The island is one of the Dinosaur fossil capitals of the world! Dinosaurs The Isle of Wight is one of the world’s top destinations for dinosaur discoveries. Its unique geology is the key reason why so many fossils have been uncovered here. The coastline, stretching from Sandown to the western parts of the island, is composed largely of soft clay. This makes it an ideal environment for preserving fossils over millions of years, while also being naturally prone to erosion — a process that continually exposes new finds. The island is particularly famous for Iguanodon fossils, which were among the first dinosaur remains ever discovered in the UK. In fact, the Isle of Wight has earned a reputation as “Dinosaur Island” because of the sheer number and diversity of prehistoric remains found here, including bones from carnivorous dinosaurs like Neovenator and the giant plant-eating dinosaurs like Ornithopods. One of the most remarkable experiences is visiting Compton Bay at low tide, where well-preserved dinosaur footprints can be seen in the rocks — a tangible connection to the creatures that roamed the island over 100 million years ago. The island is also home to several dinosaur-themed attractions, fossil-hunting tours, and museums, such as the Dinosaur Isle Museum in Sandown, where visitors can learn more about these incredible prehistoric finds. Whether you’re an aspiring palaeontologist, a family looking for a unique day out, or simply fascinated by prehistoric life, the Isle of Wight offers a truly extraordinary glimpse into the age of the dinosaurs. Dinosaur Isle See More Shanklin Seafront See More Sandham Gardens See More The Needles Landmark Attraction See More Blackgang Chine See More Shanklin Chine See More

The island has many places to visit with your 4 legged friends! Dog Friendly Island Attractions! Loads of the island's attractions are dog-friendly.! Blackgang Chine, Carisbrooke Castle, Appuldurcombe House, Osborne House (Grounds Only) Isle of Wight Steam Railway Ventnor Botanic Gardens, The Needles Landmark Attraction The Needles Old Battery, Yarmouth Castle, Shanklin Chine, Check individual websites for any parts that may not allow dogs. Attractions Beaches Most of the main beaches are only dog friendly in the winter months (November-April), but are plenty of beaches all year round for your dog to have fun on! Alum Bay (On Leads) Colwell Bay (Right of Slipway), Bembridge, Seagrove, Priory Bay, Ryde (Left of Pier), Whitecliff Bay Yaverland (Left of Car Park), Brook Bay, Chilton Chine, Rocken End, Steephill Cove (On Leads) Beaches

Totally IOW shows off the very best the Isle of Wight has to offer !! Welcome to Totally IOW Menu Close Services About Us Contact Contact Us Handy Information Facebook Videos Travel Island Attractions Services Dog Friendly Beaches Dinosaurs Dinosaurs Dinosaurs Dinosaurs Services Carnivals Easter Spring Island Attractions Explore Search Blog Portfolio Your guide to attractions, events, and hidden gems across the island. Travel to the Island Travel on the Island Explore the Island Welcome to the Isle of Wight, a charming island off England's south coast, renowned for its stunning beaches, dramatic cliffs, and rich history. Explore quaint villages, visit iconic landmarks like The Needles, or enjoy outdoor adventures in its lush countryside. Perfect for family holidays, romantic getaways, or solo escapes, the Isle of Wight offers a delightful blend of relaxation and exploration. Discover your island adventure today! Island Towns Island Gallery Island Travel Island Beaches Island Events Island Attractions October Island Events Blackgang Chine 24th-30th October 2025 Fiesta of the Dead Walk through the Land of the Dead, full of floating skulls, Fire Shows and live entertainment! Includes night rides on all the parks rides as well! Robin Hill 30th & 31st October Spooktacular Halloween Party A spooky party takes over Robin Hill, including Cheeky Monkey Fire Show, Forest Light Show, DJ and much more! Tapnell Farm 28th & 30th October 2025 Boo-Mania Tapnell Farm Park is about to be overrun by goblins, ghouls, and glitter as BOO-MANIA, the most epic family Halloween ball of the year See more Halloween events

The island has something for everything, from palaces, animal sanctuary's to theme parks! Travel on the Island Travel on the Island Getting around the Island is simple, with plenty of travel options to suit every visitor. Local buses connect towns, villages, and attractions, while open-top services offer a scenic ride along the coast in summer. The Island Line railway runs between Ryde and Shanklin, providing a quick and easy way to explore the east coast. Taxis, bike hire, and car hire are also available, giving you the freedom to explore at your own pace. For walkers and cyclists, the Island’s well-marked trails make discovering hidden gems a real pleasure." Island Line Providing train services from Ryde Pier Head to Shanklin. Stopping at Ryde Esplanade, Ryde St Johns, Brading, Sandown, Lake. Change at Smallbrook Junction for the Isle of Wight Steam Railway See More Southern Vectis Direct buses between the major towns and tourist attractions on the island. Special Open-Top services runs during the summer season showing the best of the islands countryside and coastline See More Floating Bridge Providing a service a vehicle and foot passenger over the river Medina between East Cowes and Cowes See More Travel to the Island Wightlink Services from Lymington and Portsmouth Red Funnel services from Southampton Hovertravel services from Southsea See More

It may be winter but there is still plenty to do on the Isle of Wight! Winter Season It may be the winter season but there is still plenty of things to do on the Isle of Wight! Please check individual attraction websites for specific opening hours/days. IOW Donkey Sanctuary Official Site Shopping See More Fort Victoria See More Tapnell Farm Official Site LA Bowl Official Site Dinosaur Isle See More Carisbrooke Castle See More Amazon World See More Ventnor Botanic Gardens Official Site Osborne House Official Site Sandown Pier See More Amazon World See More Quarr Abbey See More Quay Arts Official Site Needles Landmark Attraction See More Brading Roman Villa See More Shanklin Seafront Official Site Museum of Island History See More Newport Roman Villa Official Site Christmas on the Isle of Wight

The island has a wide variety of places to experience arts and theatre! Arts & Theatre The Isle of Wight is rich in culture and heritage, with a long history of inspiring creativity. Famous poets and artists have found the island the perfect place to spark their imagination — most notably Alfred Lord Tennyson, who often stayed in Freshwater and is honoured with a monument at the top of Tennyson Down. Today, the island continues to nurture creativity, with independent artists showcasing their work in shops and galleries across towns and villages. Visitors can also experience craftsmanship in action at Alum Bay Glass and IOW Studio Glass, where incredible pieces are made right before your eyes. For performing arts, venues such as Shanklin Theatre and Medina Theatre host a year-round programme of touring shows and home-grown productions, offering something for everyone. Shanklin Theatre Official Site Dimbola Lodge Official Site Medina Theate Official Site Chessel Pottery Official Site Alum Bay Glass Official Site IOW Lavender Official Site IOW Garlic Official Site Chocolate Apothecary Official Site Fantastic Store Official Site

The island has an amazing choice of beaches! From the popular Ryde, Sandown and Shanklin, to the quiet Compton and Castlehaven Island Beaches With over 57 miles of beautiful coastline, the Isle of Wight offers a beach for every kind of visitor. The sandy stretches at Ryde, Shanklin, and Sandown are perfect for family days out, complete with excellent seaside amenities. At Ventnor, you’ll find a mostly shingle beach with its own unique charm and plenty of character. During the summer months, these popular spots can get busy. For a quieter escape, head to the island’s western beaches. They’re clean, safe, and often wonderfully peaceful — though some are more remote from towns and villages. Whichever beach you choose, you’re guaranteed a memorable day by the sea.

Sadly the sun doesn't shine all the time, but the island has plenty of fun to do indoors! Rainy Day Ideas The Isle of Wight is known for being one of the warmest and sunniest parts of the UK, but even here, the occasional rain shower is inevitable. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of family-friendly activities to enjoy indoors. From museums and galleries to indoor play centres, theatres, and interactive attractions, the island offers plenty of ways to keep everyone entertained, whatever the weather. Shopping See More IOW Steam Railway See More Fort Victoria See More Tapnell Farm Official Site Yarmouth Castle See More LA Bowl Official Site IOW Bus Museum Official Site IOW Classic Boat Museum Official Site Sandown Pier See More JR Zone Official Site Amazon World See More Lilliput Museum See More Quay Arts Official Site Needles Landmark Attraction See More Dimbola Lodge Official Site Dinosaur Isle See More Brading Roman Villa See More Osborne House See More Shanklin Seafront Official Site Museum of Island History See More Newport Roman Villa Official Site

You can shop till you drop on the Isle of Wight. With national names and independent names, there is a wide variety Shopping The Isle of Wight is a fantastic place for shopping, offering something for everyone. From well-known high street names to unique independent stores, every town and village across the island has its own charm. In Godshill, you can explore the quirky Old Smithy, where a collection of independent shops are all under one roof. Over in Shanklin’s Old Village, you’ll find some of the island’s best gift shops, including the much-loved Rock Shop. Many of the island’s attractions also feature excellent gift shops, perfect for picking up souvenirs and keepsakes. Wherever you go on the Isle of Wight, you’ll never be far from a shopping experience worth exploring. Arreton Barns Official Site IOW Pearl Official Site Oasis Official Site The Old Smithy Official Site Busy Bee Official Site IOW Lavender Official Site IOW Garlic Official Site Chocolate Apothecary Official Site Fantastic Store Official Site Royal Victoria Arcade Official Site I Love Cowes Official Site Yarmouth Shopping Official Site

All your handy information from supermarkets to bank branch information Handy Information Radio IOW Radio: 107/102 fm Vectis Radio: 104.6 fm Greatest Hits: 105.2 fm & DAB Heart South: 97.5fm & DAB BBC Solent: 96.1/103.8 fm & DAB Hospital St Mary's Hospital Parkhurst Road Newport Isle of Wight PO30 5TG Banks Barclays: Newport Lloyds: Newport & Ryde TSB: Newport Natwest: Newport Nationwide: Ryde, Shanklin and Newport Lifeboats Ryde Inshore Rescue Service Freshwater Bay Independent Lifeboat Bembridge Lifeboat Sandown and Shanklin Independent Lifeboat Yarmouth Lifeboat Supermarkets Tesco: Lake, Ventnor, Freshwater, Wootton and Ryde ASDA: Newport Morrisons: Newport, Ryde and Lake Sainsburys: Newport, Cowes, Ryde, Sandown & Freshwater Aldi: Cowes & Lake Lidl: Newport and Lake Waitrose: Cowes Co-Op: Island Wide Ferry Companies Wightlink: Ryde-Portsmouth Passenger Service Wightlink: Fishbourne- Portsmouth Vehicle and Passenger service Wightlink: Lymington- Yarmouth Vehicle and Passenger Service Red Funnel: East Cowes- Southampton Vehicle and Passenger Service Red Funnel: Cowes- Southampton Passenger Service Hovertravel: Southsea-Ryde Passenger Service

Have a question about the Isle of Wight or the website, follow one of the links Contact Us Totally IOW is on all the major social media platforms! Or Email: admin@totallyiow.co.uk

Almost every town and village has an amazing carnival! The larger towns even have illuminated parades! Island Carnivals Ryde Childrens: 27th August 2026 11am-3pm Main: 3rd Sept 2026 6.30pm Start Illuminated: 5th Sept 2026 8.30pm Start Sandown Childrens: 25th July 2026 11am-12pm Sandown Bay Regatta 9th August 10.30-4.30pm Main: 7pm-8pm Illuminated: 26th August 8.30-9.30pm Shanklin Childrens: TBC 2026 Main: TBC 2026 Illuminated: TBC 2026 Ventnor Childrens: TBC 2026 Main: TBC 2026 Illuminated: TBC 2026 Lantern Parade & Carnival 13th December 2025 Newport Main: 1st August 2026 7pm Start Illuminated: 20th August 2026 9pm Start Christmas 6th December 5pm Start St Helens Main: TBC 2026 East Cowes Main TBC 2026 Yarmouth Main: TBC 2026