Mini Guide to the Isle of Wight

Where to stay
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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