The Isle of Wight is a splendid destination for young families on holiday. There are some superb family attractions across the island. Whether you love a day at the beach or a visit to the theme park, the Isle of Wight has it all. Read on to discover the best family attractions on the Isle of Wight.

After you’ve arrived at your holiday home, it’s time to plan out your week on the island. Where will you go first? Well being surrounded by the sea, you are never very far away from a beach on the Isle of Wight.

Hit the beach 

The Isle of Wight is home to around 37 beaches, all varied and quite distinctive from the next. The appearance and surrounding terrain differ greatly from beach to beach. Some are edged by dramatic cliffs, while others have sandy coves, secret inlets and rock pools.  For young families, the sandier the beach, the better, the wider the variety of ice cream flavours and the crispier the batter on the cod is merely a bonus! 

Shanklin 

Shanklin is the epitome of a great day out to the beach, particularly if you like to build sandcastles, lie in the sun and play in the waves. A trip to Shanklin’s beach is a great option for families with children that fancy a little paddle and even though it can get busy during the summer months, the shore is wide enough for everybody to find a good spot.  The promenade is lined with cafes and a few amusement parks – head to the lovely garden in Shanklin Chine for a change of pace and some welcome shade. Lovers of lush gardens with bewitching, winding pathways will find it unforgettable. 

Ryde 

Ryde is a lovely town in the north-east of the island. It’s a centre for shopping convenience – it also has a wide sandy beach at low tide. The beach is intersected by the colossal pier where you can see former London Underground trains come and go. To the west of the pier is a quiet beach, perfect for young families, whereas the promenade east of the pier offers endless beachside entertainment for older children. You’ll also find an ice rink, bowling alley, swimming pool and themed play areas for the little ones along Ryde prom. 

Sandown 

The best family beaches are found on the east coast of the island. Head down to Shanklin and Sandown which are the widest, sandiest and arguably the most family friendly.  Sandown is a traditional-style English seaside resort with its very own pleasure pier. Sandown Beach is also popular with surfers, sun worshippers, junior sandcastle builders and engineers, and those that adore a seaside esplanade. Sandown’s long expanse connects to Shanklin’s beach in the south and Yaverland and Culver Cliff to its north. Seaside cafes and beach shops are dotted along the seafront and the pier guarantees hours of arcade game fun. If fish and chips are a must on your trip to the seaside, you are spoilt for choice in Sandown. 

Amusing pursuits 

The Isle of Wight has some interesting theme parks, all with a myriad of attractions to draw you in. Robin Hill Country Park is the place to go for outdoor games and pursuits, Blackgang Chine is the madcap destination, and the Needles Landmark Attraction at Alum Bay is the educational option with the view of the Needles and the death-defying chair lift ride. Will you have time to visit all three? 

Robin Hill Country Park 

Children and adults of all ages can enjoy sports, thrill rides, tree walks, trails, and challenges of all sorts. This is the venue where it’s possible to lose yourself in a massive woodland park packed full of outdoor activities. The online park map of Robin Hill shows over 30 different activities to embark on or view. They include a canopy skywalk, a summer slide (seasonal), Romans at Robin Hill, falconry displays, a wooden maze, a play village for tots, an African adventure and so much more. https://robin-hill.com/park-map/ It’s also home to Eklektica – the Isle of Wight’s newest and upcoming music festival. With a line-up that could compete with the gigantic Isle of Wight Festival, Eklectica is one to keep an eye on when it pops up in the calendar each September. There are on–site facilities that include a visitor centre and a choice of eateries. Robin Hill Country Park is managed by the same team that run the crazy Blackgang Chine. You can buy a combined pass for here and Robin Hill Country Park (at the time of writing). 

Blackgang Chine 

Blackgang Chine is the UK’s longest running and oldest theme park, with rollercoasters, fun rides and slides, and live performances in the array of themed zones known as Land of Imagination. Get the wow-factor in the dinosaur infested Restricted Zone 5, the Underwater Kingdom, Fairyland, Nurseryland, Pirate Cove and Cowboy Town! There are frequent entertainment events on where performers play dress up as cowboys and pirates to make the park’s wonderful backdrops all the more lively.  Situated in a dramatic clifftop location in a chine, this theme park’s setting is so unique and brilliant. Children will love it. You can buy a combined pass for here and Blackgang Chine (at the time of writing). 

The Needles Landmark Attraction 

The Needles are instantly associated with the Isle of Wight.  Like outsized sharp white teeth emerging from The Solent, these gigantic chalk structures are a dazzling spectacle. As a distraction from the awesome view, you can take a chairlift down to sea level to see some entertaining craft demonstrations like glass blowing or sweet making. Visit a sand shop and buy a keepsake full of the unusual sands discovered at Alum Bay – a range of colours from deep red to pure white can be found. You could also enjoy Jurassic Adventure Golf and a carousel, as well as open top bus rides and boat trips at the attraction. During the warmer months, you are able to book a boat tour that gets you up close to The Needles – an unmissable excursion. 

Other great family attractions on the island include Amazon World Zoo, Brading Roman Villa, Isle of Wight Light Steam Railway, and Godshill Model Village. 

Treat the family to a holiday on the Isle of Wight 

With a great range of options to suit any family, why not stay in a self-catering holiday cottage on the Isle of Wight? Island Cottage Holidays has a whole host of Isle of Wight holidays to suit any budget or group. So, whether you have one child or half a dozen, you will find the dream holiday home for you. On the Isle of Wight, you’re never very far from the top family visitor attractions, so visit their collection today. 

 

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