Blackgand Chine or Robin Hill?

cdsmiler

Hello all,

We're off to the Isle of Wight camping for the first week in July. We're going to use tesco vouchers for lots of attractions, but seeing as both Blackgang Chine and Robin Hill have free re-entry within a week when you pay normally, we thought we'd do that. But which one?

Which one would suit a 3 1/2 year old girl? Haven't been to Robin Hill, haven't been to Blackgang Chine for many years!!

I know they do a joint ticket, but we're on a tight budget so will stick to just one of them this time.

Opinions from people who have been in the last year, with young children, would be very welcome!! Thanks!

Clare x

gawebb99

we went to both last october half term. we took our children who were 3 and 5 at the time. blackgang chine was amazing- they loved every minute and we had the whole day there and could easily have gone back. robin hill we just spent the afternoon there, lots of walking / hills but not as much for the children to see- they do have play areas but not as good as black gang in my opinion,.

vikingaero

Blackgang will probably be better for young uns as it's more storybook based, albeit a bit tired. It's very hilly and you will suffer if you have a buggy.

The food at Blackgang is pretty grim even for a greasy spoon cafe and there are loads of places for picnics.

gawebb99

vikingaero wrote: »

Blackgang will probably be better for young uns as it's more storybook based, albeit a bit tired. It's very hilly and you will suffer if you have a buggy.

The food at Blackgang is pretty grim even for a greasy spoon cafe and there are loads of places for picnics.

we ate at blackgang chine and food was fine, we had fish and chips- quite tasty!

my 3 wheeler mountain buggy was a godsend however-:beer:

cdsmiler

Brill, thank you all. We're going to be camping, so I don't think we'll have room for our 3 wheeler!! It's the cheapy or nothing!! lol Better than nothing I'm sure though.

Sounds like Blackgang Chine is the better bet with my little one. I was heading to those thoughts anyway.

Any further thoughts, opinions or tips would be great!

Thanks again!

Clare x

vikingaero

Tips:

Arrive early and on a day with good weather. One of the best parts of the site are the slides on a hill near the Wild West Fort/Town.

efesbaby

i know you said you was on a tight budget but if you could find the funds for colemans farm,i would highly recommed it. we took our daughter two years ago( she was 3) and again last year, spent the full day there with a picnic its interactive so egg hunting, feeding the lambs, tractor rides, indoor play area etc she loved it and still talks about it now :j

trynsave

I'll be honest .. My kids love both Blackgang & Robin Hill, but they are a lot of money for what you get. As it is Blackgang you are thinking about I'll concentrate on that.
1) The Snakes & ladders slides are really popular with the kids, but very steep for little legs. Also the bigger kids rush past the smaller ones so I always had my heart in my mouth!
2) The Nursey Land area is cute but quite old fashioned. Nothing moves, more like gnomes in a garden.
3) The maze is fun.
4) The Princess House looks impressive from the outside, but just a facade.
5) The free swing park is excellent and the families all hang about there for ages, but basically a swing park is a swing park! Although there is a fab wooden ship to climb on.
6) The wooden fort climbing area is good but you would probably have to go in too as some bits are tricky for little legs.
7) Probably too young for the coaster and the queue for the Avalanche is always massive!
8) My kids don't like the Western area so we don't really do there, but lots of little boys running around with cap guns and rifles. Quite expensive too, so if you think your daughter would want one buy a cheap pound shop one before you go and produce that. No-one will know the difference!

Like I said my brood always have a good time there but when I had a buggy to push up the hills I knew about it, especially in the bug garden bit.

A trip to the donkey sanctuary is always a hit with my kids.
Free to walk round and pat the donkeys, but I always let them choose a little token from the gift shop.

There is also a really nice sandy playpark at Ryde. Get on the landtrain near the hovercraft and ride down. Spend ages in the park, amble back via the beach and small rides at the fun fair.

cdsmiler

Thanks all, that's really useful!

Clare x