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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To bloody love the Isle of Wight?

107 replies

BarbaraVineFan · 16/07/2025 23:09

I’m here now with my 86 year old dad and 5 year old DD. We come every year and rent a cottage, and always have the best time! There’s so much to do in all weathers, the scenery is gorgeous and everyone we meet is friendly. But I don’t know, people sometimes seem a bit sniffy about it as a holiday destination, as though it’s old fashioned or unfashionable or something. AIBU to love it and not to understand why it isn’t seen as a ‘naice’ holiday destination like Cornwall or the Lake District?

OP posts:
DinoLil · 17/07/2025 17:16

Normally people slate the Island!

I moved here 7yrs ago.

Someone told me that the longer you stay, the bigger the Island gets. And they weren't wrong! All the little hamlets and villages...love living here. Everyone is amazing and I've made so many wonderful friends.

Damn the cost of the car ferries though. Grrrr...

Doyouthinktheyknow · 17/07/2025 17:15

Abs love the Isle of Wight, it’s beautiful😎

We go for short breaks several times a year, always stay in Shanklin, it’s so relaxing and peaceful.

PandyMoanyMum · 17/07/2025 17:13

Blackgang Chine!!!

FlamingoLlama · 17/07/2025 17:08

sidechick · 17/07/2025 17:00

I do have traumatic memories of those terrifying cable car seat things at the needles though 🤣

The cable car that Health and Safety forgot? Convinced I was going to watch my toddler slip out of it and fall to a grisly end.

I do miss the Waltzing Waters though.

MymblesMother · 17/07/2025 17:06

sidechick · 17/07/2025 17:00

I do have traumatic memories of those terrifying cable car seat things at the needles though 🤣

Oh gawd, I’d completely forgotten about those 🙈

sidechick · 17/07/2025 17:00

I do have traumatic memories of those terrifying cable car seat things at the needles though 🤣

TheNinthLock · 17/07/2025 16:41

Adore, adore, adore the Isle of Wight.
Dh's family is originally from there (and some relatives are still there)
The dc used to love going on the ferry when little.

The dc are now grown (almost) and dh would love to move to the island...

TwoFeralKids · 17/07/2025 16:41

Ted27 · 17/07/2025 16:38

@Notmycircusnotmyotter

Dinosaur World in Sandown, which is next to the Wildlife Sanctuary
There is also a donkey sanctuary and Monkey Haven was good

Forgot those!

Boomer55 · 17/07/2025 16:39

BarbaraVineFan · 16/07/2025 23:09

I’m here now with my 86 year old dad and 5 year old DD. We come every year and rent a cottage, and always have the best time! There’s so much to do in all weathers, the scenery is gorgeous and everyone we meet is friendly. But I don’t know, people sometimes seem a bit sniffy about it as a holiday destination, as though it’s old fashioned or unfashionable or something. AIBU to love it and not to understand why it isn’t seen as a ‘naice’ holiday destination like Cornwall or the Lake District?

I’ve been going there for many decades. Many happy memories. Lovely place. 👍😉

Ted27 · 17/07/2025 16:38

@Notmycircusnotmyotter

Dinosaur World in Sandown, which is next to the Wildlife Sanctuary
There is also a donkey sanctuary and Monkey Haven was good

Upwiththisiwillnotput · 17/07/2025 16:38

It’s my happy place OP. Haven’t been since 2023, I miss it. We always go to the Model Village at Godshill and have lunch at The Griffin where there is a maze in the garden! DC love it too (and they are in their 20s😆)!

TwoFeralKids · 17/07/2025 16:37

My in laws live there and we visit every year. Great for little kids.

TwoFeralKids · 17/07/2025 16:36

Notmycircusnotmyotter · 17/07/2025 16:26

I'm taking my kids for 3 days next week. What would you recommend we do? They're 2 and 4.

In Ventnor there is a little splash pool in the shape of the Island. My kids (7 and 3) love it as did my husband when he was a kid in the 70's. Ventnor also has an ice cream shop called Crave. Lots of flavours your kids will love.

There is also Tapnal farm with animals and soft play. A little pricey but you can spend all day there.

Lampzade · 17/07/2025 16:31

I have been fortunate to travel the world , however one of my favourite places is the Isle of Wight
Freshwater Bay is beautiful

Cynic17 · 17/07/2025 16:31

I've been once, and absolutely loved it. But, I agree, it's for holidays only - I would hate to live there.

MymblesMother · 17/07/2025 16:28

I have happy memories of holidays of IoW both as a child myself and also as a Mum!
Last time we went when our children were small we visited the Monkey Haven - such a lovely attraction.

Notmycircusnotmyotter · 17/07/2025 16:26

I'm taking my kids for 3 days next week. What would you recommend we do? They're 2 and 4.

Ted27 · 17/07/2025 16:25

We love the IoW. Discovered it during Covid and have been back every year to the same flat in Shanklin on the Esplanade.

sidechick · 17/07/2025 16:20

Absolutely love holidays there. It’s such a lovely destination for kids, so much to do.

I don’t think I could live there though.

Original poster
BarbaraVineFan · 17/07/2025 16:18

love the joke @Qoopwhooping!

To be honest, I’m glad not many people seem to go to the Isle of Wight. Here is a pic of the beach at Sandown this morning at 11am

To bloody love the Isle of Wight?
OP posts:
UnNiddeRides · 16/07/2025 23:40

Reminds me of a very very old joke of my late father. ‘ What steams & comes out of cows backwards?’. The Isle of Wight Ferry!⛴️

Qoopwhooping · 16/07/2025 23:28

I once did a sailing course from the Solent. We went into Yarmouth and Cowes, then back and into Lymington then back over again. I loved it, especially the evening we had in Yarmouth eating fish and chips on the quay. I did get quite confused about where we and for ages I thougkht Lymington was on the isle white.

Zov · 16/07/2025 23:27

Nice to visit. Wouldn't want to live there. I have known quite a few people over the years, who grew up there (as children and teenagers,) and couldn't wait to leave it. They moved to London, Brighton, Bournemouth, Southampton, Portsmouth, and Winchester. A few moved a bit further north (To Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire.) Never went back to the Isle Of Wight... Only occasionally - to visit family who still live there.

Neweverything25 · 16/07/2025 23:25

A friend just came back from visiting it and she speaks wonders of it, makes me want to go!

jjeoreo · 16/07/2025 23:23

I love it!! Like stepping back in time