The Isle of Wight makes a great staycation location in the UK and can provide you with plenty of things to see and do.

Start planning your trip away with the help of this blog where you can find a range of different things to do in the Isle of Wight. As well as helping you put together some ideas of how to stay busy in the area, we can also help you with deciding where you should stay. We have 2 amazing resorts on the Isle of Wight that are perfect for families, couples and friends.


The Isle of Wight Distillery

Pondwell Hill, Ryde, PO33 1PX

The Isle of Wight Distillery - things to do in the Isle of Wight

Founded by Xavier & Conrad, The Isle of Wight Distillery is the first and only distillery on the whole of the island. With a commitment to sustainability, conservation and a circular economy the distillery strives to minimise waste and use ethically-sourced and, most of the time, local ingredients to create their range of spirits. Although they don’t do distillery tours they do have a bar on site called The Mermaid Bar where you can go and try out their products and maybe take some home!

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The Needles Landmark Attraction

Alum Bay New Rd, Alum Bay, Totland Bay, PO39 0JD

The Needles Landmark Attraction - things to do in the Isle of Wight

Probably one of the most iconic landmarks in the Isle of Wight and one that you definitely need to visit if you are on the island is The Needles. You will be able to book a boat trip that will take you on a close up trip of the Needles Rocks and Lighthouse. But there are also so many other attractions here that you can make a full day of it. From adventure golf to a carousel, dino jeep safaris and tea cups, there’s so much to do – you can even learn more about how sweets and glassware are made.

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Ventnor Botanic Garden

Undercliff Dr, Ventnor, PO38 1UL

Ventnor Botanic Garden - things to do in the Isle of Wight

If you love exploring botanical gardens and learning all about different plants and ecosystems, then Ventnor Botanic Garden will be the perfect place for you to go. There are so many areas of these gardens including a tropical house which houses a pool that contains 22 tonnes of heated water. As well as the gardens you will also find the Edulis Restaurant where you can enjoy a bite to eat for lunch, or The Plantation Room Café which is open from 10am until 4pm with plenty to offer. PUYA Boutique is also open daily and you can purchase a gift for someone or items for yourself before you leave.

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Tapnell Farm Park

Tapnell Farm House, Newport Rd, Yarmouth, PO41 0YJ

Tapnell Farm Park - things to do in the Isle of Wight

This award-winning farm park has everything you’d need to keep the whole family entertained for the day. There are jumping pillows, go karts, sledge slides and plenty of play park areas including one inside a straw barn. Along with the activities there is also an Animal Barn where you will find wallabies, meerkats, goats, highland cows, sheep, alpacas, pigs, donkeys and a pets corner with smaller animals. You can also get a bite to eat at The Cow, which is a family and dog-friendly bar and restaurant.

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Isle of Wight Aqua Park

Tapnell Farm House, Isle of Wight Aqua Park, Yarmouth, PO41 0YJ

Isle of Wight Aqua Park - things to do in the Isle of Wight

If you are looking for some outdoor fun to enjoy in the spring and summer months then the Isle of Wight Aqua Park will be perfect. It’s located around the corner from Tapnell Farm Park and is an attraction that is completely on water. With over 20 different obstacles to complete you will be able to enjoy a range of slides and climbing frames along the course. And like Tapnell Farm Park you will be able to use The Cow bar and restaurant if you are wanting to grab some food at the end of the day.

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Carisbrooke Castle

Castle Hill, Newport, PO30 1XY

Carisbrooke Castle - things to do in the Isle of Wight

You will find Carisbrooke Castle sitting high up at the heart of the Isle of Wight. During its time it has been an artillery fortress, a king’s prison and a royal summer residence. It’s the perfect place to go in the spring summer months if you want to enjoy the fresh air and take in the breathtaking panoramic views. As well as the castle, you can also enjoy the Princess Beatrice Garden, the Castle Tearoom, meeting the donkeys and more.

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Shanklin Beach

Esplanade, Shanklin, Isle Of Wight, PO37 6BS

Shanklin Beach - things to do in the Isle of Wight

Known for being one of the best stretches of golden sands, it’s a great place to head if you want to enjoy a traditional English seafront promenade. Shanklin Beach is the perfect place to go if you want a proper beach day, as Shanklin Esplanade has a large amusement arcade which has things like crazy golf, go karting and bowling! You will also find plenty of cafes and beach shops where you can buy supplies for your beach day fun.

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Red Squirrel Trail

265 Arctic Rd, Cowes, PO31 7XD

Red Squirrel Trail - things to do in the Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight’s most iconic species is the native Red Squirrel and that’s who this trail has been named after. The trail itself is 32 miles long and goes along mostly traffic-free areas in the beautiful countryside. If you wanted to cycle the 32 mile route it would be a great 2 or 3 day tour but a lot of people also walk a smaller section of the route and make it a day or half day experience.

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Blackgang Chine

Ventnor, PO38 2HN

Restricted Area 5 at Blackgang Chine - things to do in the Isle of Wight

For a day out that the kids will love you will want to go to Blackgang Chine Land of Imagination, it’s an amusement park that has everything you can think of. From dinosaurs, fairies and cowboys to an underwater kingdom: each area has different rides and attractions that will suit children of all ages and there are plenty of places you can stop at for food and drink to keep you going all day.

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Now that you’ve got your ideas ready you can start organising your trip away to the Isle of Wight.

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Enjoy exploring the area and visiting all the sites that Kent has to offer on your next trip away.

To help you put together the ultimate trip away we have searched through Instagram and found some amazing images of things and places in Kent that you will want to visit. We also have one of our stunning resorts in Kent which will make the perfect place to stay whilst you are exploring Kent!


 

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Start planning your trip to Kent today and look forward to creating unforgettable memories.

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Being in Britain means we can never be guaranteed sunshine all year round.

And although staycations are still as popular in 2022 as they were in 2021 it may still rain during your caravan holiday. But we are here to tell you that you can’t let a bit of rain stop you from having fun and making memories! There are so many fun rainy day activities that you can do on your caravan holiday. To make things easier for you we’ve put all our amazing ideas into a list below so hopefully you find one that suits your family.


make use of the facilities on-site

If you are at one of our Darwin Escapes resorts you will find a range of different facilities available to use that will be perfect for all the family. From indoor swimming pools to restaurants, outdoor splash areas and bowling. You will be able to stay entertained no matter what the weather is at our resorts and make memories that will last forever.

Here is a list of facilities you may find at our Darwin Escapes resorts:

  • Indoor swimming pools
  • Play parks
  • Outdoor splash areas
  • Bowling
  • Restaurants
  • Gyms
  • Spas
  • Go Active activities

have a movie day

rainy day activities for your caravan holiday - have a movie day

If you do find it’s raining during your caravan holiday and you want to stay inside a great idea would be to have a movie day. Either make sure you have some snacks in or face the rain to stock up on some goodies then you’re good to go. Find all your favourite family films that will be perfect to watch during your movie day!

find some indoor attractions

No matter where in the UK you are for your caravan holiday you won’t be more than a short car journey away from some amazing indoor attractions. This could be anything from a trip to the cinema, an indoor play area, indoor shopping centre, museums etc. If you stay at one of our Darwin Escapes resorts you won’t be far from some fun indoor attractions for all the family.

play some games

rainy day activities for your caravan holiday - play some games

The main thing you want to do when you are looking for ideas for rainy day activities for your caravan holiday is ensure that you are doing things that keep everyone entertained. Make sure your prepared for your holiday and take some games with you that you can play together.

Top 6 games to play as a family:

  • Monopoly
  • Cluedo
  • Game of Life
  • Trivia Pursuit
  • Pack of cards
  • Guess Who?

get creative

If arts and crafts is your thing then it’s the perfect time to do so when it’s raining. Whether that’s with a drawing competition or you want to get even more creative and make something out of all the things you can find at the caravan park. It’s a great excuse to think a little differently and create some amazing things together.

bake some treats

rainy day activities for your caravan holiday - bake some treats

Why not pop to the local shops and get all the ingredients you need to make some baked goods. Even if you don’t think of yourself as a baker why not get the packet mixes of cookies and brownies etc. It doesn’t matter how you make them everyone will enjoy eating them at the end!

go out and explore in the rain

Sometimes when it is raining and you have the right clothing, there is nothing better than to go out and explore in the rain. Go on a countryside walk or find a viewpoint to walk to. It’s a great way to enjoy some fresh air, be at one with nature and get some good exercise in.


We have 24 different resorts across the UK which offer holidays and holiday home ownership options.

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So it’s that time of year again where you’re heading to your holiday home for the first time since winter.

You will want to give your caravan or holiday lodge a little bit of TLC and freshen it up ready for the upcoming months. And we are here to give you that helping hand you need to ensure you give your holiday home a thorough spring clean this year. Below you will find 12 different tips and things we suggest you do in order to make sure the inside and outside of your holiday home is ready for another year of memory making.


1. strip all the beds and re-make them

Since your beds have been unused for a few months they will have gotten a little cold and in need of a freshen up. So whilst you are decluttering and organising you could strip all the beds and put the bedding in the wash. This way they are clean, fresh and ready for your first holiday of the year together.

2. declutter and organise your holiday home

spring cleaning tips - declutter and organise your holiday home

Sometimes the best place to start when it comes to spring cleaning is decluttering and organising. Go through everything you have in your holiday home and think if you need it or if you will use it this year, if not you can either donate, recycle or take it back home with you. Once you have decluttered and you only have the things you definitely will use you can then reorganise and put them back away.

3. check for any damage that could’ve happened throughout the winter months

If you spent the winter months away from your holiday home then you will want to start off your spring cleaning by checking for any damage. With the colder months there are more days that consist of constant rain and wind which can lead to damage on your holiday home. Make sure to check all windows, doors, outdoor areas etc. to figure out if you do have any damage before you start cleaning properly. If you do find any damage you will be able to pop into reception and the staff there can help you out.

4. clean out the kitchen cupboards, oven, and fridge freezer

spring cleaning tips - clean out the kitchen

To make everything feel fresh and ready for a new season you will want to deep clean the kitchen area. Start by emptying the cupboards and removing anything you won’t use or binning left over food items etc. Once that’s done you can then clean all the cupboards, the fridge freezer, oven, microwave and any other kitchen appliances that you have in your holiday home.

5. deep clean all bathrooms

Bathrooms are another important place you want to make sure you deep clean when it comes to spring cleaning your holiday home. There will have been a buildup of dust whilst you’ve not been there so you will want to make sure you clean all surfaces along with the shower head and taps before you use anything.

6. check all appliances are working

spring cleaning tips - check all appliances are working

Because it’s been a few months since you’ve been in your holiday home you will want to check that all the appliances are working as they should. These are the main things you will want to check are still working; heating, hot water and showers, washing machine, wifi, TV, smoke alarm, lights, microwave, oven, kettle, toilet.

7. sweep up any leaves outside and jet wash decked area

We always have wind, frost, rain, snow and hail through the winter months so it’s no surprise that your outdoor area around your holiday home will need some care. You will probably need to sweep up leaves that have fallen and if you have a decked area jet wash that to avoid any slips.

spring cleaning tips - clear plans outside holiday home

8. add new plants and flowers for the season

Speaking of leaves, this brings us nicely onto our next tip, bring the outside in! Make your holiday home look as good as it can by adding new plants and fresh flowers on window sills and tables. This will add some colour and get you ready for spring and beyond.

9. clean your windows

Even if you’ve used a jet wash on the outside, don’t forget to clean INSIDE of the windows – use a microfibre cloth for a streak-free finish!

10. vacuum and mop all flooring throughout your holiday home

spring cleaning tips - hoover and mop all flooring

If you haven’t been inside your holiday home for months you want to make sure you deep clean everywhere and this means vacuuming and mopping all the flooring throughout your holiday home. This way you know there isn’t any leftover dirt or dust from the previous year.

11. check & clean outdoor furniture, barbecue and lighting

This is for the people who do have outdoor furniture, a barbecue and outdoor lights. If you left them out over the winter months you will want to check that nothing is broken or stopped working. Once you’ve done that you’ll want to clean everything ready to use it at your next stay.

12. freshen up the living and dining areas ready to use

spring cleaning tips - freshen up the living and dining areas

The living and dining area is the place that is probably used the most when you are at your holiday home so it probably needs a little bit of a freshen up. Vacuum the sofas, dust all the surfaces and make sure everything is organised and put away.


Did you know that we have 24 different resorts across the UK and you can own a holiday home in 8 of them?

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Known for its Yorkshire Dales, the York Minister and the famous Shambles, there are so many amazing things to see in Yorkshire it will be hard figuring out where to start.

So to help you out we’ve searched through Instagram and found some amazing images to give you the inspiration on where to go and what to see. Have a browse below and start making a list of what you want to do whilst you are in the area. Also if you are looking for a place to stay we have an amazing resort in Yorkshire perfect for everyone.



Now that you’ve had some inspiration and ideas of what to see and do whilst you are in Yorkshire it’s time to start planning the trip.

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Sometimes it can be hard trying to figure out what you want when it comes to buying your first holiday home.

We have decided to put out a little bit of a inspiration for all the factors you might consider when it comes to choosing the perfect holiday home for you. The things you have to consider can be anything from the facilities available on your chosen resort to the size of the bedrooms or even the view you will have when you look out the window. So have a browse below and see what you like the look of and then hopefully at the end you will have a better idea of your dream holiday home.


what destination are you looking for?

beach

Talacre Beach - window shop for your dream holiday home

Talacre Beach Resort – North Wales

Lighthouse in Talacre Beach - window shop for your dream holiday home

Seaview Holiday Home Park – North Wales

countryside

countryside - window shop for your dream holiday home

Piran Meadows Resort – Cornwall

HC Countryside - window shop for your dream holiday home

Hawkchurch Resort & Spa – Devon

woodland

Woodland - window shop for your dream holiday home

Norfolk Woods Resort & Spa – Norfolk

Cheddar Woods Woodland - window shop for your dream holiday home

Cheddar Woods Resort & Spa – Somerset


what facilities would you use the most?

swimming pool

Talacre Pool - window shop for your dream holiday home

Talacre Beach Resort – North Wales

Aberconwy Pool - window shop for your dream holiday home

Aberconwy Resort & Spa – North Wales

gym

HC Gym - window shop for your dream holiday home

Hawkchurch Resort & Spa – Devon

Norfolk Woods  Resort & Spa – Norfolk

spa

Spa Reception - window shop for your dream holiday home

Norfolk Woods Resort & Spa – Norfolk

Aberconwy Resort & Spa – North Wales


what is your ideal holiday home?

open plan living diner area

Open Plan Living Diner - window shop for your dream holiday home

Cheddar Woods Resort & Spa – Somerset

Open Plan Living - window shop for your dream holiday home

Aberconwy Resort & Spa – North Wales

spacious bedrooms

Spacious Bedrooms - window shop for your dream holiday home

Seaview Holiday Home Park – North Wales 

Spacious Bedroom - window shop for your dream holiday home

Aberconwy Resort & Spa – North Wales

bright bathrooms

Bright Bathrooms - window shop for your dream holiday home

Aberconwy Resort & Spa – North Wales

Bright Bathroom Shower - window shop for your dream holiday home

Talacre Beach Resort – North Wales

amazing views

Seaview Views - window shop for your dream holiday home

Seaview Holiday Home Park – North Wales

Aberconwy Resort & Spa – North Wales


So now you have an idea of the things that will make your dream holiday home you will probably want to get looking and see what is available. Either follow the links below or give our friendly team a call today on 0800 717 707.

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The Isle of Wight is a stunning island that will be the perfect place for a staycation this year.

But before you go why not get some inspiration of things to see and do whilst you are there. We have found some amazing photos on Instagram which will give you an idea of what to expect whilst you are there. And we have 2 amazing resorts on the Isle of Wight that would be perfect as your base whilst you are exploring the area.


 

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So now you’ve got an idea of what to expect it’s time to start planning your trip to the Isle of Wight.

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Oxfordshire is known for many things, its universities, museums and libraries and being the inspiration for parts of Harry Potter!

So before you head down to Oxfordshire you will want to make sure you know of some amazing places to go and beautiful sights to see whilst you are there. Our beautiful The Springs Resort & Golf Club would make the perfect base for you during your stay.



Now that you’ve got some inspiration why not start planning your trip away to Oxfordshire?

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Whether you are just starting to plan your trip to Surrey or you are looking for things to do whilst you’re there we have found some incredible sights.

Our Tilford Woods Lodge Retreat makes a great base for you to explore the surrounding areas of Surrey. Whether you are after woodland walks, exploring local villages or just taking in the breathtaking views of the many fields and meadows. We have found some amazing images on Instagram which will hopefully give you some ideas on how to spend your days in Surrey.



Are you ready to start planning your trip to Surrey? Our retreat will make the perfect place for you to rest your head at night and relax in between exploring the area.

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No matter where you are in Devon you will be able to explore and find some beautiful spots.

Our resorts in Devon will make the perfect base if you are wanting to explore all that Devon has to offer. To help you figure out exactly where you want to head or if you are just looking for ideas for now, we have searched through Instagram and found some incredible areas and sites around Devon. Have a browse below and see which ones you want to add to your trip to Devon.


 

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If this has given you all the inspiration you need and you are ready to start planning your Devon staycation we can help you!

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