Katie's IOW Guidebook
Sightseeing
Some of the local and island wide places we'd suggest you explore. These are just our some of our favourites. We'd love to hear yours.
Great for a walk, morning run and great place to get a 360 of the sea, watch the ferry's, hydro-foil, trains and hovercrafts coming and going. Our children also enjoy feeding the birds (we buy seed from poundland) on the green at the bottom nr the station.
Ryde Pier Head
PO33Great for a walk, morning run and great place to get a 360 of the sea, watch the ferry's, hydro-foil, trains and hovercrafts coming and going. Our children also enjoy feeding the birds (we buy seed from poundland) on the green at the bottom nr the station.
Fab place to see the historic landmark that is the Needles and coloured sands. It's costs about £6 to park for the day, then you just pay for what you want to do. The chair lift is good fun and a great way to get down to the beach.
You can get a boat from there too if you fancy a trip round the bay.
There a sand shop where you can make glass filled souveniers from the coloured sand.
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The Needles Landmark Attraction
Alum Bay New RoadFab place to see the historic landmark that is the Needles and coloured sands. It's costs about £6 to park for the day, then you just pay for what you want to do. The chair lift is good fun and a great way to get down to the beach.
You can get a boat from there too if you fancy a trip round the bay.
There a sand shop where you can make glass filled souveniers from the coloured sand.
Outdoors so visit on a dry evening. The chine is lit up at night, it’s very peaceful and an enjoyable walk. Shankin is a picturesque village. We recommend the old thatch tearoom for a little treat. They have an outdoor fairy garden. There are lots of independent shops to browse.
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Shanklin Chine
3 Chine AveOutdoors so visit on a dry evening. The chine is lit up at night, it’s very peaceful and an enjoyable walk. Shankin is a picturesque village. We recommend the old thatch tearoom for a little treat. They have an outdoor fairy garden. There are lots of independent shops to browse.
We've been crabbing in Bembridge with lots of success! You need to get in the shallow water/pools, flip the rocks and catch with a net. Recommend aqua shoes. We also recommend checking out the lifeboat station.
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Bembridge Beach
16 Beach RdWe've been crabbing in Bembridge with lots of success! You need to get in the shallow water/pools, flip the rocks and catch with a net. Recommend aqua shoes. We also recommend checking out the lifeboat station.
Devil's Chimney
A nice little caving/forest walk adventure down to the beach.
Compton Bay
Amazing beach with stunning views. Great for body boarding.
Free to visit. Pigs you can feed on site. Lovely tea shop - the scones are delicious!
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Quarr Abbey
Quarr RoadFree to visit. Pigs you can feed on site. Lovely tea shop - the scones are delicious!
Queen Victoria's residence in the IOW. Lovely tour of the interior. Sometimes they hold events such as outdoor cinema. Nice little playground for children. Lovely walk through the woods to small private beach.
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Osbourne House
Queen Victoria's residence in the IOW. Lovely tour of the interior. Sometimes they hold events such as outdoor cinema. Nice little playground for children. Lovely walk through the woods to small private beach.
Beautiful castle. Old mill with demonstrations of how it used to run using donkey power. Lovely shop selling lots of local produce.
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Carisbrooke Castle
Castle HillBeautiful castle. Old mill with demonstrations of how it used to run using donkey power. Lovely shop selling lots of local produce.
Hire bikes and cycle from yarmouth (off the rails restaurant) down to freshwater bay to catch some big waves!
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Wight Cycle Hire
Hire bikes and cycle from yarmouth (off the rails restaurant) down to freshwater bay to catch some big waves!
If you like big waves Freshwater bay has you covered. Often a bus cafe where you can grab some refreshments too!
Freshwater Bay
If you like big waves Freshwater bay has you covered. Often a bus cafe where you can grab some refreshments too!
Yarmouth Harbour
The QuayQuiet little village. Nice harbour pier with a lovely cafe.
Sandy beach for miles. When the tide is out lots of lovely warm pools to explore!
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Ryde-stranden
EsplanadeSandy beach for miles. When the tide is out lots of lovely warm pools to explore!
Eating Out
S. Fowler & Co.
41-43 Union StreetWeatherspoons - great for a cheap and cheerful breakie!
Crepe Lovers Uk
21 High StreetRyde Tandoori
45 Union StGreat to eat in or takeaway
The Codfather
14 EsplanadeThe best fish and chips
Great for a cheap roast (toby carvery style) any day of the week.
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The Sloop Inn
Great for a cheap roast (toby carvery style) any day of the week.
The Blacksheep Bar and Club Lounge
53 Union StWe recommend the Jubel Peach Beer
The Alamo
5 EsplanadeGreat mexican food!
Ryde Castle Hotel
EsplanadeNice pub grub
We recommend the old thatch tearoom for a little treat. Both the sweet and savory scones are lovely! They have an outdoor fairy garden.
Old Thatch Teashop
4 Church RdWe recommend the old thatch tearoom for a little treat. Both the sweet and savory scones are lovely! They have an outdoor fairy garden.
Off The Rails
Station RoadA quirky pub inside an old railway station.
The Propeller Inn
Sandown RoadA great pub to watch some airplanes!
Chequers Inn
Niton RoadExcellent playground for the kids!
Holliers Park
Great little bus cafe!
Great food, great coffee, right on the beach. Lovely little stop along the coastal walk between Sandown and Shanklin.
Tradewinds
Great food, great coffee, right on the beach. Lovely little stop along the coastal walk between Sandown and Shanklin.
Themed evenings - pie night, curry night, carvery. Little soft play and playground for the kids.
The Bugle Inn
Themed evenings - pie night, curry night, carvery. Little soft play and playground for the kids.
Entertainment (with Kids)
Great pier with lots of arcade attractions, small selection of rides, indoor mini golf, bowling alley and great soft play (Magic Isle, approx £4 per child, open seasonally). You can’t see your children in the soft play but there are screens to monitor them. They do nice (café like) food.
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Sandown-stranden
10 Pier St, Sandown PO36 8JP Pier StGreat pier with lots of arcade attractions, small selection of rides, indoor mini golf, bowling alley and great soft play (Magic Isle, approx £4 per child, open seasonally). You can’t see your children in the soft play but there are screens to monitor them. They do nice (café like) food.
All outdoors so best to visit on a dry day. Great playground and skatepark (FREE), sky nets (like giant trampolines), go-karts, and mini golf. Dinosaur Isle Museum a bit further along is great if you want to kill an hour in the rain.
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Sandham Gardens
Culver ParadeAll outdoors so best to visit on a dry day. Great playground and skatepark (FREE), sky nets (like giant trampolines), go-karts, and mini golf. Dinosaur Isle Museum a bit further along is great if you want to kill an hour in the rain.
All-weather activity so long as you have appropriate clothing. FREE parking and to explore. Rockpools and fossils on the beach. We enjoyed feeding turtles at the Reptilarium (less than £20 for a family ticket). Open from 10am to 4pm.
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Fort Victoria Country Park
Westhill LaneAll-weather activity so long as you have appropriate clothing. FREE parking and to explore. Rockpools and fossils on the beach. We enjoyed feeding turtles at the Reptilarium (less than £20 for a family ticket). Open from 10am to 4pm.
All weather activity. Take a return ride the steam train. Not much to do at any of the stops excluding the museum at Haven Street which is fantastic, especially if you have railway enthusiasts. A good half-full day of fun. There is also a falconry centre. All included in the price of entry. We go here lots.
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Isle of Wight Steam Railway
Main RoadAll weather activity. Take a return ride the steam train. Not much to do at any of the stops excluding the museum at Haven Street which is fantastic, especially if you have railway enthusiasts. A good half-full day of fun. There is also a falconry centre. All included in the price of entry. We go here lots.
All outdoors so best to visit on a dry day. FREE, allow half a day.
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The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary
All outdoors so best to visit on a dry day. FREE, allow half a day.
Great all-weather activity. Lots of the attractions are sheltered from the rain. Expensive but worth it as a full day out. Great for all ages. There is also a (inflatable) aqua park on site. You need to book in advance and only suitable for over 8s.
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Tapnell Farm Park
Newport RoadGreat all-weather activity. Lots of the attractions are sheltered from the rain. Expensive but worth it as a full day out. Great for all ages. There is also a (inflatable) aqua park on site. You need to book in advance and only suitable for over 8s.
Commodore Cinema
2 Star StGreat to consider on a rainy day.
Ryde Superbowl
25 EsplanadeJR Zone
55 Manner's ViewGreat for a rainy day.
Check out the adventure park. All outdoors so best to visit on a dry day. Typical price for a full day out – but well worth it. Multiple days of entertainment which is great because it’s free to return within 7 days. Best for older children.
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Robin Hill
Downend RoadCheck out the adventure park. All outdoors so best to visit on a dry day. Typical price for a full day out – but well worth it. Multiple days of entertainment which is great because it’s free to return within 7 days. Best for older children.
Have a look at the adventure park, its a awesome day out. Mostly outdoors so best to visit on a dry day. You can also buy a joint ticket for Robin Hill so you can use both parks and return for free within 7 days.
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Blackgang Chine
Have a look at the adventure park, its a awesome day out. Mostly outdoors so best to visit on a dry day. You can also buy a joint ticket for Robin Hill so you can use both parks and return for free within 7 days.
Great FREE activity for a rainy day or to kill a few hours with children.
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The Isle of Wight Bus Museum
Park RoadGreat FREE activity for a rainy day or to kill a few hours with children.
There is a playground directly opposite great for the little ones!
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Appley Tower
Garden WalkThere is a playground directly opposite great for the little ones!
Peter Pan Funfair
23 EsplanadeNearest arcade and mini funfair.
Ryde Canoe Lake
North WalkGreat place to feed the ducks
Waterside Pool
EsplanadeCheck the website for family splash sessions
Model Village Godshill
High StreetShanklin-teateret
Prospect RoadCheck out the website for latest showings
Gurnard
A great playground / picnic spot with awesome views across the bay.
We've had success crabbing with a line at the marina. Go right round to the rocks for the safest spot. The rocks on the other side of the wall/beach are also great for climbing on. We love the ice cream shop on the marina. Lots of flavours, cones, toppings and slushies!
Ryde Harbour
EsplanadeWe've had success crabbing with a line at the marina. Go right round to the rocks for the safest spot. The rocks on the other side of the wall/beach are also great for climbing on. We love the ice cream shop on the marina. Lots of flavours, cones, toppings and slushies!
Pay as you go swimming approx £6pp, open to the public, hot showers and a lovely cafe overlooking the ocean for after!
The Ocean View Hotel
Pay as you go swimming approx £6pp, open to the public, hot showers and a lovely cafe overlooking the ocean for after!
Keep the children entertained for ages. Right next to the playground and beach. If the bowls club is open tea and coffee for £1.
Skynets play area
Keep the children entertained for ages. Right next to the playground and beach. If the bowls club is open tea and coffee for £1.
Great little amusement park. Fantastic set of rides for the kids.
Pirates Cove & Jurassic Bay Adventure Golf
EsplanadeGreat little amusement park. Fantastic set of rides for the kids.
Lovely playground and splash pool for the kids. Great views across the bay. A free afternoon of entertainment on a sunny day. The little cafe serves great coffee too!
Esplanade Playground
Lovely playground and splash pool for the kids. Great views across the bay. A free afternoon of entertainment on a sunny day. The little cafe serves great coffee too!
Quirky little padding pool on the beach front. Tie in with a trip to the ice cream shop crave!
Ventnor Paddling Pool
Quirky little padding pool on the beach front. Tie in with a trip to the ice cream shop crave!
National Poo Museum
An entertaining hour for parents and kids!
Supermarkets
Sainsbury's Local
23-23A Union StMost local supermarket
The Co-operative Food
22 The HardSlightly bigger supermarket
Iceland Foods
45/48 High StreetSuperstore. 5min drive away. Also has petrol station. And McDonalds is nearby too!
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Tesco Extra
Brading RoadSuperstore. 5min drive away. Also has petrol station. And McDonalds is nearby too!
Food scene
Crave
5 Spring HillThe best homemade ice cream, so many flavours!
Råd om byen
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Parking
Our flat has no allocated parking and although you can find some free parking in residential roads if you are willing to seek them out , the best choice, in our opinion is to use one of the pay and display car parks, a 2 min walk away on St Thomas Street or Lind Street. If you are staying for more than 2 days, then DON’T use the location code, instead, use TOURIST CODE 70001 in the paybyphone app as this not only allows you to park in this car park but is also valid for any off-street parking across the island for the duration of your ticket/permit (other than National Trust places).
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Parking
Another tip is to use the parkapedia app to find parking. We find the local coop a couple of minutes walk from the flat to be great value. Always loads of spaces and an opportunity to pick up some supplies from the supermarket too!
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Trains
Trains run from Ryde through Ryde St John's (Bus Musuem), Brading (Bugle Inn), Sandown and Shanklin. Some services stop at smallbrook junction for the steam railway.