💚 The OurHampshire gang headed over to the beautiful Isle of Wight, which is right next to Hampshire, and the Red Funnel is only ten minutes from home.
We took the car ferry from Southampton which only takes one hour andthe children were very excited for the trip!
A visit to Osborne House
We kicked off our trip with a visit to Victoria and Albert’s family escape, where we explored the grand downstairs area of the house, huge gardens, and a sandy beach.
Queen Victoria’s seaside palace is in East Cowes, which is located close to the Red Funnel ferry arrival. It makes this nice and easy to visit as part of any trip, even if you’re just here for the day.
Inside the house, we got an intimate glimpse into royal life and the kids found all the quirky statues rather interesting too! The grounds included multiple playgrounds, cafes, a gift shop, and plenty of space for the kids to enjoy so they certainly were entertained!
The attraction is run by English Heritage and costs around £50 for a family of four for the day – Pro Tip: Book early and save 15%. You can book until 8:45am on the day of your visit.
Open 7 days a week*, 10:00am – 5:00pm.
📍York Ave, East Cowes PO32 6JX
The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary
A sunny visit to this countryside sanctuary in the heart of the island is a must. There are over 100 donkeys and Shetland ponies for you to meet and interact with and the kids enjoyed the free spotting sheet with a pencil they were given to mark off who they spotted!
We also enjoyed learning lots about the donkeys and where they had been rescued from with the Information Trail signage! You can support in a number of ways by sponsoring a donkey, attending an event, buying something from the cafe or shop.
📍Lower Winstone Farm, Ventnor PO38 3AA
Open 7 days a week*, 10am – 4:30pm. No need to book, just pop in.
Nice café and shop on site
Well-behaved dogs are welcomed with open hooves!
Their donkeys can’t wait to meet you so pop in next time you are on the island!
Where to stay
You can never go wrong with a lovely breakfast and some fun in the huge playground at The Chequers Inn where we stayed. It’s a lovely bed and breakfast, family friendly, in the heart of the island surrounded by beautiful countryside. Perfect for a chilled retreat after a busy day exploring the island.
The family room is brilliant with a double bed and two singles set up for a family of four, massive bathroom and all the mod cons. Loved our morning view of locals taking their horses out to the fields for the day.
Isle of Wight treasures
There’s tons to do and places to explore on the Isle of Wight, so it’s very easy to tailor your trip to your family’s preferences.
Boldnour viewpoint
Yarmouth
Compton beach
