Natural History

Hundreds of exotic butterflies from around the world fly freely within a tropical indoor garden. Fountains, streams, a waterfall and ponds stocked with a variety of fish. The Insectarium contains a collection of unusual and some spectacular insects from around the world. Tarantula [three types], stick insects, locusts, Scorpions mantis, jungle nymphs, etc.

The Isle of Wight is the most important site in Europe for dinosaur fossils; and of major importance for fossils from the Caenozoic period. Dinosaur Isle is home to one of Europe's finest collections of dinosaur remains. Their mission is to be a national centre of excellence in the acquisition, conservation, display and interpretation of the Island's dinosaurs and diverse geological heritage. Dinosaur Isle is the showcase for Isle of Wight fossils, from the tiniest insects and shells right up to the largest dinosaur. Children and adults alike are fascinated by the displays of real fossils, skeletons and life-like reconstructions of prehistoric animals and their environments.

Open all year, they provide a range of activities including talks and fossil handling sessions, unguided (and guided) visits and field trips; including visits to local coastal sites containing visible geology and fossils. Within the building, they can provide tailored activities, for example introductions to evolution, extinction, rocks and soils.

The museum takes you back through the different layers of rock covering the tomb of the dinosaurs which lived 125 million years ago. Displays of skeletal and animatronic dinosaurs; a working laboratory; education room and school talks. Well-stocked shop. Field trips to fossil sites on the island.

Formerly known as 'The Flamingo Park', it has been helping to conserve exotic bird species and wildlife for over 34 years.

The Park is home to a huge diversity of rare and beautiful birds and animals, not just the famous flamingos and critically endangered Humboldt penguins but has evolved from a bird gardens into a unique wildlife encounter. There are mammal species from around the world where visitors have the chance to meet wallabies, meerkats, Canadian Beavers and Red Squirrels in natural surroundings, a truly incredible experience. They can feed, stroke and learn all about the animals at very close quarters.

The new Tropical House inspires visitors of all ages. It is a tropical oasis in which rare birds and plant species coexist together with amazing water displays and aquaria. The need to conserve many of the bird and animal species as well as flora and fauna of islands around the world was the primary aim of this project. Preserving and protecting these island habitats and highlighting the serious plight of such delicate ecosystems is brought home to you in this ever-changing scene.

One of the largest tropical aviaries ever built in the UK will astonish and captivate, as your journey takes you from coastal regions to tropical forest where a canopy of free flying birds and breathtaking displays awaits you.

Spacious grounds planted with trees and shrubs. Picnic area.

A fascinating insight into the world of the ocean. The main part of the aquarium contains life from off local shores, ranging from food fish like bass to the bizarre shaped pipefish. A separate tropical marine section contains a selection of the stunningly beautiful species to be found in tropical reefs

A visit to Fort Victoria Planetarium provides an exciting adventure - not only will you learn more about our place in the universe, about space exploration and scientific adventures, it is also a fantastic spectacle which stimulates the imagination and the mind. Featuring an ever changing exhibition of space and astronomical models, and video and computer simulations, which you can enjoy prior to and after your visit to a planetarium programme.

Each trip consists of an inspiring twenty minute talk on island geology by the renowned palaeontologist, Martin Simpson, or by one of his excellent team. This takes place in ‘The Fossil Shop’ at Blackgang Chine and is followed by a visit to one of five beaches, selected for their abundance of fossils and other interesting objects. The beach visit will last approximately one and a half hours. A truly fascinating and memorable visit.

Over 200 different species of rare and exotic animals, birds, reptiles and insects, set in their natural jungle environment, which beautifully recreates the story of the rainforest, from discovery to it’s near destruction and, hopefully, it’s recovery. Educational study to identify with the school curriculum, with a wide range of topics on tropical rainforests. Although each school group is guided through the jungle experience, the pupils are encouraged to discover more of the story for themselves. Amazon World offers school parties study opportunities from conservation issues to a close encounter with jungle life!

The Tiger and Big Cat Sanctuary is home to one of the largest collections of tigers in the UK, including the Royal Bengal, Siberian and Chinese Blooded Tiger, Lions, Leopard, Black Panther and Jaguar. Also Monkeys, Lemurs, insects and birds, together with a large collection of venomous snakes and large harmless snakes which the children may handle. Animal contact area where children can meet goats and other friendly creatures.

Replica crown jewels, minerals, precious and semi-precious stones,local rocks and fossils, collection of over 40,000 sea shells from around the world, display of exciting holograms. Tropical aquarium featuring many marine, tropical and local fish.

88 acres of woodland and meadow. Nature trails with question and answer sheets.Tree-top walk, viewing platform. Worksheets and information boards on wildlife, flora and fauna.**400 metre Toboggan run.

A natural scenic gorge. A wide variety of flora, nature trail, 45 ft. waterfall. Illuminated at night from Spring Bank Holiday. A pipe which still runs through the chine carried fuel under the English Channel for the D-Day landing forces in 1944.

Providing a fascinating insight into the Island’s internationally important coastal and marine environment, the centre features a comprehensive exhibition including animal and plant life, inter-tidal and marine archaeology and an aquarium. Field trips and lectures are available