ground floor disabled toilet.

Dinosaur Isle is a family-friendly museum.  The whole exhibition is inside which makes it an ideal place to visit come rain or shine!  Our new family ticket admitting two adults and three children (in addition to our two plus two) makes it even better value for slightly larger families.

The museum has plenty of interactive activities for the children; and activity sheets, clipboards and pencils are available at the start of the exhibition to enhance your visit.

During school holidays, and at the weekends, the Education Room is usually open to families. There you will find painting, drawing, puzzles, soft toys on a large dinosaur mat, and even dressing up.  For the adults there is a reading area with magazines. The colouring sheets are available to be downloaded from our website if you want to try some at home.

Our shop stocks hundreds of books, toys and puzzles along with plenty of pocket money souvenirs.

Outside you will find a picnic area and the beach is just across the road. If the children need to let off steam there is a play park about 5 minutes walk away.  We don't have a cafe in the museum, but Browns Cafe, next door, serves childrens meal portions during Spring and Summer - see our Catering page for further details.

Toilets are situated by reception.

Lost children and first-aid needs should be reported to reception.

Please bear in mind that very small children occasionally find the museum a bit scary.

On rainy summer days there can sometimes be a queue at the entrance so please be prepared for a few minutes wait.