What's New at Blackgang Chine for 2025?

We take a keen interest in changes at Blackgang Chine - which is due to re-open for the 2025 season this weekend.

Anyone who doubts our enthusiasm should take a long at our history of Blackgang Chine, which Leo Tolstoy famously described as being 'a bit too long for my liking'.

It's also worth mentioning that the Easter holidays are being treated as off-peak dates by Blackgang Chine (I think they were previously mid-peak or something similar). That means you'll be able to get in for £15.95, whilst in summer it will be £29.95. It's free for anyone under one metre and there's a cheap price for over 65s.

Here are the updates we know about:

1. The Jolly Robin

Blackgang Chine had hoped to open The Jolly Robin last year, but that didn't quite happen. They now plan to open it around Easter time, although there isn't a fixed date. We are expecting a competition to be the first rider once it's all signed off.

Blackgang fanatics will know that it was previously the Colossus ride, which lived at Robin Hill until the country park was sold to its new owners. 

The ride has been redesigned to fit in with the (already relocated) whale at Blackgang Chine. 

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2. New amusement arcades

I may keep this one quiet from my children...but there are two new amusement arcades opening at Blackgang Chine

One is in the dinosaur themed shop that was attached to the main gift shop. The other in an old building that previously housed a video of the Isle of Wight called the Wight Experience, which appeared in 2008 (or maybe 2009 depending on who you believe).

You can see the new arcades about half way through this video:

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3. A new brand

I'm not expecting nine year old visitors to take any interest in this one, but I have a strange fascination with fonts and typefaces. I often make decisions about which café or restaurant to visit based on whether or not I like their font.

Blackgang Chine has had a brand revamp and has dropped the old yellow text. It's also got a new website. 

Not interested? Move along please, I won't take offence. 

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4. New Toilets!

Blackgang Chine has spent a good chunk of cash over the winter replacing its toilets. This may seem like a dull way to blow the budget, but it does make a day out a lot more pleasant.

Don't worry, I won't turn my first flush into a Facebook Live event.

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5. A new home for T-Rex

Part of Blackgang Chine's appeal is its jeopardous position on the edge of a (not particularly stable) cliff. Rides and slides give you views out to sea rather than just being a series of attractions plonked into a field.

The downside is that the ground does keep moving. Over the winter, the staff have had to move the life size animatronic T-Rex, so it's now facing the other way. They've also incorporated a new photo opportunity, which we are hoping to test out on our first visit.

This guy has moved over the winter at Blackgang Chine