10 fun-filled Isle of Wight adventures with Wightlink this half-term
The Isle of Wight, easily reached with Wightlink, offers you a chance to really get away from it all – from just £59 for a day return with the car or travel on foot and Kids Go Free* all through the school holidays.
Book today at wightlink.co.uk/family
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1) Getting away from it all
There’s something special about stepping on board a Wightlink ferry from Portsmouth – be it on foot or with your car – as it signals the start of your Isle of Wight adventure.
You might be staying for a few hours or a few nights, but as you wave goodbye to the mainland you can literally feel your troubles lifting from your shoulders.
Take the FastCat from Portsmouth Harbour railway station and you’ll be in Ryde in just 22 minutes. Or take the car and leave from Wightlink’s ferry port in Gunwharf, arriving in Fishbourne 45 minutes later.
2) Wanda’s Pumpkin Patch on Tapnell Farm
Meet Tapnell Farm’s old friend Wanda the Witch and her scatty scarecrow friends in the Magical Pumpkin Patch.
A variety of freaky friends are on hand to help children pick out their very own pumpkin before heading to the ‘Pimp my Pumpkin’ carving cabin to create a jackolantern to take home ready for ol’ hallows eve.
Beware of the creepy crawlies during the Bugs and Beasties show and prepare to know your future after a special tarot card reading with Rosella the Fortune Teller.
3) Frites and Sprites at Blackgang Chine
Frightening festivities for the whole family are coming to Blackgang Chine this October half-term. Children will love Rumpus Mansion LIVE, where they’ll hear brand new ghost stories told by quirky characters Lady Edwina and Franklin.
Fancy dress is highly encouraged and special prizes are awarded to those with the most creative costumes.
Chase down gremlins, dance like a devil at the Spooky Disco and get creative with creepy craft workshops.
4) Amazon World Zoo Park
Take a walk on the wild side at the Amazon Zoo. The Isle of Wight’s most spectacular animal attraction has everything from toucans to tamarins – and plenty more in between!
A Jurassic playground, a great café, and a beautiful setting help to make this a great day out for all ages, come rain or shine.
5) Explore the Island’s beautiful scenery by foot or bike
Half of the Isle of Wight is protected as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, making it the ideal location to enjoy a day out as a family this half-term.
From rugged coastal paths to enchanting forest trails and charming villages, the Island has a variety of landscapes just waiting to be explored.
There are plenty of walking routes available, from gentle strolls to harder clifftop hikes, as well as specially-designed routes that include a historical element, such as the Dinosaur Safari.
Most cycling routes are off-road, making them safe for a family ride, but there are also opportunities for road-cycling and mountain biking.
6) Wildheart Animal Sanctuary
Formerly known as Isle of Wight Zoo, the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary is a very special attraction. It’s a family-run wildlife haven, set in the ruins of a Victorian fort.
Overlooking the glorious beaches of Sandown, this is a sanctuary like no other. There’s a vast collection of animals from all over the world here, looked after with exquisite care by the warm, friendly ‘animologists’.
This is the biggest animal sanctuary on the Isle of Wight and it provides a wild and wonderful day out for the entire family.
7) All aboard for Wizard Week at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway
Children can transform themselves into the spooky apprentices of the friendly witches of Havenstreet, at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. Joining the real-life magician, children can conjure up magic spells sure to create a few surprises and head to the station yard to hear terrible tales.
On board the trains, a crafty witch will be dealing out treats (maybe a few tricks) as visitors steam through the haunted woodland.
8) Autumn Days and Evenings at Robin Hill
Experience Robin Hill during both the daytime and evening this October half-term. Explore 88 acres of natural parkland, ancient woodland and countryside gardens blanketed in autumnal colours; with plenty of rides and attractions to keep the kids entertained all day.
With evening opening until 10pm on six exclusive dates you can enjoy live music, a brand-new immersive light show and beautiful illuminated woodland, too.
9) Discover Dinosaur Island
The Isle of Wight has a diverse geology that contains a wealth of fossils just waiting to be found. There are giant dino footprints scattered around the Island’s shores and plenty of opportunities to take home a piece of history.
Dinosaur Isle, Britain’s first purpose-built dinosaur museum and visitor attraction, hosts guided fossil walks at sites of palaeontological interest on the Island – a fun activity for dinosaur enthusiasts young and old.
10) Walking with West Wight Alpacas
West Wight Alpacas offers the perfect half-term activity for animal-loving families. The farm is home to around 60 alpacas, 13 llamas and many other animals, and visitors can choose to either go on a trek with the adorable animals or just watch them roam around the farm.
Alternatively, you can choose from a variety of guided walks and activities such as llama agility, short and long farm walks or even, by prior arrangement, longer treks off the farm.