As much discussed, the closure of Robin Hill a couple of years ago was a catastrophic event for our family.

I went into mourning and only wore black for the next seven days. Friends discussed where they were when they heard the news. Respectful mourners queued for days to sign a book of condolence at the Lord Louis Library in Newport. In hindsight, dressing as Queen Victoria was unnecessary but it was a stressful time. 

Thankfully, Robin Hill is re-opening on April 4th 2025 with loads of new attractions. It turns out that Dave May-Dupname on Facebook wasn't actually correct that it was going to be turned into a housing estate. I am starting to wonder if he doesn't actually know what he's talking about.

The range of new stuff at Robin Hill is actually remarkable. You would generally expect a theme park of this scale to add one of these attractions each year, rather than adding about 10 of them at once and only removing a couple of things.

Here's our guide to what is new and what has gone at Robin Hill.

I spent many hours dressed up as Professor Tempus telling people where to sit in Robin Hill's Time Machine. I should point out that I worked there, rather than that I was just an enthusiastic visitor.

It then rebranded as the 4D cinema and now has a new life as an ice rink. 

It doesn't use real ice, as the cost of keeping it cold would presumably bankrupt the park within a week. Instead, it is plastic stuff that you whoosh around on. 

I gave it a go and found it was actually pretty decent. I used a plastic rink a while ago and it was a bit hard going, but this one was much better. 

I've been saying for years that a minigolf course would fit in well at Robin Hill. It had pitch and putt for many years and disc golf more recently, but minigolf is a new thing.

They make a nice attraction as they don't require loads of staff and they fill a good chunk of time. My experience of days out is that you measure value for money by how much time your children are occupied, rather than how white your knuckles are or how many times you've been upside down.

The minigolf has been themed around Robin Hill's history, so there's a roman chap to represent the villa, and several cows that used to line the route of the Cows Express.

This Teletubbies style series of tunnels is in the woods. It's basically a more modern replacement for the rabbit warren that was near to the viewing tower. 

This fits nicely into the category of attractions that waste a chunk of time, don't cost a huge amount to install and which don't require staff to run them. I know nothing about running a country park, but I'd say that this is a shrewd move considering the cost of running a business nowadays.

Robin Hill added The Ripple in the season before it closed, and then moved it to Blackgang Chine. It now lives on as Blackgang Beach and is a nice place for a wibble wobble.

It's been replaced with three similar attractions, including one in the exact location. There's also a smaller one in the woods. I can't remember where the third one was, but I'm sure you'll find it.

The African themed playground has been rebranded around Botswana, with a bouncy pillow to add to the jollity.

My children are particularly pleased that this one has sand on the edges, rather than scratchy stuff that makes you say "oooh, ahhh, where are my shoes?"

I couldn't quite picture this attraction when they announced it, but I get it now. There are four proper diggers that are held in place (i.e. you can't move forwards and backwards). However, you can operate the arms and dig in the sand around you. 

It's an unusual attraction as they are commercial diggers rather than toys.

There are six of them, so I reckon you'll be limited on how much time you can spend on them. I am anticipating scenes of young children (and dads) being dragged away by parents and bribed with a trip to the adjacent ice cream hut.

I am starting to wonder if the location was carefully planned with this in mind, much like when I used to play Theme Park and put extra salt on the chips to make the customers buy more drinks.

The diggers have replaced an obstacle course that sat next to The Ripple. It's a shame to see it go but it was very old so I'm guessing it was starting to rot.

This lake has been near to the African themed playground for some time, but it's not been publicly accessible. It now has six electric boats that you can cruise around in. This is good news for those of us who are hopeless with a rowing boat and would end up going round in circles whilst other parents tutted and waited for their turn.

As I said earlier, this is the sort of thing that you might expect Robin Hill to add once a year - but it's just one of about a dozen things. 

This new playground can be found towards the bottom of the toboggan run. It was fenced off when we visited, but was due to open within the next few days. It's a good size and presumably cost an arm and a leg (as playgrounds do, apparently). There are a couple of slides, swings, a tower and so on.

It continues the legacy of Robin Hill having lots of things to climb on and fall off. Health and safety has come on a long way so it's all rather smooth and nicely done rather than being the great big heap of tyres and pointy things that was offered to children at Robin Hill in the 1980s.

The toboggan run is worth a mention as it is many people's favourite thing at Robin Hill. It is still going strong.

When I worked at Robin Hill it was £1 per go and was the only thing that you paid extra for. About 15 years ago, it became £1.50 per go. The justification we always gave was that it was the only thing that closed when it rained.

The new setup is that it is still £1.50 but it's free if you have an annual pass. This is a big deal for my family, and will be ruthlessly exploited by child one if she can persuade me to buy an annual pass (which seems likely).

This smaller playground is near to where there used to be a traditional gypsy caravan. There are also some boulders that are being added so you can clamber on them.

These aren't new but they remain as lovely as ever. I'm sure they don't add a lot to the appeal for my children but I have reached the age where I can admire a nice magnolia tree or a neatly trimmed bush (Ed: pardon?). My understanding is that the gardens aren't going to be quite as manicured as they were, but will be a bit more woodland-y, if you see what I mean.

Several of the park's existing attractions are still in place, although some have been upgraded.

The 'Jungle Heights' bouncy nets is one of the best things that Vectis Ventures added to Robin Hill in recent years. The new owners have replaced thousands of metres of ropes, which is always reassuring when you are dangling from a height.

Squirrel Tower is the nearby climbing tower, which is apparently going to get a slide added to it soon.

The Duck Down play area is still there. They've had to remove the entry building with an arch as it was rotten but the rest of it is still there.

The wooden maze at the top of the park is still there, and I think it's been repainted. Many years ago there was a hedge maze in the lower valley but that disappeared in around 2006 from my memory.

The slides at the bottom of the park are still there as well, so you'll want to bring a jumper to help you move along.

This new restaurant is a novel idea. From what I can tell, Robin Hill will still have its standard cafes at the top and bottom of the park. However, it will also have this posher restaurant that is run by the same people at highly-rated Heron in Ryde. It will be open to people who aren't visiting the park, and to park visitors (presumably with some sort of wristband system).

When I worked at Robin Hill it was a (fairly dull) countryside centre with stuffed animals and a pre-recorded narration about hibernating dormice. There were also a few arcade machines at the end to wake you up after the nature chat. It's not been used for several years and is currently being revamped.

I've saved this one for last, partly because it's the most exciting update and partly because it's a separate attraction. It will operate much like the Isle of Wight Aqua Park, which sits next door to Tapnell Farm Park. 

When I visited, the Adrenaline Zone wasn't open but it was expected to be ready in May.

There are three attractions, which will be ticketed separately or available as a bundle (from my understanding).

The big thing on the left is high ropes that you gradually climb up to the top. When you get to the top, you are strapped into a harness and whoosh down a zip wire that goes round in circles until you reach the bottom. I'm not sure if my weak stomach will be able to handle it, but I plan to give it a go.

The thing on the right is a series of climbing things, which look similar to a mainland chain called Clip 'n Climb.

The third attraction will be a tower that you jump off onto a big pillow. I think this is quite similar to The Jump that is at a lot of Haven holiday parks, although I couldn't see it from my vantage point.

Anyone who expects an attraction like this to be included as part of the main park is off their rocker. Center Parcs charges about £45 for high ropes alone and another £30 for a climbing wall. Haven charges £10 for its Jump attraction. Expecting them to be included in a £20 country park is pie in the sky. Apologies for the rant, I really shouldn't read comments on social media. We don't have confirmed prices for the Adrenaline Zone yet. I've heard a few prices, but I'll wait until it is confirmed.

The Adrenaline Zone sits on the space that was previously home to Colossus, the Cows Express and some remote controlled boats. Colossus is now The Jolly Robin at Blackgang Chine. I'm not sure what's happened to the Cows Express, but some of the cows are now minigolf props.

Standard tickets are about £20 - £23, depending on when you visit. There's also a cheaper price for over 65s and children under one metre get in free (that's likely to be about four years old). About three years ago, Robin Hill peaked at £35 entry so this is a considerable drop.

Annual passes for Robin Hill are currently about £50. It's worth getting one if you will visit three times in a year. As mentioned earlier, that will get you free toboggan runs, so some people will save money after two visits.

My understanding is that you will be able to come back within seven days, but for a small fee. I don't have the exact prices but I believe it will be two or three pounds (don't hold me to that - nothing is confirmed). 

I personally am delighted that Robin Hill is back and I was staggered at how much they have done in the last few months. I was expecting it to be a building site, but it's looking really smart and remarkably appears to be on schedule. If only they had been responsible for HS2. 

Winter could do with being about two or three months shorter, in my opinion.

I don't mind the autumnal colours of October and I love Christmas, but I really don't see the point in January and February. I'd forgo my own birthday if it meant we could get to spring a bit quicker.

We finally got a taste of the coming summer with a top notch walk at Compton Bay last night.

This is a really simple walk you can do, as long as you are fit enough to climb some steep steps and not so young or wobbly that you can't cope with a cliff edge.

We parked at Hanover Point, as we have National Trust Membership (Ed: no need to brag). It's currently £2 an hour, so frugal sorts without membership might prefer to park at the free chalk pit car park on Military Road and change the route somewhat. 

We then walked along the beach in glorious sunshine, accompanied by a decent breeze that didn't quite blow away the cobwebs but certainly gave the cobwebs a good wobble.

Checking the tide times is essential, as there isn't a huge amount of beach in the winter months and you don't really want to be walking along right underneath the crumbly cliffs without a hard hat.

We timed it just right and walked along to where Hanover Point becomes Compton Bay (most people refer to the whole thing as Compton Bay, but the map says otherwise).

Eventually you'll reach the foot of the steps that lead up the cliff and towards Compton Farm. This is my favourite section of sand at Compton Bay, as it tends to be less stony and quieter.

The steps are steep and exhausting but the views at the top are excellent. You can then walk along the cliff path back to the car park. The cliffs here are gradually sinking and collapsing so for some of the way, there's more of a gentle slope down rather than a severe cliff. However, there are also some areas where there's a major drop down - so take care with children, dogs and wobbly relatives.

​The whole circle is about two miles.

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:

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. 

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:

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. 

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.

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.