One day on Isle of Wight... what would you do?

[liveeverysecond]

Thinking of a day trip to the IOW in a couple of weeks with 3DDs (10-14)... what would you do? Id prefer to do a couple of things rather than just one thing all day. Thanks in advance 🙏

The Needles - chairlift up and down to the beach and boat trip (speedboat or more leisurely) around The Needles. There’s also a funfair / amusement park that’s fine, a bit naff and they might be too old for it or they might find it fun.

Which ferry are you getting over?

Thankyou @cherryassam will take a look

@WhatTheActuals I think Red Funnel from Southampton... we're not far from Southampton.

Tapnell farm is worth a look. Get the open topped bus to it from Newport.

I live here on the island and with kids 10-14 I would say Robin Hill for sure. Tapnell farm is fab but i would say it’s for younger children. I have a season pass for Robin hill and we go all the time with a picnic and just spend all day there.

I use to take ds a lot when he was younger on the hovercraft.

We did days in rude.

Black gang chine

The sandy beaches. (Shanklin)

Visited cowes but the floating bridge is still out of action I believe.

Needles is a good shout.

We also did the steam railway and just did a day getting on and off buses with a rover ticket)

Really depends what your DDs are into. Plus if you intend to visit many more times living so close to Southampton? We are from Portsmouth so it was a day trip we did numerous times!

If you do Southampton to East Cowes you go basically directly past Osborne House, which is worth a stop if they like that kind of thing - it’s a beautiful house, lots of lovely furniture / interiors. If they’re not interested in stately homes / the Royal Family then I don’t think it would be worth it to be honest.

Another vote for Robin hill

Oh and maybe a trip to Appley beach. It’s the most beautiful setting with views of the mainland. Or if you want to go a bit further away from the Red Funnel ferry terminal then take a trip to the south of the island to visit Compton bay instead. Incredible scenery.

I wouldn't do Tapnell with that age, and it is really an all day thing. Unless you mean you're happy with 1 location but lots of activities OP? Cause you can do archery, aqua park etc there. I would get an early-ish Jet, then get a bacon sandwich and sit on the Parade and watch the comings and goings for a bit.

Bus to Yarmouth (through ticket via Newport) and have lunch/look at boats (noticing a theme here, my priorities are food opportunities and views 😂) Open top bus to the Needles up round the Battery then hop off at the attractions and go on chairlift etc. Could get a different route bus back via some of the Military Road mid afternoon, stop for an ice cream etc backside of the Island (Ventnor for example) before bus back through? This is West Wight heavy, but you could save the East Wight side for another day.

Carisbrooke Castle, Godshill Model Village, the Donkey Sanctuary, Monkey Haven, Amazon World, Sandown Pier, Sandown Zoo as well as all the other suggestions.

Garlic farm? I haven't been in a few years but we had a lovely lunch there

Thank you everyone this is really helpful... can do an early ferry over. Off to google....

I'd do the open top bus ride. You can get on and off at the different attractions along the way. It's a fun day.

Tapnel farm and the needles

Or Blackgang chine or Robin Hill

Or Carisbrooke castle and Newport