portsmouth/brighton/isle of white...anyone have ideas on what to do there?

[zoeuk1]

we are going for 5 nights end july/beg august. ive never been. im really worried that the weather is going to ruin the holiday. we are staying in portsmouth, but plan on having days out to brighton/isle of white etc. ive heard brighton is great. any ideas what to do while there?

Palace Pier and Volks electric railway (assume it is still going) along the promenade to the Marina, The Lanes (quaint shopping area with chic continental style cafes), Aquarium, Pavillion and gardens

Go to Bill's Produce Store on North Road which is a kind of indoor market cum fantastic cafe selling everything from boiled eggs on soldiers to cakes that really have to be seen to be believed. But get there early as it does get busy. It really is my favourite place to eat in Brighton. Close second is Carluccio's on Jubilee Street. Has anyone else ever been to these places. They're really great with the children and the food is amazing and pretty cheap too. I found them on www.greatlittleadventures.co.uk and have gone back several times. Hope you have a great time!

IOW has this place called black gang chine ( i think) my kids went there with school and loved it.

portsmouth of course has gunwharf quays for shopping

thrad on IOW www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=2411&threadid=316460

I.O.W's got:
a zoo
Black Gang Chine
osbourne House
The needles (bit expensive)
Loads of beaches
Amazon world
Shanklin CHine
Robin Hill
Carrisbrooke castle
Brading

To name but a few!!

I'm sorry zoe, but I have to point out that it's Isle of Wight

(It really helps to spell it right if you want to book ferries or google stuff )

If you come to the Island there is loads to do.. Including Alum Bay where you can watch glass being made, and more importantly, Sweets being made! Then you get to sample warm sweets that have just been made in front of you mmmmmmm (Real sweets, not those awful teeth and rings shaped carp)
Blackgang Chine is also very good. The zoo is barely a Zoo.... its more of a tiger sanctuary. Very cool, but if you want a variety of animals and a wonderful day out, i really recommend Amazon World.
If the weather is nice there is a wonderful bar on the beach at Sandown, although a little pricey, the food is AMAZING! as are the Cocktails And you can sit in a comfy chair and watch the DC make sandcastles about 3 feet away on the beach :D
Where ever you choose to holiday, have a terrific time :D

OOooooh, yes! Carisbrooke castle Is Fantastic!!!!!! Also, Appledercombe House is also good, and has a falconry.
Osbourne house is very beautiful, but my DS is obsessed with Carisbrooke Castle and says Osbourne is 'boring'
The History down here is vast and wonderful!

In portsmouth you have the sea life centre, the spinnaker tower (which is in gunwharf quays, lots of discount shops and food places), there is the Historic Dockyard, boat trips etc.