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Blackgang Chine - 11 Tips For First Time Visitors (2024)
The Underwater Kingdom is one of several lands which make up the UK's oldest theme park
Blackgang Chine theme park remains a family favourite day out on the Isle of Wight. That's despite bits of it falling into the sea over the years.
We've already got a guide to saving money on a Blackgang Chine trip, which you may like to read. This blog is a broader guide about what to expect and how to reduce the risk of your children having a meltdown.
We've already got a guide to saving money on a Blackgang Chine trip, which you may like to read. This blog is a broader guide about what to expect and how to reduce the risk of your children having a meltdown.
1. Visit twice in one week
Blackgang Chine is much better value if plan ahead a little. It’s charming and great fun but it's not vast, so the cost-per-hour can be quite high compared to some attractions.
My advice for visitors coming during school holidays is to see it as two days out. Your ticket is valid for seven days, so don’t plan your first visit for the final day of your holiday.
For your first day out, visit early during your holiday and work your way round the park. My friends who visited recently for the first time did everything in about 4-5 hours.
For your second visit, come along to one of the evening events that run during some school holidays. In recent times, the park has held foam parties, kids’ raves and fireworks displays in the evening. These are great fun and well-run events.
Personally, I wouldn’t attempt to do a day visit and an evening visit in one day. It’s more fun to return on a different evening and then you can re-do some of the park again in the dark. The dinosaurs, the Underwater Kingdom and the Extinction ride look particularly good during the evening illuminations.
My advice for visitors coming during school holidays is to see it as two days out. Your ticket is valid for seven days, so don’t plan your first visit for the final day of your holiday.
For your first day out, visit early during your holiday and work your way round the park. My friends who visited recently for the first time did everything in about 4-5 hours.
For your second visit, come along to one of the evening events that run during some school holidays. In recent times, the park has held foam parties, kids’ raves and fireworks displays in the evening. These are great fun and well-run events.
Personally, I wouldn’t attempt to do a day visit and an evening visit in one day. It’s more fun to return on a different evening and then you can re-do some of the park again in the dark. The dinosaurs, the Underwater Kingdom and the Extinction ride look particularly good during the evening illuminations.
The dinosaurs look extra cool during night time illuminations
2. Visit at the right age
In my opinion, Blackgang Chine is best for junior school aged children (and nostalgic parents). They will probably be able to go on all the rides and will love the different lands and play areas. Pre-schoolers won't be able to go on most of the rides but there is plenty for them to enjoy and you won't pay for under fours.
There isn't a huge amount for teenagers, with the exceptions being the pendulum ride (Extinction) and the water slide (Waterforce). Neither are extreme white-knuckle rides, so you may get sarcastic remarks being muttered from behind a smartphone if they have recently been to Alton Towers.
There isn't a huge amount for teenagers, with the exceptions being the pendulum ride (Extinction) and the water slide (Waterforce). Neither are extreme white-knuckle rides, so you may get sarcastic remarks being muttered from behind a smartphone if they have recently been to Alton Towers.
3. Turn up at 10am and head for the rides
Half of Blackgang Chine is small and mid-sized rides. The other half is stuff you walk round and climb on.
The queues for some rides get a little long on busy days, so arrive at 10am and head straight for the rides. You'll be able to get in a couple of rides before everyone else arrives. I would start with the waterslide (Waterforce), as it only lets on three people at once so the queues build up quickly.
Other areas, such as Restricted Area 5 and the Underwater Kingdom are places you walk through at your own pace, so you can visit those later without having to queue.
The queues for some rides get a little long on busy days, so arrive at 10am and head straight for the rides. You'll be able to get in a couple of rides before everyone else arrives. I would start with the waterslide (Waterforce), as it only lets on three people at once so the queues build up quickly.
Other areas, such as Restricted Area 5 and the Underwater Kingdom are places you walk through at your own pace, so you can visit those later without having to queue.
Head straight for Blackgang Chine's waterslide at 10am to beat the queues
4. Plan ahead if you want to bring your own food
Blackgang Chine is in the middle of nowhere, so don’t expect to pass a lot of supermarkets on the way there. If you are travelling through Newport, stock up on lunch items there. The cafes at Blackgang Chine are decent enough but bringing your own food is certainly a cheaper option.
5. Bring a jumper for snakes and ladders
Snakes and Ladders at Blackgang Chine is a mix of slides and steps, which is good fun for 20 minutes. However, you need something to sit on to pick up some speed. Mats aren't provided.
It's also worth mentioning that the weather at Blackgang Chine is quite unpredictable as it's right by the coast. I tend to put a coat in the car, even if it's a heatwave in the rest of the Island.
It's also worth mentioning that the weather at Blackgang Chine is quite unpredictable as it's right by the coast. I tend to put a coat in the car, even if it's a heatwave in the rest of the Island.
6. Younger ones may not like Rumpus Mansion
Most of Blackgang Chine is very tame and is captivating for younger children. The scariest non-ride at Blackgang Chine is Rumpus Mansion, which is an old house full of goblins and other scary things. It's not a full-on haunted house but younger ones may want to skip that bit. The other bit my children didn't like when they were very young was the witch at the bottom of the Fairyland castle.
7. Check the schedule
During school holidays, there are sometimes themed days. One day might be cowboy themed, another might be fairies or dinosaurs. Turn up on the right day if you want to watch a show that your children will actually sit still for.
There are regular events during school holidays - so check which day you are visiting
8. Bring a cap gun!
Lots of children (and some dads) end up in rootin' tootin' gunfights in Cowboyland. You can buy guns and ammo from the shop in Cowboyland but if you've got any at home, bring your own to save some money.
Prepare for a gunfight in Cowboyland
9. Get a photo in Nurseryland
Lots of people like to get a photo of the gnome in Nurseryland, which has the year painted on. You can then return thirty years later to recreate the photo, assuming it hasn't fallen off the cliff.
Of course, this isn't essential. I am of the opinion that days out should mostly be enjoyed through your eyes rather than through a small screen.
Of course, this isn't essential. I am of the opinion that days out should mostly be enjoyed through your eyes rather than through a small screen.
Lots of visitors have their photo taken with this chap in Nurseryland
10. Blackgang Chine is steep!
Some sections of Blackgang Chine are ridiculously steep. Pushchairs and wheelchairs are quite hard work, particularly around the path that links Cowboyland to Fairyland and the exit of Restricted Area 5. It's not impossible but you'll need a keen pusher. There's usually an alternative route which you can take to avoid the steepest bits.
11. Combine your visit with a trip to the Pepperpot
If your children aren’t exhausted, take the opportunity to visit St Catherine’s Oratory/the Pepperpot whilst you are in the area.
Park in the Blackgang Viewpoint car park and climb up the hill to the thing which looks like a stone rocket. It was an early lighthouse, which was later replaced by St Catherine’s Lighthouse.
Park in the Blackgang Viewpoint car park and climb up the hill to the thing which looks like a stone rocket. It was an early lighthouse, which was later replaced by St Catherine’s Lighthouse.
The Pepperpot near Blackgang Chine has great views across the Isle of Wight
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