Plans are progressing to develop a new British Dinosaur Museum and Dionsaurier theme park in Sandown, as both a major tourist attraction and centre of palaeontological research for Great Britain.
This new attraction will bring together a new museum, a dinosaur theme park and a science research facility to display and preserve the Island’s heritage for future generations.
The development at Culver Parade – the site of the existing Dinosaur Isle – will be both exciting and educational, making it perfectly suited to the needs of families, tourists, schools and universities.
Dr Jeremy Lockwood, chair of the Dinosaur Isle Group, an association of Island residents, says:
“The Isle of Wight is Europe’s premier dinosaur hotspot, with amazing new discoveries regularly being found under our feet. We literally walk on dinosaurs.
“We can make our Cretaceous Coast as famous as the Jurassic Coast, protecting the island’s heritage, providing education and ensuring that Sandown becomes a major national tourist destination. We are living in a golden age of dinosaurs, and this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. It will enhance Sandown’s regeneration plans and contribute to the City of Culture bid; vital to our local economy as we open our doors after such a difficult year.”
The British Dinosaur Museum would be run on a not-for-profit basis by a Charitable Trust and would sit alongside a Dinosaur theme park created by consortium partners, Dinosaurier-Park International. Together, it is hoped they will secure the long-term financial viability of the Island’s internationally important fossil collection in a new, fully accredited museum with significantly extended science and research activities.
The accompanying Dinosaur Park, with its blend of education and entertainment, would offer a fantastic day out for families, further boosting tourism. The combination will make the new British Dinosaur Museum an international destination and a nationally important landmark.
Dinosaurier-Park International is a well-established and world-leading company, with extensive experience in developing, building and operating Dinosaur Parks and Dinosaur Museums at an international level. For instance, after opening their Parque dos Dinossauros da Lourinhã, the town of Lourinhã in Portugal became known as the capital of dinosaurs and is a destination for families and tourists from across Europe. Its tourism is booming, with thriving and expanding hotels, restaurants and bars.
After years without investment and a failure to market the attraction to visitors, there are real fears that Dinosaur Isle in its current form is no longer financially viable and may be forced to close its doors.
The local consortium hopes that within the next few months they will receive the green light from the Isle of Wight Council to make Sandown and its Cretaceous Coast the dinosaur capital of Britain. They intend to work with the local community to not only establish the British Dinosaur Museum as an international landmark, but to ensure its contribution to the regeneration of The Bay area, bringing much-needed employment and visitors to the town, and the Island as a whole.
Jeremy added:
“Our detailed plans include building a new larger museum, Dinosaur Park, education and research facility, whilst remaining sensitive to the ecology of the surrounding land and enhancing existing heritage, such as the PLUTO building. This is something that will have a hugely positive impact on the regeneration of the Sandown Bay area, and help to boost local businesses, especially the hospitality industry.
“It’s a tremendous opportunity for the Isle of Wight to put itself on the global stage.”
Great news for the area. What about the golf course though? and by the PLUTO building I presume they mean the pavilion building. Will the volunteers who have been working for years to bring it back to life be allowed to continue their good work?
Sounds like a good plan and great opportunity for Sandown
Really good news for the island. Great to see expertise coming together on both the subject and commercially to create something that will put the island on the map and make more of our Jurassic coast. So nice to see a plan that caters for different groups, academics, schools and tourism, something that adds a lot of value, will make it more of a year round destination and ensure it continues for many years to some. I really hope this happens, it would be such a good addition to Sandown and the island. I hope the new council get fully behind it.
Thanks for your positive comments. There is much more about our plans at https://www.facebook.com/britishdinosaurmuseum
Mabe now a nice 70/80 bedroom hotel on the grand site, would be wonderful.
Absolutely brilliant idea, and could play a major part in totally regenerating Sandown.
Cannot imagine why anyone would be against it.
Excellent news. Good luck with getting this project off the ground.