Isle Of Wight: Natural Beauty, History, and Family-Friendly Attractions
“She thinks of nothing but the Isle of Wight, and she calls it the Island, as if there were no other island in the world.” Jane Austen, Mansfield Park.
Discover the Isle of Wight: A Holiday Guide
The Isle of Wight, a gem off England’s south coast, offers a blend of stunning natural beauty, rich history, and charming seaside towns. Perfect for a holiday escape, this island truly does have something to offer for everyone: from historic landmarks, breathtaking scenery and milky way star gazing, power boat riding, sailing and dolphin spotting, to fossil hunting and garlic ice cream! Piqued your interest? Read on to find out more about what this alluring island has to offer.
Osborne House: for history and grandeur
Osborne House, once the beloved summer home of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, is a must-visit for history enthusiasts. Situated in East Cowes, just minutes from the ferry terminal, this palatial estate offers a glimpse into royal life in the 19th century. The house itself is a marvel, designed by Prince Albert in the style of an Italian Renaissance palazzo.
What to See
- State Rooms: Walk through the opulent state rooms, where you can admire intricate decor, royal artifacts and Victoria and Albert’s personal art collection which still adorns the splendid residence.
- Private Apartments: Peek into the private apartments of Victoria and Albert, preserved as they were during their residency with many items remaining today in the very place they were left by the royals.
- Swiss Cottage: Explore the quirky museum at the Swiss Cottage, a playhouse built for the royal children, where they learned practical skills and hosted tea parties. Relax on the private beach where the royal children learned how to swim, you can even view the very bathing machine that Queen Victoria used to protect her modesty when taking to the waters.
- Gardens and Grounds: Stroll through the traditional gardens of the Italianate terraces and take in the aroma of orange blossom, roses and jasmine along the Pavilion Terrace; admire the famous royal myrtle which grows today from a sprig given to Victoria in 1845, from which cuttings feature in contemporary royals wedding bouquets including most recently Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.
- Victoria’s Beach: Relax in the sun loungers on Victoria’s private beach, enjoy delicious, indulgent ice cream after a traditional game of quoits and finish off with a cooling paddle in the crystal clear Solent waters.
Today Osborne House is managed by English Heritage. Admission fees and opening times vary throughout the season so it’s always best to check ahead. Purchasing tickets online ahead of your visit is usually cheaper than paying on the day. Visit the English Heritage Osborne House webpages here.
The Needles: for iconic landmark and breathtaking views
The Needles are a row of striking chalk stacks majestically rising from the sea off the island’s western coast, they are perhaps the Isle of Wight’s most iconic natural feature. The Needles and their surrounding area offer a range of activities and attractions that cater to all ages and no visit to the island is complete without taking in the stunning views and seascape from the cliff top vantage point.
What to Do
- Isle of Wight Pearl: Before arriving at the Needles Landmark Attraction, take a short detour to Isle of Wight Pearl, located on the iconic Military Road, where you can pick your own oyster and have your very own pearl graded and set in jewellery for a unique and personalised memento.
- The Needles Landmark Attraction: Once arriving at the Needles Landmark Attraction, start your visit at the family-friendly park and retail courtyard which offers amusement rides and mini golf, glass-blowing demonstrations at Alum Bay Glass, fill your own glass ornament souvenir with a rainbow of coloured sand from the famous Alum Bay cliffs, before taking mosey around the array of gift shops and cafes. There is even a 4D cinema. The area wheelchair and dog friendly and you’ll often find water bowls on offer to cool down your furry friends.
- Alum Bay: The multi-coloured sands of the famous Alum Bay cliffs are the backdrop to the beach access view of the Needles. Unfortunately not for those with accessibility issues, (and not ideal for pushchairs or prams) the beach is accessed via a steep, stepped walk, but the veiws along the way make it so worth the effort. Those who don’t mind heights might take the chairlift, which is a gentle ride down to the beach, but can make your heart race a little you approach the brow of the cliff edge.
- Beach and Boat rides: Alum Bay boasts a protected bay of crystal clear waters that you could mistake for the Mediterranean and the beach offers the perfect place to soak up the sun. There are however loose cliffs sides in places so take heed of warning signage and stay away from the cliff face. Our favourite part of a trip to Alum Bay is a boat trip which takes you right up close to The Needles and the lighthouse. A slow boat ride for those who enjoy a slower pace or families with small children, or you can take the speed boat RIB for an exhilarating ride around the famous sea stack an into Scratchell’s Bay. If you’re lucky, you may be joined by the playful dolphins which regularly pass through the waters.
For the adventurous, The Needles offers excellent opportunities for hiking, with several scenic trails providing breathtaking coastal views. Alternatively, you can relax and take in the dramatic scenery from one of the many vantage points.
You can purchase supersaver tickets for The Needles Attraction park rides, and a return ticket on the chairlift is around £6.
Boat rides cost around £15 for one adult and one child under 15.
Parking costs around £6, which is reduced for National Trust members.
Opening times vary throughout the year and some attractions are subject to weather conditions. You can find out more about The Needles Attraction here.
Model Village and Godshill: For quintessential quirkiness at the heart of the island
Godshill is a charming and quintessentially English village boasting traditional thatched cottages with rose gardens where you can enjoy the relaxed pace of the island with a cream tea before strolling around the cute and quirky miniature model village and visiting the medieval church steeped folklore.
The Model Village is a unique must see display of miniature recreations of Godshill buildings and those of Old Shanklin Village. Miniature railways, gardens, airfield, streams and a miniature bride and groom celebrate by the miniature church. The Model Village is a family run attraction that had been delighting visitors young and old for over 50 years.
Alongside the Model Village is the ascent to All Saints Church, built in the 14th century, folklore surrounds it’s origin. One version of the legend tells the tale of the local community deciding on the location to build the church at the foot of the hill, they placed the stones, ropes and materials required at the chosen location. The following day the locals were astonished to find that all the stones and materials had been moved to the top of the hill, they spent all day moving the materials back to the bottom. Exasperation set in when the following day they were met by the same, finding the stones and materials had again been moved to the top of the hill. The village elders decreed that the church would be built on the top of the hill, and that from that time on, in honour of the miracle that had happened there, the village would be named “God’s Hill”.
The Model Village is open everyday through to November, dogs are welcome and the site is wheelchair accessible and has baby changing facilities. You can find out more and book tickets here.
Red Squirrel Trail: For nature lovers and cyclists alike
The Isle Of Wight is one of the few remaining homes in the UK for our native red squirrel. The Red Squirrel Trail is 32 miles of mostly traffic free, family-friendly cycling that takes you through the heart of the island, through woodland, farmland and along the beautiful island coastline. The trail runs from East Cowes, alongside the river Medina and extends through Shanklin, Wroxall, Appuldurcombe and Merstone. There are various routes and levels of difficulty and cycles are readily available to hire, if you’re lucky you’ll spot a red squirrel or two whilst taking in the stunning coastal scenery and beautiful water meadows. More information about the trail and cycle hire can be found here.
Cowes Week: For sailing enthusiasts and community festivities
Taking place during the summer months; late July or early August, (exact dates vary each year), Cowes Week brings together around 8,500 competitive sailors including olympic professionals and is one of the UK’s longest running sporting events dating back to 1826, it attracts around 60,000 visitor spectators every year. The week consists of daily sailboat racing, must of which can be watched from the shore. The best location for spectators is between the Castle of the Royal Yacht Squadron and the cannons at Cowes for the start of the racing and The Green at Egypt Point Esplanade, Cowes for the finish line.
Round the Island Race
The Round the Island Race is a spectacle not to be missed, usually taking place in June it is one of the largest yacht races in the world and witnessing a flotilla over 1,200 yachts navigate their way along the 50 nautical mile course, passed The Needles and around the island is something that you’ll never forget.
Fossil Hunting: For big kids, little kids and budding paleontologists
The Isle Of Wight is known as Dinosaur Island for a very good reason, it is one of the best places in the UK to find fossils and dinosaur remains. Compton Bay Beach is is a great place to start your dig, where lucky hunters often find dinosaur bones and teeth. Fossilised dinosaur footprints are an easy find on the beach. Ammonites and brachiopods are often found at Sheperd’s Chine and Whale Chine, and Brighstone Bay is famous for the discovery of a sauropod skeleton.
Budding paleontologists should pay a visit to Jurassic Jim on Shanklin High Street, and Dinosaur Isle Museum in Sandown.
Garlic Farm: For gastronomic delights and surprises
The Garlic Farm is a family run business located in Newchurch, and offers farm tours, farm shop and restaurant and also hosts workshops, live music and craft shows, operatic events and more.
The highly rated restaurant is described as being second to none and one of the few places where you have the opportunity to sample delicious Chocolate and Black Garlic Guinness Cake!
Other Family Friendly activities and attractions:
Amazon World Zoo Park
Exotic animals such as Toucans, Marmosets, Penguins, Flamingos, Otters, Ocelot, Monkeys and a walkthrough Lemur enclosure. Family friendly and wheelchair accessible. Visit www.amazonworld.co.uk for more information.
Blackgang Chine
Blackgang Chine is a unique family day out, it is home to the island’s modern day theme park with history of the attraction dating back to 1843! Cowboy Town, the amusing Dodo valley, enchanting Underwater Kingdom and Restricted Area 5 hosting animatronic dinosaurs will keep the family entertained all day.
The site has restaurants and baby changing facilities, is wheelchair accessible in most parts but the park built on the steep inclines of the Blackgang cliffs. Tickets are valid for a free 7 day return.
Carisbrooke Castle
Carisbrooke Castle dates back more than 800 years and offers a glimpse into history as the site of King Charles I imprisonment prior to his execution in 1649, it was also home to Queen Victoria’s youngest daughter Princess Beatrice in 1913. Today you can explore the grounds, try on armour and fire a mini cannon in the Gatehouse.
The site is managed by English Heritage you can find out more about Carisbrooke Castle here.
Isle Of Wight Donkey Sanctuary
A safe haven to over 100 rescued donkeys, mules and Shetland ponies, which you can visit and interact with, groom and walk. The sanctuary is open 7 days a week and is free to enter which makes it both a great day out and inexpensive for families. The sanctuary is a charity which relies on donations and adoptions. It is located at Lower Winstone Farm, Wroxall and you can find out more here.
Monkey Haven
This primate rescue centre is open daily from February – November and offers quiet hour admissions. Alongside an array of monkeys such as lar gibbons, squirrel monkeys, barbary macaques and capuchins, you will also find meerkats, reptiles and birds. If that wasn’t enough to entertain the team, there’s keeper talks, play areas, picnic areas, tea rooms and gift shop.
You can find out more about Monkey Haven here.
Sandham Gardens
Located alongside Yaverland beach in Sandown, voted in Countryfile Magazine as UK’s best beach, Sandham Gardens offers fun filled activities for the young ones, such as Dino Islands crazy Golf, Skynets, and Go Karting.
The All Inclusive Kids Ticket offer value for money admission to each of the activities, you can find out about the latest deals and opening times here.
Shanklin Chine
Shanklin Chine is located towards the end of Shanklin’s esplanade, it is the island’s oldest visitor attraction and wows those who visit the tree lined gorge and waterfalls which after dusk are illuminated with muliti-coloured lights to create and enchanting and mystical experience and selfie opportunities that you’ll be rushing to add to your Insta page. The Chine is well worth a visit but unfortunately the natural landscape does make most parts inaccessible for wheelchair users.
No visit to Shanklin Chine is complete without calling in to Fisherman’s Cottage, the pub on the beach which offers some of the best home cooked food and seafood dishes in the area.
Tapnell Farm Park
This award winning farm park offers exploration and adventure with both outdoor and undercover activities perfect for rainy days; go karting, sledge slides, jumping pillows, trampolines, straw bale play barns, soft play areas and of course and an array of farm animals to see too. For the more adventurous, don’t miss the aqua park for jumps, slides and plenty of splashing around.
Tickets must be purchased in advance, visit the Tapnell Farm Park website here.
Ventnor Botanic Gardens
The unique microclimate of Ventnor provides the perfect location for the botanical gardens where you can admire the exhibition of subtropical plants which are grown outdoors in the UK! Visitors are delighted by the variety of succulents, cacti, flowering aloes and palm trees along with other South African and Australian flora. The attraction is aiming for carbon-neutral status, is dog friendly and states that 80% of the routes throughout the gardens are wheelchair accessible.
Find out more and book your tickets here.
Wildheart Trust Animal Sanctuary
Servals, monkeys, meerkats, lions, tigers, lemurs, lynx, reptiles, farm animals, birds, fish and bees all inhabit the Wildheart Sanctuary in Sandown. The sancturay is run by the Wildheart Trust and offers a wholesome experience for visitors, complete with gift shop, cafe and play areas for the kids.
Parking available is reasonably priced at around £3 per day. The site is wheelchair accessible, has disabled toilets and carers accompanying disabled visitors receive free admission.
Find out more and book your tickets here.
Whether you’re seeking history, adventure, or simply a place to relax and unwind, the Isle of Wight promises an unforgettable holiday experience for all ages. With a unique blend of attractions, this enchanting island is sure to capture your heart and leaving you yearning to return year after year.
For hotels and accommodation best picks, see our Isle Of Wight Accommodation page.
This article contains a number of links to external websites providing further relevant information to help you to plan your trip. Whilst all links were checked and deemed suitable and correct at the time of writing, PalmaCoco Travel cannot be held responsible for the content of external websites. PalmaCoco Travel is not affiliated to any of the organisations or links in this article.
PalmaCoco Travel 