Days Out

Osborne House

The country home of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert where they enjoyed a private family life with their children. Masses to see – from stunning staterooms, intriguing and unexpected insights into the royal couple’s family life, the Swiss Chalet where the royal children were introduced to domestic skills.

Yarmouth Castle

This is the last of the coastal defence forts built on the orders of Henry VIII. On fine days it now provides a wonderful spot for picnics with great views across the Solent.

Dinosaurs

The Isle of Wight is the best place in Europe for discovering dinosaur remains. At the Dinosaur Farm Museum the oldest dinosaur bones are 132 million years old and the youngest 110 million years. Life like re-constructions of some of the dinosaurs once living here can be seen at the first purpose built, interactive dinosaur museum, Dinosaur Isle.

Boat trips

Some of these leave from Yarmouth Harbour almost every day to view The Needles, its distinctive lighthouse and the sands of Alum Bay. For keen fishermen there are various sea-fishing trips and in high summer, sunset and firework cruises.

Watersports

A wide range of activities including bodyboarding, canoeing, sailing, surfing and windsurfing with instruction at all levels are available from several well-established centres on the island.

Isle of Wight walking

Many walkers visit the island just to enjoy its 500 miles of signed and well-maintained footpaths, which include 30 miles of Heritage coastline and a 65 mile circular route via saltmarshes, over cliff tops and through coastal villages and towns.

Island Food and Farmers’ Markets

The Isle of Wight Bacon Company is an island family business producing bacon and hams traditionally dry cured in organic sea salt. This company is just one of many local producers of food as diverse as garlic, cheeses and local crab and lobster, sold at the regular farmer’s markets across the island.