Dinosaur Coast

The cliffs along the Isle of Wight's southern coast tell a geological story that runs back 125 million years - and walking them, you're literally stepping through dinosaur country. This stretch between Shanklin and Sandown is why the island earned its Dinosaur Coast nickname: the exposed rock faces have yielded Iguanodon and Megalosaurus remains over the centuries, and you can still spot fossils embedded in the chalk and sandstone if you know what you're looking for.

It's less a single attraction and more a destination for coastal wandering. Bring a geology guidebook or join a ranger-led fossil hunt if you want context - amateur fossil spotting works too, though patience helps. Families with primary-school-aged kids tend to get the most from it; teenagers often lose interest once they realise actual dinosaur bones aren't just lying about. The cliff walks are manageable but coastal erosion means you need to respect the barriers - the cliffs themselves are unstable.

Allow a couple of hours minimum if you're serious about hunting, though you could do a brisk walk in 45 minutes. It's free to access the coast itself, though some guided experiences aren't. Summer beats winter hands down - winter storms churn up the cliffs and make walking treacherous.

Stay at one of the farms near Newport - Tapnell Farm or Grange Farm give you easy access to this stretch plus Sandown Bay proper. Combine it with Shanklin's seafront if you need something less geology-focused for the non-dinosaur enthusiasts in your group.