Location: Isle of Wight
Top Things to do in Isle of Wight
The 10 Best History Museums in Isle of Wight, England
The Isle of Wight is the perfect place to enjoy some peace, quiet and natural beauty. Except perhaps in the summer, when the Isle of Wight Festival draws visitors from all over the world. In 1970, the Festival was the largest rock-music event ever held. It was called Britain's Woodstock and featured Jimi Hendrix and The Who. (Not so much peace or quiet that week.) The island is also known for its world-famous sailing and lovely resorts, where people have been vacationing since Victorian times.
Restaurants in Isle of Wight
1. East Cowes Heritage Centre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By Skybunker27
Have been meaning to pop in and have a look round before and I'm so glad I did. What an amazing place!! It's packed full of information on everything you could wish to learn about east cowes. There is so much to see and look at that it would certainly take numerous visits to see it all. Really can't recommend this place enough for anyone interested in anything particular to east cowes or just in east cowes in general. The people who run it are all cheerful and friendly and have a wealth of knowledge themselves. I will be making many more return visits.
2. Carisbrooke Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,020 reviews
An Elizabethan artillery fortress, a king's prison and a royal summer residence. Carisbrooke is a quintessential romantic castle. Here you'll find loveable donkeys, a fascinating museum and an Edwardian garden. Your can also experience hundreds of years of history with entertaining events in the summer.
Reviewed By suzienowell - Camberley, United Kingdom
Visited many times. Love the donkey demonstration turning the wheel to collect water. Lovely place with lots of history - amusing video summarizing the castles history "narrated" by Jupiter the donkey (my kids loved it) lots of English Heritage events throughout the year. Jousting our particular favourite. Visited many times!
3. Visit the Stone Age
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
4. Ryde District Heritage Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 30 reviews
Reviewed By petef120 - North York Moors National Park, United Kingdom
This place is not easy to find - which is possibly part of it's charm. You have to go into the Royal Victoria Arcade which is roughly halfway up Union Street, walk to the back, turn right and then go downstairs into what used to be a flea market made up of a maze of connected cellars. You pay the very modest entrance fee (£2) and then spend ages wondering around the passages and rooms full of interesting and sometimes quirky exhibits that are derived from the tapestry of Ryde's history. It is staffed by volunteers who are very friendly and helpful. You could easily find yourself chatting with them for ages. Check opening times if you are making a journey as it is not always open.
5. Newport Roman Villa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 86 reviews
** Now closed for 2020 season, reopening Spring 2021 ** Newport Roman Villa is a Scheduled Ancient Monument in the care of the Isle of Wight Council Heritage Service. The well-preserved remains at Newport Roman Villa provide a fascinating insight into country life in third century Britain. The Villa has a superb bath suite with under floor heating and remnants of mosaic floors. Discover the plants Romans would have used in the beautiful herb garden. 2021 Opening: TBC. Booking advised. Admission: Adult - £3.75; Seniors - £3.25; Children (5-17 yrs) + Students - £2.75; Children under 5 – Free; Families - £11.00 ** Please visit our website for further information and Covid-19 safety procedures **
Reviewed By BirdsInTheTrees
Took my 7 year old here and spent around an hour or so having a look round. What I liked about this particular site is that its right in the middle of an ordinary street of houses so really brings home the history beneath our feet! We also liked the garden and the information board about what the Romans used various plants and herbs for. My son enjoyed any gruesome fact he saw and the little trail they gave him. The staff were really helpful and friendly, small gift shop on exit. Went when it first re opened after lockdown and the additional covid measures they had in place were good too.
6. Shipwreck Centre and Maritime Museum, Isle of Wight
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 126 reviews
The Shipwreck Centre & Maritime Museum was founded in 1978 and had been an ambition of the owner, Martin Woodward, since he first started diving on shipwrecks off the Isle of Wight in the 1960s. Martin, a professional diver by trade who is very passionate about shipwrecks and maritime history, has amassed a huge collection of shipwreck artefacts over the years, but retained it all to put on display to the public. Martin's collection has been on display to the public since his museum first opened in 1978 in Bembridge, however in 2006 the museum expanded and moved to Arreton Barns where it has been thriving. In 2017 the Maritime Archaeology Trust, a charity with over 25 years experience in research, investigations and pioneering techniques for the study of marine cultural heritage took over the management of the museum.
Reviewed By DavidB14816
The Museum is in the heart of Arreton Craft Village and well signposted. It houses a vast array of salvaged items all collected by Martin Woodward whose explanatory video is one of the best I have ever seen. It is a very impressive collection of UK shipwreck items including early days diving gear, ships boiler plates, ships bells, navigation lights, ships instruments, lifeboat relics and much more. Each item has a compelling story all explained in Martin's video which breathes life into everything on display. I could have spent all day there but 2-3 hours will give you a good taster and probably hooked into going back again. It is a truly fascinating collection revealing much about the UK's nautical heritage. Will definitely go again
7. Ventnor Heritage Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 32 reviews
Ventnor Heritage Centre is the home of Ventnor Heritage Museum and Ventnor & District Local History Society. It is run be volunteers and is a registered charity.
8. Longshoreman's Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By travelswithacamera2
At the rear of the small shop the Museum is so interesting with photos and models of how Ventnor used to be. The shop itself sells, shells and fossils alongside other seaside items and also includes dolls house furniture for sale
9. Dimbola Museum & Galleries
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 249 reviews
Home and workplace of celebrated Victorian photographer Julia Margaret Cameron. Visit for: - Year round exhibits celebrating Julia's life and work - Vintage cameras - Programme of changing exhibitions - Victorian dressing-up room (currently unavailable) - Isle of Wight Festival displays - FREE entry to the award-winning Tea Room and Museum Gift Shop Lively programme of talks and events, check website for further information. Coach parties and large groups welcome, please book in advance. Group and tour rates available.
Reviewed By vegan-brightonian - Brighton, United Kingdom
Fascinating little museum about a little-known pioneer photographer and the Isle of Wight festival. We stumbled across this place and were very pleased.
10. Dinosaur Isle
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 955 reviews
In a spectacular pterosaur shaped building watching over Sandown’s blue flag beach is Britain’s first purpose built dinosaur museum. Walk back through fossilised time to the period of the dinosaurs where you will find amongst the fossils many interactive displays. On a recreated landscape enhanced by sights, smells and sounds you will meet life sized dinosaurs including our animatronic Neovenator. Guided fossil hunts (which must be pre-booked) have proved to be a popular addition to a visit.
Reviewed By KalieM
This was our 2nd visit to Dinosaur Isle and this year we also went on a guided fossil walk with them. So interesting, found some amazing stuff and learnt loads even with a 4 year old in tow!! The museum itself is small but packed full of great stuff, lots of hands on stuff for the kids and some great exhibits. When we visited last year the conservancy was opened up and we got to handle some amazing bones and had a great conversation with the guys there. The staff are all really helpful and friendly and would highly recommend a visit!!
