Isle of Wight

konicky · 18 Mar 2011 at 08:44

Planning to go to the Isle of Wight with my girlfriend for the day tomorrow. Can anyone recommend some places to visit and those to avoid! Taking the car across so getting around is not a problem. Any really picturesque places?

Anchundan · 18 Mar 2011 at 12:00

The needles are pretty nice. Maybe Alum Bay as it's really close. Cowes, if you are into sailing. If you are into museums and large manor houses you could try Osborne House in East Cowes. Maybe Carisbrooke Castle in Newport. Godshill is kind of a picturesque village. I don't really like the south of the Island as it gets a lot of tourists, and it's just mainly beaches.

bam0 · 18 Mar 2011 at 12:10

AlfCheesey said:
The needles are pretty nice. Maybe Alum Bay as it's really close. Cowes, if you are into sailing. If you are into museums and large manor houses you could try Osborne House in East Cowes. Maybe Carisbrooke Castle in Newport. Godshill is kind of a picturesque village. I don't really like the south of the Island as it gets a lot of tourists, and it's just mainly beaches.

I wouldn't bother with that just yet really, I was there last week and it doesn't open up properly until the 1st April, right now all you can do is walk round the grounds and take a guided tour of some of the ground floor of the house. The upstairs isn't open nor is the swiss cottage or the tea rooms and all the statues still have their winter protective covers on.

Delvis · 18 Mar 2011 at 14:07

black Gang Chine can be amusing, mroe for kids though, but still amusing

Or Ventnor or something..

dunker · 18 Mar 2011 at 14:30

would steer clear of ventnor, godshill and shanklin. lots of road works with diversions.

+1 if they're open, carisbrooke castle and the needles.

Delvis · 18 Mar 2011 at 14:41

dunker said:
would steer clear of ventnor, godshill and shanklin. lots of road works with diversions.

+1 if they're open, carisbrooke castle and the needles.

Ah okay, didn't know about the roadworks

Heatsinked · 18 Mar 2011 at 15:00

Hello!

Another Islander here... hope the weather clears up for you both

It's been a gloomy drizzly day today!

Here are a few of my favourite places to go:

Compton Bay - Just head for the A3055 known as Military Road for a scenic drive along the coast. Look out for a carpark and ice-cream van. If you see a lot of white pillars each side of the road, you're there!

Culver Down - Fantastic views and great pub (not sure when its open though) - Head for Brading, turn onto the B3395 (Sandown Rd) and there will be a rough path on the right. Drive all the way up (careful though, not much room and Cows may want to lick your wing mirrors) and find somewhere to park.

Ventnor - Spyglass Inn - Lovely Pub! Nuff said.

Ryde - Arcades, Icerink, Bowling Alley, Appley Beach and there is a lovely cafe near Puckpool... a nice walk from Ryde town and back.

I would recommend Robin Hill Adventure Park & Gardens and Blackgang Chine but they won't be open until the 28th of March

Hope you both have a fantastic day and remember... Island roads are different

**Edit**

Oh yeah almost forgot:

Owl & Monkey Haven

Isle of Wight Zoo

Both are open!

Cuchulain · 18 Mar 2011 at 15:10

I was brought up about 20 miles from Portsmouth so ended up in the Isle of Wight almost every bloody weekend.

There's a cool model village in Godshill, Old Shanklin is nice for sitting outside a pub in the sun, Alum bay is alright if the cable cars are running, the Spyglass mentioned above is also great, preferred sitting outside though, the inside is a bit dire.

Delvis · 18 Mar 2011 at 15:14

Oh yes...Second vote for Spy Glass inn, have some lovely beverages on tap

Dugganator · 18 Mar 2011 at 15:15

Delvis said:
black Gang Chine can be amusing, mroe for kids though, but still amusing

Or Ventnor or something..

Its amusing for adults to see all the bits that have fallen off the side of the cliffs that place must be getting smaller by the year.

Delvis · 18 Mar 2011 at 15:20

Duggan said:
Its amusing for adults to see all the bits that have fallen off the side of the cliffs that place must be getting smaller by the year.

It's still falling apart actually I think

To be honest, I went on most things when i went there and im in my mid 20's

Heatsinked · 18 Mar 2011 at 15:43

Cuchulain said:
I was brought up about 20 miles from Portsmouth so ended up in the Isle of Wight almost every bloody weekend.

There's a cool model village in Godshill, Old Shanklin is nice for sitting outside a pub in the sun, Alum bay is alright if the cable cars are running, the Spyglass mentioned above is also great, preferred sitting outside though, the inside is a bit dire.

Ah yes, old Shankin village! Looks really nice at night too and some of the little shops stay open later than usual. The Crab is a good place to eat and Henry VIII'S kitchen is also good if you are looking for something intimate and a little different

As for Blackgang Chine, yeah, it's still falling into the sea bit by bit but I went there last Summer and I was really impressed on how well they are maintaining the grounds and attractions. Hell's Mouth looks pretty awesome (I can even squeeze my head through one of the eyes!!!) and there were a few new things to see here and there. The rollercoaster "CLIFFHANGARRRR" was entertaining

konicky · 18 Mar 2011 at 18:00

Thanks for all the info! Really helpful

Heatsinked · 21 Mar 2011 at 16:24

Hey! So how did it go? Lovely day for it