Isle of Wight in a day

[mummarunner]

Would really appreciate some advice on my IoW day trip itinerary please! Myself and DD (10) on the ferry from Lymington to Yarmouth, with a car. We will have about 8 hours on the island.

Plan is to go to Alum Bay, see the Needles, fill pots with coloured sand, maybe take the chairlift. Probably won't do any of the rides there, DD just wants to see the Needles. Maybe a couple of hours there then drive to Godshill model village. from what I've read you don't need too long there, I'll allow an hour and a half. Then drive back towards Yarmouth with a beach stop just for a walk along the beach. Thinking of Compton Bay to see if we can find any fossils, but also looking at Freshwater, Totland or Colwell Bay instead - any recommendations welcome. Then back to Yarmouth for a bite to eat before the 7pm ferry back.

Is this all doable in 8 hours? It will be a rush, and I don't mind that too much as want to pack it in, but at the same time don't want to be so tight for time that I'm stressing about parking, eating, making the ferry on time etc. I know this is a whistlestop visit and not ideal, but it's the only time we have so want to make the most of it and these are the 3 things DD particularly would like to do.

Thanks for any advice!

Driving around the island is the most frustrating thing I've ever done. If you have factored that in I'm sure you will make it work. It is beautiful to visit but I'm always glad to leave. Sorry Islanders.

Bear in mind Yarmouth to Godshill will take you around 40 minutes on a good run, but otherwise a great day out! Enjoy 😊

Yes I am factoring that in but no plans to drive anywhere else so hoping I can make that work. If not then Godshill is the bit I’d probably drop, and maybe spend more time doing beachy things instead. Thank you!

Compton Bay Dinosaur Footprints

If she is interested in dinosaurs/fossils then go to Compton Bay at Low tide, park in the carpark and go to the bottom of the steps and turn left. Walk to the bit of the cliff that then turns the corner into the next bay and look down, there you will find amazing footprints that have fallen out of the cliff onto the beach.

What Three Words Location:
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https://adellbaker.com/dinosaur-footprints-isle-of-wight/

If a nice day you could just stay on the beach and play/swim/surf?

What it is in Godshill that she is interested in? The model village? Just thinking that part of your plan is a bit of a trek if you are on a tight timescale, so how keen she is on it would be a deciding factor in whether to go to that bit or not.

The Needles idea is good, when you get to the bottom of the cliff there are two boat trips that go up close to the needles, a fast speed boat (possible age limit might apply?) And a slower one. If its a nice day sometimes there is a queue but we have done it in August on a sunny day and the queue moved quite fast. It was a fun boat ride and great view of the coloured sands.

It might be a squeeze timewise but fossil guided walks are excellent.

http://islandgems.co.uk/

Maybe do that and The Needles, plus Colwell Bay and give Godshill a miss? It's quite a trek to get there.

You'll only be an hour at the Needles, doubt it'll be 2.

Colwell bay is a good shout. Park at the little car park near the beach or if full on the green before you get to it.

You must try the hot rock restaurant in Yarmouth- you cook your own steak or fish and you get unlimited fries and salads! On The Rocks it’s called.

She would love this. Are the footprints really visible/identifiable as dinosaur footprints? This is why Compton bay was on my list. Thank you ☺️

DD is keen on the model village but I agree it seems a bit of a trek just for that, which is why I’m thinking of forgetting it to be honest. Might be better to look into dinosaur tours and spend less time in the car instead.

Thanks to everyone who has confirmed what I was thinking regarding it being a bit of a trek and eating into our time.

I have heard of this, sounds fab! Thank you!

Thanks to everyone who took the time to reply. I appreciate it! I think perhaps we will take it at a slower pace, spend some time at the Needles, look into the boat trips there. Then combine some fossil hunting and beach time and finish with a nice chilled dinner before heading back. It just makes more sense. Will have to do the model village another time but to be honest if she gets to see dinosaur footprints I think it will make the day worth it!

Yes they are. I mean, if you didn't bother to look you could easily walk over them (and you'll see some people doing just that who don't realise what is there) buf if you go looking for them then you'll find them (esp if you google the photos so you know the shapes to be looking out for). Some are more defined than others
I don't think you'd see them at high tide though so check the tide timetable before you head there.

There is a small lovely fossil shop in Yarmouth if your daughter wants a souvenir, its packed full of shells, amethysts, fossils etc ranging from pennies to £££. I will try and link the shop location here in a bit.

Your most recent post definitely looks like a good itinerary, I have a 10 year old and while the model village is good, its probably not worth the drive for that age group, if you only have limited time.

https://www.reflectionsisleofwight.co.uk/

Fossil shop in Yarmouth

@YellowRollercoaster thank you so much for taking the time out to be so helpful. I’m taking it all on board, revising the plan and looking forward to a good day one-on-one with dd 😊

Thank you everyone for all your lovely advice and tips.

Have a fab time, i'm sure you'll both have a lovely day!

Personally I'd give the model village a miss and concentrate on Compton beach . Have a lovely time .