|  |
 | | | | | | | | | |  BBC Copyright | | The Isle of Wight is known as "dinosaur island" and it's a stunning area for a winter's day out. For a place that is only 23 miles wide by 13 miles long, there's a large number of interesting wildlife and natural history locations. | |  | The British Isles is a nation of islands. There are more than 6,000 islands around our coast. They're great havens for wildlife too.
| |  | - Our islands offer amazing opportunities for wildlife watching. Why not take a few tips from the Nature's Calendar team from bird watching to fossil hunting?
| | | Isle of Wight - Visitor Guide | | Address: | Isle of Wight Tourism, Westridge Centre, Brading Road, Ryde, Isle of Wight. | | Postcode: | PO33 1QS | | Telephone: | Isle of Wight Tourism - 01983 813 813 | | e-mail | Tourism information: info@islandbreaks.co.uk. | | Fax: | 01983 823031 | | Map: | Isle of Wight Streetmap | | Essential kit: | Fossil hunting guide. Binoculars for bird watching. Warm clothing and tide times for fossil searching. | | Nature watching: | Fossil hunting - if you've only got time to visit one beach, Compton Bay near Freshwater is the place to go. Other top fossil spots are Chilton Chine and Brighstone Bay. Check tide times - the tide must be out to see the dinosaur footprints.
Bird watching. Outdoor pursuits - riding, walking, cycling, sailing. Dinosaur Fossil Hunts island wide, visit www.dinosaurisle.com for more information. Alverstone Mead - several public footpaths and walks. Red Squirrel hides. | | Access: | Varies depending on location. | | Getting there: | Boat services to Isle of Wight from Southampton, Lymington, Southsea and Portsmouth. Ferry routes connect directly with road, rail and coach links - choose the car ferry or catch a high-speed passenger ferry. The Island has a comprehensive network of buses.
Hover Travel
Red Funnel Ferries
Wightlink Ferries
Alverstone Mead is located close to Sandown on the Isle of Wight and south of the Sandown–Newport cycleway. | | Opening times: | Year round.
Alverstone Mead - open all hours. | | Charges: | Free but there may be some charge for specific activities. |
| | | | | | | | |  | More nature locations. |  | Top nature spectacles. |  | Your photos of nature. |  | Make a difference... |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
