The Isle of Wight is Britain’s fossil frontier; an internationally important site for palaeontological discoveries both past and present. Hanna Prince dives in to discover more... A Mantellisaurus. If you could travel 125 million years back in time and take a stroll around Cretaceous-era Isle of Wight, you might notice a few differences. For a start, the underlying geology that today makes up the Island was located much further south; around the same latitude as present-day N

As autumn arrives and gardens fill with colourful leaves, resist the urge to clear them all away. They provide food, shelter and vital nutrients for wildlife and soil... There is something magical about kicking through a carpet of autumn leaves. Crunchy, colourful and wonderfully seasonal, they are one of the signs that summer is finally giving way to cooler days. But while grown-ups might see fallen leaves as something to rake up and remove, children can learn that they are

Some towns preserve history in museums. Others seem to have simply carried on living alongside it. Across Europe, there are places where medieval streets are still part of everyday life, ancient walls still shape the town, and centuries-old buildings aren't just monuments—they're homes, shops, cafés and places of worship. For travellers who love history, these five towns offer something rather special: the chance to experience the past without it feeling like a museum exhibit

Five mysterious maps, hidden clues and buried secrets. Can you find the treasure? This week, we're swapping the detective's magnifying glass for a treasure map. Each puzzle contains a clue that should lead you one step closer to the prize. There are two easier challenges, two medium puzzles and one fiendishly tricky treasure hunt to finish. Good luck, adventurer — and remember, the obvious clue isn't always the right one! 🧠 1) The Pirate's Map (Easy) A pirate leaves a map sh

The festival takes place from October 8th to 11th, with more than 40 speakers appearing across the four-day event.

There are some films that feel like complete stories. They have a beginning, a middle, an ending and, most importantly, nowhere obvious left to go. That doesn't always stop Hollywood. Once a successful film becomes a hit, the temptation to return to the same characters and world can be difficult to resist. Sometimes the result is a worthy sequel. Other times, it makes you wonder whether the original would have been better left alone. Here are five film franchises where the fi

Some places are so spectacular, strange or otherworldly that they seem impossible to be real. Towering castles, mist-covered mountains, colourful villages and landscapes that appear to have been created by a computer rather than nature. You don't need a film set or a special effects department to find them. Around the world, there are real places that look as though they've been borrowed from a fantasy story. Here are five destinations where reality might just be stranger tha

An Isle of Wight-based author and broadcaster is celebrating the publication of a new book exploring 200 years of British railway maps.