What to do on holiday Link to Photograph Gallery
WALKING
There are over 500 miles of bridleways and footpaths on the island. Many of the best walks are on the downs,
which extend for much of the length of the island, or along the 66 mile coastal path.
BEACHES
A variety of good beaches can be found around the island. Our favourite is Compton Bay, ten minutes' drive away.
Surrounded by unspoilt country, it is beautiful, sandy and good for swimming or surfing.
Like much of the coast between the Needles and Ventnor, the bay belongs to the National Trust. It even has a
fossilised dinosaur footprint(s), shown on our photograph gallery.
SIGHTSEEING
Places of historic interest to visit include
Osborne House (quite outstanding : this was Queen Victoria's home, designed by Prince Albert),
Carisbrooke Castle, the Needles Battery (vital defences in WWII, with
stunning views over the Needles) and several lovely old manor houses, such as
Mottistone Manor in the next village to Brighstone; here, terraced gardens amongst fruit trees surround the old manor
house of 1559 (now National Trust). During the year there are concerts and "Punch and Judy" shows.
Other places to visit include St. Catherine's Lighthouse, Newtown Nature Reserve,
Ventnor Botanic Gardens - this is an interesting place for
a pleasant amble amongst sub-tropical and exotic plants and trees from around the world.
The Island also has several vineyards which can be visited.
Calbourne Mill
has tea rooms, a museum of many things from war items and old household appliances to old garden and farm machinery
(often shown working), a working mill and boating.
FAMILY ACTIVITIES
Family attractions include: The Needles
and its rides and attractions will appeal to families, you can take a chair lift or walk down to the sea at Alum Bay
with its famous cliffs with mineral-coloured bands, and from the beach take the regular boats to see the Needles.
Godshill has its own
miniature village as well as things to see.
Fort Victoria
on the island's north west coast has a planetarium, an aquarium and miniature
railway;
Amazon World, a rainforest-focussed walk-through zoo;
Blackgang Chine
is set in a dramatic coastal position and is a favourite for children;
Robin Hill theme park -
is similar;
a steam railway;
Dinosaur Isle which is
a new family-oriented dinosaur museum in Sandown; the
rather less crowded and
quieter
Dinosaur Farm Museum which is very near Brighstone (the finds are local). It is possible to take flights over the IOW in a light aircraft from Bembridge airport.
Rylstone Tea Gardens
which are near Shanklin has very old and delightful mini golf.
SPORTING ACTIVITIES
Sporting activities include horse-riding,, bicycle hire (In Yarmouth) and
there is a golf course on Freshwater Down.
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