Museums and Galleries

Open: Year-round
The oldest museum on the Island, Carisbrooke Castle Museum was established in 1898 by Queen Victoria’s youngest daughter, Princess Beatrice. Housed inside the medieval fortress, entry is included with admission to the castle and features Charles I’s infamous imprisonment story.

Open: April - November
Based amongst the quaint craft village of Arreton Barns in the heart of the Island, the Shipwreck Centre & Maritime Museum allows visitors to dive into a wealth of fascinating treasure from beneath the Solent and beyond. The museum is open during the summer season and admission is just £7 (£3 for children).

Open: Year-round
This vintage former railway station offers more than rides on their perfectly preserved trains – in fact the entire Isle of Wight Steam Railway is a working museum! Their on-site Train Story discovery centre is bursting with historical items including entire carriages, and tales from 150 years of Isle of Wight railway heritage. 

Open: Year-round
Step inside Newport's grade II* listed guildhall to visit the Museum of Island History, containing a collection as varied as the Isle of Wight’s past. Dinosaur fossils, archaeological finds and maritime relics can be found inside, along with a gift shop stocked with souvenirs.  

Open: Spring - Autumn
The seafront town of Cowes has long been associated with sailing, but there is more to its past than just being the home of Cowes Week, the world’s oldest sailing regatta. Delve into the town’s yachting history at The Boat Shed, part of the Classic Boat Museum, with over 90 boats on display, from the first traditional yachts to lifeboats and more. 

Open: March - October
A gold award-winner in the 2025 Red Funnel Isle of Wight Awards, the Isle of Wight Bus and Coach Museum was established in 1997 by a group of enthusiasts, and can be found in an original 1930s bus shed at their Ryde depot. Inside are a collection of restored vintage buses and coaches, as well as a vast collection of memorabilia from Southern Vectis, who have been the Isle of Wight’s bus operator from 1929 all the way through to the present day. 

Open: Year-round
Set inside Cowes Library, Cowes Maritime Museum is free to enter and offers a small but rich collection of historical facts and items, particularly from J. Samuel White’s, a local shipbuilding firm who were known for producing vessels such as destroyers and submarines for the Royal Navy during World War I. 

Open: Year-round
Based in Northwood just outside of Cowes, Wight Military & Heritage Museum boasts a range of original vehicles and weaponry from World Wars I and II and offers insights into the Island’s military connections. Get hands-on with history with unique experiences such as driving your own bomb disposal robot, shooting in the air rifle range, or even have your photo taken in a tank! Save 20% on admission and 15% on vehicle ferry travel when you book both together. 

Open: Year-round
Thousands of years prior to the Island’s maritime and military links, the Island was inhabited by Roman settlers who gave it the name ‘Vectis’. Brading Roman Villa is a one of the finest examples of a former Roman residence in the UK and offers an enlightening glimpse into the past. Plus, your tickets allow you to come back again for a whole year!

Open: Spring to Autumn
Less well-known than its Brading counterpart but definitely worth a visit, discover the remains of a 3rd century farmhouse at Newport Roman Villa, complete with underfloor heating system and a Roman bath. The site also features a Roman-style herb garden and education room full of interesting facts.

Open: Reopens early 2026
The Isle of Wight is famous for its connection to dinosaurs, with over 20 species discovered from bones and fossils found on Island shores. Reopening in spring 2026, Dinosaur Isle is a family-friendly museum paying homage to the creatures that roamed the Island 125 million years ago with lots of exciting exhibits and real fossils.

Open: Year-round
The former home of pioneering Victorian photographer Julia Margaret Cameron, at Dimbola Museum & Galleries you’ll find a permanent exhibition based on her portraits of ‘famous men and fair women’, alongside a collection of Victorian cameras and a permanent Isle of Wight Festival exhibition. In addition, they regularly host a rotation of temporary exhibitions, talks and events, and also won bronze for Best Small Attraction in the 2025 Red Funnel Isle of Wight Awards!

Open: Year-round
Based in a former brewhouse on the banks of the Medina at Newport Quay, Quay Arts is now home to the Island’s largest collection of local art. The West Gallery hosts large exhibition, while the smaller Clayden Gallery contains a collection of all art forms, from fine art to ceramics.

Open: Year-round
Predominantly a community hub, studio and live music venue, Monkton Arts also have a modern and spacious area featuring art such as paintings and photography by both established and amateur Island artists, in addition to a children’s gallery. Stop by the vibrant on-site Mead Café for a coffee or light bite to eat.

Open: Year-round
Located in the lush Ventnor Botanical Gardens, the Garden Gallery is purpose-built contemporary arts space that's perfect for combining with a leisurely stroll around the tropical flora. With Ventnor being considered the creative capital of the Island, you can also find exhibitions and open mic nights at nearby Peer Studios & Gallery.