English Heritage Sites:

 

• Osborne House: residency of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.  This is a large, stately house, with gardens, swiss cottage & a private beach approximately a mile walk from the house.  There is a free shuttle bus operating in both directions (it is downhill getting there) but well worth a visit.  Down on the beach is a café/restaurant, Queen Victoria’s original bathing machine which has been beautifully restored & toilets.  Deckchairs are left for people to use with quotes on or take your own.  A lovely place for a picnic.  Special events throughout the year (small, additional cost to members) including the annual Victorian Show to celebrate both Queen Victoria’s & Prince Alberts birthdays.  This event happens during the May half term.  Address: York Avenue, East Cowes, PO32 6JT.  Free parking.

 

• Carisbrooke Castle:  An Elizabethan artillery fortress, a Kings prison and a summer residence!  You can see the donkeys at work here, visit the museum and see the castle’s Edwardian garden.  Special events throughout the year and plenty to keep the children entertained.  Shop, toilets, picnic area all on site.  Free parking for EH members, paid parking if not members.  Address: Castle Hill, Newport, PO30 1XY.  Not far from Thorness Bay.

 

• Yarmouth Castle:  Although not easy to find (it’s rather small!), this was the last and most sophisticated addition to Henry VIII’s coastal defences completed after his death in 1547.  Step inside to discover the atmospheric recreation of how the rooms were used in the 16th century and see the exhibition about the many wrecks which occurred in the treacherous stretch of sea the castle overlooks.  At the top outside there is a lovely view of the sea and makes for a pleasant picnic area (when not a windy day!) and you can see the Wightlink vehicle ferry (right next door to the castle).  Car park is opposite, across the road adjacent to the Wightlink ferry, limited free parking in the town for a maximum of one hour (should be enough time to see the Castle) and a small shop on site.  Address: Quay Street, Yarmouth, PO41 0NS.

 

 

National Trust Sites:

 

• The Needles Old Battery:  A Victorian coastal defence and secret rocket testing site perched high above the needle rocks.  Here you can see the needles, lighthouse and special events throughout the year.  1940’s tea – room and small shop on site.  Onsite parking not available, nearest parking is at Alum Bay (not National Trust, 15 mins walk) or Freshwater Bay.  Toilets on site.

 

• Mottistone Gardens and Estate:  In the gardens is a shop selling National Trust items, tea garden with freshly made food and drinks.  Large grassy area in the orchard suitable for picnics and there are benches located throughout the gardens.  Toilets available within the gardens, free parking next to the gardens, please follow the signs along the B3399.  Address: Mottistone, near Brightsone, PO30 4ED.

 

• Bembridge Windmill:  The last surviving windmill on the island.  Climb to the top and see how it would have worked in its heyday before it closed in 1913.  Outside are walking trails, nature trails, & a kiosk selling hot & cold drinks & ice cream.  On the bottom floor why not try grinding some flour just as the millers that once worked there did.  Children’s activities also available.  Address: High street/Mill road, Bembridge, PO35 5SQ

 

• Newtown Nature Reserve & Old Town Hall:  Various activities including the estuary Newtown walk, East Cowes to Newtown cycle trail, Nature reserve and the old town hall where you can discover more about Newtown’s fascinating history.  The old town hall without a town!  Address: Town lane, Newtown, PO30 4PA.