Absorb Some Vitamin Sea

Visit the UK’s oldest theme park and immerse yourself in the Land of Imagination at Blackgang Chine! 

Home to dinosaurs, cowboys, dodos, fairies, pirates and a whole host of other mystical, magical characters, Blackgang Chine is the perfect place for an action-packed day out with the kids. Whether they want to don a sheriff badge and act out their very own Wild West story in Cowboy Town; head into a water cannon battle on the high seas in Pirate Cove; or sprout some wings and inhabit their own fairy castle, adventure is always on the cards!  

Every adventurer faces real giants from time to time, so gather your courage and prepare to encounter not 1, but 2 in one day! Meet the largest animatronic T-Rex in the country down in Restricted Area 5 and marvel at the 60-foot whale in Underwater Kingdom. With hunger for adrenaline awoken, it’s time to have a go on some crazy rides, like the white-knuckle Cliffhanger roller coaster, or the splashtastic, high-speed Waterforce. 

Need a breather? There’s plenty of places to stop for a bite to eat while you enjoy the stunning views out to the English Channel including Chine Café and Chocabloc. 

·         UK’s oldest theme park, opened in 1843! 

·         Meet the largest animatronic T-Rex in the country 

·         Underwater Kingdom with musical walk-through & 60ft whale 

·         Explore 40 acres of gardens and themed areas 

Step into Queen Victoria's summer palace, Osborne House, where the Queen of England entertained her important guests. Osborne was built specifically for Victoria and Albert, and its architecture and furnishings reflect their passions, taste and style.

Explore the gardens and grounds, take a stroll down to the Swiss Cottage that Prince Albert build for their nine children. Let you own kids run free in the royal playground! 

Grab an ice cream at the cafe on Queen Victoria's private beach, and see one of her original bathing machines, which she used for privacy while enjoying the benefits of sea-bathing.

You can feel a real sense of history here. Heads of state, inventors, princes and princesses, all walked these opulent corridors, when Osborne was at the centre of a vast British Empire. 

Osborne’s time-warp atmosphere makes it an excellent location for filming period pieces, and the house recently featured in the film, Victoria & Abdul. 

With only a handful of cottages, brightly coloured canopied deckchairs, beach huts, lobster pots and an old donkey, you would be forgiven for thinking that you had stepped back in time. Some people liken it to the hidden coves in Cornwall, whilst others think of the palm-fringed bays of the Mediterranean. Welcome to Steephill Cove on the sunny south side of the Isle of Wight.

Arguably the prettiest place on the Island, situated just south of the Victorian seaside town of Ventnor, Steephill Cove is a traditional, unspoilt fishing cove with a safe, sandy beach, nestled between rocky cliffs and smugglers' coves.

This little bay has no road access, making it a unique noise and pollution free beach. Parking is five minutes away in the award winning Botanical Gardens, or the private car park(cheaper) above the Cove on the main road.
 

Carved by Mother Nature’s own hands over thousands of years, the stunning tree lined gorge that is Shanklin Chine cuts its mark from Shanklin Old Village to the sandy beach and esplanade far below.

Attracting many millions of visitors to wander through and marvel at its beauty over a near double century of seasonal openings, Shanklin Chine can truly say it’s lasted the test of visitor time. There are few places on the Isle of Wight, let alone England, that can boast such a tranquil and picturesque location.

The Isle Of Wight Donkey Sanctuary is welcoming families to explore and visit the resident 97 donkeys and 26 ponies in their home, all of whom were rescued or found abandoned.

They are given a ‘forever home’ in 55 acres of countryside in the Wroxall valley where they get first class care and welfare. Over 50 volunteers support the staff at the Sanctuary to ensure that the donkeys ‘want for nothing!’

The Sanctuary is a free entry, free parking site with a gift shop and a cafe. They are still open today thanks to the goodwill of supporters, visitors and people who adopt donkeys or buy products the shop and cafe.

Take the family to enjoy the interactive activities and seasonal events – you can even show your support by adopting a Donkey of your own, complete with an adoption certificate to take home of course!

The Garlic Farm is located in the beautiful Arreton Valley. Take a farm walk and open your eyes and ears to the flora and fauna of this natural habitat for birds, animals, insects, wild flowers which co-exist with their farmed crops.

The farm is dog friendly, and the education centre and play-park is great for the children to explore! Keep an eye out for special seasonal events and workshops, such as garlic bread making, planting, plaiting and grapping!

Indulge your senses in the taste experience room, there's something for everyone from the sweet chutneys and smooth mayonnaises to the hottest hot garlic sauce you'll never forget – You can even try garlic ice-cream! Don’t miss the chance to dine in the restaurant between 9am-5pm, and we also recommend you take a look in the shop before you leave!

The IOW bus museum is a registered charity and run completely by volunteers and has a display of around 20 historic vehicles, transport artefacts, displays, photographs, a tea bar and a shop.

Exhibits range from an 1880s Civility Stage Coach, a 1934 Dennis Ace, to more recent vehicles. There are examples of vehicles under restoration, many items of memorabilia, and a vast collection of photographs reflecting the heyday of the Island as a holiday destination.

Enjoy FREE ADMISSION -Open from Easter to the end of October on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, plus bank holidays.

Keep an eye on the website for running weekends when you can travel free on the buses, especially in October on the Island-wide Classic Bus and the Beer and Walks Weekend, see: www.iwbeerandbuses.co.uk

Land or Sea?

This is one for the adrenaline junkies!

There is an activity for all ages and abilities as you can try Kayaking, Archery, Paddleboarding, Giant Paddleboarding, Axe Throwing, Bushcraft, Climbing, Mountain Boarding, Coasteering and more!

Offering the widest range of land and water based activities on the Isle of Wight, I’m sure you can find something for all the family.

Immerse yourself in a jungle experience!

View a wide range of unusual, rare and exotic animals spanning the entire animal kingdom!

Visit this conservation-minded venue with over 200 species including tropical birds, cats and meerkats.

Take part in the daily ‘Meet the Animal’ sessions, make use of the on-site cafe and gift shop, or we're sure the kids will love the large Jurassic themed adventure playground!