Isle of Wight or Devon?

[Littletreefrog]

So if you were going to take a 15 year old on holiday in the first week of September (school doesn't start back until the 2nd week) would you go to Dorset or Isle of Wight? Bonus points for suggestions of good holiday parks with self catering accomodation and good attractions to visit.

We took a 13 year old to the Isle of Wight last year. Jay Miller’s Circus is not to be missed. We all loved it. The highlight was probably the Solar Walk on Ventnor Prom which explains the differences between the planets and demonstrates how near/ far apart they are. We went to an alpaca farm,a pig farm and a donkey sanctuary. We also went down on the cable car to Alum Bay and took a boat out to The Needles. There is a fabulous water park but our youngster didn’t want to do it on her own - they also offer archery and other activities. We didn’t get to `osborne House, Carisbrooke Castle or the Steam Railway. So you can tell there is lots to do. I would say please check the cost of the ferry - it was £350 return on Saturdays in August.

I adore both places equally so I couldn't say!

Best advice is look at attractions to visit of both and see which place best appeals to their interests. Maybe give them a chance to offer their opinion too.

Tripadvisor is your friend here.

The ferry should be cheaper first week of December but both companies are utter pirates when it comes to price.

Carisbrooke is wonderful for history buffs & animal lovers (donkeys turn the water wheel)

I live in Hampshire. We love the isle of white but you have the extra cost of the ferry which is extortionate. I like Away Holiday Resorts. There are a few sites on IOW and in Dorset.

sorry just to add if you do decide on IOW check out isle of white guru. He often has discount codes for holiday parks. some holiday parks let you book the ferry through them if you do this it's often alot cheaper. I've got one comming up I booked it all through isle of white guru and I got it quite a bit cheaper.

Both are lovely, but the massive cost of the ferry makes IoW very expensive.

I would love to go back to IoW but can't justify the amount the holiday costs above other, equally nice places, due to the ferry prices.

Do you mean Dorset or Devon? Whichever it is I'd go with that to avoid the horrific time we had with the ferry across to the IOW. It's a complete rip off as well.

Thanks for the advice so far. I have priced the ferry for the Monday to Friday first week of September and it looked to be £103 total through Away Holidays so luckily I think we are missing extortionate ferry season. Unless I'm doing it wrong.

We love the New Forest area, especially Christchurch, Lymimgton , Hengisbury Head & Barton on Sea.
It has beautiful unspoilt beaches and forests / woodland inland.

We go there regularly.
Hobourne holiday parks are very nice .

Dorset youve got Corfe Castle, Portland Bill, Maiden Castle, fossil hunting, dinosaur museum, Abbotsbury swannery, Durdle door, Lulworth cove. Swanage steam railway. Both have a literary history too.

The countryside of both Isle of wight & Dorset is surprisingly similar and equally beautiful. They both so have equally beautiful beaches so I'd choose based on what you think you want to do when you're there and select on the basis if attractions & accommodation.

If people don't know you can use Tesco club card points for the ferry and ask where you are staying as 9 times out of 10 they will have a deal with the ferry company and can give you a booking code.