Places to visit on I of W with a car?

[Nick2]

I know it may seem odd but my two children are very keen to take a ride on the I of W ferry as we see it every time we go out in the boat. I have now relented and said that on some foul winter day which would render the boat less appealing we would take the car across on the ferry for a day on the Island.

I wonder where is worth visiting that is away from our regular haunts of Yarmouth, Cowes, Bembridge etc particularly baring in mind our girls are 7 and 4?

Also are there any ways of getting cheaper crossings with car deals?

Thanks

Nick



<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://arweb.co.uk/argallery/Nick2> Our boaty pictures</A>

 

[BrendanS]

You just sort of drive round in a circle and take any turnings that turn up as a quick detour. Apart from the interesting places you've already been by boat, will take about an hour an a half! <g> You might want to try some of the places you can get to by boat but haven't yet...Bembridge? Ventnor?

The old coastguard station up above the Needles is always good. There are various hang gliding/paragliding sites around the island, and tehse are good for a watch for half an hour to see it you might be persuaded to try it.

St Cats point also worth a look, just to see what the tidal race really looks like from above. Freshwater Bay? Most of the towns are a little tame compared to Cowes, and Yarmouth

Blackgang is reasonably interesting for a look see.

<hr width=100% size=1>Me transmitte sursum, caledoni

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

There's always the Needles amusement park which has got to be the tackiest place in the UK but kids seem to love it. You can walk down to Alum Bay and take the cable car back up again if you're feeling lazy. There's a steam railway somewhere between Newport and St Helens which can fill an afternoon. Another good idea is to go to the Baywatch cafe at Bembridge and let the kids play on the beach whilst you have lunch

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[Talbot]

Presume you have already started to save up for the ferry trip.

For interest, there is always
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tourist-information-uk.com/osborne-house.htm>Osborne House</A>
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.touruk.co.uk/castles/castle_carisbrooke.htm>Carisbrooke Castle</A>
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.islandbreaks.co.uk/>Other data</A>

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[jimi]

Tiger Sanctuary


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[tcm]

Re: Parkhurst Prison!

i was gonna put this on as a joke, but jeez - there's a museum and visitor centre!! Apparently the priz was set up in 1805 ish and was "such a success" (?) that it was made extended. Oh goody. Also, websites show how a prison operates which i spect most people wd've guessed but our glorious govt evidently feels it's a great idea to explain all about locks , cells, keys being thrown away. If you do visit, consider ripping into the car park in an old jag for "old times sake" and during the visit saying things like "ah, happy memories". Praps ask the museum staff if they remeber you and whwen they say no, not really, praps put a stocking over your head and say "ok, do you recognise me now?"

What a fab day out i must say...

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.hmprisonservice.gov.uk/prisoninformation/locateaprison/prison.asp?id=1017,15,2,15,1017,0>http://www.hmprisonservice.gov.uk/prisoninformation/locateaprison/prison.asp?id=1017,15,2,15,1017,0</A>

er what's this ^ id stuff? ooer...

 

[l'escargot]

Re: Parkhurst Prison!

Unfortunately the "visitors centre" is for those visiting prisoners and the museum is evenings only, booked in advance.

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[l'escargot]

Booking ferries on line should get you the cheapest deal:

Red Funnel

Places to go:
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.iwight.com/placestogo/default.asp?strFolder=/just_visiting>Here</A>
but it is the end of the season and quite a few places have closed now, most will have by October 31st.

After that, Dinosaur museum (Sandown), Amazon World (Newport/Sandown Road) and Waxworks (Brading) all open all year and not weather dependant. Fort Victoria (West of Yarmouth) has an aquarium and planetarium which I think are still open for a bit longer. Steam Railway at Havenstreet does themed events at weekends, including Christmas.

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[tcm]

Re: Parkhurst Prison!

oh, flippinek, i was looking fwd to that. Sounds as tho you've tried to visit?

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[Wiggo]

was gonna suggest Blackgang Chine, as a good day out for th ekids (in fact, you can get in two days running on the same ticket, and there's enough to keep the buggers going for two days), but not sure when it closes...

<hr width=100% size=1>Nihil curo de ista tua stulta superstitione.

 

[l'escargot]

Re: Parkhurst Prison!

No, just done 14 years there! /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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[PRH]

Nick,

If it's dry try Robin Hill and of course Blackgang.

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[davedpc]

You can get a good view of Bouy No3 from the Baywatch where you might hear Col going out playing 'The 4 prop syphony'. Dave.

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