What to do and see in Isle of Wight, England: The Best Things to do Good for Big Groups

December 5, 2021 Diedre Savory

The Isle of Wight is the perfect place to enjoy some peace, quiet and natural beauty. Except perhaps in the summer, when the Isle of Wight Festival draws visitors from all over the world. In 1970, the Festival was the largest rock-music event ever held. It was called Britain's Woodstock and featured Jimi Hendrix and The Who. (Not so much peace or quiet that week.) The island is also known for its world-famous sailing and lovely resorts, where people have been vacationing since Victorian times.
Restaurants in Isle of Wight

1. Haven Falconry

Main Road Havenstreet Station Road, Ryde PO33 4DS England +44 1983 716556 [email protected] http://www.haven-falconry.co.uk
Excellent
89%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 696 reviews

Haven Falconry

Haven Falconry houses 24 different species of birds, their total collection is over 55 birds. We also have a reptile and insect house, rabbits and guinea pigs and offer ferret walking and Fly a Hawk to add enjoyment of your visit! The Info Hub and Kite Kingdom is new for 2018! We specialise in personal private falconry experiences, outside events, educational establishments and we perform two flying displays a day at the Centre! Open daily throughout the year! Please note that Dogs are not permitted inside the Bird Of Prey centre, we do however allow Guide Dogs.

Reviewed By forlorntraveller - London, United Kingdom

I treated my wife (and myself) to the "Owl Experience", It was brilliant, We got to fly and get really up close with 4 different owls, Chloe was our host & handler, assisted by Jodie, Chloe knows her stuff when it comes to birds of prey, and being a Northerner has a great sense of humour, Jodie was great with both us, and the birds and it's clear both enjoy what they do immensely, they're both a credit to the Falconry, welcoming & informative. We will be returning next time we're down that neck of the woods to try the other experiences, they're great value for a couple and you really do get to see them at their best, and will probably learn something new, questions are invited after every different type of bird.

2. Steve's Beach

Sandown Esplanade, Sandown PO36 8AH England +44 7928 891020 [email protected]
Excellent
84%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 175 reviews

Steve's Beach

Reviewed By 643ellier

What a fantastic day we had today on the beach in one of Steve’s beach huts!! After enquiring about a hut yesterday Steve couldn’t have been more helpful letting us leave all the children’s toys, buckets, spades & paddling pools in the hut to save us bringing it all down today which with two small children & a buggy really helped!! He also let our little boy use buckets & spades which Steve provided & offered tea & coffee for our beach hut also, such a lovely man we really enjoyed our day thank you will be back next year!!!

3. Carisbrooke Castle

Carisbrooke Castle Castle Hill Castle Hill, Newport PO30 1XY England +44 1983 522107 [email protected] http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/carisbrooke-castle/?utm_source=Trip%20Advisor&utm_campaign=Local%20Listings&utm_medium=Trip%20Advisor%20Profiles&utm_content=carisbrooke%20castle
Excellent
53%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,020 reviews

Carisbrooke Castle

An Elizabethan artillery fortress, a king's prison and a royal summer residence. Carisbrooke is a quintessential romantic castle. Here you'll find loveable donkeys, a fascinating museum and an Edwardian garden. Your can also experience hundreds of years of history with entertaining events in the summer.

Reviewed By suzienowell - Camberley, United Kingdom

Visited many times. Love the donkey demonstration turning the wheel to collect water. Lovely place with lots of history - amusing video summarizing the castles history "narrated" by Jupiter the donkey (my kids loved it) lots of English Heritage events throughout the year. Jousting our particular favourite. Visited many times!

4. Osborne House

York Ave, East Cowes PO32 6JX England +44 1983 200022 [email protected] http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/osborne/?utm_source=Google%20Business&utm_campaign=Local%20Listings&utm_medium=Google%20Business%20Profiles&utm_content=osborne
Excellent
64%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 5,408 reviews

Osborne House

Former retreat for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert (circa 1845) still retains a large collection of the royal couple's possessions, art work and photographs. Also home to the Swiss Cottage for Victoria's children, and the private beach and bathing machine.

Reviewed By 836michaelc836 - Saltash, United Kingdom

Excellent house to visit well worth the money lots to see and do House interesting well presented Guides well informed and polite Gardens well maintained and excellent Swiss Cottage interesting Good walks available Beach worth walking to

5. Isle of Wight Steam Railway

Excellent
69%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,102 reviews

Isle of Wight Steam Railway

Step back to a bygone era when steam power was the order of the day. Thrill to the sight and sound of powerful majestic steam engines and breathe in the evocative smells of a real steam railway. Settle back in beautifully restored Victorian and Edwardian carriages and discover an idyllic view of the Island’s unspoilt countryside. Keep an eye out for a red squirrel or deer darting away from the train as you pass through ancient woodland. Our Locomotives and Carriages have all been painstakingly restored to pristine condition and are the hallmark of our delightful railway. Our oldest locomotive was built in 1876 and carriages date back to 1864! The railway is more than just a train ride - most visitors spend at least 3 hours with us; some stay all day. Explore our Train Story Discovery Centre, our fabulous indoor museum which brings the story of the Island's railways to life. Don't miss our daily falconry displays at 11:40 and 13:40 each day.

6. Quarr Abbey

Ryde PO33 4ES England +44 1983 882420 http://www.quarrabbey.org
Excellent
58%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 992 reviews

Quarr Abbey

Reviewed By MrsLopy

Lovely walk around, free parking enjoyed feeding the pigs - great fun! Farm shop was also full of some great gifts or even things for lunch to take home. (Homegrown veg, local IOW produce, freshly baked foccacia). Would visit again and visit the tea garden on a sunny day.

7. The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary

Lower Winstone Farm St. Johns Road Wroxall, Ventnor PO38 3AA England +44 1983 852693 [email protected] http://www.iowdonkeysanctuary.org
Excellent
75%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,881 reviews

The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary

Donkey Sanctuary - providing homes for unwanted and rescued animals. Carrying out educational work with schools and donkey therapy in residential settings.

Reviewed By 888lydiav - Wolverhampton, United Kingdom

Visited here in April and what a beautiful 50 acres of land with over a hundred donkeys to live in harmony Absolutely recommend to animal lovers and avid walkers as the animals are spread out nicely. Toilets are provided and are clean Cafe provided a wide selection of food and the staff were super friendly All donkeys have name tags and tons of information about their history dotted around the sanctuary.

8. Monkey Haven

Staplers Road Five Acres Farm, Newport PO30 2NB England +44 1983 530885 [email protected] http://www.monkeyhaven.org
Excellent
0%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
100%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,230 reviews

Monkey Haven

Welcome to Monkey Haven - The Island's award-winning primate rescue centre that makes animals happy - and people happy. We are a registered charity that cares for all kinds of wonderful animals, including whooping gibbons, cheeky capuchins, mischievous meerkats, birds of prey and many more exotic creatures. Our mission is to provide a forever home for rescued animals and a wonderful experience for our visitors. There are keeper talks and animal feeds throughout the day, play areas, stamper trails, tea room, gift shop, Wifi, full disabled access, a free Monkey Haven App and complimentary return within 7 days. All proceeds from your visit will help support the animals you'll meet. So swing by and visit us soon :)

Reviewed By Cocoloco150

What a fantastic place with committed staff and amazing monkeys We had a brilliant time here on a cold wet October day Loved the keeper talks and reading the monkey,s stories

9. The Needles Battery

The Needles Battery West High Down, Totland PO39 0JH England +44 1983 754772 [email protected] http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/needles-old-battery-and-new-battery/
Excellent
58%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,225 reviews

The Needles Battery

Reviewed By Lorettatata - Bristol, United Kingdom

Walked up from the car park near the amusements area in thick mist, rewarded with amazing calm sea and blue sky a great vantage point with views of the needles landmark by the time we arrived at The Battery, as the sun had burned off the mist. The military history of the battery is well presented and made it an interesting if not too long visit. Tea room charming in 1940s period style. Loved it. We received 20% off car park for NT members.

10. Godshill Model Village

High Street, Godshill PO38 3HH England +44 1983 840270 [email protected] http://www.modelvillagegodshill.co.uk
Excellent
74%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,018 reviews

Godshill Model Village

Authentic retro attraction that will take you on a trip down memory lane. Beautifully recreated models of Godshill and Shanklin Old Villages as they were in the 1920's and 30's. Passionate about details, the models are true representations of the houses, cottages and pubs you can still see in the 'real world'. 2020 will be our 5th year as an RHS Partner Garden supporting the work of the Royal Horticultural Society. The gardens are packed with conifers and shrubs in the Japanese style of Niwaki, that will make you want to dash home and start gardening... Our customers tell us we inspire them or that they would like to take one of our gardeners home with them! Last admission 30 minutes before closing time. Book online https://modelvillagegodshill.digitickets.co.uk/tickets

Reviewed By JasmineChester

Visited the model village during our motorhome holiday. What a delightful place! From the lady who sold us the tickets to the very end had us beaming with how lovely this place is! The attention to detail is just a sight to behold and there are lots of funny little bits here and there like the dog singing along with the village band and the streaker on the football pitch. Even at the churches you could hear the congregation singing. Just wonderful. It is amazingly well designed and looked after. The gardeners are a credit and the choice of plants is so clever to turn a small manicured sapling into a mighty oak overlooking the village cricket match. £5 entry fee is more than worth it (you can go round again viia a little gate near the entrance) and we couldn’t recommend it more if you are in the area. I am amazed that anyone could find anything negative to say about the place. I defy you not to have a smile on your face as you look around. We had great fun doing the little quiz they give you and spotting the squirrels. All in all a delightful Experience.

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