|
Top 10 things to do on the Isle of Wight
|
OSBORNE HOUSE
Osborne House, Queen Victoria’s family home, is one of the most popular tourist attractions on the Isle of Wight. After first visiting Osborne, England’s longest-reigning monarch wrote: 'It is impossible to imagine a prettier spot'.
Highlights include: • Victorian opulence and extravagant interiors • Stunning Indian décor of the Durbar Room • Private apartments including the Queen’s bedroom, nursery rooms and royal bathrooms • The Swiss Cottage - chalet built for the royal children • Extensive grounds - stunning views across the Solent • A Victorian Walled Garden • Hothouses containing exotic plants • A delightful restaurant and café |
Isle of Wight Steam Railway
Step back to a bygone era when steam power was the order of the day. Thrill to the sight and sound of powerful majestic steam engines and breathe in the evocative smells of a real steam railway. Soak-up the rhythm of quiet rural stations while enjoying the friendliness of traditionally uniformed staff.
TRAVEL IN STYLE
Settle back in beautifully restored Victorian and Edwardian carriages and discover an idyllic view of the Island’s unspoilt countryside ... or hop off at one of our stations and just watch the trains go by. Keep an eye out for a red squirrel or deer darting away from the train as you pass through ancient woodland.
Our Locomotives and Carriages have all been painstakingly restored to pristine condition and are the hallmark of our delightful railway. Our oldest locomotive was built in 1876 and carriages date back to 1864!
LOTS TO SEE AT HAVENSTREET STATION
The railway is more than just a train ride - most visitors spend at least 3 hours with us; some stay all day.
Explore our Train Story Discovery Centre, our fabulous indoor museum which brings the story of the Island's railways to life. Discover our oldest carriage, built for the opening of the Ryde to Shanklin line in 1864, and the Underground trains that ran on the line until January 2021.
Don't miss the daily falconry displays provided by our friends at Haven Falconry at 11:40 and 13:40 each day. You can also visit our Woodland Walk, children's playground, railway shop and refreshment rooms.
|
|
Tapnell Farm Set in acres of beautiful countryside, surrounded by amazing views of the Isle of Wight, Tapnell Farm is one of the Island’s biggest all-weather, fun-filled family destinations. There is so much to see and do, with just as much inside as outdoors – it’s perfect for a full day of Mix’n’match entertainment. Re-wild your child in the award-winning Farm Park with paddocks full of friendly animals, indoor and outdoor adventure play, go-karts, giant bouncing pillows, crazy golf and more! Meet the Animals in our Farmyard Barn and get up close and personal with some of our cutest and smallest residents. Wander round the Wallaby and Meerkat Walkabout with our mob of tame wallabies and new joeys and admire our mischievous meerkats and meerkat pups as they stand guard. Plus, join our keepers for daily activities where you can get ‘hands-on’ with the animal activities, including paddock tours, wallaby feeding and meeting our bugs and beasties! If all this fun is making you peckish, then we have great eateries too, including our coffee house serving hot drinks and delicious and healthy treats. |
|
|
Dinosaur Isle -Museum in Sandown
|
Dinosaur Isle is Britain's first purpose built dinosaur attraction just over the sea wall in Sandown where in a spectacularly shaped building reminiscent of a Pterosaur flying across the cretaceous skies you can walk back through fossilised time to the period of the dinosaurs 120 million years ago.
Set in amongst a recreated landscape you will meet life sized models of the Isle of Wight's famous five dinosaurs - NEOVENATOR, EOTYRANNUS, IGUANODON, HYPSILOPHODON and POLACANTHUS. Flying above you amongst the haunting sounds of a long lost forest are pterodactyls.
You will see dinosaur skeletons as they are found by the fossil hunters and can watch our volunteers preparing the latest exciting finds. At Dinosaur Isle you will be able to encounter the lost world of dinosaurs that once roamed freely across the Isle of Wight.
FUTURISTIC DINOSAUR:
Amongst the many hands on interactives in the museum there is even a robotic dinosaur that you can control!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
Amazon World Zoo Park is the Isle of Wight's largest exotic animal attraction and is a great day out whatever your age! Walk through jungle rainforests with colourful rare birds flying above you and crocodiles watching you from the pond! See unusual and rare animals like the Tamandua an Anteater that lives in the trees, Toucans, Marmosets, Penguins, Flamingos, Otters, Ocelot, Monkeys, Lemurs and manor many more! Learn about the conservation of these fantastic animals and their rainforest home, ‘Secrets of Xenathra’ with Sloth just wandering past you in the trees. Visitors enter ‘Madagascar’ where you will walk amongst the lemurs, The lost temple lies forgotten, half buried in desert sand. here animals have made their homes within the ruins to escape the harsh desert sun. Visitors will be able to travel across a raised walkway to observe the animals in their homes! Animals you will find here include: Armadillos, Giant Tortoise, Fennec Foxes, and the mischievous Meerkats! All areas within Amazon World Zoo Park are wheelchair friendly and we have wheelchairs you can borrow if you haven't brought your own! We have Jurassic Adventure play area, Falconry Displays and Keeper Talks daily and we also have a massive Special Events programme too! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
AMAZON WORLD
We also have a fabulous gift shop, the adventurer's cafe and a large picnic area. For more detailed information please visit our website at www.amazonworld.co.uk -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
SHANKLIN THEATRE
Located in the heart of the town, Shanklin Theatre is the largest theatre on the Isle of Wight with a seating capacity of 615. The theatre opens all year round except January and stages 150 plus shows a year, featuring top names from the world of Comedy, Dance and Music, plus other varied entertainment for all tastes.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
ALLUM BAY/THE NEEDLES ATTRACTION
As soon as you think of the Isle of Wight the iconic image of the world famous chairlift taking you to see the needles rocks and coloured sands spring to mind. The Islands most famous landmark attraction has so much more to enjoy than the stunning views, it is a destination not to be missed. The range of attractions includes the spectacular chairlift ride, taking you on a journey past the coloured sands cliffs to the beach. Soak up the breathtaking views from the beach and enjoy a paddle in the sea. Or get closer to the Needles by taking a pleasure cruise. At the sand shop visitors can make their very own unique coloured sand souvenir using the sand collected from the cliffs here at The Needles. 4D Cinema - Imagine being drawn into an exciting world where everything you see is in 3D… everything you hear is in powerful cinema surround sound, with the added fun of feeling the action too! With our 4D cinema you don’t just watch the movie you feel like you are right there in the middle of it. Alum Bay Glass is educational as well as fun. Visitors can watch the fascinating art of glass blowing and see craftsmen make a variety of bespoke glassware. At the Isle of Wight Sweet manufactory watch our skilled sweet makers create sweets that you will not find anywhere else, a sample of the sweets is compulsory! We’re home to a variety of children’s attractions including a traditional Victorian Carousel, Needles Tea Cup ride and a Games Kiosk - which includes tin can alley and hook a duck, with a prize every time you play! Our Water Walkerz are a particular crowd favourite too. Our prehistoric adventure Jurassic Golf features an 11 hole course with some 5 and 6 par holes all beautifully set off by imaginative water features and story boards depicting a range of different dinosaur species. Refurbished in 2019, our Dino Jeep Safari is an experience not to miss, providing heaps of fun for any budding explorer. The Needles Landmark Attraction is also home to a variety of shops including The Pier Head Shopping Emporium. Here you will find an interesting range of souvenirs and gifts to suit all budgets and tastes. The Needles Landmark Attraction has full catering facilities including a fully licensed tearoom, as well as kiosks serving fresh Tea, Coffee, Ice Cream and much more. |
Wildheart Animal Sanctuary
Wildheart Animal Sanctuary
AboutFrom pocket sized primates to powerful predators, the residents of Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, will charm and amaze you!
Wildheart Animal Sanctuary is based on Sandown Beach, Winner of BBC Countryfile Magazines 2019 Beach of the Year Award, which is on the east coast of the Island. The sanctuary is well known as a centre for rescued big cats, all have come to their forever homes at different stages of their lives and from a variety of backgrounds. Originally family-owned it recently became a registered charity, Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, which aims to promote the survival of endangered species through first class educational and recreational experiences, exemplary animal management, conservation and research.
New primate rescue facilitiy is now open and houses multiple species of primates that the sanctuary aims to rehome over the coming years. The facility is constructed of two gigantic bamboo domes, the first of their kind in Europe. These iconic geodesic structures tower over the buildings of Sandown, forming an unrivalled multilevel space for the inhabitants to thrive in.
The Wildheart Trust, is dedicated to realising its global ambitions to make a meaningful impact on the health of the natural world while actively improving the well-being of animals in human care.
AboutFrom pocket sized primates to powerful predators, the residents of Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, will charm and amaze you!
Wildheart Animal Sanctuary is based on Sandown Beach, Winner of BBC Countryfile Magazines 2019 Beach of the Year Award, which is on the east coast of the Island. The sanctuary is well known as a centre for rescued big cats, all have come to their forever homes at different stages of their lives and from a variety of backgrounds. Originally family-owned it recently became a registered charity, Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, which aims to promote the survival of endangered species through first class educational and recreational experiences, exemplary animal management, conservation and research.
New primate rescue facilitiy is now open and houses multiple species of primates that the sanctuary aims to rehome over the coming years. The facility is constructed of two gigantic bamboo domes, the first of their kind in Europe. These iconic geodesic structures tower over the buildings of Sandown, forming an unrivalled multilevel space for the inhabitants to thrive in.
The Wildheart Trust, is dedicated to realising its global ambitions to make a meaningful impact on the health of the natural world while actively improving the well-being of animals in human care.
Ventnor Botanic Gardens
Ventnor Botanic Garden lies at the heart of a remarkable microclimate on the south coast of the Isle of Wight. Protected by the chalk downs of the Ventnor Undercliff, VBG boasts an impressive collection of rare, subtropical and exotic plants. Normally found in protected glasshouses, that plants at VBG thrive in geographical plantings based on the Mediterranean zones of the world. Begin your day with a meander through the Med garden, then go down under in the Australian and New Zealand Gardens. In the afternoon, chill out with the cacti and agave in the Arid Garden and then find some sun in the South African Terraces.
