Exploring the Isle of Wight: A Family Holiday Paradise
The Isle of Wight is the largest and second-most populous island off the south coast of England. Situated in the English Channel, separated from the mainland by the Solent, it is between two and five miles off the coast of Hampshire. There are no direct commercial flights to the Isle of Wight and the Solent is one of the most expensive stretches of water in the world, so it will be worth you clicking here to find out how to get the best value ferry tickets.
Check out my THREE reasons why the Isle of Wight makes an excellent option for your family holiday.
1: The Beaches
There are 57 miles of stunning beaches on the Isle of Wight with some of them arguably the best in the UK - golden sands, picturesque cliffs, watersports, rock pools and secret coves ensure there is something for everyone. Eleven of the fourteen beaches on the island have been awarded the highest ‘excellent’ rating for bathing water quality, with the remaining three receiving ‘good’, so you can swim knowing you are in safe water. The size of the island and the accessibility of the beaches mean that it absolutely possible to visit many beautiful ones during your stay. One of the things we loved most about the beaches on the Isle of Wight compared to the south coast is the accessibility to the beaches - no huge steep cliffs to walk down (and back up again) with all of your beach gear. Also there are no extortionate parking costs!
Where are the best beaches on the Isle of Wight?
There are so many beautiful beaches on the Island and the coastline is so varied that there literally is something for everyone. Compton Bay and Freshwater on the west of the Isle of Wight (IOW) are not to be missed. The IOW is one of the best places for dinosaur discovery in Europe and at Compton Bay you can see real dinosaur footprints at low tide! Compton Bay is also ideal for kitesurfing, surfing and paddle boarding (book yourself a surf lesson here)! We also loved Priory Beach which is a private beach that can only be accessed by walking from the beaches either side at low tide. Steephill Cove and Shanklin on the east coast are also worth a visit - very different beaches, but beautiful in their own way. Be sure to park at the Botanical Gardens when visiting Steephill beach!
Family holidays very often include a four- legged friend and something we loved about the Isle of Wight (compared to the south coast of England) was that so many of the Island’s beaches are dog friendly. Click here to find a list of all-year-round dog friendly beaches.
2: Family Friendly
The Isle of Wight has a distinctive holiday feel to it, a great family vibe and you can see why. It really is a special place, especially for families. During peak season in the summer, the IOW is a hive of activity with so many family friendly attractions available.
Wild Heart Animal Sanctuary This sanctuary offers some wonderful animal experiences. We opted for a Twilight Safari, which is only available during peak season. I would also recommend booking this in advance.
Dinosaur Isle The new museum displays over one thousand fossils, takes visitors on a walk back through time to the Cretaceous period when dinosaurs lived. There is also a large dinosaur gallery, which has lots of displays including real fossils, skeletal re-constructions, life sized fleshed re-constructions and two animatronic dinosaurs.
Buy your Google Map and Legend guide to the Isle of Wight here. It includes:
Campsites available on the Isle of Wight, plus must see attractions and towns, beaches, hikes, food and drink recommendations, driving routes and blog post links.
Other attractions include:
Blackgang Chine is the UK’s oldest theme park and you'll struggle to find one with better views.
Parkhurst Forest is one of the oldest forests in the country and a haven for wildlife, including the red squirrel.
Tapnell Farm Park is an all-weather attraction with lots to see and do. Please note, only guide dogs are welcome at this attraction.
The Needles Landmark is an essential must see spot while on the Isle of Wight. However, there are also a whole host of attractions there that you might want to get involved with. Alternatively arrive early (to avoid the all day parking charges) and walk the coastal path to see the Needles, or walk down the steps to Alum Bay.
If you’re looking for a slower-paced holiday, spend your pennies in traditional seaside amusement arcades, have an ice cream or lunch at one of the many excellent cafes and pubs that use locally sourced produce (we recommend Toppings Ice Cream, Shanklin and Crave Ice Cream, Ventnor) or walk/cycle along some of the many spectacular coastal paths.
Be sure to visit the Cowes Milk vending machine to get your own farm fresh milk and milkshakes made with farm fresh while milk in a choice of different flavours.
Where are the most family friendly places to stay in my campervan/motorhome?
Responsible wild camping in tolerated away from residentials areas in the Isle of Wight. We used Park4night and Searchforsites to find overnight spots and pub stop overs. Please click here to read more dos and don’t about wild camping.
Grange Farm Camping is a family run site in a stunning clifftop location on the south west coast. The campsite has a stunning private beach (especially when the tide is out) which is perfect for families to swim, bodyboard, play, or even have a campfire during the early evening, watching the sun set. There are lots of facilities including a washing machine and tumble dryer, plus a playpark for the children.
Compton Farm is the ideal location for a family holiday or short break, situated 1.5 miles east of Freshwater Bay on A3055 (Military Road) boasting stunning natural views to the chalky cliffs and sea. Guests can take a variety of walks over the downs to enjoy stunning views and pretty wildflowers. A quarter of a mile away is Compton Bay - the last untouched sandy beach of the island, safe for children and swimming. Facing south this striking bay catches all of the sun.
Which are the best Family Friendly Festivals in the Isle of Wight?
For decades, the Isle of Wight has been the location for some truly fantastic festivals. Combining a festival weekend with a holiday is the ideal way to have some fun and also some down time with the family. Check out the details of the Isle of Wight festival for this year here.
3: Value for Money
The Isle of Wight offers stunning beaches, a family friendly atmosphere, beautiful clifftop locations and coastal paths, family-friendly attractions and accommodation all at an affordable price. In our experience of holidaying on the south coast of England, though beautiful and well worth the hype, everything (especially during the summer months) is priced at a premium - food, parking, accommodation, attractions etc. The Isle of Wight offers a much more reasonably priced holiday for families without the crowds too. Aside from the expense of the ferry (click here to find out how to find the best deal with ferry tickets) this island has something for everyone and every budget.
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