Isle of Wight Attractions

The Isle of Wight, known as 'The Garden Isle', is 23 miles long (WE) by 13 miles wide (NS). The island has around 500 miles of roads and almost as many miles of footpaths. It takes around 45 minutes to travel by car from one end of the island to the other, but cars are not essential because you can get around by bus, or if energetic, by bicycle. However you travel, you will find the scenery changes with every minute of your journey from steep cliffs, through rolling hills to fertile valleys. It is truly southern Britain in miniature.

The Isle of Wight has many visitor attractions. Here, we have concentrated on those within easy range of Bembridge:

Bembridge

Extensive sandy beaches with cafes and all the amenities of the village.
Bembridge Windmill: National Trust historic building open to the public.
Heritage centre: A fascinating exhibition housed in former Victorian school. Past and present village life.
Sally's Riding: horse rides along the sandy beach or along country lanes.
X-Isle Watersports Training Centre. Kitesurfing, windsurfing, surfing, sailing, waterskiing.
Vectis Gliding Club: experience flying in a glider.
Cachalot Charters: Sea angling for novice and experienced fishermen.

Brading

Roman villa: extensive covered remains of Roman villa with multi-media guide, shop and café. One of the finest Romano-British sites in Britain.
Morton Manor: medieval manor with award winning gardens with vineyard and shop.
Adgestone vineyard: Cellar tours, wine tasting, café, shop. Admission free.
Lilliput Antique Doll and Toy Museum and shop. More than 2000 exhibits dating from circa 2000 BC to circa 1945 is of interest to all the family.
Brading Experience: waxworks featuring British legends, horror, animal world, world of wheels, gift shop, factory outlet and cafe.
Nunwell House and Gardens: picturesque 16th C house set in 5 acres of tranquil gardens.

St Helens

Sandy beaches, village green, shops and restaurants.
Fakenham Farm: Rare and exotic farm animals, gift shop, children's play area and café. Suitable for children.

Seaview

Quaint seaside village with shops, pub, restaurants and hotel.
Seaview Wildlife Encounter: Flamingo park, penguins, pelicans, parrots, wallabies. café, gift shop and picnic area.

Ryde

Promenade: sand; boating lake (pedaloes and canoes); outdoor swimming pool; amusement arcades; cafés; pitch and put; train ride; train to Brading, Sandown and Ventnor.
Isle of Wight Steam Railway: Restored Victorian and Edwardian steam engines and carriages run along 5 miles of track. Suitable for enthusiasts and children of all ages. Gift shop and picnic area.
LA Bowling: 22 lanes of computerised tenpin bowling. Diner and café bar. Nightclub above.
Waltzing Waters: synchronised indoor water, light and music productions. Gift shop and cafe.
Seacatch: mackerel fishing trips to No Mans Land Sea Fort from the harbour.
The Venue: Ryde Theatre for live music from local bands to superstars. www.rydetheatre.co.uk
Planet Ice: Ice rink open to public
Island Speedway: Bars, fast food and of course speedway racing.
Butterfly and fountain world: tropical butterflies, Japanese garden, Italian garden and water garden. Suitable for children. Also gift shop, coffee shop and garden centre.
Brickfields Horse Country: miniature Shetland ponies, donkey town, shire horses, pets, farmyard animals, riding school, museum, gift shop.
Fired art: decorate plates, bowls mugs and other ceramic ware with your own designs.
Rosemary Vineyard: vineyard, winery, shop and cafe. Self-guided tours, free wine tasting. Children welcome.
Quarr Abbey: Modern Cistercian abbey with tearoom and small craft shop next to remains of original medieval establishment.

Sandown

Sandown promenade, pier, beach, shops and restaurants.
Amazon World zoo park: unusual, beautiful and endangered species of birds, mammals, reptiles, insects, spiders, fish, amphibians and plants. Learn about conservation, watch displays.
Isle of Wight Zoo: tigers, lions, jaguars, lemurs, monkeys. Also amphibians, reptiles and spiders. Has presentations, children's play area, café and shop.
Dinosaur Isle: under cover world of dinosaurs and fossils with outdoor picnic area suitable for adults and children.
Heights Leisure Centre: swimming, squash, fitness classes, sauna, jacuzzi, gym, bar, bistro.
Sandown Airport: Birnie Air Services – Island tours.

Shanklin

Shops, beach and restaurant.
Shanklin Theatre: resident artists producing shows and workshops.
Shanklin Chine (meaning deep ravine): historic gorge with waterfalls and nature trail in 3 acres. Night illumination. Tea garden and gift shop. Near railway station.
Summer Arcade: esplanade entertainment centre. Crazy golf, ten pin bowling, indoor play area.

Ventnor

Blackgang Chine: Just the thing for kids of all ages. 40 acres of spectacular cliff top themed adventure gardens. Hang out with dinosaurs, cowboys, nursery characters, pirates, slides, rides... There is a pub and a restaurant on site. Blackgang Sawmill attraction over the road.
Appuldurcombe House: 18th C set in 11 acres of grounds. Ideal for picnic. Has a shop and exhibition. Also owl and falconry centre with displays and café.
Ventnor Botanic Garden: public amenity, temperate and sub-tropical gardens, visitor centre.
Wight Light Gallery: Fine arts gallery.

Arreton

Robin Hill Country Adventure Park: Set in 88 acres of woodland. Island's biggest rides. Red squirrel trail. Children's play areas. Woodland gardens and sculpture trail. Falconry displays. Picnic area, shop.
Garlic Farm: garlic preserves, relishes, chutney. Everything garlic!
Arreton Barns: Ancient village; craft centre: ceramics, woodcraft; local produce; pub/ reataurant, local ales.
Shipwreck Centre: Wreck, diving, maritime displays and Lifeboat Museum which details the history of the RNLI and rescue services on the Isle of Wight.

Newport (Capital)

Cinema, extensive shops and many restaurants.
Medina Leisure Centre: pool, badminton, gym, community theatres.
Museum of Island history: multi-media museum and information centre.
Jolly Roger's Plaice: Large indoor multi-level soft adventure play space for kids. Bistro with extensive menu for adults and kids.
Medina Theatre: community theatre hosting a variety of entertainment.
Quay Arts: Craft shop stocking British glassware, sculpture, ceramics and jewellery; café bar and theatre.
Carisbrooke Castle: Explore the fascinating medieval castle where King Charles I was held prisoner. Museum and tearoom. Managed by English Heritage.
Newport Roman Villa: remains, reconstruction and museum.
Isle of Wight Bus Museum: Unique collection of vehicles and road passenger memorabilia dating from 1890 to the present day.
Island Offroad Adventure: Half and full day instruction using 4x4 vehicles over difficult terrain

Cowes (Home of Cowes Week)

Shops, harbour, restaurants, marinas, boat charter.
Osborne House: Queen Victoria's favourite country home preserved just as she left it. She wrote "It is impossible to imagine a prettier spot". However, has modern café, picnic area, restaurant and gift shop. Managed by English Herritage.
Wight Line Cruises: Cruises to the Needles and Spit Bank Sea Fort.
Classic boat museum: many beautifully restored wooden and historic boats.
Military Museum: Tanks and armoured cars includes displays and rides.
Goodleaf Tree Climbing Adventures: supervised tree climbing and abseiling, home made refreshments.

Godshill

Picturesque village: tea rooms, pub and restaurant.
Godshill Model Village: Miniature world for kids to enjoy and gardens for the adults.

Other Attractions

Please see the Isle of Wight Tourist Board Web Site.