VISITING

February half term - every day until Saturday 17th February

LAST ADMISSION ONE HOUR BEFORE CLOSING.

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

Cars
Behind the museum is a tarmac surfaced car-park with 16 car spaces and 3 designated disabled bays.

Cars and motorcyles/scooters
Nearby is a gravel-surfaced car-park with a further 155 car spaces, 4 disabled bays and a hard-standing for 3 to 4 motorcycles.

School coaches and minibuses
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. School minibuses should also use the designated side road to qualify for free parking.

Large motorhomes
Please note that the bays are not long enough, or wide enough to accomodate large motorhomes. These should be parked at Yaverland or Fort Street carparks nearby.

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

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. 

From 1st November to 31st March car parking is free at Dinosaur Isle, and the machines are covered. There is no charge then so redemption does not apply during that period.

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 museum's parking areas can be seen on the About Us webpage.

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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.
  

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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.

A wheelchair is provided for visitors who require one within the building. A small child's wheelchair was also acquired in 2016 (with generous funding from the Small Grant's Scheme), and this is also now available. (See our Latest News webpage for a picture of the chair in August 2016).

There are disabled toilets on the ground and upper floors.

We aim to make our displays as accessible as possible, however weight and security constraints mean that some displays need to be supported on solid bases which mean they are raised from the ground.

There are a number of disabled parking bays near the museum, with a drop-pavement and flat tarmac path to the entrance. The larger car park behind the museum has a gravel surface which may not be suitable for wheelchair users, or those who are unsteady on their feet.

Transport to our museum by coach, ferry, taxi or other public transport may be subject to restrictions so you may wish to check with the transport operator prior to travelling. Our website has details of a number of transport operators to which you should address your enquiry. If you are travelling by car and use a Sat Nav then enter the postcode "PO36 8QA" to plot a route.

Not all buses to Sandown pass the museum, and some are seasonal to the layby near the museum. Details of bus routes and timetables can be found by clicking on "How to get here" on this webpage.

Visitors with specific disabilities (or their carers) who require further information to plan their visit can always call us first. Carers may wish to carry out a pre-visit before bringing a large group.

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

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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.


  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.

There is a cycle rack in front of the museum. It is suitable for all sizes of bicycles - but remember to bring a lock.

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.

For children and adults who suffer from very sensitive hearing please be aware that there are sound effects in the two museum galleries and these can seem loud.  (A busy museum can also seem loud). For those with very sensitive hearing (e.g. some children with particular types of autism) a pair of ear-defenders or ear-plugs may be necessary. If it is frightening then please ask a member of staff and we may be able to turn the sounds off during your visit.

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

For parents with babies or very young children a review website exists which you may also find helpul. Click here for the mummytravels webpage review of Dinosaur Isle.