Wight magic
it’s a lovely place to spend a couple of hours. That’s in stark contrast to the serene action at Sandown Bowls Club, an oasis of calm alongside this children’s haven.
The great thing about the Isle of Wight is that everywhere on the island seems to be nearby and Robin Hill Country Park – the sister park of Blackgang Chine – was only about a 20-minute drive away. This is a must-visit destination if you have children.
From treetop canopy walkways to adventure parks, with an exhilarating toboggan run, more bouncy nets to traverse and a 4D cinema, this has everything you need for a wonderful day out.
And it’s even better when Brainiac Live are there, which they were during our week on the island. For a few extra quid, we were thrilled by the touring
show, which is described as “the Science Museum meets Top Gear”, with explosions and rocket chairs wowing the youngsters and their parents. There’s nothing better than a few bangs, sparks galore and smoke to make kids happy.
We also paid a visit to the 12th-century Carisbrooke Castle, again just a short drive from Sandown. An imposing fortress with great views of the island, this was where King Charles I was imprisoned in the middle of the 17th century, and much of it still looks like it did when he was held here.
The aforementioned Shanklin was a popular spot for us, especially the old town with its thatched-roofed houses, pubs and shops lending a quintessential English air to the place.
The 200-year-old visitor attraction
of Shanklin Chine conjured up images of the elven kingdoms of Tolkien, with its dramatic waterfall and tree-lined paths carved through a stunning gorge.
For such a small island, there’s so much to see and do, lots of fascinating history at your fingertips and so many places to explore that a return visit to Sandown has already been pencilled in.
The gorge conjured up images of the elven kingdoms of Tolkien