Isle of Wight attractions:
we've found the very best!

Numerous Isle of Wight attractions are to be found in the guide books, so it's sometimes really difficult to know which are worth visiting.

So, in order to help you, we're exploring the various places listed and we're making our own list of favourites.



Simply click on each BLUE link for further information.

Those marked with an asterisk (*) are open all year round.

THE NEEDLES PARK
Loads of things to see and do here. Take a chairlift down to Alum Bay to see the coloured sands; watch craftsmen at work in the Glass Studio, browse the shops or ride on a real, old-fashioned carousel!

FORT VICTORIA COUNTRY PARK
Somewhere to aim for come rain or shine. The remains of the original Victorian fortifications house a variety of attractions such as The Underwater Archaelogy Centre, The Aquarium and The Planetarium. Here you will also find a cafe, a restaurant and a superb model railway. Beyond the fortifications, enjoy also the 20 hectares of woodland walks with stunning views over The Solent.

DIMBOLA LODGE
Dimbola Lodge at Freshwater Bay is the former home of Julia Margaret Cameron, the celebrated photographer. The building houses a permanent exhibition of her work together with a changing programme of contemporary photography and art exhibitions.

PELICAN RACING
At last! We've found somewhere to experience the joys of sailing and/or powerboating at reasonable cost! Pelican Racing, based in Cowes, offers 2 hours sailing for just £30 per head (£20 for children). No experience necessary - all you need are soft soled shoes. Brilliant!

OWL AND MONKEY HAVEN*
This is one of the newest Isle of Wight attractions - it opened at Easter 2010. The haven is a family run business which aims to provide a safe and happy environment for homeless primates and birds of prey. Any business that helps wildlife has our support!

BLACKGANG CHINE
This fantasy park situated on the south coast of the island is an exciting mix of rides, goblins, fairies, dinosaurs, nursery rhyme characters, cowboys and indians - all 'designed to bring out the child in all of us.'

ROBIN HILL
Set in 88 acres of woodland and rolling countryside of Arreton Downs, this park offers rides and attractions for all ages - together with lots of space to 'run free and let off steam.'

CARISBROOKE CASTLE*
In our opinion, Carisbrooke Castle is one of the island's 'must see' attractions. It is open all year round (except 24th - 26th December) and is now managed by English Heritage as an ancient monument .....

OSBORNE HOUSE*
Osborne House, Queen Victoria's much loved island retreat, is undoubtedly one of the best known, 'must-see' attractions in the Isle of Wight .....

ISLE OF WIGHT STEAM RAILWAY
The ever popular Isle of Wight Steam Railway, located at Havenstreet Station near Ryde, is not only for big boys and little boys. There is something to interest everyone - including a ride on a real steam train ....

VENTNOR BOTANIC GARDEN*
Open all year round, and with floral delights at every turn, Ventnor Botanic Garden is justifiably one of the top Isle of Wight attractions. We visit on a regular basis and are never disappointed ....

APPULDURCOMBE HOUSE
Although little more than an empty shell, Appuldurcombe House is an excellent example of early eighteenth century English Baroque architecture..

ISLE OF WIGHT ZOO
This small, privately owned zoo has one of the largest tiger collections in the world and is working hard to protect endangered species.

ISLE OF WIGHT STUDIO GLASS*
Watch and wonder as skilled craftsmen create beautiful sculptures in glass - each one a unique masterpiece. Then browse the shop and select your own personal favourite!

THE MODEL VILLAGE AT GODSHILL
This is just great! Come and see a complete 1:10 scale model of Godshill (plus nearby Old Shanklin village) as it was in the 1920s and '30s, complete with working model railway and sound effects. We just loved it!

WINKLE STREET*
For those who appreciate a glimpse into times gone by, this pretty row of ancient cottages beside a babbling brook remains one of the most popular Isle of Wight attractions .....

THE GARLIC FARM*
For lovers of gourmet food and all things garlic, this is a must! Come and see shelves groaning under the weight of the most amazing relishes, pickles and chutneys .....

AMAZON WORLD*
Considered by many to be the island's 'Top Attraction', Amazon World is a great place to spend the day. This well-managed zoo park is devoted to education and conservation of the rainforest, and it houses over 200 live, exotic species!

THE NATIONAL TRUST*
The National Trust owns and protects one tenth of the Isle of Wight including several buildings of historic interest plus many miles of coastline and downland.

SHANKLIN CHINE
At the southern end of Sandown Bay lies a deep ravine just waiting to be explored. Today it's one of the island's top tourist attractions, but in wartime, it had a much more important function!

PS WAVERLEY
Treat yourself! Circumnavigate the island in style aboard Waverley, the world's one and only, fully operational, ocean-going paddle steamer.

We look forward to adding more Isle of Wight attractions
over the coming months


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