Family FuN
The Island is packed full of fun, adventure and exploration. There are hundreds of places to see, and things to do, packed into just 147 beautiful square miles of pure Island escapism. From fossil hunting and crabbing to playing cowboys and meeting friendly wallabies, every day offers up new adventures...
Fossil Hunting
Hunt for dinosaurs along the dinosaur coast, a glorious stretch of coastline that stretches from Yaverland in the East, around the South of Island, to Compton Bay close to us here in West Wight. The Island has been crowned the ‘Dinosaur Capital of the UK’ by the Natural History Museum, as more fossils are found on the Island than anywhere else in the UK. Dinosaur Isle lead a number of guided walks at sites of known palaeontological and geological interest on the Isle of Wight. Fossil walks must be pre booked
dinosaurisle.com or call 01983 404344
Hunt for ghosts in a haunted castle
Carisbrooke Castle is reputedly haunted by soldiers in battledress and many visitors have reported seeing strange visions around the Keep and deep down in the well.
The simple pleasures
Enjoy cycling, walking, crabbing... or more sophisticated pleasures, such as tucking into the local delicacy, crab or lobster on chips!
Water sports
Take advantage of the glorious coastline and mild climate, and try a new adrenaline-pumping water-sport. As a family, you could learn to surf in the morning, go kayaking at lunchtime, and try stand up paddleboarding in the evening.
Monkey Haven
Monkey Haven...this Gold award-winning animal sanctuary is TripAdvisor’s No 1 attraction for the Island. The primate rescue centre cares for monkeys, birds of prey, reptiles, meerkats, and other exotic creatures. There are talks and feeds throughout the day, giving you the chance to get up close with owls and other creatures including Gus the boa constrictor... who’s much more cuddly than you might expect!
Tapnell Farm Park
Enjoy an animal adventure at Tapnell Farm Park. A brilliant place for children to hang out and meet friendly animals including wallabies, meerkats, goats, miniature donkeys, sheep, pigs and alpacas. Inside this all-weather attraction you will find a wide range of hands-on animal experiences, and indoor and outdoor play – with lots to keep kids and adults entertained.
The Needles Landmark Attraction
Enjoy the ultimate family adventure by taking a thrilling ride in the world-famous chairlift from the cli s above Alum Bay to the beach below, with panoramic views over the iconic Needles Rocks and multi-coloured sandy cli s. Continue with your adventure at the sand filoing shop, play adventure golf and enjoy traditional rides.
Blackgang Chine
A day of adventure at Blackgang Chine. Play at being cowboys, fight duels on the giant galleon, and meet roaring, stomping, robotic dinosaurs. An exciting new attraction is the Underwater Kingdom, an animatronic extravaganza with sea creatures, underwater caves, a sunken shipwreck and the hidden kingdom, where the biggest mammal of them all awaits.
Robin Hill Country Park
Set in 88 acres of countryside, including ancient woodlands, Robin Hill offers a thrilling range of rides including the Colossus Swinging Galleon, adventure play areas, a 4D motion cinema, falconry displays and a tree top walk among the red squirrels.
The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary
The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary is based between Shanklin and Ventnor on the road to Wroxall. Everyone is welcome to come and visit the lovely donkeys. Usually there are more than 100 animals in the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary’s care – usually over 90 donkeys and 25 horses and ponies. The animals live in over 55 acres of beautiful countryside.
Osborne House
“It is impossible to imagine a prettier spot” said Queen Victoria of Osborne House, her palatial holiday home on the Isle of Wight. Visit Victoria and Albert’s private apartments, their bathing beach and children’s play-cottage for an intimate glimpse of royal family life. Then stroll through the garden terraces where the stunning views across the Solent reminded Prince Albert of the Bay of Naples.
english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/Osborne
Isle of Wight Steam Railway
The Isle of Wight Steam Railway will charm, engage and captivate, leaving you with some lasting memories of a special day out. Settle back in beautifully restored Victorian and Edwardian carriages and discover an idyllic view of the Island’s unspoilt countryside.
Ventnor Botanic Gardens
Ventnor Botanic Garden lies in the remarkable micro-climate at the heart of the famous ‘Undercliff.’ With an average rainfall of 28 inches its climate is more akin to the Mediterranean. This enables a wide variety of plants considered too tender for much of mainland Britain to be grown.
West Wight Alpacas
Head down to the West Wight Alpaca farm and meet all the furry friends. The farm has alpacas, llamas, pigs, goats, donkeys, sheep and more...
Godshill Model Village
This beautiful model village nestles in the grounds of the Old Vicarage. Set in nearly two acres of gorgeous landscaped gardens this is a real retro find - a quintessentially English visitor attraction. You will find scale models of Shanklin and Godshill villages as they were in the 1920’s. The cottages, pubs and churches are faithfully reproduced versions of the real buildings in 1/10th scale. The garden railway is a must see - a snapshot of the Island Line of yesteryear!
www.modelvillagegodshill.co.uk
Amazon World Zoo Park
Amazon World Zoo Park is the Isle of Wight’s largest exotic animal attraction and is a great day out whatever your age! Walk through jungle rainforests with colourful rare birds flying above you and crocodiles watching you from the pond! They also have a fantastic on-site three story soft play zone.