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Mini Guide to the Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight has a multitude of hotels, B&Bs, self-catering apartments, cottages and campsites that all welcome families with children of all ages. Please note that the following is a guide only, and babyworld.co.uk has not visited these establishments.

Hotels, inns and B&Bs

Orchardcroft hotel is situated in its own grounds, just a short walk from the old village of Shanklin. The hotel offers excellent facilities for it's size and because there are only 16 rooms, these facilities are never over crowded. Therefore take advantage of the chance to relax in the hotel's sauna and enjoy the restaurant that is renowned throughout the island for its quality.

Child friendly facilities include

  • indoor heated swimming pool
  • indoor and outdoor children's play area
  • games room
  • TV room with computer games
  • family rooms with baby monitors
  • discounts for children

Price guide

  • bed, breakfast and dinner from £43 per night
  • bed and breakfast from £33 per night
  • discounts for children; 2 to 5 years = ¼ rate, 5 to 11 years = ½ rate, 11 to 16 years = ¾ rate
  • ferry inclusive packages available

Your Comments

"... made us welcome, very accommodating for children/families, which was nice to see as many hotels are not! Lovely food and good service..."


Arreton Manor is an early Jacobean Manor House steeped in history dating from 872 waiting for you to discover. Set in five acres of gardens, open to guests all year round, the manor is light and spacious and offers two luxurious guest bedrooms. There are many features in the garden to explore including Elizabethan style terraces with a miniature maze, a tudor style knot garden and a children's play area.

Child friendly facilities include

  • extensive gardens to explore
  • children's play area
  • sitting area with TV and DVD player

Price guide

  • bed and breakfast from £115 for 2 people sharing

The Windmill Inn is located in the heart of Bembridge, the most easterly part of the island, and is surrounded by countryside with access to many costal and country walks. You will find yourself within easy walking distance of the village centre, harbour and sandy beaches. The restaurant offers excellent cuisine all day using local produce where available.

Child friendly facilities include

  • baby listening facilities
  • discounts for children
  • family rooms
  • children's play boat and den in the garden

Price guide

  • bed and breakfast from £40
  • discounts for children

Luccombe Hall Country House Hotel was originally built to be the summer palace of the Bishop of Portsmouth in 1870. With magnificent views of the bay, the hotel has direct access to the beach and also a range of facilities available on site. If your feeling energetic there's a gym and squash court, or for some pampering try one of the massages and therapies on offer in the treatment room. There's also a quite lounge with a TV and wireless internet access.

Child friendly facilities include

  • indoor and outdoor heated swimming pools
  • games room
  • children's outdoor play area
  • entertainment including David Radini the Magician
  • free baby listening service in every room
  • children's tea served from 5.30 to 6pm

Price guide

  • bed and breakfast from £40 per night
  • child discounts from 25% to 100%
  • free return car ferry travel with stays of two nights or more

Self-catering cottages and apartments

Gurnard Marsh comprises of two self catering cottages just 100m from the beach to the west of Cowes. The beach is rocky and so has rock pools to explore at low tide, there is also a little stream running behind the properties that is great for crabbing. If you want some sand, Cowes beach is just a short walk away along the esplanade. This is a great spot to watch the sailing on the Solent and the Friday night fireworks of Cowes week. Over the road from the cottages you'll find the Outlook café and bar that offers special discounts for the guests of Gurnard Marsh.

Your comments

"... what can we say? Such an absolute treat! A warm and friendly welcome to such a beautiful holiday home..."

"... a superb apartment, beautifully furnished and maintained. The whole family have really enjoyed our stay. We will be coming back next year..."


The Castle, originally built in 1842, offers peaceful secluded grounds that are available for the use of tenants and amazing views over Bembridge Harbour. The two properties available, The Lodge and The Studio, have been newly renovated and are suitable for families with children of all ages. The Lodge was originally built as the residence of the head gardener of the estate and the Studio was used as a retiring room for the gentleman after dinner in the main house. Nearby, the village of St Helens has a local shop, a pub and two excellent restaurants.


Chapel cottage is a rural character period cottage in the heart of the Isle of Wight countryside. The property has recently been decorated and refurbished, including adding a four poster bed to the master bedroom. Outside the cottage there is a west facing patio garden for you to enjoy the afternoon and evening sun while your children have a safe place to play. There is a selection of family friendly pubs and restaurants not more than a mile away.

Your comments

"... superbly equipped cottage with loads of extras for kids contributed to a very enjoyable week. Great location for exploring all corners of island. Hope to return sooner rather than later..."

"... cottage was clean and very comfortable, ideal for a young family. Thank you for a lovely break..."


Buttercup Barn is an old hay barn that has recently been renovated into an outstanding holiday home. Standing in an acre of land, the barn is surrounded by farmland and being hidden away down a country road with its own gated drive your only visitors will be wild birds and animals. In the grounds there is a children's play area and a patio. The barn is only a short drive from Ryde or Newport and there are lovely walks leading to woodland and local beaches.

Your comments

"... this is a beautifully converted barn. Excellent in all ways. Luxurious and relaxing. Ideal for all ages. Brilliant week..."

"... buttercup barn is an amazing place to stay. Every morning you can see rabbits. This barn is highly recommended..."


Lyon Court, overlooking the Shanklin Downs, is a country house that has been converted in to nine individual apartments of various sizes. In the large landscaped garden you'll find a spa pool and a garden sauna. There's also a play area, rabbit house and heated outdoor pool to amuse the kids. Lyon Court advertise themselves as being ideally suited to young families.


Upper Chine Holiday Cottages and Apartments are situated in the Old Village of Shanklin. Standing in three acres of tropical style gardens, they are ideal for a relaxing family holiday. Picnic under the apple trees and listen to the chine running through the grounds. For you there is a range of facilities from a gym to aromatherapy massages. For the children there are indoor and outdoor play areas and pools. A short walk brings you to the centre of the Old Village with its picturesque thatched cottages and Appley beach is ten minutes away through Rhylstone Gardens.


Nettlecombe Farm is a working farm with self-catering apartments dotted around the farmyard. If you visit during the spring your children may even be lucky enough to help bottle feed the orphaned lambs or calves. There's also a collection of rabbits to play with too. Two large grassed play areas provide the perfect place for games and letting off steam. The walks around the farm offer breathtaking views of the island and there is coarse fishing available on the three lakes, free for guests.


The Savoy offers luxury self-catering accommodation with a bit of a twist as you also get four star leisure facilities. If it's relaxation you want visit the spa and take advantage of the range of treatments available or if you're feeling a little more energetic there's a wide range of sports coaching on offer. No need to worry about entertaining the children either as Ellie the Elephant's club offers activities for four to eleven year olds which are supervised by a trained team.


Caravans and campsites

Waverley Park Holiday Centre offers panoramic views of Cowes Harbour and the Solent and direct access to the promenade east of the river Medina. The old Manor House dating to 1795 stands at the head of the 12 acre park and accommodates the licensed club house and terrace. These are open nightly during high season and offer family entertainment and a selection of home cooked evening meals. Accommodation is available in static caravans and holiday apartments with spaces for tents and touring caravans.

Child friendly facilities include

  • children under five stay free when camping
  • outdoor heated swimming pool
  • children's play area
  • family orientated park - returnable 'no disturbance' deposit required from young groups on arrival so no need to worry about noisy nights

Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park is found in a beautiful rural location just outside of Bembridge next to its own secluded sandy beach. The park prides itself on its great value family holidays and there are often special offers available to keep your eye open for. There are facilities available for all ages including crazy golf, a fitness studio, table tennis, pool and more. To help make your arrival less stressful you can even place a shopping order online before you leave that will be ready for you when you arrive.

Child friendly facilities include

  • heated indoor swimming pool with sauna and flume
  • heated outdoor swimming pool
  • live entertainment in the evenings
  • children's club that organises games, competitions and sports during the day and early evening
  • children under 5 receive free breakfast and evening meal when accompanied by an adult

The name, Beaper Farm, originates from beau repaire, French for beautiful retreat, which is the perfect description of this campsite. Set in 40 acres of farmland you'll find yourself surrounded by ancient woodland and overlooking Yar valley. There are no regimentally marked pitches so take you pick of the two large camping fields offering plenty of space for the children to play.

Child friendly facilities include

  • children's play area
  • plenty of space to run around in
  • beach within walking distance

Lower Hyde Holiday Park is just outside the costal town of Shanklin and the golden sands of the closest beaches have been awarded the European Blue Flag award. There's plenty to keep the whole family entertained whether you're looking for a relaxing or an adventurous holiday. The resort has a range of cafes, bars and restaurants offering evening entertainment including live bands and talent competitions.

Child friendly facilities include

  • heated outdoor pool with flume
  • children's paddling pool
  • adventure playground
  • children's clubs for a range of ages
  • all weather multi sports court

Landguard Camping, though surrounded by trees in a rural setting, is just a ten minute stroll from Shanklin town centre and a mile from the sandy beaches of Sandown Bay. The site welcomes all touring caravans, tents, trailer tents and motor homes and each pitch has hard road access, electrical hook-up and WiFi internet access. For those evenings when the camping stove feels a little too much like hard work the campsite has its own excellent take-away Pizzeria and Brasserie; The Bower.

Child friendly facilities include

  • outdoor heated pool
  • toddlers pool
  • outdoor play equipment
  • meadow clearing and copse

Chine Farm Camping Site is the place to go for dinosaur lovers as it is situated near the Dinosaur Isle dig site and only half a mile from the Dinosaur Farm museum. Keep your eyes open for fossils down on the beach that the campsite overlooks, reached by a short footpath. The site is just two miles from Brightstone village where you can get all your supplies.

Child friendly facilities include

  • children's safe play area
  • short walk to quiet beach

Grange Farm Caravan and Campsite is one of the few non-commercialised costal sites, situated on the beautiful south-western coast of the island. There is easy access to the site's sandy beach and picturesque views of their chine and Brightstone Forest. The small farm is still working and is home to many unusual animals including llamas, kune-kune pigs, water buffalo and more!

Child friendly facilities include

  • large play area
  • friendly animals to feed
  • fossil hunting

Roebeck Camping and Caravan Park is situated on the outskirts of Ryde and set in 10 acres of farmland. The site has a picnic and barbeque area near the well stocked fishing lake and a Wifi internet access point. To make your holiday extra special try hiring one of the site's authentic Sioux tipis. Special offers are available for advanced bookings.

Child friendly facilities include

  • under fives stay for free

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