what to do in isle of wight

[mickthetree]

Off for a holiday very soon on the isle of white for a week. Any tip off on good things to look out for / visit. Any woody attractions?

 

[John Brown]

You could see my bench.


It's at Osborne House.

 

[david123]

Or you could take a lot of little bottles, fill them with coloured sand from Shanklin and give them to your kids for Christmas. Bet they would love that LOL

 

[mickthetree]

HA! Cheers John, I'll be sure to do that.

Dave I will have the kids with me and no doubt there will be coloured sand involved, although I believe it is imported from China now.

 

[david123]

Good luck, and have a good holiday

 

[Chrispy]

Where you staying? we're going soon too, staying at Sea view.

 

[doctor Bob]

I believe there are some very good residential spelling courses.

 

[Jacob]

Off for a holiday very soon on the isle of white for a week. Any tip off on good things to look out for / visit. Any woody attractions?

Nothing much there, it's a bit of a dump. Lots of old cars on the roads - not "interesting" old cars , just old cars - they don't salt the roads and old bangers go on for a long time. At least that's how it was when I was last there about 15 years ago.

 

[mickthetree]

I believe there are some very good residential spelling courses.

u wot?

 

[mickthetree]

Where you staying? we're going soon too, staying at Sea view.

Not sure, I just get told to drive and I drive

I'll find out.

 

[mickthetree]

we're staying in Freshwater bay on the otherside of the island.

 

[t8hants]

What do you want to do on the Isle of WIGHT?

 

[Jacob]

They might have livened the place up a bit since I was there last; built a Tesco or something.

Just remembered there's a really good chip shop a bit up the High St in Cowes. If it's still there.

 

[mickthetree]

when I was last there about 15 years ago.

Thanks!! :shock:

 

[John Brown]

I spent New Year there a couple of years ago with 20 or so friends. If you like going for long walks in the wind and rain(I do), then it's pretty good. I found the natives to be very friendly, and there were some great pubs. If you have the kids with you, then I hope you have suitable weather for the beach.

 

[t8hants]

Those from the Mainland who move here tell me there is more to do per square mile here then on the north Island.
I quite enjoy my Tax free Morris Minor, and my MOT and tax Free Bedford truck, so long live old bangers, you pay, I play.

 

[Eric The Viking]

Both (Frehswater and Sea View) are beautiful spots, although SV is really crowded compared to when I was a child.

The brightly coloured sand comes from Alum Bay near the Needles (western end). You used to be able to scoop it up yourself from the beach, now I think you have to ge it from the souvenir shop, not recommended as it's the most ghastly sort of tourist trap (I should know - I was at school in Cheddar!).

If you go to Bembridge, at the Eastern extremity, it has a rather nice preserved windmill, either Eng. Herit. or NT. Some interesting woodwork in that.

Osborne House has some lovely tree specimens, as well as J.B.'s bench, and nice carving in the ballroom.
The church at Calbourne is an understated little gem (IMHO), and Winkle Street is worth a look - not 'woody but very sweet.

Non Woody:

If you get bored on a Thursday (check this), the Isle of Wight Military History museum, just outside Cowes on the road to Newport run their tanks on the rough ground behind the museum ( there's a good view from the high ground of the car park and you can ride in them for a fee). If the weather is dry it's spectacular, if you like that sort of thing (I do). Fantastic for kids. If there's a "gender split" on this, the shops in Cowes are twee/boutiquey, and it's close enough for her to drop you off first.

Again for kids mainly, Carisbroke Castle (Newport) has a donkey-wheel-driven well and good views too. Newport does get horribly clagged with traffic though. It's a real bottleneck.

Beken Photography in Cowes has been capturing the regatta for over 100 years, and you can get tinted prints. I love J-class yachts and they have many really good pictures.

The Needles batteries are worth a visit too. The old one has stunning views along the coast to Bournemouth (go early for less haze), and the new battery up on the hill was where the Blue Streak test stands were for the British Space Programme. We happened to see the Red Arrows displaying for Bournemouth Air Day from up there - probably a better view rthan the punters got.

Final woody thing:

Jason Heap, designer of amazing furniture, is based in Cowes, too, but I'm not sure if he has a showroom or if there are any local galleries showing his work.

 

[t8hants]

The Tank Museum shut last year

 

[Jamesc]

Living in Southampton we often took the kids over to the island when they were younger, they loved it.

Not woody but if you want a real bucket and spade day out have a look at Colewell Bay. Nice beach and the Captains Cabin always did great fish and chips as well as stocking all the bucket and spades and inflatable dingies you could ever want.

Our friends on the island mentioned that there is quite a nice restaurant opened up allong the front (get to the sea and turn left) as well. We have not tried it yet but they have promissed to take us there when we go over later in the year.

You could also take a look at Quar Abbey http://www.quarrabbey.co.uk/ again not woody but the brickwork is amazing. They have loads of animals for th kids and the cream teas were fantastic when we went last year.

Hope you have a great time

James

 

[Eric The Viking]

The Tank Museum shut last year

What a shame. I've got some brilliant pics from there.

What happened to the collection - Bovingdon?