Dinosaur Isle in Sandown will close its doors to the public next month for a major refurbishment project, with work set to continue into early 2026.
The closure will run from 1st September 2025 until January 2026 as part of a significant upgrade to the museum’s facilities. The scheme will include essential building works, repairs and improvements to protect and enhance the nationally important fossil collections.
It has been confirmed that the works will include structural repairs such as a new roof, improvements to public spaces such as air conditioning, heating and lighting, and measures to increase the resilience of the building against environmental wear.
The total cost of the refurbishment is expected to be in the region of £680,000.
Visitor numbers at Dinosaur Isle have already fallen this year, contributing to a shortfall in the Council’s Museums and Archaeology income. In the first quarter of 2025/26, income was down by £148,000, with the closure period likely to impact performance further in the short term.
Dinosaur Isle first opened in 2001 and is home to thousands of fossils and dinosaur remains discovered on the Isle of Wight’s coastline – one of the most important dinosaur fossil sites in Europe.
Hopefully the new roof will last longer than the present one, at 24 years.
Will the new roof have the latest solar panel technology?
why do we not just sell this rubbish attraction instead of spending 10’s of thousands of tax payers money on it
So what about the people who have just bought season passes??? Can we get a refund or will they be extended once it reopens?
Let’s hope it re-opens.