Opening Times:
Monday to Friday 10am - 4pm
Entry:
Adults £1.00 |
Under 16 Free
Groups:
see Education Programme page for groups prices or download a .PDF HERE. 
Enquiries:
Telephone: 01983 855 400 | Fax: 01983 855 859 | e-mail coastal.centre@iow.gov.uk
The Isle of Wight Coastal Visitors Centre opened in August 1998 in order to provide an accessible point of contact for anyone with an interest in the Island's coastline. The Isle of Wight Council has the longest coastline of any Coast Protection Authority in England and Wales.
The Isle of Wight has 110 kilometres of coastline and provides an ideal resource for field study of a variety of coastal landforms, management issues and habitats within a relatively small area. The Centre is located within the Undercliff of the Isle of Wight. The Undercliff extends from Bonchurch in the east to Blackgang in the west. The Undercliff is the largest urban landslide complex in North-Western Europe and is, therefore, a popular location for study by earth science students.
The Visitors Centre comprises 10 themed rooms each examining a different aspect of the Island's coastline and its management. These range from geology and scenery to the plant and animal life that inhabit the varied coastline as well as the marine and inter-tidal archaeology. The Visitors Centre is able to offer an extensive education programme relating to the coastline, habitats and geohazards, Click here to find out about the education programme.
Advice to Home Owners:
Detailed geotechnical studies commissioned by the Council have shown that it may be possible to reduce the likelihood and impact of future ground movements in certain situations if a coordinated approach to ground instability is adopted.
The Isle of Wight Centre for the Coastal Environment is continuing to develop policies to manage and mitigate ground movement problems around the Islands coastline. The leaflet is intended to assist homeowners by providing advice on property maintainance and related issues.
Detailed maps of the Ventnor Undercliff showing Planning Guidance, Geomorphology and Ground Behaviour are available to view at the Coastal Visitor Centre.
To download the full document 'Advice to Homeowners in the Undercliff', please click here.
Events:
For the last nine years the IWCCE has run events that encourage local people and visitors to the Island to venture into the coastal fringe and 'Explore the Shore'. A continuous programme of events has aimed at encouraging this, through fayres, guided walks, rambles, children's activities and illustrated talks. Click here to find out about forthcoming events at the Coastal Visitors Centre.
The Library
The Centre library contains over 2000 books and journals relating to coastal zone management and instability issues. Unfortunately we are unable to loan these out to visitors, but it is possible to photocopy material or make use of the study area to sit and make notes. The library is contained on a database which we hope you will soon be able to access online. If you are looking for a specific publication do call before you visit to enable staff to check the material you require is available.
How to find us
For a map showing the location of the Coastal Visitors Centre, please click here.
