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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Recommendations for Isle of Wight

43 replies

popmum · 01/01/2006 23:19

Does any one have any experience of places on IOW - even where to stay? Will be travelling with a 6 month old and a 3.3 year old. Don't mind paying more, just want good place to stay, ideally with pool or near beach, some play area. Don't mind hotel or self catering.
I've sent off for IOW brochure but wondered if anyone had been with kids (or even lives there!)

Ta

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Blossomhill · 01/01/2006 23:28

We went to Thorness bay which you can book with "Park Resorts". It was great. So child friendly and the good thing about the IOW is that everything is so nearby wherever you stay on the Island.
We stayed in a gold caravan and it was so comfortable. The thing I loved about Thorness bay is that caravans were not on top of each other and Park resorts are always set in rural locations. Park resorts have 3 sites on the IOW.
The children's entertainment was pretty good too and they had a pool and adventure playground on site. It also has a small beach within walking distance (pebbly) and is surronded by woodlands. It really was breathtaking.

dexter · 01/01/2006 23:41

We stayed at a place called Nettlecombe Farm near a village called Whitwell (nearest town is Ventnor). This is self catering cottages in a farm setting and actually we loved it though it doesn't sound as 'entertainmenty' as the previous posters place - it's just very rural, but does have a children's play area (fantastic views!) and a sort of small animal petting zoo in a barn! the cottages are nicely done, very comfy. country walks literally on doorstep and lots of farm animals to look at! Our son was three when we went and he loved it.

Have to say though, we spent a full week going all over the island and the thing he loved best was a beach called Compton Bay (on way towards Freshwater). Huge sandy beach, real childhood beach holiday memories! Hope you have a fantastic time. x

dexter · 01/01/2006 23:44

Ooh, meant to say - don't know what your kids are like with 'attractions' but as I say our son was just three when we went - we took him to Blackgang Chine and he just hated it! Even the little Nursery rhyme figures he found scary!!! Have v. sensitive child, so if yours are too it's a very expensive trip for not very much! We won't do blackgang chine again until he's a few years older.

One obscure thing that took over our hols was the Bus Museum! Prob. only interesting if your three year old is a boy!! But we visited nearly every day and he loved it as he could clamber all over the buses and be the driver.....this is near Newport.

Blossomhill · 01/01/2006 23:48

My 2 loved Blackgang chine and another major hit was Robin Hill, we all loved it.

Have been to the IOW many times. Love it so much would consider living there if it wasn't so isolated.

dexter · 02/01/2006 00:25

thought so. have only child in world to be frightened by nursery rhymes!!!!! sigh. Perhaps we'll try blackgang again a bit sooner! Agree with you re IOW, we love it too.

Original poster
popmum · 02/01/2006 19:41

thanks very much for the recommendations, will check them out soon

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abacus · 02/01/2006 19:57

Ilove IOW and we go every year (since my dd was 18mnths and she's now 10) and I'm with Blossomhill and would seriously live there (partly because the Liz Earle shop is there!!!).
We stay in these 1950's style chalets which are dead cheap and great when the weather is good but pretty grotty when it's cold.
The website is isleofwightselfcatering.co.uk
Part of the attraction for the children I think is going across on the ferry although I find it the most stressful with worries of them falling overboard (yes irrational I know).
I hope you enjoy it

PeachyClair · 02/01/2006 20:02

We go to Nodes Point every year and we LOVE it! It's a caravan site near St Helens (Ryde is nearest big town). Two feet basically from site there is a look oput post, turn right and immediately you're on a gorgeous family beach where you can watch the ships on the solent or have a good day doing nothing (hardly any shops too- cafe, ice creams, beach goods- no more- excellent). Turn left and agsin, immediately you're on a rockpooling beach. Site is nice too, it's run by Park resorts 9they have an internet site). Honestly, cold rave ofr hours..

we're going there again this summer, camping this time. kids can't wait. Best holiday imaginable last time, with three ds's (then 4,3 and 1).

(Just noticed post before mine... haven't been to Thorness bay YEt but have hyde Parks so that makes the full three, and they're all FAB)

We considered living there too, friends just moved there [envy}

LadyTophamHatt · 02/01/2006 20:17

BH, I Love IOW too and one day we will live there so you never know we could be neighbours again when we're old and grey.
We're going back for the 5th( or it might be 6th) time this year.

We stay in Bembridge which is a few miles from Sandown.
Loads and loads to do on the Island, lovely beaches, nothing is too far away even if you travel across the whole across.

One day I will live there, even if it's not until I retire I will live there. I love it.

Blossomhill · 02/01/2006 20:25

Maybe we are destined to be together LTH

I honestly think the IOW is a magical place. I know that may sound corny but it really is!

Would love to live there too and find the pace of life so much more managable and stress free.
Infact I have started to think lately I would love to live by the sea. Really could have done with a walk along a cold beach front yesterday, just to clear my head iykwim.
Lucky you lth having the sea so near when you move

Orinoco · 02/01/2006 22:04

Message withdrawn

Original poster
popmum · 02/01/2006 22:51

Cool, obviously some big IOW fans on mumsnet, will def. check all these out. Am not sure i could cope with a caravan though with 2 children under 3 - my DD is SO noisy at night!!!!

Do you lot normally take a car? Am guessing yes, rather than going as foot passengers.

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JoolsToo · 02/01/2006 22:54

paint it Blugh?

RTKangaSantaMummy · 03/01/2006 00:52

IOW is deffo deffo deffo brill

My DAD was born there and grew up there some of my mum's family come from there too

we took them back last summer for their golden wedding anniversary which was lovely

As children we used to go there twice a year to visit family etc.

DS is going this summer with his class for a residentual school holiday, he loves going there for holidays too

bootsmonkey · 03/01/2006 09:22

My parents live on the IOW, I go at least 3/4 times a year. It is fantastic for kids. I have MANY good memories of childhood holidays there. It has everything you need - good beaches, good pub lunches - there is a very good pub in Rookley with HUGE adventure playground garden - also the Griffin with a maze in the garden (featured on Relocation,Relocation,Relocation) and the one down by Niton with soft play centre, the Downs for walks, cliffs, kiss me quick & attractions for kids if you want a day out - we used to go to the Wild Breeds park with DD when she was tiny - I think it has fallen into the sea now on the south side of the ISland! Ventnor is becoming quite foody & fashionable I believe, although haven't tried it. Fortunately I don't have to worry about anywhere to stay! The only down side is the outrageous cost of the ferry!

LadyTophamHatt · 03/01/2006 09:27

Bootsmonkey, we took Ds1 to the wild breeds park when he was tiny. Lovely place.
I didn't realise it had started collapsing though.

We were at Black Gang Chine in 2004(and 2005) and one of the workers said that in some areas they are losing 12' per year down the cliff!! He was gardening and quite happily walking to the eroded edge to chuck his clipping over the edge

bootsmonkey · 03/01/2006 09:30

LTH - The whole coast road at Undercliffe slipped about a year or two ago and is still not open - you have to detour inland through the top of Ventnor to get to Niton. Don't know what has happened to the rare breeds park but don't think it is open to the public any longer......How is Blackgang Chie - last time I went there I was in knee high socks! Wonder if it has changed???

LadyTophamHatt · 03/01/2006 09:50

The boys love it (we have 3 now) but you can see were parts of it have gone down the cliff(paths just disappearing for example). Alot of it is off limits now, but they sem to be building stuff going inland to compensate
Some of the paths around the park changed from 2004-2005 because of eroding.

I think I know the road you mean, as I know Niton. Another road has been made single lane traffic near by too...might be the same road, I can't remeber the name though.

Still, IOW is lovely. I love it there.....crumbling roads or not

bootsmonkey · 03/01/2006 09:52

I love it too and will probably end my days ther!! Just stay on the North side and you will be safe!!

LadyTophamHatt · 03/01/2006 09:52

LOL

RosiePosie · 03/01/2006 10:33

We moved here two and half years ago, and I have NO regrets and can't see myself ever moving back to the mainland. You will have a fabulous holiday, but honestly - if any of you are thinking of moving here. . DO IT. It is such a fabulous place to live and bring up children. We live in Cowes which is actually very cosmopolitan ( for a small town! ) - Lots of people moved here from all over the country, you wouldn't believe the number of different accents you hear in the school playground. Employment can be an issue, but dh commutes to Southampton - an hour from door to door. Sorry, a bit off topic. . but I am passionate about living on the island.

bootsmonkey · 03/01/2006 10:55

I know of people who commute to London from the IOW - Ryde/Portsmouth cat & fast train to Victoria!! I wouldn't do it, but it can be done!

donnie · 03/01/2006 11:11

I love the isle of wight! we have stayed 3 times at the old park hotel near ventnor and it is fab for kids - they do kids' teas at 4.30pm, have baby listening, a big soft play area and an indoor pool....great stuff. It is near the shingle beach and a good base for exploring the island. Lovely!

Original poster
popmum · 03/01/2006 11:37

thanks again - donnie that is the hotel i had found on the web as well. looks really good. did you go for 1 or 2 weeks (or less?)?

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PrettyCandlesAndTinselToo · 03/01/2006 12:10

IOW is super for holidays with children. So much to enjoy.

We stayed in a lovely self-catering place called Magnum Hall in Shanklin. Quite expensive (it's a 4-bedroom house), but worth every penny. Perfect location, brilliant garden, and tolerably well-equipped.

Another vote for Old Park Hotel as well!