Places to Visit and Attractions in the Isle of Wight
Appuldurcombe House
The outer shell of an impressive Baroque style mansion, which was once the grandest house on the island, and home to the Worsley family for over 300 years. The ruins stand in extensive grounds, designed by 'Capability' Brown. Visitors can learn about the estate's history through an exhibition of photographs and prints that depict the estate and its history.
Managed by English Heritage*
Opening times: Apr-Jun & Sep-Oct,
daily 10am to 4pm; Jul-Aug till 5pm - Admission
Charge*
Location: near to Wroxall, PO38 3EW - Tel: 01983
852484 - Website
Facilities: Parking, shop.
Bembridge Windmill
The only complete windmill to survive on the Island. Dating from around 1700, it was last used in 1913. Built of stone, much of the original internal wooden machinery still remains and has been restored to working order. Visitors can climb and explore its many floors and experience breathtaking views across glorious, unspoiled countryside from the top.
©National Trust Images/Rebecca Bevan
Opening times: Mar-Oct, Sun-Fri,
10am to 4.30pm, JuI-Aug & Sep daily - Admission
Charge*
Location: PO35 5SQ - Tel: 01983 873945 - Website
Facilities: Parking (200 metres), cafe, toilets, shop
Blackgang Chine Fantasy Park
Children
will have a great time at Blackgang Chine with its
amusements and rides. With forty acres of scenic gardens
and imaginative play areas set on the steep wooded
slopes of a chine (a chine is a narrow gully cut
by a stream that runs into the sea). Themed areas
include: Dinosaurland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, Nurseryland
and Smugglerland.
Opening times: Mar-Oct daily,
10am to 5pm, Jul-Sep open until 10pm - Admission
Charge
Location: on the A3055 near Chale, PO38 2HN
- Tel: 01983 730330 - Website
Facilities: Parking (charged), cafe, picnic area, toilets, shop
Brighstone Shop and Museum
Located within a row of attractive, thatched cottages. This interesting little museum provides a fascinating exhibition on village life in the 19th century.
Opening times: times vary see website for
details - Free Entry
Location: North Street, Brighstone, PO30 4AX - Tel: 01983 740689
Facilities: Parking (100 metres), shop
Dinosaur Isle
The Isle of Wight has one of the highest concentrations of dinosaur fossils in the world with many new prehistoric species discovered here, dubbing it the 'Dinosaur Island'. This purpose built modern attraction showcases the most important of these fossilised finds and tells much about our prehistoric past.
Fossil hunting is popular along the island's south west coast. The beach at Brook has dinosaur footprints and a fossilised forest, along with many other types of fossilised remains embedded in the sand and stones.
Location: Culver Parade, Sandown
PO36 8QA
Tel: 01983 404344
Website: dinosaurisle.com
Isle of Wight Steam Railway
A small heritage steam railway. Runs through several miles of picturesque countryside from Smallbrook Junction to Wootton station. The lines passes through the small village of Havenstreet, where the line's headquarters and a depot are sited.
Location: The Railway Station, Main Rd, Havenstreet, Ryde PO33 4DS
Website: iwsteamrailway.co.uk
Mottistone Manor Garden
This fine Elizabethan manor house is surrounded by a beautiful garden and set in a sheltered valley with spectacular sea views. Visitors can enjoy its colourful borders, banks and grassy terraces, plus delightful walks onto the nearby rolling downland across the adjoining estate.
Run by National Trust*
Opening times: see website for details - Admission
Charge*
Location: Mottistone, Newport PO30 4ED
Tel: 01983 741302
Image credit: Christine Matthews (CC2)
Needles Old Battery
A former Palmerstonian fort, built in 1862, at 250 ft (76 metres) above sea level. Visitors can walk through the tunnel to experience spectacular views of the Needles and the Dorset coastline beyond. A museum, located in the old Powder Magazine, describes the history of the Needles Headland from the days of the rifled muzzle-loading 9 inch guns to the Black Knight rocket engine testing. Several of the original cannons are on display.
Opening times: run by National Trust
- see website for details - Admission Charge
Location: West High Down, Alum Bay PO39 0JH
Website: nationaltrust.org.uk
Facilities: Parking cafe, toilets, shop
Newtown Creek
A beautiful unspoilt natural harbour on the north west coast. Its mud flats and wild marshes provide a natural habitat for many birds. It is a stunning, picturesque area that includes a peaceful overnight mooring area for yachts and cruisers.
Managed by National Trust.
Osborne House
An Italianate Palace on the Isle of Wight, overlooking the Solent. Designed by Thomas Cubitt and the Prince Consort in the 1840s. It became Queen Victoria's favourite family home. She retired there after the death of Prince Albert and eventually died there herself in 1901. Surrounded by lovely gardens with a charming Swiss Cottage.
Opening times: Apr-Sep, daily,
10-5; Oct, daily, 10-4; Nov-Mar, 10-4, Wed-Sun -
Admission Charge
Location: East Cowes, PO32 6JY - Tel: 01983
200022 - Website
Facilities: Parking, cafe, shop, toilets.
Old Town Hall - Newtown
A town hall without a town! This quirky little building with sloping walls is all that remains of the former ancient borough of Newtown. Built in 1699 and later used as a school and a meeting house, the Old Town Hall stands on the site of much earlier municipal buildings. The site is managed by the National Trust* and open to the public. The period style furnished property houses copies of ancient documents of the borough and other historical items.
Run by National Trust*
Opening times: times vary see website for
details - Admission Charge*
Location: Newtown, near Shalfleet, PO30 4PA - Tel: 01983 531785
Image credit: David
Martin (CC2)
Robin Hill Adventure Park
Amusement theme park set in 88 acres of rolling parkland, with natural woodland and countryside. With water gardens, assault courses and adventure play, treetop canopy walkways, downhill toboggan and many other epic rides. The Woodland Centre offers nature displays and wildlife cameras.
Location: Downend Rd, Downend, Newport PO30 2NU
Tel: 01983 527352
Website: Website
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Please note that the above information was accurate at the time this page was last updated. This information is subject to change at any time (opening times in particular), therefore if you plan on visiting any of the above attractions, please check the owner's website first or phone them for the latest details.