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Dinosaur Fossils
on the
Isle of Wight
Dinosaur fossils prove that these huge beasts lived on the Isle of Wight over 120 million years ago - long before The Solent and The English Channel came into existence. At that time England was still joined to Europe, so these monsters could roam freely all along the floodplain that ran from Cornwall to Belgium. And in doing so they passed over, or lived on, the land we now call the Isle of Wight.
Today, this small island is often referred to as 'Dinosaur Island' because it is the richest source of fossilised remains in Europe.
Most fossils are to be found on the wild and rugged south-west coast of the island (the 'Jurassic Coast') or at Yaverland in Sandown Bay. At both locations layer upon layer of soft sandstone is exposed and this is frequently eroded by the action of the waves, revealing the remains of creatures long since extinct.
Soft sandstone on the south-west coast of the Isle of Wight
The cliffs here are dangerous because they are soft and constantly eroding. This means that there are relatively few places where you can get down to the beach to look for fossils.
However, wherever a chine occurs (a valley cut by a stream or river), access is usually possible. Whale Chine, near Chale, is one such example. Brook Chine, at Brook Bay, is another.
Compton Bay, near Freshwater
Compton Bay, near Freshwater, is one of the best beaches for fossil hunting. Access is directly off the main A3055 Military Road which runs all along the south-west coast. Look out for the National Trust signs for Shippards Chine and park there. A staircase leads down to the beach.
Identifying fossilised creatures is no easy task, but thankfully the local
Dinosaur Farm Museum,
which is located on the A3055 near Brighstone, offers such a service. The museum is the oldest of its kind on the island. It was founded in 1993 and is staffed mainly by knowledgeable volunteers. Guided fossil hunts are very popular and may be booked for groups of up to 25 people.
Dr Steve Sweetman, a local palaeontologist from Newport, has recently made headlines around the world after finding 48 new prehistoric species on the Isle of Wight. Dr Sweetman painstakingly sifted samples of mud from Hanover Point (near Compton Bay) over a period of four years. Amongst the fossils unearthed, he discovered the remains of:
* Three carnivorous dinosaurs
* Three long-necked sauropods
* Three new pterosaurs
* Four plant-eating dinosaurs
* Six mammals - including shrews and rats
* Two giant crocodiles at least 112 feet long
* 15 lizards
* Three frogs
* Four salamanders
* Giant fish
Can anyone beat that?!
Where to stay?
If you are coming to the island specifically to look for fossils, you will possibly be looking for inexpensive accommodation - just somewhere to lay your head after a busy day on the beach. If this is so, there are two campsites closeby:
Grange Farm
or
Chine Farm.
Alternatively, the bed and breakfast chalets at
Brighstone Holiday Centre
can be rented at very reasonable cost.
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