Indulge and feel festive at the Christmas Markets on offer in Kent. Getting in the Christmas spirit means opting to visit as many Christmas markets as you can and Kent is teeming with lots of festive offerings for you to enjoy. Our own Canterbury Reach Lodge Retreat is the ideal place to base yourself while exploring the region during this festive time of year. Read below for our top picks of the Christmas markets in the local area…

Canterbury christmas market

Where: Whitefriars Sq, CT1 2TF / When: 16th Nov – 24th Dec / Times: 10am – 5pm

With over 70 huts and nearly 100 businesses to browse during the Canterbury Christmas Market, you will get into the festive spirit while seeing a wonderful range of colourful handmade gifts and beautiful decorations. Every weekend there will be a host of live music to enjoy, wonderful children’s character walkabouts and free craft and art activities for the little ones to get stuck into! Father Christmas will arrive in Canterbury on November 30th, setting up his Grotto ready for you all to visit him in his brand new cabin on 1st December! A wonderful fair to get you in the Christmas spirit and enjoy the many craft stalls, food, drink and festive gifts on offer.

christmas at Leeds castle

Where: Leeds Castle, ME17 1PL / When: 24th & 25th Nov, 1st, 2nd, 8th, 9th, 15th & 16th Dec

This annual Christmas market is a must visit for all in the local region, only a 30 minute drive from our own Canterbury Reach Lodge Retreat, you will not be disappointed by the castle or the festive offerings. The market is held on the lawn, overlooking the picturesque castle, and will be hosting a wide range of businesses in the traditional wooden chalets, including delicious food and drink on offer, to handmade gifts and crafts helping you to find that perfect gift. There will also be a vintage family fun fair with rides children of all ages can enjoy, as well as the chance to see some falconry shows and meet the beautiful birds, and being able to meet real-life reindeer! Fun for the whole family at this Kent Christmas market.

christmas at Whitstable castle

Where: Whitestable, CT5 2BW / When: December

The beautiful castle will be hosting a variety of festive events throughout the month of December, the stallholders will be selling beautiful festive wreaths, wonderful handmade gifts and a fabulous Santa’s grotto, with The Orangery Tearooms joining with festive treats to enjoy too. Visit on the 9th December for the delicious Food Festival, which will be serving beautiful seasonal and locally produced food and drink to enjoy, with plenty for you to purchase to add to your very own festive feast at home. Visit throughout the month for a wonderful festive feel this year.

Faversham christmas market

Where: The Guildhall, ME13 7AG / When: 24th Nov, 9th & 16th Dec

The annual Christmas Market has become a popular event with all in the local area, from visitors to residents, as it’s a one-stop-shop for all things festive! The Guildhall itself will be illuminated, as well as the marketplace, adding to the Christmas atmosphere and getting you in the Christmas spirit, the market will be hosting an endless number of stalls ranging from beautiful handmade gifts, wondrous toys, one-of-a-kind clothing and stunning jewellery. There will also be plenty of crafts, food and drink to enjoy during your shopping trip, with live music from charming carol singers and a brass band, there really will be something for everyone at these Kent Christmas Markets.

So what are you waiting for? Head down to Kent and book a stay at our Canterbury Reach Lodge Retreat in November or December to surround yourself in Christmas cheer!

If you’re visiting Cheddar Woods this year and looking for the best firework display, you’ve come to the right place. Cheddar Woods is perfectly placed to explore the local area, if you’re with us for a wonderful winter break and looking for a fun, family firework night, we have our top picks in this post just for you! Read on to find your perfect family firework night in Cheddar…

Yeovil fireworks

Where: Yeovil Showground, BA22 9TA / When: 3rd Nov / Times: 5pm – 8:30pm / Prices: Adult £9, Child £5

Celebrate 50 years of the Yeovil Charity Fireworks show! This annual event draws hundreds of people every year and is always a fantastic event, with live music from Snakebyte, and the fantastic Royal Navy HMS Heron Volunteer Band performing before and during the firework display, you will love this show. Enjoy the funfair rides, the delicious street food on offer and drink stalls, then have your photograph taken with Marvel Avengers Superheros! A fun family night out for all celebrating 50 years helping local charities with the Yeovil Firework Night.

Oake Manor fireworks

Where: Oake Manor Golf Club, TA4 1BA / When: 3rd Nov / Times: 5pm – 8pm / Prices: Adult £5, Child £3

Partnering with Firestorm Pyrotechnics, Oake Manor is offering up a fun, family firework night for all, with lots of free parking and even undercover viewing if the weather should turn! There will be some delicious food on offer, including a hog roast, chips, burgers and hot dogs, along with some fresh tea and hot chocolate to keep you warm, and you don’t need to go home after the display, as there will be a fun disco on after!

fire magic

Where: Puxton Park / When: 4th Nov / Times: 5pm – 9pm / Prices: £7

Fire Magic is back with a bang at Puxton Park by popular demand! This wonderful group of fire specialists, who have over 15 years’ experience, will be wowing the crowds again with a spectacular show for all ages to enjoy. Many of the park’s attractions will be open, along with the children’s rides, for the whole family to enjoy an evening out and don’t forget to get stuck into the delicious hog roast and BBQ on offer.

Enjoy a fabulous firework night out at one of these amazing events in and around Cheddar. Always remember to be careful and follow safety procedures, as well as keeping all fur-babies inside before you ooh and ahh to your heart’s content!

So if you haven’t booked your holiday at Cheddar Woods for Bonfire Night, what are you waiting for? Cheddar Woods also offers Holiday Home Ownership, meaning you could own your own luxurious lodge in this 5 star location and explore all the events that the local area offers all year round! Call our dedicated Ownership Team on 01745858010 for more information, or talk to an advisor via our Live Chat service now.

Take a look at the images below of our stunning new accommodation at Norfolk Woods Resort & Spa, where you will soon be able to enjoy first class facilities, stunning countryside surroundings and beautiful lodge accommodation. Holiday Home ownership will also be available at Norfolk Woods, presenting you with the opportunity to help us shape a brand new community of luxury holiday home owners at a resort which is all set to revolutionise the holiday park industry in East Anglia.

Norfolk Woods Resort & Spa will be opening its doors soon and you could be one of the first to book your holiday at this sure-to-be popular holiday destination in the beautiful countryside!

Stay at one of our newest locations, Canterbury Reach Lodge Retreat, and explore all the local area has to offer this Bonfire Night. Offering stunning accommodation in a peaceful countryside setting, you can escape from it all after a night of cold air, spectacular fireworks and delicious food on offer…

tyler hill bonfire & firework night

Where: Tyler Hill Memorial Fields, CT2 9NH / When: 3rd Nov / Times: 5.30pm / Prices: Adult £7, Child £3

This annual firework display is massive and a family delight for all! Used as the official start to the Christmas countdown in Kent, the Tyler Hill event offers family fun entertainment all evening, a massive bonfire which the villagers have been building for 6 weeks, topped with Guy Fawkes, and take your time to wander the street food stalls serving delicious hamburgers and hot dogs. The firework show will start around 7.30pm.

fireworks evening

When: Kent Country Cricket Club, CT1 3NZ / When: 5th Nov / Times: 5pm – 8pm / Prices: Adult £10, Child £5

As one of the biggest firework nights in Kent, you will enjoy live entertainment, including live music from local band Old Town Souls, and a fabulous funfair for all the family to get stuck into. There will be a range of stalls, street food and drink stalls to wander through and enjoy too.

Westmoor farm bonfire & fireworks

Where: Westmoor Farm, ME8 8NF / When: 3rd Nov / Times: 5pm / Prices: Adult: £7, Child £5

A traditional bonfire night for all the family to enjoy in the heart of Kent, this event is organised by Upchurch Scouts Group and is ideal for families. Gates open at 5pm, with a parade of the Guy to the Bonfire at 6.30pm, with the firework show starting at 6.45pm.

fireworks display

Where: Ashford RFC, TN24 9QB / When: 4th Nov / Times: 5pm – 8pm / Prices: Adult £8, Child £4

Enjoy a fabulous firework display and mega bonfire, as well as real ales on offer, a range of food stalls to keep you fuelled and a selection of 3 outdoor bars. The amazing bonfire will be lit at 7pm, with the display beginning at 7:30pm.

Leeds castle firework spectacular

Where: Maidstone, ME17 1PL / When: 3rd & 4th Nov / Times: 2pm – 6.30pm / Prices: Adult £23, Child £15 (Booking Essential)

Splash out on the biggest firework display in the South East of England at this Firework Spectacular! The ‘Let’s Dance’ funky theme of the night will have the whole family dancing the night away to favourite songs, including ‘Just Dance’ and ‘I Like to Move It’, with plenty of other entertainment available, including live music from DJ Jonny Meah and singer Adam Chandler. The whole family can enjoy the fairground rides, a falconry display and various play areas, all with a stunning backdrop of the Leeds Castle. The fireworks show will kick off around 5.30pm, but the live music will carry on until 6.30pm for a wonderful evening out with all the family.

All fabulous fireworks events to visit this year, you’ll be spoiled for choice during your break away to Canterbury Reach Lodge Retreat!

Base yourself at Keswick Reach Lodge Retreat for a fantastic fireworks weekend escape. The hauntingly beautiful landscape of the Lake District offers the perfect backdrop for a spectacular fireworks display, and Keswick Reach Lodge Retreat is ideally placed to venture to the local displays. Retreat back to your luxurious lodge style accommodation after a night full of colourful fireworks and festive food!

Windermere fireworks & bonfire

Where: Windermere RFC, LA23 3AS / When: 3th Nov / Times: 6pm Start / Prices: £5

Go along to enjoy this traditional bonfire night filled with sparklers, entertainment and yummy street food! Ooh and ahh while the fantastic fireworks display delights all ages.

Kendal Castle

Where: Kendal Castle, LA9 7BL / When: TBC / Times: 6.15pm / Prices: Free

An annual community event which asks for donations to cover the costs of the fantastic event. Enjoy the fabulous firework show in the spooky surroundings of the castle ruins, then wander around the trade stalls for knick-knacks and delicious hot street food.

bonfire night

Where: Lowther Castle, CA10 2HH / When: 4th Nov / Times: 10am – late / Prices: Adult £9, Child £7.50

Explore the castle during the day, then witness a spectacular firework show in a setting like nothing you’ve ever seen before! Lowther Castle acts as a striking backdrop to the bonfire, illuminations, family fun stalls and delicious street food on offer.

Enjoy the stunning scenery and beautiful surroundings that the Lake District has to offer, discover the firey delights at these wonderful firework displays and retire back to Keswick Reach for a delicious meal and drink at The Copper Fells Bar, before returning back your luxurious lodge accommodation.

Every year the Isle of Wight turns into the Isle of Fright for Halloween, are you brave enough to explore all the spooky events? With two locations in the Isle of Wight, perfectly placed to explore the local area, you’ll be spoilt for choice if you’re looking for a Halloween holiday on the island this year. Woodside Coastal Retreat offers a tranquil holiday on the doorstep of the beautiful shingle beach, with Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat offering luxurious accommodation, beautiful views and fantastic facilities (that both parks can use). Woodside Bay is home to our one-of-a-kind treehouse accommodation, where you can relax in the hot tub, on the decking or from the bed and enjoy the views being surrounded by the treehouse.

spooky castle

Where: Carisbrooke Castle / When: 20th – 28th Oct / Times: 10am – 4pm

Are you brave enough to visit the islands most haunted castle this Halloween? Join in on the amazing spooky Halloween adventure perfect for families and children to enjoy! The Victorian ghost hunters will take you around the gardens and tell you about the scary tales gone by. You can also get involved in a programme of creepy crafts and win a prize for the daily fancy dress competition.

spooky farm fun

Where: Tapnell Farm Park / When: 20th – 27th Oct / Times: 10am – 5pm

Enjoy a week of tempting tricks and delightful treats at Tapnell Farm Park, with events including bugs & beasties encounters themed arts and crafts and help Wanda the Witch locate her things from all over the farm in the Witch’s Treasure Hunt. There will also be face painting, fun Halloween games such as ghost skittles, pumpkin toss and dress your mummy as a mummy! There will also be special visits including snake handling, a visit from the bat hospital and Haven falconry shows throughout the week too!

fright week

Where: IOW Reptilarium / When: 20th – 29=8th Oct / Times: 10am – 4pm

Visit the Reptilarium this Halloween and you may just met the Victorian Fort’s ghosts and ghouls! There will be a family friendly horror theme throughout the week, including a snake handling day and a meet the bat day too! Visit all the resident animals and keep an eye out for the spooks, spectres and zombies!

blackgang chine by night

Where: Blackgang Chine / When: 20th Oct – 3rd Nov / Times: 10am – 9pm

The annual Blackgang Chine Illuminations will light up the park showing off the stunning views, as well as being able to enjoy all the rides and attractions that Blackgang Chine is on offer, including the fun half term shows!

wicked nights

Where: Blackgang Chine / When: 20th Oct – 3rd Nov / Times: 6pm – 10pm / Booking essential

The Wicked Nights events takes you into the land of twisted imagination. This is a brand new horror event on the island and will consist of live action zones, including the Demolition Site and The Cursed Mill, there are also a range of attractions including the Slaughter Slide, the Coaster of Doom, Hall of Horrors and Freaky Fair just to name a few. The perfect scare night for those looking for a thrill this Halloween.

festival of light inspired by diwali

Where: Robin Hill Country Park / When: 29th Sept – 4th Nov / Times: 6pm – 10pm

These annual, amazing light displays shows the night time beauty of the Robin Hill Country Park woodland. There will also be plenty of live entertainment, cinldugin lantern decorating, a Bollywood Bhangra Experience, Rangdi art workshops, as well as fabulous aerial silks displays. The festival of light is inspired by the Indian Dwaili Festival and is absolutely beautiful to walk through.

wizard week

Where: IOW Steam Railway / When: 22nd – 26th Oct / times vary on booking

Have some wicked witchy fun at the Steam Railway this Halloween half term! This family friendly event offers magic shows, a trail through the wonderful woodland walk as well as being able to meet friendly witches of Havenstreet! Dress up in your costume and join in on the Halloween crafts available for all the family. There is also a Halloween Fright Night train available on Saturday 27th October for those thrill seekers!

Enjoy your Halloween holiday at either Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat or Woodside Coastal Retreat, indulge in the onside facilities including a first class restaurant serving family favourites, and the wonderful Woodside Bay Spa Lodge offering Aromatherapy Associates treatments and Jessica Nails. Make sure to explore all the fabulous spooky events on the island this Halloween!

Isle of Wight’s newest and most luxurious location is on its way to completion. Darwin Escapes is constantly expanding, and the newest addition in development is the luxurious Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat on the Isle of Wight. Surrounded by woodland and nature walks, with a relaxing spa lodge, delicious restaurants on offer and some extra special quirky accommodation, it will have everything you need for your perfect Isle of Wight holiday.

Feast your eyes on these latest development pictures from the Woodside site…

Woodside Coastal Retreat and Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat both offer luxurious accommodation, including one of a kind treehouse accommodation in Woodside Bay. Perfectly located on the island with stunning views of the Solent, access to the beautiful shingle Woodside Beach and only 10 minutes from the vibrant harbour town of Ryde and the bustling coastal village of Cowes. You can spend your summer exploring the island and retreating back to your peaceful and tranquil accommodation.

garlic festival

At: Fighting Cocks Crossroads, PO36 0LU
When: 18th – 19th August, 10am – 6pm
Prices: Adults £12.50 / Child £7.50 / Family £35

One of the islands biggest festivals, the Garlic Festival draws people from all over the world! With a wide range of eats, sights and sounds at a family fun event, stroll through the huge garlic marquees featuring cookery demos all day, hundreds of craft stalls and local produce stands selling mouth-watering food! Along with children’s entertainment, archery, a giant fun fair with talented animals and live music!

50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾

At: The Needles Battery, PO39 0JH
When: Every Thursday in August, 1am – 4pm
Prices: Adult £7.50 / Child £3.75 / Family £18.75

Join on the summer activities in beautiful surroundings at The Needles! Have a go at making and flying your kite, create wold art, climb a big hill, go hunting for bugs and find some beautiful birds! How many things can you tick off your list this summer?

birthday bash

At: Blackgang Chine, PO38 2HN
When: Every Monday & Wednesday in August, 10am – late
Prices: Standard £22

Celebrate the 175th Birthday of Blackgang Chine all throughout the summer holidays, where you can see the famous fireworks lighting up the sky, enjoy the fantastic Cowboy Show and decide which side you’re on, if you want to help lock up the Outlaws or if you want to join them and stage a bank robbery! You’ll be wowed at the Fairy Show when the Fairy Queen brings magic to the celebrations, and learn about Cedric the clumsy dragon in the brand new Dragon Tales show. DJ Omar will help to keep the soundtrack going in the Pirate’s Cove during the celebrations, so make sure to get your boogie on too! There is so much to at Blackgang Chine you will love every second of it!

jungle fever

At: Robin Hill Country Park, PO30 2NU
When: 24th July – 30th August. 10am – 10pm
Prices: Standard £19

Every Tuesday and Thursday, Robin Hill will be bringing their woodland jungle to life, where you can meet the brand new life sized animal puppets! You can get up close and personal with some fantastic creatures, including stunning tropical birds, a towering giraffe and even the king of the jungle himself! Saxophonist Katie Harrison will be providing some live music for the evenings, while you and your family enjoy some character meet and greets, as well as some spectacular jungle-themed performances. During the evening, once dusk settles in, all the puppets are creatively brought to life to the wonder of all ages. A fabulous day out at Robin Hill Country Park.

Woodside Bay is home to a restaurant, offering mouth-watering meals, along with a state of the art gymnasium and onsite Woodside Bay Spa Lodge offering luxurious Aromatherapy Associates treatments!

Woodside Coastal guests are free to use all the facilities at Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat. If you’re visiting the Isle of Wight this August make sure to explore the island and don’t miss these brilliant events!

North Wales is steeped in history, with endless spooky stories and creepy castles to visit, the region offers a full programme of events this Halloween. Darwin Escapes has 4 luxurious locations along the North Wales Coastline, Aberconwy Resort & Spa in Conwy, Talacre Beach Holiday Home Park & Seaview Holiday Home Park in Flintshire and New Pines Holiday Home Park in Denbighshire. Each of our locations offers a unique experience, from a spa break in North Wales to a family focused location with a full programme of entertainment all year round.

But this Halloween, North Wales has a plethora of activities to explore, here is our ultimate list of what’s on in North Wales for Halloween…

a little magic monster mash

Where: Meliden Community Centre / When: 28th Oct / Times: 4pm – 6pm /

Watch a fabulous performance of all your favourite Most Wanted Villains taking to the stage this Halloween in Meliden. This spooktacular party will include lots of singing, dancing, games and a fun disco for all ages to enjoy!

halloween week

Where: Ruthin Gaol / When: 27th Oct – 2nd Nov / Times: 10:30am – 4pm

Don your best scary outfit to visit the historic Ruthin Gaol and listen to all the spooky goings on at the infamous jail. There will be plenty of family friendly activities, including arts and crafts to get stuck into.

the ghosts of Penrhyn castle

Where: Penrhyn Castle / When: 20th Oct – 4th Nov / Times: 12pm – 4pm

Follow the scary silhouettes around Penrhyn Castle that will take you on a journey through the castle and gardens, where you will learn all about the ghosts that haunt the castle the many traditions of Calan Gaeaf. There will be spooky servants on hand throughout the castle to tell you terrorific tales of ghost stories from years gone by, as well as a host of family fun available, with craft activities and puppet making.

frights at sites spooky halloween

Where: Criccieth Castle / When: 31st Oct / Times: 11am – 4pm

This fun Halloween trail will give you chills and thrills all throughout the day at a beautiful castle in North Wales! The trail will run through the castle grounds, where you’ll follow and solve clues along the way, there will be prizes for the first 100 children to the complete the quest.

spooky spectacular

Where: SeaQuarium, Rhyl / When: 20th Oct – 4th Nov / Times: 10am – 5pm

This Halloween the SeaQuarium will be filled with witches, ghosts and offering eerie tales to all who enter. Jasper the Jellyfish need your help, you need to help find his friends who are all under a spooky spell, so if you follow the trail of clues around the building you can win a prize and a fantastic spooky badge! You can visit after dark during the Torchlight Tours from 27th – 31st October, learn all about the darker side of the aquarium, the tours must be pre-booked and start at 5pm for the family fun event. If you’re looking for the extra spooky event, you’ll need to book the 6:30pm – 8pm tour. During the night time tour you’ll enjoy a fascinating pool talk, a night time harbour seal deed, trick or treat goody bag, traditional Halloween games and a face your feat event where you can come face to face with a range of creepy critters.

spooky halloween day

Where: Beaumaris Castle / When: 31st Oct / Times: 10am – 4pm

Enjoy a day of family fun, thrills and chills at the Halloween trail day. You can take a spook tour around the castle walls where you will find all the answers to the clues on the trail, once you’ve completed the trail you can win a prize and make sure to keep an eye out for the castle witch on your journey. There will also be lots of spooky crafts to get stuck in on, including classic pumpkin carving and scary mask making.

halloween spooktacular children’s trail

Where: Denbigh Castle / When: 27th Oct / Times: 10am – 4pm

Wander the grounds of the historic Denbigh Castle to find the missing skeleton bones! Join in and complete the Halloween themed crafts, there will also be a chocolate surprise for the first 150 children to complete the trail.

halloween daytime fun

Where: Ruddlan Castle / When: 31st Oct / Times: 11am – 4pm

Listen to all the spooky stories in the castle and join in with the fangtastic Halloween themed crafts, where you can decorate some yummy biscuits. Don’t forget to take part in our fabulous quiz, and make sure to don your favourite spooky costume as the first 200 children in fancy dress will receive a chocolatey treat!

The Isle of Wight is home to endless activities and attractions, check out top choices for a family day out below. Our own Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat is perfectly located in the Isle of Wight to make the most of exploring all the fantastic family attractions on the island. We’ve looked at animal parks, theme parks, historical gardens filled with fun and even more hidden gems around the Isle of Wight in our list, so sit down with a cuppa and scroll through to plan your family day out! So if you’re looking for a family day out in the Isle of Wight, we’ve got you covered…

Isle of Wight Zoo

P036 8QB / 10am – 5.30pm / Adult: £11.35 Child: £9.30 Family: £36.55

The zoo specialises in the care of lemurs and tigers, giving the older animals an enriching retirement home and those rescued animals a soothing home. There are various animals at the zoo, including 2 beautiful African lions, with Casper being the islands very first white lion. Visit the mob of meerkats or our friendly family of Wallabies, before meeting Darwin the Tawny Owl, who loves to meet new people in the falconry sessions.

Tapnell Farm Park

P041 0YJ / 10am – 5pm / Adult: £8.95 Child: £10.95 Family: £36.55

This fantastic family attraction was once a dairy farm, with the Farmyard Barn being home to a range of animals from sheep and goats to meerkats and alpacas. Pet’s Corner is home to the adorable rabbits and Guinea Pigs and don’t miss the Wallaby Walkabout where you can cuddle and wander around the friendly wallabies. There are also play areas to explore, with zip wires, pedal go karts and a straw bale pyramid in the Straw Bale Adventure Zone, and enjoy the all-weather soft play heaven in the Play Barn.

Amazon World

P036 0UX / 10am – 5.30pm / Adult: £11.95 Child: £9.95 Family: £41

Amazon World is the largest exotic animal attraction on the island and offers a great family day out in the Isle of Wight. Home to a wide range of animals, including exotic creatures such as giant anteaters and Tamandua. There is also a Jurassic themed playground to explore, as well as a gift shop and onsite café serving delicious meals and snacks.

Isle Jump

P036 9PH / 10am – 8pm / £8 per person. Family £30 / Booking is recommended

A new and fun day out with the family in the Isle of Wight, Isle Jump offers all weather activities for all ages. The main area houses 40 trampolines for general fun, with fitness classes and toddler time available. Isle Jump also offer dodgeball trampoline sessions (it’s exactly what you think it is) and they also have a brand new giant airbag, which is perfect for aerial tricks. You can also slam dunk like Michael Jordan with the basketball sessions.

Dinosaur Isle

PO36 8QA / 10am – 5pm / Adult: £5 Child: £4 Family: £16.50

The very first purpose built visitor attraction and dinosaur museum on the island, with over 1000 fossils on display. You can take a trip through time from as far back to the Cretaceous period, when the dinosaurs walked the earth, to our most recent Ice Age. This facility is open all year round and offers a fun family day out with dinosaur skeleton reconstructions and interactive displays to discover.

Blackgang Chine

PO38 2HN / 10am – 4.30pm / Peak Standard: £22.50 Off Peak Standard: £20

Let the kids’ imagination run wild with Blackgang Chine’s range of play areas, from fighting pirates aboard their own ship, discover life-sized animatronic dinosaurs or become a sheriff in their own town and lock up the outlaws, or become an outlaw and rob a bank! Explore a sunken shipwreck in the newest Underwater Kingdom attraction, which also has animatronic creatures! There really is no end to the adventures your family can have at Blackgang Chine.

Monkey Haven

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Monkey Haven (@monkey_haven) on Sep 5, 2018 at 8:40am PDT

PO30 2NB / Open 10am. Call on bad weather days / Adult: £10.95 Child: £8.95 Family: £37

Monkey Haven is a happy home for rescued primates and birds of prey. The adorable animals are at the haven for various reasons, whether that be the illegal pet trade, or they are unsuitable for breeding programmes or having trouble with their original groups. There are a few birds who have been injured and wouldn’t be able to defend themselves in the wild, so they live enriching lives at the sanctuary. Explore Monkey Haven on your family day out to see the animals including gibbons, marmosets, barn owls, kookaburras, meerkats, tortoise and even boa constrictors!

the Lost World Adventure Golf

PO36 9JT / 9am – late / £4 per person

Adventure golf has long been a favourite family activity and The Lost World Adventure Golf is one of the best on the island. A round takes about 30 minutes to complete, you’ll enter the ancient Aztec ruins in order to start your challenge of mini crazy golf. On your adventure, you’ll go through rainforest ruins with monkeys and lions lurking nearby, as well as experiencing lightning, thunder and smoke effects to make the most of your journey.

Ryde canoe & boating lake

PO33 1JA / Call 01983 563656 for opening times / Canoe: £4 Swan 4 Seater: £10. 2 Seater £6

The picturesque lake is part of the Waterside Community and the lake is home to a number of swans and various other wildlife. In honour of beautiful birds, Swan pedalos are available to hire during the summer, so your family can take a gentle pedal around the lake and spot the wildlife around the area in the natural habitat.

Mattistone Gardens & Estate

PO30 4ED / 10.30am – 5pm / Adult: £7.50 Child: £3.75 Family: £18.75

Mottistone has had some form of residence for the past 1000 years and was mentioned in the Doomsday book in 1086, with the current manor house being built during the 15th and 16th Centuries. The adults will love the history and strolling around the picturesque gardens, while the kids will love walking the garden to find the 9 hidden flowerpot people, who have names including Nanny McPea, Captain Jack Marrow and Benedict Cucumberpatch. Once all 9 flowerpot people have been found, the children can draw and name their own flowerpot people!

Godshill Model Village

PO38 3HH / 10am – 5pm / Adult: £4.95 Child: £3.95 Family: £17

Robin Thwaites bought the model village in the late 60’s and it has remained a family business, with Robert’s daughter and son-in-law the current owners. Godshill’s aim is to give every visitor a wonderful nostalgic experience, with the model village being a timeless place to escape to with a unique 50’s feel to it, including cottages and beach huts. The All Saints Church sits atop the hill overlooking the cottages, exactly the same as the real All Saints Church does, and if you stand in just the right place you can see the life-size church and the model church at the same time.

Robin Hill Country Park

PO30 2NU / 10am – 5pm / Standard £19

Set in 88 acres of beautiful countryside, awaits endless fun and adventure at Robin Hill Country Park, making it the perfect place for family days out in the Isle of Wight. Explore the adventure play area and crawl through the tunnels and try the brand new jungle play with treetop nets. There is a wide range of activities and theme park rides to enjoy throughout the day and you can experience the falconry shows where you’ll see owls and hawks flying over the crowd and you’ll learn all about these fascinating creatures.

Sandown Park

PO36 9QQ / Always Open / Free

A wonderful large playground that’s perfect for all ages that includes a skate park for the little adventures, a football/basketball court to get the competitive juices flowing, as well as a great toddler play area for the littles to run wild! There is also a fabulous older children’s play area, which includes a zip wire! Head to Sandown Park for a fun and free family activity in the Isle of Wight.

Explore the Isle of Wight with your family and enjoy endless days of fun and activities on the island with our top picks of family attractions.

holiday at Woodside

Woodside Coastal Retreat offers the ideal place to base yourself while exploring the Isle of Wight, located in Wootton and only a 15 minute drive from both Ryde and Cowes, you can explore all the island has to offer.

Our luxurious lodge accommodation is ideal for a family getaway, with large open place living areas, with family dining tables, a fully equipped kitchen with ovens, hobs, dishwashers and sometimes wine coolers, as well as sumptuous sofas to relax on after a day of adventuring, with French doors leading on to a private decking, complete with furniture. We also have our Premier range of lodges which come with a personal hot tub, if you wanted to go all out on your island escape. Our beautiful bedrooms range from double rooms with king size beds to spacious twins, all with the softest of mattresses, to rest up ready for another family day out!

Our guests are able to take full advantage of our sister parks facilities. Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat boasts fabulous onsite facilities, including the Woodside Bay Spa Lodge, where our trained therapists offer Aromatherapy Associates treatments, as well as a range of Jessica Nails hand treatments, along with pregnancy and men specific treatments are also available. Enjoy a delicious evening meal or sumptuous lunch at The Bistro, which serves mouth-watering meals for the whole family to enjoy, as well as boasting a fully stocked bar to enjoy a refreshing drink from, or even a soothing Costa Coffee if you choose. Woodside Bay is also home to a fully equipped gym, so you don’t need to miss out on a work out during your holiday to the Isle of Wight.