Isle of Wight Museums & Galleries

DINOSAUR ISLE

Tel: 01983 404344     Fax: 01983 407502
E-mail: dinosaur@iow.gov.ukn      Web: www.dinosaurisle.com

For further information including opening times etc for Dinosaur Isle, Sandon, the Isle of Wight see our website.

COWES MARITIME MUSEUM

Beckford Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight
Tel: 01983 823433       Fax: 01983 823841
E-mail: museums@iow.gov.uk       Web: www.iow.gov.uk

Open daily. Mon, Tues & Fri 9.30am - 5.30pm. Wed 11am - 7pm. Sat 9.30am - 4.30pm. Closed Thursdays.

Display features the maritime history of the Isle of Wight and includes models, paintings and photographic materials of yachting. Located within Cowes Public Library.

THE CLASSIC BOAT MUSEUM

Newport Harbour, Isle of Wight, PO30 2EF
Tel: 01983 533493     Fax: 01983 533505
E-mail: info@classicboatmuseum.org      Web: www.classicboatmuseum.org

Welcome to the Classic Boat Museum on the Quay at Newport, Isle of Wight. The Museum opened in 1996, and currently houses an exciting collection of sailing and power boats, of both local and national interest and importance.

Our aim is to preserve and present the best of those boats that demonstrate the workmanship of past generations for the delight of the present. As well as the exhibitions in the Museum, we have a restoration shed where work takes place all year round, restoring to their original condition boats that are part of our maritime heritage. Our collection contains not only classic boats, but also tools, artefacts, books, photographs, film and archival items that relate to much of the history of boat building, sailing, yachting, cruising and racing over the last century, in the Solent and beyond. Our boats also include the 1887 Bembridge rowing lifeboat, the Queen Victoria, and an airborne lifeboat that was dropped to aircrew who had been shot down during the last war. We have several Uffa Fox designs, including Coweslip. All the boats in the exhibition are in a seaworthy condition and are sailed or driven as often as possible. Some are available for special occasions.

MUSEUM OF ISLAND HISTORY

The Guildhall, High Street, Newport, Isle of Wight
Tel: 01983 823366       Fax: 01983 823841
E-mail: museums@iow.gov.uk       Web: www.iow.gov.uk

Open: Mon-Sat, 10am-5pm. Sun, 11am-3.30pm.

The museum traces island history using touch screen computer technology and hands-on exhibits.

LILLIPUT MUSEUM - ANTIQUE DOLLS & TOYS

High Street, Brading, Isle of Wight, PO36 0DJ
Tel:  01983 407231       E-mail: lilliput.museum@btconnect.com
Web: www.lilliputmuseum.org.uk

This cottage museum contains one of the finest and most comprehensive Private Collections of old and antique dolls and toys in Great Britain.

With over 2000 exhibits on display dating circa 2000BC to 1950AD. The collection has been widely exhibited on BBC and ITV, and includes old toys, steam trains, tin cars & vans, dolls houses, teddy bears and German & French Bisque dolls. Our adjoining shop stocks a wide selection, including dolls houses and dolls house furniture, kits/accessories, limited edition teddy bears, china dolls plus various traditional toys.

For further information including opening times for Lilliput Museum of Antique Dolls & Toys on the Isle of Wight see our website.

Old Town Hall, Newtown -
Photo: Andrew McDonald CCL

17th-century town hall with a fascinating history.



The small, now tranquil, village of Newtown once sent two members to Parliament and the Town Hall was the setting for often turbulent elections.



An exhibition inside depicts the exploits of ‘Ferguson’s Gang’, an anonymous group of Trust benefactors in the 1920's and 1930's.

Row of attractive thatched cottages.






The vernacular cottages contain a National Trust shop and Village Museum (run by Brighstone Museum Trust), depicting village life in the late 19th century.

Brighstone - Photo: Andrew McDonald CCL