We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

Isle of Wight in the rain

Hi all

We’re going to the Isle of Wight on Sunday for 6 days.  I know there’s tons to do outside but sadly the weather forecast is not good, some thunder/lightning and quite a bit of rain.  Knowing how fickle the Met Office can be we’re hoping it will be better than the forecast  :D

Can you suggest some nice indoor things please.  We are 2 pensioners.  We are going to Osborne House and probably Carisbrooke.  Are the donkeys still there?  Last time I went to Carisbrooke was on a school trip in 1964

Comments

  • Vectis
    Vectis Posts: 760 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    A few ideas for indoor stuff to do if it's wet: The Steam Railway at Havenstreet, apart from travelling on the trains there's also a sort of museum which is quite good; The Roman Villa at Brading (there's a much smaller one in Newport too but the Brading one is pretty good); Quarr Abbey; You could use your free bus passes as you're pensioners to travel all around the Island and certainly go along the Military Road in the south either by bus or car - you'd need to check if the Island Breezer buses are covered by the free passes; Fort Victoria has a planetarium and other attractions (it used to have a great model railway but I'm not sure if that's still there);  Lilliput Toy and Doll Museum in Brading; Quay Arts in Newport may have events on; Dimbola photography museum.

    I can recommend most of these - we live on the Island - but haven't been to all of them. Most Island attractions are small scale compared to the mainland (except obviously Osborne House, Carisbrooke etc) but none the worse for that and certainly ideal for a few hours visit. And nearly everywhere has decent cafes etc.
  • Murphybear
    Murphybear Posts: 7,572 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Vectis said:
    A few ideas for indoor stuff to do if it's wet: The Steam Railway at Havenstreet, apart from travelling on the trains there's also a sort of museum which is quite good; The Roman Villa at Brading (there's a much smaller one in Newport too but the Brading one is pretty good); Quarr Abbey; You could use your free bus passes as you're pensioners to travel all around the Island and certainly go along the Military Road in the south either by bus or car - you'd need to check if the Island Breezer buses are covered by the free passes; Fort Victoria has a planetarium and other attractions (it used to have a great model railway but I'm not sure if that's still there);  Lilliput Toy and Doll Museum in Brading; Quay Arts in Newport may have events on; Dimbola photography museum.

    I can recommend most of these - we live on the Island - but haven't been to all of them. Most Island attractions are small scale compared to the mainland (except obviously Osborne House, Carisbrooke etc) but none the worse for that and certainly ideal for a few hours visit. And nearly everywhere has decent cafes etc.
    Thanks for this, it’s really useful.  I was born and brought up in Southampton and we used to visit the IofW on school trips, it was lovely.  
  • Brie
    Brie Posts: 12,456 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    If you have transport there's the garlic farm with an interesting shop.  At least it was to me a few years back.  Osborne House was lovely - my mom insisted on going to IoW simply to see it as she'd enjoyed the movie Mrs Brown.
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on Debt Free Wannabe and Old Style Money Saving boards.  If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.

    "Never retract, never explain, never apologise; get things done and let them howl.”  Nellie McClung
  • Misslayed
    Misslayed Posts: 14,712 Senior Ambassador
    Ninth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Homepage Hero Name Dropper
    Mr. M (formerly an islander) recommends The Amazon Adventure on the main road between Newport and Lake, Arreton Manor (with local crafts people) on the same road, Chesel Pottery (nice teas), Godston has model village and lots of interesting wee shops, Dinosaur Museum at Yaveland - right next door to IOW zoo, Island Pearl on Military Road - lovely cafe with splendid view too. 
    I’m a Senior Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the Competition Time, Site Feedback and Marriage, Relationships and Families boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com All views are my own and not the official line of Money Saving Expert.
  • Murphybear
    Murphybear Posts: 7,572 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Thanks both, more interesting ideas 
  • If you fancy going to the butterfly world, check the reviews on TripAdvisor first.  I went there as a kid and thought it was amazing as it was so full of butterflies.  Went there as an adult in 2020 and there were about 7 butterflies in total.  Very disappointing.
    We also went to a donkey sanctuary, which I would recommend!
  • Zinger549
    Zinger549 Posts: 1,344 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Misslayed said:
    Mr. M (formerly an islander) recommends The Amazon Adventure on the main road between Newport and Lake, Arreton Manor (with local crafts people) on the same road, Chesel Pottery (nice teas), Godston has model village and lots of interesting wee shops, Dinosaur Museum at Yaveland - right next door to IOW zoo, Island Pearl on Military Road - lovely cafe with splendid view too. 
    The model village is in Godshill.

    Come on you Irons
  • Murphybear
    Murphybear Posts: 7,572 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 6 September 2022 at 7:33AM
    Well, here we are.

    we got to the Lymington ferry terminal very early on Sunday as we came via Bournemouth and know it can get super busy.  Our ferry was 12.00 and we just got on the 10.00am.   :)

    We drove round the island to get our bearings and sat outside for lunch and I had to dig out the sun tan cream it was so glorious.  In spite of the forecast yesterday it was good most of the day.  Few spots of rain at Carisbrooke then it cleared up.

    Forecast for the next few days is rain and thunder (like half of southern England :D) but it’s ok at the moment.  We’re off to Osborne today.

    Thanks for the further suggestions.  I noticed no one mentioned the National Poo  museum  :#

    it’s my birthday tomorrow (I can’t believe I’ll be 70) so hopefully the weather will be ok).
  • Skiddaw1
    Skiddaw1 Posts: 2,165 Forumite
    Fifth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Hope you have a splendid birthday @Murphybear ! I think a visit to the poo museum would be a fab way to celebrate.... :D
  • Murphybear
    Murphybear Posts: 7,572 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Skiddaw1 said:
    Hope you have a splendid birthday @Murphybear ! I think a visit to the poo museum would be a fab way to celebrate.... :D

    Thanks.  I’ve had a lovely day so far.  We went to Osborne House and the Roman Villa at Brading.  Both very interesting.  We’re having a curry this evening.

    The weather has been lovely most of the day, lots of blue sky and sunshine.   :)
Meet your Ambassadors

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 346.7K Banking & Borrowing
  • 251.4K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 451.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 238.9K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 614.3K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 174.8K Life & Family
  • 252.1K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.