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Holidays

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

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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!)

OP posts:

babydriver · 03/01/2006 12:23

Like Donnie, have also stayed at Old Park Hotel. Was excellent for our then one year old, and we liked it too. Slightly quirky - definitely an independent hotel not a chain - but very child friendly. We went for four or five days I think. Weather was rubbish but we had a good time anyway and having the swimming pool on site helped.

donnie · 03/01/2006 13:12

hi popmum, we stayed once for a long weekend and the other times for a week and really liked it. The food isn't gourmet but the children's facilities really are great and the owner of the hotel is very nice - friendly etc. They also have badgers! I would recommend it, sounds like babydriver would too!
One tip - stay in the newer part rather than the old part - more modern rooms and fewer stairs!

donnie · 03/01/2006 13:13

actually we are thinking of going there for a long weekend soon so might bump into you!

bootsmonkey · 03/01/2006 13:17

Don't forget the ridiculously scary chair lift at Alum Bay - I have done it once - never again!!

LadyTophamHatt · 03/01/2006 13:20

Only once for me too Boots!

I even carried the buggy and ds3 down(and then back up) all those stairs to avoid it.

Ds1+2 loved it though.

bootsmonkey · 03/01/2006 13:24

I too will volunteer to walk down the stairs & this is from someone who would DRIVE to the corner shop!! Actually, I avoid Alum Bay all together!! I haven't tried DD on the chair lift as she would probably LOVE it (takes after her dad) and then I would have to go with her.... Also can't help imagine her slipping out of the very flimsy (IMO) restraints....

bootsmonkey · 03/01/2006 13:33

Also, there is alot of dinosaur excavation on the south side along the cliffs and associated dino trivia, including a museum for those dino enthusiasts. Not terribly exciting IIRC, but it I guess it depends what floats your boat...THere is also a zoo (never been), Robin Hill (ditto) and Amazon World (OK, but can't get over the sad looking caged animals) with a small adventure playground attached. The castle at Yarmouth takes up an hour or two of scrambling around and Carisbrooke Castle is pretty good in the summer when they have quite alot of events organised. Steam trains at Haven Street (? - never done it) and working horses nearby. Lots to do, but it don't all come cheap unfortunately. Luckily there are loads of great beaches - fantastic rock pools at Seaview, lovely beach cafe at St Helens, with the best hot chocolate and then fresh sea food on a night when it turns into a 'proper' restaurant. You can hire a boat out of Bembridge to go mackerel spinning which is a good fun way to catch your dinner. Ryde beach imports sand and cleans and levels it every day after high tide - they take their beach very seriously. I could go on!

If you go over on the ferry, pick up the free guide as it is packed with things to do.

LadyTophamHatt · 03/01/2006 13:34

Ohh I know...when did go on it I held on to Ds so tight...I wouldn't even let him touch the bar.
Hies arms were firmly stuck to his side and mine were wrapped around him.

Dh, on the other hand, lets them just sit waving at me!!

LadyTophamHatt · 03/01/2006 13:37

Zoo= Don't bother1

crap is an understatment.

robin hill has abrilliant tabogon(sp?) ride but you have to pay extra for that.

One thing the boys loved was watching the hovver craft coming in and out at Ryde. I used to watch it at Southsea when I was little and it is surprising good. Plus it's obviously free!

RosiePosie · 03/01/2006 13:55

Agree re. the sad looking animals at Amazon World - we didn't enjoy that at all. Robin Hill is fab and we go quite regularly in the warmer weather. Ashamed to say we haven't quite made it to the south side of the island, and we've only lived here since 2003 - your perception of distance alters when you live here.

bootsmonkey · 03/01/2006 14:04

Don't I know it - my parents consider a trip to the other side of the Island on par with a trip to the North Pole and plan and pack accordingly - they have to go for the whole day to make it worthwhile!! It's only 50-60 miles across at its boadest point!! ( or am I talking rubbish?? wouldn't be surprised) Their world has shrunk enormously and if they have to go into Newport it is the same as tackling London on the first day of the sales as far as they are concerned - all those people and nowhere to park (agree with that bit) They don't even contemplate Yarmouth.... although the New Inn in Shalfleet still does good seafood.

RosiePosie · 03/01/2006 15:36

I think it's only about half that at it's broadest point, which makes it even sadder - plus point is the mileage on my car is incredibly low!

bootsmonkey · 03/01/2006 16:03

my mums K reg car was only on about 36000miles when it fell apart from rust - typical IOW mileage. Always buy an ODL or a PDL or a KDL (you get the pic) reg car if you can - guaranteed low mileage and probably one nice lady owner since new!!

LadyTophamHatt · 03/01/2006 18:50

Ha ha ha

One our last day of our hols in 2005 I was talking to a shop owner and he said thesame about the island.
One of his new suppliers was based in Newport and he was horrified at having to drive so far.
His shop is in Sandown so it's all of about 11 miles away!!
Our first holiday thier was pre-child and we were on bikes...so i can guarantee its definatley not 50-60 miles bootsmonkey

bluesky · 03/01/2006 19:41

We stayed in the self catering cottage that belongs to Seaview Hotel. (and is attached to the side/rear). Really good, two beds, and you can order supper from the hotel if you can't be bothered to cook and they bring it round. They also have a lovely babysitter, grandma age, so you can eat in the fab restaurant. Little shops nearby to potter to. But best is the rocks/beach bit, my two would go down in pyjamas after bathroom for a little play. They loved seeing the hovercrafts (as mentioned before) and the HUGE ships coming into Southampton. Take some binoculars. There is a noticeboard that tell which ships are coming in and out, where they are going to/from, whats on them etc, my eldest was fascinated.

We really really enjoyed ourselves. Would definitely go back.

soapbox · 03/01/2006 19:54

We stayed at teh Wellington hotel in Ventnor - it was fabulous and they were excellent with teh children. You can take older one's to dinner with you, or the lovely chambermaids will babysit for you in the evening.

Ventnor - is lovely - really nice beach and old fashioned high street.

In fact we liked it so much, we may buy a holiday house there

RTKangaSantaMummy · 03/01/2006 19:56

New Holmwood Hotel
Queens Road
Egypt Point
WEST COWES
Isle of Wight

ANYONE stayed here ????

I want hotel or cottage with satelitte TV and modem connection etc

bootsmonkey · 03/01/2006 20:03

Bluesky - I remember when that cottage was the Lloyds Bank. I also remember downing far too many Bacardi & cokes in the courtyard by the pump room before they covered it over & turned it into a restaurant....

Agree that the rock pools at low tide are second to none.

There is the Priory Bay Hotel which is very nice and I believe has self catering accomodation in the grounds - between Seaview & St Helens.

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