Our public fossil walks are a casual and relaxed opportunity to explore the most famous fossil hunting locality on the Isle of Wight, Compton Bay! Join us for a leisurely group stroll along the shoreline, searching for fossils of ancient life, learning about the unique geology, and encountering the world-famous dinosaur foot casts at Hanover Point!
Our public fossil walks are held at Compton/Brook Bay, a beautiful stretch of coastline owned and cared for by the National Trust! Compton and Brook are accessible to all ages and abilities, with parking available and on-site facilities.
Compton yields a very high diversity of fossils from more than 55 million years of the Cretaceous period, from dinosaur bones and fossilised wood to flint sea urchins and rare ice age bones! Which have all been found on our public fossil walks!
A key focus of our public fossil walks at Compton Bay are the world-famous 130 million year old dinosaur footcasts at Hanover Point! These are the natural sandstone casts of dinosaur footprints that have eroded on to the shore, and we can explore and discover the tracks of an array of different dinosaur species, with more than 150 footcasts to see!
The Hanover Point dinosaur footcasts are amazing experience for all ages and interests, and are a major natural attraction on the island. In 2024, we took over 4000 people to visit them! There’s no better way to experience and learn about them than with our knowledgeable guides!
Pricing
Adult (18 – 60)
£10
Senior (60+)
£7.50
Child (4-17)
£5.00
Child (0-3)
FREE
Pleas note: All children under the age of 16 need to be accompanied by a responsible adult during the fossil walk.
February Half term 2026
Saturday, 14th February, 11.30 – 13.00
Monday, 16th February, 13.00 – 14.30
Wednesday, 18th February, 14.30 – 16.00
Easter Holidays 2026
Monday, 30th March, 14.30 – 16.00
Wednesday, 1st April, 14.00 – 15.30, 16.00 – 17.30
Sunday, 5th April, 16.00 – 17.30
Wednesday, 8th April, 9.00 – 10.30
Friday, 10th April, 9.00 – 10.30
Sunday, 12th April, 12.30 – 14.00
May half term 2026
Monday, 25th May, 11.30 – 13.00, 14.00 – 15.30
Wednesday, 27th May, 12.30 – 14.00, 15.00 – 16.30
Summer holidays 2026
Monday, 27th July, 13.30 – 15.00, 16.00 – 17.30
Wednesday, 29th July, 14.30 – 16.00, 17.00 – 18.30
Monday, 3rd August, 9.00 – 10.30
Wednesday, 5th August, 9.00 – 10.30, 11.00 – 12.30
Monday, 10th August, 12.30 – 14.00, 15.00 – 16.30
Wednesday, 12th August, 14.30 – 16.00, 17.00 – 18.30
Monday, 17th August, 9.00 – 10.30
Wednesday, 19th August, 9.00 – 10.30, 11.30 – 13.00
Monday, 24th August, 13.00 – 14.30, 15.30 – 17.00
Wednesday, 26th August, 13.30 – 15.00, 16.00 – 17.30
