Isle of Wight - ideas for week in summer

iwannanicerlife

Hi all

We have booked a week's holiday in Shanklin in the summer hols. Can you please spam me with some ideas of things to do, we are two adults, 2 teen girls (15&13). Thanks

System

A must is Osbourne House in East Cowes. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's residence where Victoria died in 1901.

vikingaero

If you visit Osborne House as Scarlet has said then don't miss the Swiss Cottage or Queen Victorias Beach. If you plan to visit Carisbrooke Castle then it will be worth joining EH.

If you travel over on the Wightlink there will be an summer guide for the IOW with vouchers inside. IIRC the booking office at Wightlink Portsmouth had mini cards with island discounts. If you are travelling on Red Funnel then you can still get a free copy here:

http://www.wightlink.co.uk/do/wightlife-brochure/

IOW Tourist Board downloadable leaflets:

http://www.visitisleofwight.co.uk/travel/maps-and-guides

Apart from Robin Hill (should be just OK for your girls) and Blackgang Chine (which your girls are probably too old for), most of the attractions are small and don't take more than a couple of hours to visit.

Free stuff:

The Old Smithy in Godshill
Arreton Barns
IOW Pearl
Beaches galore

We found Shanklin Chine quite picturesque and the Esplanade at Shanklin had decent adventure golf and range of places to eat.

Needles Battery is worth a visit. Needles Landmark Park a cheesefest and rather meh. Dimbola Museum interesting, we've been to Amazon World Zoo Park a few times when the girls were younger. Brading Roman Villa OK. Cowes very nice place to amble around.

We use this website to findinteresting places to eat on IOW which is run by 2 locals:

http://mattandcat.co.uk/

And finally if it rains then the Waltzing Waters in Ryde is a cheap and cheesey way to shelter.

Still bored? Get the hovercraft, jet ferry, or catamaran to Portsmouth Gunwharf Quays for shopping.

iwannanicerlife

Brilliant, thank you lots of tips there.

suzeesu2000

Or...picnis at Brook Bay beach, visit Blackgang Chine, go to the Mill near Carisbrooke, then Carisbrooke Castle.

To be honest, if anyone says they are bored when on the IOW they have something wrong, there is SSOOOO much to do and see that a week isnt long enough.

It does depend on which week you are coming but there are also lots of outdoor events and festivals all over the island all summer long.

If you can, go to the website of the island paper, Isle of Wight County Press, they have a special page every week of whats on.

Hope you enjoy your visit here, please wipe your feet when you get off the ferry!!