The 44 best views in the Isle of Wight

Wonderful but sadly the best view is not accessible as the cost guard building has an extensive fence. Next time I'll look for options to go in the water, as the view from the far cliff makes the needles look small and not awe inspiring

Great place with panoramic views. Highly recommended while exploring Isle of Wight. They have a huge parking and charge for full day parking is £6. There are stairs to the beachfront, or you can take the popular chair car cable, which is fun and picturesque. It will cost £12 ppl for round trips. At the beach you can take a boat safari which is readily available. A highly recommended place to visit.

Definitely worth a visit (or 2, we've been twice 😆) Good value especially if you head up to see the old and new battery placements up at the top of the hill. Great views on a clear say.

Amazing time! Such a lovely walk around. All staff were so friendly whenever we encountered anyone!

Beautiful views here of the needles and lovely walk down to the beach ..we arrived before any of the amusements were open

The Needles is undoubtedly one of the most iconic natural landmarks in the UK. With its dramatic white chalk stacks rising from the sea and the striking red-and-white lighthouse at the tip, it’s a breathtaking sight that lives up to its reputation.

Nice children's carnival rides, chair lift to beautiful beach and view of The Needles

Beautiful cove accessed only by foot. Amazing views of the sea. Pretty cove and dog friendly. Honesty box toilet facilities but no hand towels or dryer. You can hire chairs etc and buy drinks and food.

Beautiful cove with small independent cafes and restaurants, able to hire water sports equipment and sun loungers. We parked at the botanic garden car park, you can buy anything from the cafe or gift shop for £10 for free parking, it was then a short walk to the cove.

Beautiful cove and bay. Recommend a visit Clear blue sea and pebble beach. Only accessible by foot. Independent cafes and kayak and paddle board hire. Toilets.

Utter joy! - perfect little cove, everyone so friendly whatever time of year. It can be deserted or busy but it’s just was wonderful either way. Seasonal cafe offer. Incredible air all year round. For sea swimmers, watch out for jelly fish. Also, the sea weed can be a little sticky and there are steep shingle drops and rocks so always best to take care and if possible, surf shoes. Best accessed on foot from Ventnor through La Falaise and Flowers Brook as views are incredible and you don’t get the joy of seeing Steephill, just the promise of it as you make your way along the coast.

Such a beautiful spot. A very small cove only accessed via a set of steep steps (not recommended if mobility is a problem). But if you can get down, it's so worth it. The cove is absolutely gorgeous. There are 3 places you can grab a bite to eat or drink. Ice cream parlour. Toilets (please wait as no one seems to maintain it but could have been an off day).

Beautiful little cove! I went in the evening, so nothing was open but I shall return in the day time. The walk back up is not for the faint hearted!

Lovely inlet. Looks like people were marooned there and settled over time. Crab Shack closed at 3-30pm so it's a early doors visit. Coastal walk to Ventnor is hilly but a good walk

A great place to visit for all the family. It is run by British Heritage. It is dog friendly. The grounds are very well maintained. There is a cafe with hot/cold beverages. And plenty of sitting room. Lots of staff who are very helpful and knowledgeable. My advice would be to wear good footwear as there are plenty of stone stairs to climb. Some are very steep.

A well preserved castle with a varied history. It has a very interesting museum within the grounds. Walking the walls gives great views of the surrounding areas. The staff are very knowledgeable and helpful. Activities for young people. Nice tea room and of course the Carisbrooke donkeys. Demonstrations in the well house are worth attending. Allow the whole day for your visit.

A beautiful castle looked after by English Heritage. A traditional castle with ramparts to explore, in places a good head for heights needed. A nice cafe to stop and pause before exploring again. Well stocked shop.

What a surprise to find this castle so we'll kept and up together. Was a great day out they had a performance on and was worth th watch. Has great history and is worth a visit.

Along with Osborne House, this is the premier English Heritage attraction on the Isle of Wight. The great gatehouse along with the remains of the shell keep and the curtain walls are the outstanding things to see along with the adjoining museum (included in entry) and the chapel. Steeped in history, this is the place where King Charles I was confined after losing the first English Civil War in 1648.

We visited on a very busy event day. Probably not best for us as daughter found over whelming but it looked great. Castle is small but so much history which is displayed easy. For kids id suggest starting with the video. I found this at the end. Donkeys are so beautiful and on non event days they still turn the big wheel to get the water. Staff usual helpfulness and friendly that you expect from eh. A must to do is the walk around the top. Stunning views on a clear day.

A great day out for us. I would say it's great for all age groups. Some of the steps are a bit steep. Staff were brilliant, their chats were very interesting. By the way, the ice creams near the donkey centre are amazing.

Lovely little experience. Great walk and lovely scenery. A bit pricey to get in but you can go in multiple times throughout a 7 day period so actually really worth it.

Shanklin Chine is a really beautiful and peaceful place to explore – the gardens, waterfalls, and lighting in the evening make it feel magical. It’s a lovely walk and there’s a real sense of history too, with some interesting information boards along the way. Perfect for a gentle stroll and to take in some nature away from the busier parts of Shanklin. That being said, it did feel a little pricey for what it is – the walk doesn’t take very long unless you really take your time. Still, it’s worth visiting at least once, especially if you’ve not been before, as it’s such a unique and picturesque spot.

This was a much nicer way of getting back to the top of the high street! A fun walkway with quirky footpaths to follow and as I went during Halloween there were dinosaurs and skeletons all around. Apparently at night the street lights go on so it’ll be more spooky but fun. It can be difficult to climb certain bits, the steps at the very top are hard but good railings and a bench half way helped! Lovely waterfall at the top too. You can get a 7 day pass for returning during that time. Nice gift shop.

Excellent location & super value for money. Great gift shop with friendly & helpful staff. Nice coffee shop too. Beautiful waterfall & nature, a must visit with free parking available.

Great little gem, kids loved it. Dog friendly and was great that we can return unlimited times for upto 7 days on your original purchase ticket. We amended the Halloween event and loved it.

Enjoyed the experience and outdoor lighting ambience. Great place to spend in about 40 minutes for horror and vibrant walk at Shanklin Chine. They also offer tickets which is valid for 7 days and multiple returns.

Very beautiful Shine tucked along the sea. Beautiful vegetation. My son loved the dinosaur replicas along the path. The walk along the entire path of the Shine is very peaceful .

Absolutely blown away with the amount of effort that has gone into the gardens & grounds ! Such a lovely day out ! Make sure you take a whole day for it to enjoy it properly! Such beautiful smells and scenery! Also noticed you can use the grounds as a wedding venue : ) which would be stunning !

50 50 on our visit. If you have someone with you that can't walk down steps then do not visit. Lift not working. Lady on till had no idea how to operate the till and could not refund her mistake. It took 25 minutes just to gain entrance to the garden when there were only 2 people in the queue before us! Apart from staff clearly needing training and no lift, I would recommend visiting the gardens if you are able-bodied and have the patience of a saint.

What a beautiful garden. The majority is wheelchair accessible which was tried and tested by one member in our party who has a power chair that is midwheel for stability. They tried grass paths, gravel, tarmac slopes etc and had no trouble, they didn't fancy trying out the stairs. We saw stunning flowers from Turkish Sage to myriads of Echium flower spikes 0.5-4m in height. Stunning. As we arrived a lady was being collected by ambulance but how the staff had managed her care was impeccable, her privacy was of the primary importance as was her dignity.

Only did the outside bit, totally didn't realise you could go inside too! 🫣😅 So will definitely be heading back to do that. Absolutely beautiful, so many off the patch tracks to explore. Cafe was really nice and lovely to sit outside and admire the views. 10/10

Had just visited this local place as residents and we're amazed how hot it was around the grounds with amazing wildlife and plants. We could of gave it 5 stars but we were disappointed that there was not enough water bowls for dogs around the grounds only found some near the terrapin fountain and café plus on the entrance/exit but other then that we had to improvise with a plastic cup. We will come again but this time will being our own water bowls/trays for our dog. Also there was only card payments in the cafe no other ways of paying so no methods of cash payment for paying for the food and drinks on the premises. If you like plants and trees then this place is the place to be. Plenty of parking and suites all walkers dogs and electric scooters for the disabled.

I was quite surprised by how shabby, unloved and neglected this garden is, so did some research. It was bought from the Isle of Wight council in 2011 by an American businessman and there the investment, care, and any real botany appears to have stopped. The sad part is that because the garden is in a microclimate, there's real potential for a cultivated and educational display of plants which don't normally grow outdoors in the UK, but there doesn't seem to be much willingness in laying this on (Overbecks in Devon, also in a microclimate, does do it and does it much better). The approach to managing these gardens has been given a brand: "The Ventnor Method". Well you can give neglect a brand if you want, and trot out a load of guff about sustainability, but it's fundamentally still neglect. One might surmise the aim here is to take the £15 per person entry fees and spend as little as possible on actually running the gardens - we were there on a weekday afternoon and the place was practically empty with barely a gardener in sight. There's no real signage, you'll get a map if you're lucky from the rather harassed staff in the shop, and left to find your way around. The tropical house is a disgrace with complete overgrowth everywhere, areas cordoned off, a very sad looking roof, and a yarn that's been spun about nature reclaiming a post industrial space (read: neglect). There is a single toilet on the ground floor of the visitor's centre, and two flights of stairs down to the main toilets in basement level 2 which are hidden behind a set of closed doors. The lift doesn't work, and hasn't for months. It's not all bad: a Mediterranean themed garden is very pleasant, bursting with plant varieties and a haven of insect life: the pollinators were busy in action which was a joy to see. But again, the paths were overgrown, and a small amount of trimming and management would have just made it easier to get around. The cafe is popular and served a delicious menu of soup and cake.

Very pleasant through the gardens, there also a nice view point great pictures of the beach. Then the walk up to the waterfall leading into the old village

Beautiful scenery, a place to sit and breathe in the fresh air and let time stand still.

Amazing, so different from when I was kid, and great to be able to drive up there myself now

Highly recommended, beautiful views, stunning location, parking & pet friendly. A must for nature lovers👍🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿❤️

Culver Down has some incredible views that make you feel like you're standing on the edge of the world. Up top, there is the Earl Yarborough monument, a decommissioned artillery battery, and even a lovely pub. There are walking trails from Bembridge or Sandown. Otherwise you can drive up there by car and park for free.

Culver Down is the perfect location for automotive photography enthusiasts or anyone that likes the great outdoors, there are many walking trails though the downs but you need a high level of fitness as the hills are steep! You can however drive your vehicle all the way to the top, past the pub (yes there's a pub up there!) and right to the end of the road where you will find a large, free, and hardly used gravel carpark with some of the most stunning views of the Isle of Wight and across the Solent to the mainland, making for an amazing backdrop for photos of your vehicle. You can also get refreshments on Culver Down from either the pub or the Culver Kiosk which is a nice little café (with ice-cream) that is only open in the summer season.

Another amazing place to visit on the Isle, excellent place to stop to take in the awesome views and take some pics. Also this is a great place to star gaze as you can see loads of stars and more on a clear night, it was a bit cloudy when we was there but still worth it. Free car park, no shops or toilets.

Such a beautiful spot, can get an amazing view of the sun setting, or just sit back and enjoy the view over Sandown and Shanklin in your car or on a picnic blanket on the very spacious grass car park, can always enjoy a nice drink in the pub (when covid hasn't made it close) or just take a nice walk with the dog

Absolutely loved this beach! You can hire beds, umbrellas and tables for a good price as well as paddle boards and kayaks. The sea is not warm but you can swim in it comfortably, certainly on a warm July day. Not overcrowded and absolutely stunning sunrises!

Shanklin Beach is nice for a family visit but not without its drawbacks. The location itself is lovely, with beautiful sea views and a promenade full of cafés, arcades, and little shops to keep the kids entertained. The beach has a safe, gentle slope into the water which makes paddling good for younger ones, and when the tide is right there’s a fair bit of sand to enjoy. That said, there are a few things that stop it from being perfect. Parts of the beach can be quite pebbly and uncomfortable to walk on, especially when the tide is in, so beach shoes are a must. Parking nearby is often expensive and can be hard to find on busy days, and the prices for food and drinks felt a bit on the high side for what you get. It also gets very crowded in peak season, which takes away from the relaxed atmosphere. Overall, it’s a good family beach with plenty to do, but you need to time your visit carefully and be prepared for the costs and crowds.

I visited Shanklin Beach back in October 2024. The beach is beautiful and has a surprisingly large amount of interesting driftwood to explore! The third photo looks like it could be turned into a glorious little hotel! Also the beach has groynes to minimizes the amount of erosion!

Fantastic beach, very tidy and clean. Perfect for families with kids as well as families with well behaved older kids lol! The cafe is a “new” feature since we came approx 10 years ago, but it’s a welcome addition.

I love everything about Shanklin except for the fact once you’re down on the beach, without transportation, it’s a physical challenge getting back up the hill!! There is a lift except it wasn’t working when I visited mid October. Walking up through Shanklin Chine was better than using the steep road. Not suitable for wheelchair users and I’d say difficult with small children. But the beach is lovely. There are plenty of shops, gift and food places. Mini golf and beach activities for families.

Brilliant beach day, can hire sun beds, parasols and paddleboards and kayaks. Loved it!

A Beautiful place to park up by the sea and watch the world go by There a Crackin Ice Cream stall in the Fish n Chip shop Building and both are definitely worth your Money 👌

Over all it was nice to see but we didn’t end up going down the the beach just observing from the coast path. The visitors centre was very touristy but quite fun for all as you could watch glass wear being made, there was plenty of cafes and places to get refreshments and a fill your own bottle of sand were they sustainably source all 21 shades of sand from the cliffs. There were a couple of small dinosaurs rides but they were nothing special.

Nice spot to visit, but be warned everything costs money and plenty of it. The chair ride to beach is good but at over £10pp is ridiculously expensive, the coloured sand in a bottle was fun but again expensive. Food, drinks and ice creams were available but not cheap. Unfortunately the chairs were not stopping on beach which was a shame but safety is paramount. It's an attraction that has plenty to offer and stunning views but probably best to remortgage your house first.

We didn't use the chairlifts to get to the beach and went around the long way (not the stairs on the side of the chairlifts, too steep). The beach is covered in pebbles of differing shape, size and colour! What's interesting is that the nearer you get to the white cliff, the more you see pure white pebbles! I think this would be something children would find extremely fascinating. There's also a few mini-waterfalls (not sure what to call them) found on the multi-coloured cliff, flowing to the sea. On the beach, you've also got access to the boat rides. Overall, it's quite a spectacular view. You'll see pebbles, big rocks, mud, limestones (i think that's what they were)...so it's not your ordinary beach.

This is a great place to visit while on the Isle of Wight. Creating your own coloured sand ornament, seeing how glass ornaments are made, tours to see how sweet humbugs are made. And loads more the kuds will love it and the adults will be amazed.

You can walk or take a cable car down to the beach where stunning cliff formations are made up of many different coloured sands. We took the speed boat tour around the needles and took some great photos of the lighthouse. The beach is quite shingly seeing as that the cliff behind is all sand but is good for a picnic whilst taking in the views. There is an amusement park at the top of the cliffs where children can be entertained. We used the car park and walked further along the coast to the battery - where you can see cannons and armaments that use to protect the coast form attack.

No visit to the island is complete without a trip to Alum Bay! I LOVE it here! The sand shop and terrifying chair lift simply can’t be missed. The gent that helped me get off the lift due to a dodgy knee was lovely, and the gent in the sand shop that chatted to us was so charming( he had been there for over 20 years I think) just those little things make a special visit. Will be back again next year!!

Really Need to go when it's not peak tourist season, where coach loads cram people into the area. It's so packed tight on the beach, just wasn't a great experience. For those able to walk, get well away from crowds and march on towards the white cliffs. Sky lift was great way and down, views are great. The less able and less mobile were helped on and off, stopping the lift totally to let them on and off. (Queuing for the lift in the way up wasn't as easy, as there was no wheel chair to sit on, but staff provided a chair , that could be moved along as the que progressed) *****Really impressed with staff, very understanding and helpful. Thank you very much *****

Wonderful summer holiday home for Victoria & Albert and their family. Gorgeous house filled with collected art objects, souvenirs and tributes from around the world. The grounds are beautiful and it's clear the royal family enjoyed Osborne House where they could relax and be themselves.

Such a beautiful place to go. With lots of history and beautiful scenery. The staff are incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. This is highly recommended if you visit the Isle of Wight.

Worth a visit if you are in the area. Covid secure. Great staff very informative and amazing scenery. Gardens outside are really nice too.

Wonderful

Absolutely awesome day out & evening. Spent the day in the park enjoying all the areas there are and the views around the park are stunning. There is amazing plants and flowers all around. The wild west show was funny to watch and all the kids playing in the saloon. We stayed on in the evening for the summer festival with live DJ and foam party at sunset, wow what an amazing time everyone was having.

Great fun for all ages. Good accessibility and everyone having a “whale” of a time Family run business and great atmosphere- lots of happy faces and plenty to do and see. Glorious setting over the coast so you can admire the views and indoor fun if the weather not so good

I would definitely recommend this park everyone , but especially with small children. There are many opportunities for relaxation. Stunning view of the sea, and the dinosaur park part is impressively lifelike.

Family friendly, super clean and some great views of the coast as well. The summer ticket is great, you can go as many times as you like, and the queues are never too long. Food at the restaurant is good value and tasty too. We stayed for the Wednesday night foam party disco and fireworks which had a brilliant atmosphere.

Great family park that is a must do while on the island. Loads of attractions for kids and some pretty intense rides there too. Enough attractions there that it can fill a whole day. Amazing park and definitely recommend.

Blackgang Chine brings back happy memories for my family and I. The foam party disco and the fireworks were excellent. The new rides were enjoyed by my teenagers. The only disappointment was that you can no longer buy a combined ticket to Robin Hill Country Park.

I'd love to give this place 5 stars and a great review, as it brought back so many fond memories from my childhood, and as a family we had so much fun. BUT... the whole experience was ruined because although we have a child that is registered disabled, and we had all proof required. They would accept a carers pass for my child. LITERALLY EVERY OTHER THEME PARK, OR ATTRACTION, THEATRE, CINEMA, WE GO TO ACCEPT HIS BLUE BADGE, AND ACCESS PASS. because our access pass didn't have a plus 1 (because it was applied for before he was issued the blue badge etc) The staff weren't interested in listening to us at all. I feel like they ruined our day, made my son feel very uncomfortable and upset, and their linier way of thinking is very closed minded. We live in a world where all disabilities should be recognised, even those that are not visible. We even spoke to a manager, who also had a closed mind. I feel that a theme park that has been around so long would have a better system for recognising different types of disability. For instance Disney and universal in Florida, have a system where you send them the proof prior to a visit to get your pass authorised before you get there. Merlin do the same, you send them the details and it's all done before you arrive. But instead we had the embarrassment of having two separate people denying my disabled son the free carer he should be entitled to. I'm disgusted that this kind of thing still goes on, and I'm so let down. This left a sour taste in my mouth, and I struggled to have a good time the whole day I was there because of it. This park needs to do better and get up to scratch with modern times.

This is undoubtedly one of the best heritage railway lines in the UK. Lovely location, great trains and facilities. Everything is clean and tidy and there's an interesting exhibition area which is great for both adults and children alike. This is a must do attraction on the Isle of Wight so go along for a great day out and enjoy yourselves 🚂🚂🚂

🚂 Isle of Wight Steam Railway – A Journey Through Time I had an amazing time at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. The train ride itself was a joy—rolling through beautiful countryside with stunning views that made every moment feel special. The vintage carriages and the sound of the steam engine added a nostalgic charm that’s hard to find elsewhere. The highlight for me was the Train Story museum. It was fascinating to walk through the exhibits and learn about the history of trains on the island. From old locomotives to interactive displays, it brought the past to life in such a vivid way. I left with a deeper appreciation for how rail travel shaped the world. Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or just looking for a unique day out, this place is a gem. A truly wonderful experience that blends scenic beauty with rich heritage.

Now this is a true treat, for the enthusiast or for just the casual daytripper wanting a fun day out, in friendly company and idyllic surrounds. Turn of the century rolling stock, some of the oldest you will find, transports you back to the halcyon days of steam travel on the island. There is a nice tea room at Haven Street, which is reasonably priced and offers tea, coffee, meals and alcoholic beverages too. A must visit if you're on the island. Easily reached by rail via the adjoining station at Smallbrook Junction.

Wonderful experience in steam railway. Can tavel between stations all day around. Main station Haven street station have plenty of free parking. Nice cafes, museum & gift shop. Train Story is a big exhibition of trians ,just few yards behind the station. Can spend few hours with friends & family. Had Halloween activities also when we visited in mid October. Family ticket is a bargain if travel with kids.

The weather today was frightful! It didn’t matter a bit at this amazing place. We were a three generation group and everyone enjoyed it. The staff were great, catering tasty and reasonable. It’s half term this week and the added magician and activities for the children were superb. And of course…. The trains ! Being able to get inside some of the carriages in the Train Story was great. Next time we visit we’ll go First Class. One end of the line to the other wasn’t enough. Thank you everyone.

It's excellent. The ride is in old carriages that have been beautifully restored, even "third class"!! The exhibition shows how the rail system on the island evolved and how the current steam railway society developed. And, of course, there is a cafe for tea etc, and also a restaurant for a hot lunch.

Lovely small railway, and nice rides through the countryside. Staff are very friendly and helpful, and it was great to learn about the history of the railway on the island. Havenstreet is where you'll find the museum, and work sheds, and there's a café/restaurant and bar.

So much sand, just a perfect children’s beach with tide pools & the sea goes out for miles & stayed shallow so far out it’s great fun for families. You can take dogs on it too.

A as gain lovely walk and stay in Sandown. Get up early and enjoy the sunrises and the quiet atmosphere before all the beach goers turn up. Some great little cafes along the walk to grab a coffee and more.

Our favourite family beach on the island ! Always so much room for everyone! Only down side is it’s quite pebbly and sharp in some bits so recommend some beach socks ( or what ever people call them ) other than that lovely! And you can find loads of sea glass!!

This is a sandy beach. The stretch between the Pier and the Fins Beach Cafe is much quieter and overall very nice but the tide comes here quicker. The beach is flat and we arrived at 10:00am and the tide was in by 11:00am, so you definitely need to check the times of the tide as they are very changeable. We have moved to the other side of the Pier close to Bayshore Hotel and the beach is going up a bit there, so that has given us 2 hours extra before the tide came in. The beach is relatively narrow, so the water will cover the beach in full when the tide is in. The place is a bit run down, so it does not have an amazing atmosphere. There are small cafes there, ice cream and further in town places to eat. The car park is on the street and there is a decent number of spaces all along the stretch of the beach. Civil Enforcement Officers monitor the payment for the car park, so do not be late even 1 min. We were packing to the car on our return from the beach and the officer was still scanning our car while we were there.

This is by far my favourite beach on the Isle of Wight. With the pier and the seafront restaurants,bars,gift shops, and ice cream outlets,it is the epitome of great British seaside beach holidays. It has soft,golden sands and crystal clear sea, which was also lovely and warm to swim in. The lifeguards are lovely and friendly too and quite easy on the eye 😊

A lovely beach to have a relaxed day. The pier is great. There are games you can play, there are rides for kids. Some people were even fishing. And I had the best donuts here. I keep on trying donuts in other places hoping they will taste nearly as good but they never do.

Very nice beach very calm in the night time good shops available and around

Great viewpoint with easy access from the road. Perfect place to start a walk on the public brideway B42. Clifs, boats ferrys, and the Roman villa all on view.

A lovely view. It's a for a walk or just to sit and enjoy an ice cream when the van is there.

Lovely place to just sit and reflect. Or just take in the fantastic view. From Ocean to rolling hills....you can see everything. I parked my car and just enjoyed the quietness. Thoroughly recommend to everyone. Theres an Ice-cream van in the summer season. Also some really nice walks to go on.

Fantastic sea views and over the downs

Gorgeous views and lots of walking available, but a bit steep in places. Parking was easy and free although might be more difficult during July and August. Hot day when we visited and ice cream was very welcome from the van.

Some of the views from Brading downs

wonderful views and a nice place to sit and chill, maybe the ice cream van will be there for a quick lolly or ice cream cone

Incredible. Very well looked after animals, by a dedicated and kind team. The bears are the absolute highlight. You can see them genuinely celebrating their freedom and new lives in the IOW. The tigers were very active, and most of the animals seemed to be very relaxed - perhaps enjoying a very quiet visitor level, with kids back at school 😉

I visited here a lot when I was younger and it's changed so much in the 15/18 years I've not been here! But all for the greater good. It's so lovely to walk around, see all the animals thriving in big enclosures. We loved walking through the lemars and the lady in there was full of so much information on them. The new bear enclosure was fantastic and even accessible for wheelchairs/buggies to goto the top. Lovely play park for the kids to burn off some extra energy. Small little reptile part ( which i was gutted at, years ago they had huge snakes!) but it was still worth the visit. We didn't visit the cafe so I can't comment on that. The toilets were clean and easy to find. Gift shop is full to the brim of goodies. Lovely visit. Thank you

This is honestly an amazing sanctuary / zoo. There were so many species of rescued animals including bears, tigers, lions, and even a White Lion! These species are very rare and I never thought I would see one! The talks and feeds were amazing and there is lots of interesting information about the animals there and how they were rescued. Personally the racoon and skunk feed was the best. Overall, it was one of the best zoos / sanctuaries and was definitely one of my top 5. Highly recommend for you to go there.

A wonderful morning out. Friendly informative staff. Clean cafe and toilets. Great to meet the animals with their knowledgeable keepers. Enjoyed feeding the koi carp. Children's play area looked amazing. Loved seeing the bears.

We had a lovely few hours at the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary! It was lovely to see all the animals and the new Bear enclosure is really good. The park is also a great way to run off some energy for the little ones.

Loved our visit during half term. We visit the IOW yearly & have never been before but will visit again! The 2 for 1 kids offer during half term was a great saving! The place is tidy & some great animals to see. The bears were fascinating to watch. We all have a fab day.

Great day out, lots to see and do well kept and maintained. The Two new bears were definitely a highlight. Cafe is 100% plant based which is a bold move but one that I admire. Overall nice day out.

Perfect location for a drink and something to eat. The pub is old and quirky, with a charm all of its own. There is even a gentleman playing the piano. Staff are very friendly and welcoming. Plenty of seating inside and out. Tables are cleared efficiently. There is a great selection of food and drink, whatever your taste. We had the crab sandwiches, these were truly delicious. Well presented, freshly made and definitely filled you up. Really wish The Spyglass was nearer, 5 hours each way is a little far for a sandwich! My husband also recommends the Sea Fury beer, a most enjoyable drink he says. We definitely recommend this establishment and will return on our next visit to the island.

What can be better than an apartment overlooking the sea with a fabulous pub below? We even had our own balcony. The apartment could do with an update but it was comfortable and more than adequate. Breakfast was included in the price but we had fo cook it and there was so much food provided we struggled to get through it.

Had a delicious early dinner here (5pm) for 4 adults and sat outside in the sunshine. Food was delicious, served quickly and reasonably priced. They even let us park our motorbikes outside to keep them safe.

It is very good here. Food is very good and prices reasonable. Just be prepared to queue a while to order food at busier times. Best is to have someone else go to the bar to get drinks in parallel (you don’t generally need to queue for drinks). As long as you know the setup in advance and don’t get caught by surprise then it’s a really good spot.

Called in for lunch yesterday, amazing food crab salad lovely, huge portions. Excellent service and food arrived quick and freshly prepared. Cannot fault it, will definitely be going again this week. Excellent choices of food and beer. Staff extremely friendly and helpful even though they were busy they had time for you which is very rare these days.

What a fantastic place to eat. The views were stunning. Service excellent, a good range of food on the menu, all good pub favourites. Ours were well presented and cooked to perfection.

Extremely over rated in our opinion. Badly kept beer & the food is bog standard at best. A great location, so I guess that's why the place is so busy but that doesn't explain why a lot of people have given good reviews.

Absolutely brilliant time spent here, the keepers were very friendly and one was doing an owl walk at the time, the enclosures were good sizes & looked well looked after. The animals looked happy and cared for (none of them looked in ill health, their coats were glossy & healthy looking) really nice to see from a rescue sanctuary! I also appreciated that the monkey sanctuary has a monkey puzzle.

We spent a lovely few hours at this very well-run and interesting centre. All the animals seem well cared for and the keeper's talks are all really worthwhile and insightful. It's not as big as some zoos but it's charming and manageable in 2-3 hours. Allowing you to take your time and read all the interesting facts, have a picnic and attend the talks. We'll definitely return.

We brought tickets on the day, was easy and quick to do. It was raining a little but we had fun seeing the different moneys, owls and other little creatures. It was definitely something to do for a few hours not really a whole day thing and not far from steam railway.

This is a small sanctuary on the Isle of Wight that does amazing work. The staff are really knowledgeable about the birds and animals, and very dedicated to their work. There's a nice little cafe where you can grab a sandwich and drink. Well worth a visit

It's very clean and tidy and has enthusiastic staff, but due to the heat, most of the exhibits were sheltering from the sun. Which with them being animals, is only natural. So here's a tip, do what they do, stay out of the sun, and visit on another day, I'm sure it will be well worth it.

Brilliant day out. The talks were very interesting, and the monkeys, owls and other animals looked well cared for. And you get a free return ticket to use within 7 days.

We spent nearly an entire day here, which when we first went in I would not have thought possible, but due to the fantastic staff leading interesting talks, the brilliant trails map (properly the BEST we have ever completed, due to the interesting questions, mini games, hunting for meerkats on every page, stamp collecting and drawings) We loved hearing the Lar Monkeys which were SO vocal, but it was beautiful to see the interaction and cuddles they gave each other while singing. The cafe was lovely and we enjoyed drinks and food, including ice cream. We found all staff to be passionate about their work and happy to help answer any questions we had. Overall a great day out

Definitely worth visiting this farm that you could easily spend your whole afternoon there. The place is well kept and all the staff were really friendly. Highly recommended!! The farm shop is really nice (in both look and smell) and the products looked really good in quality. We definitely loaded ourselves with lots of garlics 🤣🤣 The restaurant is packed during lunch. Unfortunately we didn't make a booking so we ended up just having some scones, cheese board and ice cream after lunch time. The lunch menu looks really nice though! Oh yes, the staff at the restaurant also treat our pet tortoise Mochi a proper served free strawberry =) We will definitely revisit again in the future!!

🌟The Garlic Farm – Sandown, Isle of Wight🌟 A lovely stop! The shop is nicely kept – clean, well presented, and everything is laid out in a way that’s really appealing. There’s a great range of garlic-themed goodies, perfect for gifts or personal treats. I also bought a bottle of Cold Garlic Beer to try – an interesting one! To me, it tasted a bit like a watery Guinness. Not really to my taste, but I can see how some people might enjoy it for the novelty. Plenty of free parking made the visit easy and stress-free. Definitely worth a stop if you’re nearby!

I love the Garlic Farm. Nice walk around the area. Spend loads of money on garlic related bits. Have all the free samples you can eat. I mean try little bits of each. Took a massive amount of the vampire hot sauce. Way hotter than I expected. So that was fun.

Came here after finding this place on Google and oh my it didn't disappoint. There is soo much to do here with the family and has a wide variety of products that are just soo tasty. We also went for breakfast here and it was lovely, wonderfully presented and came rather fast after we ordered, and was served with their own 2 kinds of ketchup (the black garlic ketchup was amazing but the garlic ketchup was too vinegary in my opinion) it was a good breakfast however my criticism of this is that it would be better with chargrilled bacon rather than having hot held bacon (could definitely tell it was hot held bacon as it was starting to turn a bit leathery) also maybe having the addition of a hash brown or black/white pudding. The servers were lovely and helpful people and the coffees that we got were amazing quality. If your in the IOW then definitely take a detour here as it will be worth your time.

I read all the reviews before visiting and it was a pleasure! The restaurant was fantastic! We pre booked and had the nicest garlicky lunch! Too bad for people who don't like garlic! The shop was lovely with so many garlic products. We bought different varieties of garlic and vampire slayer sauce which is v hot and garlicky. The farm walk wasn't good enough, it would be better to take a guided tour as v could not appreciate much walking by ourselves. We did not see any crops as well. But restaurant and shop is a fantastic visit if you are in the area. Wonderful experience!

Wonderful! Gorgeous setting, fabulous food, and so much delicious garlic. We stayed at the Garlic Farm for a short escape to the island in September. The cottage was perfect. Lovingly decorated and perfect for a family of 4. A big highlight of the weekend was the Farm Tour. Our tour guide (and one of the farm owners) Colin is incredibly knowledgeable and entertaining. He clearly deeply cares for the farm and for the farm guests. Colin took so much time and patiently answered all our questions. What the family have built on the Garlic Farm is extraordinary! We will definitely be back. From The Goodwins

A highly recommended place to go for the nature enthusiasts. The farm is huge and presents a detailed history of garlic. Their shop is very nice and have huge collection of garlic based products. Overall, it was a nice place to visit.

A really beautiful place and very peaceful. Not wise to go when weather is hot which it was today as other than the short woodland walk there isn’t much shade and at the cafe, obviously everyone grabs the tables in the shade or inside so no chance of keeping out of the hot sun. After seeing the quite high prices of the food and having to queue for ages, I gave up and left. But, on a cooler day, a perfect place to spend some time at . Will go again when weather a bit cooler.

Parked in the large free car park and walked around the spacious grounds, enjoyed coffee and cake in the cafe and visited inside the Abbey. There is a nice little shop which sells lots of interesting items including jams, chutneys and bottles of alcoholic beverages to take away. They have lots of pigs and piglets...a hide where you may be lucky to see red squirrels as well as birds. The ruins of the old abbey are within half a mile walk. Dogs welcome.

Loved visiting the pigs before you get to the Abbey. Very stunning building not what I expected to see, very modern inside. Could find the old chapel due to poor signage from the roadway. Lots of parking.

The weather was against us - the first rainy day for a long time. But we were made welcome, even the 2 dogs were fussed over in the art gallery and gift shop. Very pleasant staff, especially at the cafe despite the appalling weather. Stood and watched the sows with their baby piggies, we didn't get a chance to feed them. But we promise to visit again.

Lovely peaceful and calm place. Great for young and old alike. The Abbey is lovely to visit and such a wonderful building. Small quality craft shop, well worth a browse for a surprise gift buy 🎁

A great place to watch red squirrels. Have a lovely lunch and have a good walk within the grounds of the Abbey. Local produce and feed the pig's.

A quaint yet amazing place to visit. Serene and peaceful. The aurround wildlife walks and hide allow you to truely relax and experience nature at its best.

Well regarded and popular high end but deliciously simple restaurant. Serves locals and the large visiting sailing community. It’s busy and noisy through the early evening and guests seek post sailing sustenance. We had a large family dinner. Starters and mains plus drinks. Service is friendly and relaxed and surprisingly quick given how busy it is. Lots of fish dishes on offer and they nail it. I had the crab bruschetta followed by the grilled plaice - both superb. Others had crab ramekin - excellent, and smoked mackerel pate. Only downside was the burgers main dishes which were run of the mill. Decent sized portions. It’s not cheap (£300+ for 7) but they do it well. Lots to like and a great location.

I love this pub — I’ve been here several times for different occasions. Only once was I a bit disappointed by the food, but since then there’s been a massive improvement. This time we had the crispy polenta and buffalo chicken to start, and both were amazing. The polenta was absolutely insane — the texture was perfect: crispy on the outside and fluffy inside, topped with wild mushrooms — absolutely genius! The buffalo wings were tasty and meaty, just as you’d expect. For my main, I had the gluten-free smashed burger. The meat felt a bit old, and I couldn’t quite tell which flavour was stronger — the meat or the blue cheese sauce. It came with chips and a side salad, which were great. Kids had pizza, fish goujons, and garlic bread on the side — they said it was nice, and I trust them on that since I couldn’t try it (I’m coeliac). Service was friendly and helpful, especially with my dietary requirements. The atmosphere, as always, was lovely. This is definitely one of my favourite pubs to eat out at — just need a bit more consistency with the food, and it’d be perfect.

This is a gem of a venue, rustic, vibrant with a laid back feel. The food was excellent, the service efficient. They obviously use good quality ingredients. The drinks choices are great especially the choice of low or no alcohol beers & spirits. The only place on the Island where we were able to order a Calypso coffee without being asked what it is! Thanks to the Italian waiter! A great view across the Solent. We would recommend.

Such a great atmosphere with lovely friendly staff who were very attentive, great music choice and not to mention the absolutely delicious food. My partner and I ordered the honey and soy wings, smash burger, bream and the cheesecake of the day and were blown away by them all.

Been here many times over the years, and this time it did not disappoint. It was a busy Sunday lunchtime, and so good job we had booked. Both the service and the food was very good. Recommended.

We have always received a warm welcome at The Old Fort. I booked for 18 of us (a group walk from Ryde to Seaview and back) I had to change the numbers a few times and add a dog at the last minute but they were very accommodating. The food was efficiently served and very good. Hot and tasty.

Dish you order won’t match what you’ll get. Overpriced, at least for the catch of the day. When I asked a member of the staff where my spinach were (see picture), she said the beans were cooked on spinach water (??). Sounded like a gaslight attempt. Minuscule portion for 34£ + 2 small pieces of bread for 3.99£…

Although the boat was out on the sea, because of technical issues, they can't winch the lifeboat in at the moment. The lady that let us in, was so knowledgeable. We worth a visit.

Great to find this open to the public, very friendly and inviting. You get to see videos of a life boat launch, interactive touch screens and you can dress up in their outfits. There is a lift for people who have difficulty with stairs.

A great place to visit, friendly staff who are happy to answer any questions. Activities for children - loved the dressing up clothes. Best bit was the walk to the Life Boat Station. There is also a small well stocked shop.

Small RNLI shop and you can walk out to the lifeboat station. Unfortunately the boat wasn't inside when we visited but there was a helpful volunteer on hand to speak with and ask any questions. Worth a visit while exploring Bembridge.

I had a fantastic experience visiting the RNLI Bembridge Lifeboat Station. The team there is so welcoming and knowledgeable. It's truly inspiring to see the dedication of both the volunteer crew and the shore crew. The station is immaculate, and it's clear they take their important work very seriously. A must-visit if you're on the Isle of Wight!

What an amazing place and very helpful volunteers.

An amazing lifeboat station, had the opportunity to get to see around the station. The volunteers really do an amazing job. Didn't get to see the launch but will try and come on Tuesday next time when they do their training. So brave to go out on all conditions to help those in need. 10/10 definitely worth a visit to learn more about how they help keep our community safe.

Nice massive beach. My kid really enjoyed as he found a lot of sea shells. Not your typical pebbly beach. It has a harbour besides. Some ice cream shops and play areas near it as well

Beautiful beach. Full of sand and so many shells. My children really enjoyed playing in the sand and collecting shells. Be careful of the tide though, as it comes in quick. We were a little stranded and my partner had to carry us all through the water 🤣 definitely making memories here. Definitely the best beach I have ever been to and I am a big beach lover.

Fab beach, walk along to Appley tower and dogs can go on the beach. Very clean sandy beach, plenty of parking. Lovely views across the Solent watching the Cruise ships, ferries little boats and hovercraft.

absolutely love this place, visited many times now and love it when we come back.

A great beach, especially if you have a dog. We took the hovercraft over from Portsmouth as a treat for the kids. Spent a few hours on the seafront and had lunch by the tower. Dogs can go on the beach once you pass the tower. Our dog loved it! Running around, playing with the other dogs there and trying to drink sea water. The kids enjoyed finding loads of shells. Some great ice cream parlours too. Shame the boating lake was closed due to covid.

Ryde Beach, located on the northern coast of the Isle of Wight, is a charming seaside destination that offers something for everyone. With its expansive sandy shores and panoramic views of the Solent, it's an ideal spot for sunbathing, picnicking, or simply taking leisurely strolls along the water's edge. The beach's gentle slope makes it perfect for families with young children, who can safely paddle in the calm waters. Adventurous souls can try their hand at various water sports, including windsurfing and sailing, or explore the nearby rock pools teeming with marine life. Facilities such as cafes, restaurants, and ice cream stands line the promenade, ensuring visitors are well-fed and refreshed throughout the day. Ryde Beach's proximity to the town center means it's easily accessible by foot, car, or public transport, making it a popular choice for both locals and tourists alike. Whether you're seeking relaxation, recreation, or simply a scenic escape by the sea, Ryde Beach delivers a quintessential British seaside experience that's bound to leave you feeling rejuvenated and inspired.

Lots of parking, toilets are kept lovely. Beach has nice sand and lots of businesses around too. Such a lovely day out.

This is quite a small castle, but an interesting one, well worth a visit if you're English Heritage members on the island. For those who aren't you'll need to balance the fee against what will be a quite short visit, about an hour at most. There's plenty of information about the castles history, which is rather unusual, having never really been involved in any fighting, and often left remarkably under manned. Excellent views across the Solent, some nice photo ops and the traditional gift shop as you come out. 5 mins walk from the long stay car park.

This is a English Heritage site, a Castle that sits right on next to the Ferry Terminal in Yarmouth. The Castle is relatively small with a small shop. At nearly £10 for non EH members in "my humble opinion" paying that is a bit steep. We walked the site and read the information boards easily in 25 mins. I'm a big fan obviously of EH as a member but this site would attract more visitors at a cheaper rate. The gentleman in the shop was very friendly and helpful. Parking for the Castle/Yarmouth can be found in the town or better still the long stay car park about 5 minutes walk away.

This very a small castle which you can finish within half and hour or so. However dun let the small size foul you the castle is filled with plenty of information about the castles history! Additionally it’s also very interactive, you get to try on old vintage costumes, and play the games that they have, we played two rounds of jenga :) Also when you climb to the highest peak of the castle, you get an excellent views of the whole Solent.

The perfect historic picnic spot with gorgeous views of the harbour at the mouth of The Solent. The castle opened in 1547 & was an artillery fort ordered to be built by King Henry VIII to protect against a French invasion. There are lots of interactive learning aids for the youngsters too. There is a small English Heritage shop on site with no cafe but my son and I were allowed to bring in our hot beverages and goods we purchased from the bakery in town. Highly recommend.

Tiny castle, interesting points about the castle and its inhabitants in each room. Beautiful views across the Solent

Been to the castle 🏰 with my daughter yesterday. It’s a very small castle but still a nice place to visit. Plenty of interactive bits, so a great place to take the kids. The only downside is that this place has a few stairs making it not very accessible for wheelchair users. My daughter is a part time wheelchair user, she is able to walk for 10 before her legs fatigue and get painful so we timed it for the stairs mainly. It is an old building, hence lifts can’t really be put in unfortunately. Unfortunately my daughters ankles are hurting today as the stairs were too much for her. Most interactive bits are upstairs, if someone is completely wheelchair bound then unfortunately there isn’t much to see at all downstairs apart from the kitchen and the dining room. If you have an English heritage membership, it’s definitely worth visiting.

Small but interesting with some lovely views over the Solent and Yarmouth harbour

We absolutely love spending our holidays here! The local cafe caters for everything! Ice-cream is delicious. We hired out a kayak today and had a blast! A family of 3 generations gives it top marks, this beach is definitely the best!

Small stretch of sandy and pebbly beach. The limited sandy 'real estate' means that it is less crowded. Can see the main land on a clear sunny day. Our visit here is just for a short detour, less than an hour.

Very little todo here apart from walk up and down the coast line. Sea was in so there's is a concrete path along the coast, two shops with gift shops 🎁 , two bars 🍸 and a stunning restaurant called the Hut on the front, reminds me of St.Tropez but unfortunately fully booked for the next few days... maybe next time. Its OK to spend an hour or so here but I'd soon get bored. Lovely looking at the sea views. If you like this review pls hit the thumbs up 👍🏻

beautiful beach, there are enough cafes and stores to fill all your needs, selling local ice cream of many flavours. the beach spans for long enough that you can always find a private spot to sit at, even when busy.

Absolutely gorgeous little place with food and drink for all pockets.

Lovely sandy bay with safe swimming Plenty of places to grab some food at all prices The Hut has excellent reviews but you need to book, it's very popular with city folk with deep pockets. Marge's cafe is very popular on the slipway, good place for children to have a fun day on the beach. Check the tide times to avoid disappointment, otherwise you'll have no beach! Parking can be difficult so arrive early.

Breathtaking sunsets and clear waters. 👌🏻

Beautiful part of the island. Throughly enjoyed it. You can see both coasts of the island. If you don't mind walking up a steep hill, it's well worth it, perfect for a picnic.

Not very well signposted and easily missed if you're not careful. However, parking is on the one side of the road and the pathway through the field is on the opposite side. It is a bit of a walk and uphill too. Wellworth the walk and the views from the Oratory and worth the effort. Although you can go inside the Oratory, there is no stairs up into the tower and very little room inside for 2 people.

So there are two reasons for visiting I'd say, 1 the views which are spectacular, 2 you're trying to get decent mobile signal on the IoW which is it seem 'the land Vodaphone forgot'. Anyway there's a good sized car park at the bottom of the hill by the road, from there its a 15-20min walk uphill to the Oratory (and phone mast). You can stop and take photos along the way, you can see as far as the Needles. Taking photos is a good excuse for stopping and catching your breath if you're not as fit as you might be too. ;0) Its a modrate slope all the way up witha steeper and somewhat roughr section near the top. At the top, which is only a few feet short of being the highest point* on the island you can see all round for miles. There is livestock roaming around (cows) which due to the hills you might not see until you're in the field with them. They seem unfazed by people, but keep your dog on a lead. *Now, there's a barrow on this hill, which is 'man made' and as such I don't think would be recorded as part of the hill's height. Stood on that I think you are on the island's highest point, and GPS seems to agree.

Incredible view, nice walk and a stunning landmark Parking was not the best and was quite busy, especially considering it was midday Wednesday!

Interesting story of why it was built in 1328 as penance for salvaging wine from a wrecked ship and drinking it. Turns out the wine belonged to the church. Design does look like a primary school boy's interpretation of a space rocket 🚀 Trig point nearby

One of the highest points on the island, a great location to catch the sunset over the bay. Parking is avaliable on the other side of the road. Only negative is it's quite steep up and there were some cows around the tower (we have dogs so kept them on leads). Worth a visit for an hour or so all around in the evening, can walk on to a monument also.

The pepperpot (and salt pot which is the telecoms mast) lie on the top of the hill and are both a very good walk to. When you are at the top of the hill the views are amazing, you can see the whole of the Isle of Wight. It would be best to go at sunset or sunrise. Beware, the hill can be steep.

Lovely day to visit. Peaceful and lots of birds.

Beautiful spot but shame National Trust have engaged with an external company to manage the parking. Apparently there is no camera currently and trying to download the app to get the free parking for National Trust members felt like an invitation to give an external organisation all my data and to open the door to a fine if the download process did not work. I could not get a signal on site so had to complete later, which was stressful.

The Town Hall was closed when we visited, but having been there in 2018 this wasn’t an issue. Took a leisurely walk through the nature reserve enjoying the views and the wildlife. It’s a lovely place with a slightly other-worldly feel to it and a fascinating history.

Great nature, reserve nice little church to visit as you walk from the carpark to the reserve as well as the old town hall. NT wardens in the hide are very knowledgeable and usually have a scope set up to point out the wildlife. it's well done worth a visit.

We arrived around 10:30 am. The facilities nearby the car park are well managed. The cottage is full of joy and the toilet is tidy. Although the sunlight is strong, the shade of the trees alongside the path makes you feel comfortable. At the East hide, we saw a family of four cute seals. Watching them sunbathing leads to a lot of surprises. On the way to the Seabroke hide, a poor little thing was encountered, wish he/she Rest In Peace. At the Seabroke hide, we recognized the seal family was the common seal. Thanks for sharing the knowledge.

Even if you are a National Trust member, you will need to download the JustPark app to park and visit. This is not possible with dodgy mobile reception. Great arrangement !

Interesting building, very well taken care of and with lots of history attached. Free National Trust carpark for members. The area is very quiet and definitely worth a visit. There is no parking available other than the National Trust carpark (fees apply for non-members).

Beautiful walk around gardens and house. The pictures of Queen Victoria and family hanging on walls are beautiful. The rooms are beautiful and in amazing condition. After viewing house we explored the grounds which are stunning! Great place and well worth a visit.

Second visit; possibly a future third, there's much to see. Worth joining English Heritage! Large car park after tricky right turn into the estate, from the south. A few steps to entrance and shop with adjacent café (very good baked potato). Huge expanse of grounds. Beautiful specimen trees and terrace garden with much in bloom, for October. Superb views across the Solent. Didn't reach the play house or beach this time (duff hip), although I did note what seemed to be a shuttle bus as I left! Extremely well laid out history boards of various family members.

This was one of the most beautiful English Heritage places I have visited. Osbourne House is set within the grounds of The Osborne Estate. The House was the holiday home to Queen Victoria and her family. You can clearly see why she spent alot of her time here. The rooms in the house and perfectly kept and decorated giving you a glimpse into their lives and the past. The House is the crowning glory but the grounds are remarkably kept and worth spending an hour walking through the gardens. Whilst doing so, take a stroll down to The Queen's Road, down at the Beachfront then up to The Swiss Cottage. Now, as an English Heritage member I am always full of praise for staff and volunteers at these sites who do such a great job and are friendly and eager to talk but unfortunately the English Heritage staff within the house on our day of visiting were not so, speaking to several other visitors that day they too had also encountered the same as ourselves. Very disappointed as the staff members inside the house made my visit and experience and intimidating one. This aside, other staff around the site and welcome centre were great. A lovely place to spend a good 3 to 4 hours. Car park if free for English Heritage membership.

We've wanted to visit here for some time....outstanding. Staff - their knowledge and helpfulness and those that work 'behind the scenes' maintaining such beautiful gardens, general estate. A very tranquil place to be. The house itself steeped in history, wonderful stories of life at Osborne during and after Victoria and Albert.

The Royal holiday home!! A treasure trove of delights awaits inside the beautiful House! A guide in each room to add to the experience, all willing to help! We we ushered to the lift( mobility problems spotted by guide!) and took the House from top to bottom in complete comfort and joy! We took lunch on the Terrace with a magical view down to the beach and many pictures later walked down through the tall trees to see the beach at closer quarters! After an ice-cream at the pretty tea shop we took the minibus back to the entrance( rather long cold wait for it to arrive..needed a coat! ) Absolutely fabulous visit well worth the entrance fee!!

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert at Osborne on the Isle of Wight. From sumptuous interiors and art collections inside, to a peaceful beach and marvellous gardens outside, a day out at Osborne has something for everyone. Explore Osborne’s vast grounds, follow the interactive tree trail and find the unusual Swiss Cottage, where the royal children played, gardened, cooked and collected unusual objects in their own private museum. Victoria and Albert bought and built Osborne to fulfil the queen’s desire for a ‘place of one’s own – quiet and retired’. Its dazzling interiors, art collection, gardens and grounds reflect their personal passions, taste and style. There are four food and drink outlets you’ll find around the estate. There are also plenty of great picnicking spots throughout the grounds, and a play area to explore.

Liked the house itself, design, gardens and setting. Not so keen on the interiors, not helped by having to stand in a queue on the stairs to get to the upstairs rooms which were stuffy and unpleasantly warm. Too many people in the house at once. Cafe, shop, toilets. Busy when coach parties arrive.

This is a beautiful way to see the island laid out in front of you with the chalk cliffs, green fields, blue sea, and sky. Even on a blustery day, the changing light, you can find yourself sitting and watching nature at its best. On most days, there is a coffee, tea, snack, and ice cream van at the viewpoint. So go and visit and enjoy the beautiful vista.

Decent car park. Mostly flat, surface isn't the best but not awful either. Free, has bins, benches, plenty of space. Can walk up or down the hillsides here.

Beautiful views back from the South of the Island to the West. It overlooks the theme park, so don't expect silence!

A great large free car park with stunning views down the coastline towards the Needles and out to sea. There is usually an ice cream/ snack van on site. A good spot to park up and go off hiking on the many footpaths or exploring the area.

The small hike up to St Catherines was great for the pups to stretch thier legs. If on the Isle of Wight so worth the morning trip! The cliffs also are right here and this is a nice walk with great views!!

Nice view. Walk a little way to get to the cliff tops. Nice ice cream van sometimes.

Nice view of the sunset

Lovely beach. V clean. Went rock pooling. Clean changing facilities. Ample parking nearby.

Walking beach with interesting erosion of low cliffs and loads of wood washed up on the beach, and some huge trees. Beach was a little smelly between Brembridge and the golf club. Dog walking allowed. There is a small RNLI shop. And there were 2 members of RNLI selling membership by the loos. There was a nice sandwich van. Views of Solent and lifeboat launch

Lovely Beach, spent all of last Summer on it. The beach is clean, spacious, and quiet. The water is calm so it is ideal for paddle sports, and you get a great view of the lifeboat station, and the mainland.

Lovely beach. Miles of walks for dogs off lead. Better when tide is out then it’s a lot easier and quicker to walk.

Very nice but lots of weed good for little kids as shallow for ages

Good parking boys really enjoyed paddling in the sea with there nets fun had by all

A nice beach to walk along, great when the tied is out for rockpooling. You can also look out to the awesome lifeboat pier. Dog friendly as well, so always a plus.

Nice walk up the hill. Lovely views. Easy walk suitable for all abilities.

Brill view, bit wi dy and high see all of ventnor and surrounding areas.

Good views and a great work out to cycle up.

St. Boniface's descendant is a close companion of mine. He's fresh, clear and ready to claim his land with authority, passion and a flag showing his coat of arms and destiny. He didn't want this responsibility, but now he's aware of his ancestors he has to honour them and the God's that chose his family to carry their wishes on land. For the first time in years the family sword has seen light, and now more than ever he wants to guide his followers onto the right path. The sheer lack of knowledge of his existence and right is outstanding, he is a missionary of God and the highest point of the Isle of Wight is named after him, but it's been covered up... But not anymore, it will be reclaimed soon. Whether you're religious or not, Boniface is here! Prepare your horses, gather the seasons harvest and celebrate the true King of Wessex returning home... All hail Boniface.

Weather wasn't great. Not been up there for at 50 years. It took a bit of finding the road up though. Well worth it when you do.

Brilliant for walking plus amazing views a lovely place to visit

Great views of the Isle of Wight and beyond. Nice walks.

Loved this! Bought a day ticket, which meant we could go back anytime during the day. As it was a bright, sunny day, the views were wonderful. It was very busy in the morning due to school groups, I would recommend going later in the afternoon. Much less busy and a more relaxing visit altogether! The glass floor was fun. We had tea and cake in the cafe and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience - we even forked out for the photos and have been able to download them at home as well. Obviously a sunny day helps make the experience better!

I was lucky with the weather and had gorgeous views all round. It was fun watching ferries and other shipping coming in and out. One ferry had some nail biting moments entering a narrow port area! Next time I will book an afternoon tea up in the clouds.

Worth booking at least 24hrs in advance on line to get a discount. Pay on the day is £18.95 adult price. Get the lift to the viewing gallery and see great views across Portsmouth Harbour, the Solent and the Isle of Wight. There is a section of glass floor you can walk over looking all the way down to the ground. There are stairs leading further up to the outdoor garden. There is a cafe in the tower or plenty of eating places in the surrounding area.

Beautiful view, blah, blah. It is the staff that make this such a wonderful day out. From the ticket desk, to the lift operator, to everyone in the Spinnaker Kitchen, every single team member we interacted with was absolutely delightful, smiling, helpful and lovely. Thank you to everyone who works there 👍🏻

I came to visit Spinnaker tower on the 17.10.25. I did not realise it was the towers 20th Anniversary. It was well worth the time and money being up in the tower was absolutely amazing, you could see the isle of Wight, Southampton and even Gosport. The view from up above is simply breathtaking. We will definitely be coming back during the night.

The Spinnaker is a great experience. The views were stunning. There was a lovely rainbow. I didn't dare to walk on the glass floor, it had several cracks in the glass.

Great, if a little pricey activity to include on a trip to Portsmouth. Fabulous views on all three levels IF you time your visit to when it's clear. For Best value book 24 hours in advance. The Coffee ☕ lounge on the middle deck is well worth stopping by. Team member Caroline, who was on Coffees during my visit, deserves a huge shout out as she is very customer focused, hard working and welcoming.

Absolutely fabulous place to visit. Plenty of free parking, lovely little cafe and shop. It was great to see the donkeys being cared for so we'll. Plenty of opportunity to walk round and meet the donkeys, lots of benches to sit on and take in the views. Highly recommend.

Spent a wonderful couple of hours here which was absolutely perfect for an animal lover like me! Loved reading about all the donkeys, ponies and the mule, as well as the ex-race horse currently taking a break there. They all look so content and friendly, and it’s comforting to know that they’ll be well looked after for the rest of their days.

Loved visiting the Donkey Sanctuary, it was a great way to spend a couple hours while on the Isle of Wight. We loved seeing how happy the donkeys looked, they seem to be well taken care of. Also loved reading about the different donkeys, their back stories, and who their best friends were haha! Its free to visit, and even the doubters in our group left saying how much they enjoyed the visit! I would absolutely recommend this attraction if you find yourself on Isle of Wight.

The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary is such a heart-warming place to visit. The donkeys are clearly so well cared for and loved, and it’s wonderful to see them happy, relaxed, and enjoying their surroundings. You can get up close, give them a fuss, and really see all their different personalities – it’s impossible not to fall in love with them. The sanctuary itself is beautifully kept, with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. There’s no entry fee, just donations, which makes it feel even more special knowing every penny goes straight back into caring for the animals. The café and gift shop are also great little additions and make it easy to spend a good few hours here. It’s a peaceful, feel-good experience and perfect for families, animal lovers, or anyone who wants to do something wholesome while on the island. Definitely a must-visit – and the donkeys will completely steal your heart! ❤️🐴

Lovely! Came here a few years ago and had no hesitation coming back. Plenty of parking (even for our motorhome) and a lovely walk around all the fields to see the donkeys and ponies. Plenty of info and bios of all the donkeys. Well worth a visit. They don’t charge for entry so please donate what you can.

Nice little trip with young children, we had taken our 6 year old and 1 year old who had a great time, best to leave the buggy in the car, there is onsite shop and cafe serving light meals and teas coffees and other beverages, we spent around £30 whilst here, all of which I understand goes to the upkeep of the donkeys themselves, all the staff were very helpful and the food made in house and on site I do believe. There is no cost to enter.

A really beautiful place that is well worth visiting. They look after the donkeys here so well and you can see that they are all happy and treated so well. The shop is full of so much that I could quite easily have bought everything. The guide we had for the talk was really funny and a great host. Would highly recommend to everyone.

We were lucky & visited on a sunny day. The gardens are superb, the bonsai trees amazing; the churches have hymns playing, the bandstand music playing - railway has railway sounds. Wonderful afternoon out & beautifully tended gardens.

This model village has to be one of the sweetest places I've ever visited. It's family run for several generations and you can feel the love and companionship through the ages when you walk around the village, see the attention to detail and care taken, read the lovely guide and go into the craft gift shop. Great venue and an unusual activity. There's a little cafe too and a couple of photo spots.

Wasn’t too sure what to expect - and it turned out to be fantastic. There for over 90 mins and you can go round as often as you like. There is an easy to follow suggested route, or you can just wander. The models are really good and do match the original buildings Highly recommended

This was a great place to visit. It was actually bigger than thought and the woman at ticket sales was very helpful. No actual onsite parking but there is a free parking area before you get to the site. This gives chance to see other parts of village and places to rest and have a bite to eat or drink. Would recommend this as a must visit place.

Nice afternoon, I've been to model villages before including this one, gardens always well presented.. prices were a little high for the size I feel been to bigger ones and price was lower. But for a nice autumn 🍁 afternoon it filled a hole.

Had heard about this place. Well worth a visit for adults as much as children. Loved it, so delightful. The details into faces of miniatures were fascinating, and music playing from church and ballroom, to the miniature things in the shop windows....

The model village Godshill is an intriguing little gem, the model village is so beautifully made and maintained and the gardens are outstanding, all maintained to a very high standard. The staff were very friendly and welcomed our little fur baby. The gift shop has lovely trinkets to keep as memories of our morning here.

The only way I know how to access it is a long walk, but I think a public bus may drop off outside (saw a few green ones). I personally think its a bit expensive to get in, but once inside its immaculate so you see where the money goes. I liked the comic book style drawings, the tunnel and getting a whole feel for the place. The only thing I'd say is if you intend to walk there, and see both the old and new battery allow plenty of time, because the new battery shuts at 4pm old battery 5pm so we hadn't allowed enough time to do both. Definitely nip into the cafe at the old battery as the coffee and cakes were amazing.

Love a National Trust, and if you are doing Tennyson Down it is definitely worth stopping by the Old Fort. I really liked how they have restored parts of the site and brought it to life. It is not very big so it does not take long to go around, but it is nice to wander through and the views of the Needles are amazing and were the real highlight. They also have a tea room, which to be honest was not that great, a bit of a shame given how lovely some other National Trust tea rooms are. It could have been something really charming like the one at the lighthouse in Dorset. The walk to the fort was another highlight and is so beautiful with lots of wildlife. A really stunning area.

an incredible couple of hours spent here. We got a return on the cable car, £10 per adult. Really good price. Had beautiful views of the ocean coming down, we then went straight onto the boat ride, again incredibly priced. 20 mins out to sea and a view of the needles, beautiful sights. We were lucky enough to have stunning weather. Cable car back up to the top after a lovely walk along the beach and then made our sand jars and played crazy golf. Hasn't changed since I came when I was little.

It took about 30 min with kids to wander along to here from the car park (tell them you’re an NT member for £2 off). Did it on a hot and sunny day but lovely views on the way and from the battery. Interesting displays and the tunnel down is cool, if not pretty narrow! Place to get a coffee and plenty of places to sit and eat a picnic. Worth a visit especially if an NT member.

Great history about the Fort listed. I recommend a visit if you go. Not too expensive to get in but it is a national trust place so it's a must do if you have a membership. Very windy when I went so be prepared when walking along the cliff top. There is an enclosed walk way to a view advantage point inside the cliff, at some points this is narrow so I wouldn't recommend if you are claustrophobic

A bit of a walk from the 'Needles Attraction' but it's on a fairly level road. There's not much at the Old Battery but it's worth a look if you're a NT member. Probably not worth the entrance if not. If you pick a decent day, the views are spectacular though.

Very interesting area to visit, you can walk but I recommend taking the open top bus to get there - great views. There is a cafe and shop.

Amazing to see fossils and bones and animals that ruled the earth before us. Toilets in centre and lots of disabled access as floor flat gets busy when the kids off parking outside car park free for blue badge holders otherwise payable only a small car park staff very friendly and warm good for school holidays

Brilliant place. Staff are brilliant, full of information & very friendly, exhibits are both full of information & also interactive in places, cute fossil excavation areas for kids, lots of activities for younger kids to take part in. The main area has an active fossil station where the staff discussed things with patrons. Highly highly recommended if you're visiting and like dinosaurs. They also take blue light discount

An engaging museum, with lots of interactive elements (my kids love the letter search). My youngest fell over on the way in and the staff were so helpful giving him some first aid. The shop is packed with stuff, so a nice place to visit for some treats.

Dinosaur Isle, Sandown – It’s a prehistoric playground and an absolute must‑visit on the Isle of Wight! 🦕 Built in 2001 in the shape of a soaring pterosaur, this purpose‑built museum brings Cretaceous Era giants back to life in Sandown Bay  . We spent a wonderful few hours exploring life‑size models like Iguanodon, Polacanthus, Eotyrannus, and the fearsome Neovenator - many discovered right here on the island . Inside, nearly 1,000 of the best fossils are on display, real bones, skeleton reconstructions, and interactive exhibits that engage all ages. Hands‑on activities include smell stations (carnivore breath, swamp air!), tactile boxes and creative crafts, which were a hit with our kids. One highlight was Comptonatus chasei, the most complete dinosaur skeleton discovered in the UK in the last century, now proudly displayed here. We also loved watching museum staff and volunteers preparing real fossil finds in the visible lab areas giving a real sense of discovery in the making. Family-friendly and accessible too wheelchair users and those with young children are well catered for. They even offer free ear defenders during sensory morning hours, and the new weekly quiet hour (Wednesdays 9–10 am) turns off roaring sound effects for a calmer experience. Assistance dogs are welcome as well.

Dinosaur Isle is a fun stop if you’re a dinosaur fan – there are plenty of fossils, models, and displays that younger dino enthusiasts will really enjoy. The highlight is definitely the fossil collection, which is impressive and gives a good insight into the Isle of Wight’s prehistoric past. That said, the building and exhibits do feel a little dated and could do with a refresh. It’s not the biggest attraction, so you probably won’t spend too long there, but it’s still worth a visit if you love dinosaurs or want something educational and family-friendly to do on the island. Good for dino lovers, but could be even better with a bit of updating.

Cute little place. Brilliant for little explorers. Lots of activities and fun things to do and get involved in.

Fine for a rainy day? This dinosaur is a little dusty, small, and old, and isn’t really adapted to younger kids, but it was nice getting to meet actual palaeontologists on the day and identifying fossils with a microscope. Strangely, one of the biggest downsides is the terrible acoustics of the first few rooms: a few kids were playing around and the sound reverberated around and made the experience very… loud. A bit pricey overall for what you get but worth one visit if you’re around with kids.

Would give a million stars if I could! We booked an alpaca walk which was beyond amazing with such a knowledgeable friendly guide. We also got some animal feed from the shop and spent an hour visiting and hand feeding the other animals which was just so wonderful! You can see they are all really well looked after and cared for, it’s a true one of a kind experience and a fabulous way to spend an afternoon. All staff are lovely, and I can’t stress enough how amazing it is here!

Wonderful Venue. Well cared for animals. Too many alpacas to count and lots of babies. Llamas, donkeys, goats pigs and rabbits also in residence. Great to feed them and see in beautiful countryside setting. Lovely well stocked shop. Friendly helpful lady in The shop. It was a shame the cafe was closed. Might be worth having cold drinks and water in the shop. Recommend a visit.

A lovely place to bring the kids for some fresh air and fun. Our children absolutely loved feeding the alpacas, goats and donkeys. There are many different animals to say Hi to. Dogs are not allowed in but there is a little cafe in car park where they do a great mocha and latte. Our visit coincided with a new baby alpaca being born... amazing to be that close to nature at its best. Well worth a visit to this lovely place. Really friendly and helpful staff too. You can buy tubs of food as you go in to feed the animals.

Came here having been recommended by our AirBnB host. We had a lovely walk with Gilbert, Friday and Fidget the alpaca’s, led by our guide Laura. Laura was incredibly informative and interactive, answering all our questions with a smile! We also saw a 3 hour old alpaca baby which was a real treat! It’s clear this farm is looked after by a real tight-knit family and all the animals are well loved. Thank you so much for having us!

Had a lovely walk with the Alpacas. The lady who was the guide for this was really good, told us lot's of stuff and came up with great parings between the guests and their Alpacas. There is also a number of other animals you can see (and feed if you like), a small shop and a small tea shop. The parking can be a bit confusing as to the right you suddenly feel like you're parking in a private area. Could also do with an extra toilet.

Lovely experience! Totally worth your money! Thank you so much gummy bear for allowing us to walk you! Great service and really nice people!

What a great farm, my 5yr old daughter and all the adults absolutely loved it, the animals were all amazing and very cute, the way the alpacas 'speak' is just too sweet. An absolutely must visit if you're on the IoW

This derelict site is managed by English Heritage. Originally, it was a palatial structure, set in a glorious rolling landscape, created by Lancelot "Capability" Brown. The grounds are still impressive and well worth the visit. You can spend hours just walking the grounds. Sadly, the building was severely damaged by bombing during the Second World War. The owners could not afford repairs, and after the war, some work was undertaken to stabilise the structure and make it safe. You can walk around the site and enter the building; but sometimes it is used for various events, and access may be limited; watch out for signs advising you of access limits for safety reasons. The property has a slightly ethereal and mournful air; what was once such an impressive baroque structure is now just an empty shell, a ghost that hints of days gone by. Access to the site is via a narrow lane, with a few passing places. There is a large stone dressed car park, and all the footpaths are also stone chippings. The site has no toilet facilities, cafe or shop. Despite this, I would still suggest that it is worth the visit, even if only for an hour.

Extremely stunning mansion with unbelievable history. Very well organised information boards and enough there to keep you occupied for a couple of hours! I recommend reading all the info boards since there was some really interesting history

A very interesting ruin to visit and free to enter. Plenty of room to let the children wander and enjoy a picnic. Dogs welcome too. Large free car park right next to the main entrance, but no other facilities. You can also walk to the Freemantle Gate...about a half mile..which was also part of the property. From the gate it is a pleasant walk up to the top of the hill to the obelisk first built in 1774, and restored in 1983, in memory of Robert Worsley. English Heritage have provided information boards which are well worth reading and there are some benches on which to sit.

Lovely find. We didn't spend much time here but our kids loved looking around the ruins of the house. You can feel the history while walking around and it's great that it was saved from being lost after the second world war.

I've been on the Isle of Wight numerous times and have missed this place. If its a beautiful day and you fancy a picnic in front of a grand mansion (albeit a hollow one), go here. If you like walking around abandoned buildings, this is perfect and it's free.

The architecture of this place is really something ! It’s incredible to see how the building would have looked with the informational notice boards they have ! There isn’t an awful lot to do here but if you’re planning on ticking off the English heritage map this is defo one to visit! And it would also make a stunning setting for photographers :)

England Heritage - Stunning old house, gives you the feel of what it could have been like back in the day. Not much there if you are expecting a cafe or shop. Free car park.

found this is our national trust book but we didn’t realise the lighthouse was temporarily closed so always check online to see if things are open! regardless of this there’s still walks around the area with great views and you can also get a great view of the lighthouse from the surrounding fields and get quite up close to it.

Very interesting lighthouse - guided tours bring the history to life. You can only pay in cash so bear that in mind - they don't get any coverage down there for a card machine. It's also a bit of a trek down to the lighthouse from the closest parking spaces so be prepared for a walk, even harder uphill on the way back, but well worth the effort!

Really interesting to see inside a lighthouse. It is a guided tour around and you get some history of the lighthouse, then a tour of the lighthouse. There were two people doing tours so we only had to wait a few minutes for one to start. Inside the lighthouse the steps are quite steep and there's a height restriction for younger children as one of the staircases is almost like a ladder as its that steep! Great view from the top of the lighthouse aswell. The guy doing the tour had lots of information and was very knowledgeable about the lighthouse. Would recommend. We visited Saint Catherine's oratory afterwards (which is the original lighthouse). *Updated April 2023 - Walking the IOW coastline and viewed lighthouse from above.

Beautiful views and the tour was quaint, informative and carried out by volunteers. Highly recommend for lighthouse buffs, as only ten in UK or so allow visits such as these. Lovely walks in nearby areas too.

Well worth the effort lovely little place run by people who love and know what they are doing. Just beware it's easy to get to but harder to get back up the hill. The light house climb is not too bad (bit narrow) with a ladder. At the top it's very warm if warm outside But the view is worth it.

Well worth the walk down the hill ( about 10 minutes ) çars not allowed unfortunately. The tour is informative not just the inside workings but the History of the buildings and area. Some steps used in the lighthouse are steep and need extra care but in general a good place to visit with Very knowledgeable staff on hand . The Only one down side which may change in due course no Public toilets on site , but if you visit the pub up on the hill first!.

Absolutely fascinating visit!! There's no parking - you have to park further away and walk down - but the views are worth it; they're stunning! The tour of the lighthouse costs just £5, and is worth every penny! The lighthouse sports some fantastic Victorian engineering - the whole lamp assembly floats in a 2.5 ton bath of mercury as a low-friction bearing!! I do hope you get the lovely Frank as your guide - he knows so much about everything, and I could have chatted to him for hours. Go soon - because in 2021 the whole revolving lamp assembly will be replaced by modern high brightness LEDs.......