Isle of Wight Guru
  • Home
  • Why you should visit the Isle of Wight
  • Ferry travel advice & discounts
    • Discount Isle of Wight ferry travel
    • Isle of Wight ferry beginners guide
    • Wightlink's Tesco Clubcard deal – is it the best discount?
    • Using Wightlink’s Multilink deal for cheap ferry travel
    • Cheap Isle of Wight ferry travel for caravans
  • Holiday parks, hotels, camping & cottages
    • Family holiday parks & caravans >
      • 10 of the best Isle of Wight caravan holiday parks
      • Park Resorts and Parkdean Resorts Isle of Wight holiday parks
      • Which Isle of Wight holiday park should I stay in?
      • Last minute deals and discounts at holiday parks
      • Is there a Haven holiday park on the Isle of Wight?
      • Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park reviews and facilities
      • Lower Hyde and Landguard Holiday Park review
    • Hotels & guest houses >
      • Isle of Wight Hotels - a beginner's guide
      • 10 of the best Isle of Wight luxury hotels
      • 5 Ventnor hotels and guest houses
      • Warner's Bembridge Coast & Norton Grange hotels
      • 5 best Isle of Wight coach tour holidays and trips
      • Romantic Isle of Wight holidays for couples
      • 5 best Isle of Wight spa break hotels and spa days
    • Camping & glamping >
      • 20 Isle of Wight camping and touring parks
      • Isle of Wight Glamping
    • Cottages & self catering >
      • 10 of the best places to stay in Shanklin
      • 10 of the best places to stay in Cowes
      • 10 of the best places to stay in Newport
      • Dog friendly Isle of Wight accommodation
      • 10 Isle of Wight wheelchair accessible & disabled friendly holidays
      • Brambles Chine and Linstone Chine self catering
    • Lodges & hot tub holidays >
      • 5 best Isle of Wight holiday lodges
      • 10 best Isle of Wight hot tub holidays
    • Quirky & AirBnbs >
      • 20 quirky places to stay on the Isle of Wight
      • 10 best Isle of Wight Airbnb holiday homes
    • Group accommodation >
      • 10 of the best places to stay for large groups
      • 7 best Isle of Wight manor houses for hire
    • Accommodation advice >
      • What time of year should I visit the Isle of Wight?
      • Which Isle of Wight town should I stay in?
      • Where is the cheapest place to stay?
      • Dog friendly Isle of Wight holidays
  • Festivals, days out & attractions
    • Festivals & carnivals >
      • Major festivals and carnivals
      • Isle of Wight Festival 2021 lineup and tickets
      • 10 unforgettable Isle of Wight Festival moments
      • Isle of Wight Festival History
      • Cowes Week - attractions and accommodation
    • Free days out & attraction discounts >
      • Free days out on the Isle of Wight
      • Discounts to Isle of Wight attractions
      • Itinerary for a budget Isle of Wight holiday
      • 10 ways to save money on Isle of Wight holidays
    • Attractions for children, teenagers, adults >
      • Activities for toddlers on the Isle of Wight
      • Activities for children and families on the Isle of Wight
      • Activities for teenagers on the Isle of Wight
      • Activities for adults on the Isle of Wight
      • Activities for an Isle of Wight stag do
      • Surviving an Isle of Wight holiday with a toddler
    • Quirky days out >
      • 10 quirky days out on the Isle of Wight
      • 10 things you can't do on the Isle of Wight
      • 10 things you can only visit on the Isle of Wight
      • Isle of Wight TV & Movie Tour
      • 10 reasons to visit the Isle of Wight
    • Days out in Ryde, Sandown, Shanklin, Ventnor >
      • 10 things to do in Bembridge, St Helen's and Seaview
      • 10 things to do in Cowes and East Cowes
      • 10 things to do in Newport and Carisbrooke
      • 15 things to do in Ryde
      • 15 things to do in Shanklin and Sandown
      • 15 things to do in Ventnor and South Wight
      • 15 things to do in Yarmouth and West Wight
    • Rainy day & winter attractions >
      • Rainy day activities on the Isle of Wight
      • Itinerary for a rainy Isle of Wight holiday
      • Winter days out on the Isle of Wight
    • Zoos, historic attractions, gardens >
      • Isle of Wight zoos and animal attractions
      • Historic attractions on the Isle of Wight
      • 10 Isle of Wight Gardens and Parks
    • Day trip itineraries >
      • Day trips from Portsmouth to the Isle of Wight
      • Day trips from Southampton to the Isle of Wight
      • Day trips from Lymington to the Isle of Wight
    • Car journey games & viewpoints >
      • 5 Isle of Wight car journey games
      • 15 of the best Isle of Wight car park viewpoints
      • The Isle Spy car journey game
  • Beaches, tides & weather
    • Which is the best Isle of Wight beach for...
    • Isle of Wight Beaches Interactive Map
    • Isle of Wight tide times
    • Isle of Wight weather forecast
    • Isle of Wight surf forecast
    • The beach holiday checklist - 5 accessories
    • Mobile version of Isle of Wight Best Beaches
  • Cycling, walking & public transport
    • Public transport
    • Cycling holidays on the Isle of Wight
    • Walking the Isle of Wight Coastal Path
  • Food & drink
    • Eating out on a budget
    • Pubs and restaurants with a sea view
    • Isle of Wight Supermarkets
  • Useful information
    • Boring & practical stuff >
      • FAQ
      • Which mobile phone network has the best signal on the Isle of Wight?
      • Cheap parcel delivery and sending mail to the Isle of Wight
      • Isle of Wight Map
      • Isle of Wight newspapers, news websites and radio stations
    • About >
      • Who is the Isle of Wight Guru?
      • Contact us/about/disclaimer
    • Souvenirs
    • Should I move to the Isle of Wight?
    • Les vacances sur L’île de Wight
  • Blog
  • Advice for plagiarists
  • Privacy policy and cookies policy
  • Home
  • Why you should visit the Isle of Wight
  • Ferry travel advice & discounts
    • Discount Isle of Wight ferry travel
    • Isle of Wight ferry beginners guide
    • Wightlink's Tesco Clubcard deal – is it the best discount?
    • Using Wightlink’s Multilink deal for cheap ferry travel
    • Cheap Isle of Wight ferry travel for caravans
  • Holiday parks, hotels, camping & cottages
    • Family holiday parks & caravans >
      • 10 of the best Isle of Wight caravan holiday parks
      • Park Resorts and Parkdean Resorts Isle of Wight holiday parks
      • Which Isle of Wight holiday park should I stay in?
      • Last minute deals and discounts at holiday parks
      • Is there a Haven holiday park on the Isle of Wight?
      • Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park reviews and facilities
      • Lower Hyde and Landguard Holiday Park review
    • Hotels & guest houses >
      • Isle of Wight Hotels - a beginner's guide
      • 10 of the best Isle of Wight luxury hotels
      • 5 Ventnor hotels and guest houses
      • Warner's Bembridge Coast & Norton Grange hotels
      • 5 best Isle of Wight coach tour holidays and trips
      • Romantic Isle of Wight holidays for couples
      • 5 best Isle of Wight spa break hotels and spa days
    • Camping & glamping >
      • 20 Isle of Wight camping and touring parks
      • Isle of Wight Glamping
    • Cottages & self catering >
      • 10 of the best places to stay in Shanklin
      • 10 of the best places to stay in Cowes
      • 10 of the best places to stay in Newport
      • Dog friendly Isle of Wight accommodation
      • 10 Isle of Wight wheelchair accessible & disabled friendly holidays
      • Brambles Chine and Linstone Chine self catering
    • Lodges & hot tub holidays >
      • 5 best Isle of Wight holiday lodges
      • 10 best Isle of Wight hot tub holidays
    • Quirky & AirBnbs >
      • 20 quirky places to stay on the Isle of Wight
      • 10 best Isle of Wight Airbnb holiday homes
    • Group accommodation >
      • 10 of the best places to stay for large groups
      • 7 best Isle of Wight manor houses for hire
    • Accommodation advice >
      • What time of year should I visit the Isle of Wight?
      • Which Isle of Wight town should I stay in?
      • Where is the cheapest place to stay?
      • Dog friendly Isle of Wight holidays
  • Festivals, days out & attractions
    • Festivals & carnivals >
      • Major festivals and carnivals
      • Isle of Wight Festival 2021 lineup and tickets
      • 10 unforgettable Isle of Wight Festival moments
      • Isle of Wight Festival History
      • Cowes Week - attractions and accommodation
    • Free days out & attraction discounts >
      • Free days out on the Isle of Wight
      • Discounts to Isle of Wight attractions
      • Itinerary for a budget Isle of Wight holiday
      • 10 ways to save money on Isle of Wight holidays
    • Attractions for children, teenagers, adults >
      • Activities for toddlers on the Isle of Wight
      • Activities for children and families on the Isle of Wight
      • Activities for teenagers on the Isle of Wight
      • Activities for adults on the Isle of Wight
      • Activities for an Isle of Wight stag do
      • Surviving an Isle of Wight holiday with a toddler
    • Quirky days out >
      • 10 quirky days out on the Isle of Wight
      • 10 things you can't do on the Isle of Wight
      • 10 things you can only visit on the Isle of Wight
      • Isle of Wight TV & Movie Tour
      • 10 reasons to visit the Isle of Wight
    • Days out in Ryde, Sandown, Shanklin, Ventnor >
      • 10 things to do in Bembridge, St Helen's and Seaview
      • 10 things to do in Cowes and East Cowes
      • 10 things to do in Newport and Carisbrooke
      • 15 things to do in Ryde
      • 15 things to do in Shanklin and Sandown
      • 15 things to do in Ventnor and South Wight
      • 15 things to do in Yarmouth and West Wight
    • Rainy day & winter attractions >
      • Rainy day activities on the Isle of Wight
      • Itinerary for a rainy Isle of Wight holiday
      • Winter days out on the Isle of Wight
    • Zoos, historic attractions, gardens >
      • Isle of Wight zoos and animal attractions
      • Historic attractions on the Isle of Wight
      • 10 Isle of Wight Gardens and Parks
    • Day trip itineraries >
      • Day trips from Portsmouth to the Isle of Wight
      • Day trips from Southampton to the Isle of Wight
      • Day trips from Lymington to the Isle of Wight
    • Car journey games & viewpoints >
      • 5 Isle of Wight car journey games
      • 15 of the best Isle of Wight car park viewpoints
      • The Isle Spy car journey game
  • Beaches, tides & weather
    • Which is the best Isle of Wight beach for...
    • Isle of Wight Beaches Interactive Map
    • Isle of Wight tide times
    • Isle of Wight weather forecast
    • Isle of Wight surf forecast
    • The beach holiday checklist - 5 accessories
    • Mobile version of Isle of Wight Best Beaches
  • Cycling, walking & public transport
    • Public transport
    • Cycling holidays on the Isle of Wight
    • Walking the Isle of Wight Coastal Path
  • Food & drink
    • Eating out on a budget
    • Pubs and restaurants with a sea view
    • Isle of Wight Supermarkets
  • Useful information
    • Boring & practical stuff >
      • FAQ
      • Which mobile phone network has the best signal on the Isle of Wight?
      • Cheap parcel delivery and sending mail to the Isle of Wight
      • Isle of Wight Map
      • Isle of Wight newspapers, news websites and radio stations
    • About >
      • Who is the Isle of Wight Guru?
      • Contact us/about/disclaimer
    • Souvenirs
    • Should I move to the Isle of Wight?
    • Les vacances sur L’île de Wight
  • Blog
  • Advice for plagiarists
  • Privacy policy and cookies policy
Isle of Wight Guru

5 new things on the Isle of Wight for summer 2018

21/7/2018

0 Comments

 
It's always heartening to see new stuff appearing on the Isle of Wight. Sure, we've had some painful losses in recent years (RIP Seaview Wildlife Encounter, Waltzing Waters, Bestival and Coleman's Farm).

But we've also been treated to new stuff, such as Tapnell Farm Park, Eklectica and Fairweather Festival.

This summer there's a good choice of new stuff to try out. Here's a selection that we've heard about - feel free to comment at the bottom if you know of others.

1. Jungle shenanigans at Robin Hill

Robin Hill is going for a jungley theme this summer, with a load of colourful treetop nets which were being built last time we visited. 

This will undoubtedly lead to copywriters punning about 'going wild' and having a 'roarsome time'.

​I shall avoid the obvious and come up with something a bit cleverer. 

Er, "let's Flamin-go to Robin Hill"?

Perhaps not.

BIG NEWS: JUNGLE HEIGHTS to launch this weekend!

Adventure is being taken to new heights this summer with the launch of the Isle of Wight's first adventure net attraction of this scale... Find out more here: https://t.co/Q130JLidbL pic.twitter.com/R4UCdrQo3r

— Robin Hill (@RobinHillIW) July 17, 2018
There will also be 'Jungle Fever' events on Tuesday and Thursday with 'the biggest fire balls you've ever seen' and 'life sized animal puppets'. I'd like to see the risk assessment form for that one.

Don't miss out on the Fire Extravaganza during #JungleFever!
Acrobatics combined with the biggest fire balls you've ever seen, the witty comedic duo will make you laugh, smile &fear for their lives – it’s an epic finale you won’t want to miss! https://t.co/yuz7bJzsdS pic.twitter.com/jMrFagN7Qo

— Robin Hill (@RobinHillIW) July 14, 2018
They've also got this massive water slide which looks like it's been constructed by a weekend Dad who was desperate to impress his kids.

"Hey kids, I bet Mum's new boyfriend doesn't have one of these in his garden does he?"

It's been a busy day of sliding and disc golf today!
If you missed out, don't worry...we'll be setting everything up in the morning for another day of fun! Book your park tickets online now to save: https://t.co/GdyeO0xQDh pic.twitter.com/fUfTHCwMlj

— Robin Hill (@RobinHillIW) 26 May 2018

2. Boro Beach Bike

Visitors to European cities will have seen these multi-seater bicycles being powered by beered-up British stag dos. The aim is to drink as much as you can without falling off your seat and then hoping someone will find the EHIC card in your wallet and take you to the nearest A&E.

Thankfully, the Isle of Wight takes a more civilised approach to such things.

According to the official blurb you can 'Choose from a range of themed rides: from Afternoon Tea to Fitness, Networking to Litter Picking, or our Original Tour which takes in the sights and sea views of Ryde and the Solent.'

Awesome day launching the @BoRo_IoW in Ryde on the Isle of Wight today. Great photo from https://t.co/PYO0zpIUPZ @anthology_the Book tickets now at https://t.co/8NFjKv6fP1!!!! pic.twitter.com/OAETY5BmIb

— BoRo Experiences (@BoRoExperiences) July 18, 2018

3. Osborne Horse Trials

I take great comfort in the fact that Nick Skelton won a showjumping Olympic gold at the age of 58.

That gives me at least another couple of decades before I need to start training for my Olympic medal. Until then I'll just watch the new horsey eventing at Osborne.

Looking forward to welcoming equestrian royalty in the form of Olympians @MaryKingGB and @foxpitteventing, competing in the upcoming London Capital & Finance PLC Osborne Horse Trials. Join us to cheer them on, next week at Osborne! @bedeevents @BEventing https://t.co/r2iupjk6hO pic.twitter.com/RvTqkJxC5W

— Osborne (@EHOsborneHouse) July 16, 2018

4. Tapnell Farm

Tapnell Farm Park seems to add something new every time I turn my back.

For 2018 they've extended the go kart track and added some outdoor sledges. The indoor bits have also had a move around to make space for new bits and bobs.

Such a fun way to transport your little brother. These were amazing fun @tapnellfarmpark at the weekend. https://t.co/b2vbFwthBI pic.twitter.com/GCKBgnXKw3

— Kate Peers (@Katepeers40) 16 May 2017

5. Comicoffee

And for anyone who knows what an FN-59 is, there's a new Comic book shop/cafe which has turned up in Newport.

Well why not?

FN-59 working hard to get the coffee shop ready for Lord Vader #isleofwight #comingsoon #newcoffeeshop #anewhope #moreworkthanthedeathstar pic.twitter.com/Gi0LbUejUv

— ComiCoffeeUK (@ComiCoffeeUK) 25 April 2018
0 Comments

Finding the new attractions at Tapnell Farm Park

17/7/2018

0 Comments

 
Indoor play area at Tapnell Farm
One of my first jobs was stacking shelves at Sainsburys on the Isle of Wight for £3.06 an hour. We were called the 'Milk and Cookie Crew' because we weren't old enough or responsible enough to work on the checkouts. I planned a 10 minute toilet break into my two hour shift just to avoid the customers.

Still, it was worth giving up all my spare time for the weekly pay of £24. 

One of my most familiar discussions with customers was where they could find the gravy which managers moved around the store like a mischievous elf on a shelf (end plinth, aisle 12 usually).

I was reminded of this at Tapnell Farm Park which we visited for the first time in a year recently. Like most Wightophiles, we were bursting with excitement a couple of years ago when we heard a new attraction was coming and have been returning sporadically ever since. 

On our return, the hay bale slides had shifted across the play barn, the Tiny Tapnell bit for toddlers had moved to another building and a gift shop had appeared next to a new toddler area. 

At Tapnell, I'm confident that this hasn't been done to confuse us but is to make space for new stuff. The go kart track has got bigger and better, there are dry sledges and a few other little additions.

On this trip my mother went off to get coffee, which often results in her spending 20 minutes getting to know the person serving her. This is a useful gift in life, unless there is a queue of people behind you.

Usually she returns to say that the person who brewed her coffee used to work with the grandson of someone she worked with in the 1990s. 

On this occasion she returned with the news that the park had recently had its busiest ever day. The details became a little sketchy at this point with either 600 people or 6000 cars visiting in one day.

​I fear the detail of the conversation wouldn't stand up to cross examination in court, but it's certainly heartening to 
see a high quality attraction growing each year and seemingly being rewarded with a full car park. 

It isn't as vast as some similar attractions on the mainland but it's clean, well organised and priced about right in my opinion (around £10). It also has a realistic view of the UK climate, so there's a good mix of indoor and outdoor stuff. 

It's also recently been added to a bus route, which will hopefully bring a bigger crowd through the doors over the summer.

We'll certainly be back, and hopefully there'll be even more new stuff for the owners to find space for. 
0 Comments

Isle of Wight competition time! Win family tickets to Blackgang, The Needles and Osborne

5/7/2018

 
Osborne House
We've teamed up with Hampshire's Top Attractions to give away a bundle of family tickets to three of the Isle of Wight's best-known attractions. 

The prize needs to be used during the 2018 season and includes:
  • a family ticket to Blackgang Chine
  • a family pass to the Needles Pleasure Park (2 adults and up to 3 children on the chair lift plus free parking for one car all day)
  • a family ticket to Osborne House.

To enter, you just need to like the relevant post on our Facebook, Twitter or Instagram page and tag someone else who loves summer on the Isle of Wight.

The competition ends at 11.59pm on Sunday 8th July 2018. The winner will be selected at random and announced on Monday 9th July 2018. The prize needs to be used during 2018. There is no cash alternative.

The competition is running across our Instagram, Facebook and Twitter accounts but there is only one bundle available.


Good luck!

*Yes, we know that the Isle of Wight isn't in Hampshire. Stop complaining and enter the competition.
Alum Bay chairlift

    Archives

    November 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015

    Isle of Wight Guru's Blog

    Tales of Isle of Wight days out, attractions and ferry discounts from a Wightophile

    RSS Feed

Where to stay

Holiday parks
​
Lodges
Posh hotels
Cheap​
​Quirky
​Big houses
​Camping
​Glamping
​Dog friendly
Last minute
​Coach trips
Airbnb
Accessible
​
Hot tubs
Manor houses

Days out

Adults
Beaches
Bembridge
​Cowes
​Cycling
Day trips
Dog friendly
Families
Festivals
Historic
Newport
​Quirky
​Rainy days
​Romantic
Ryde
​Shanklin
Toddlers
Teenagers
Ventnor​
Walking
Winter
​Yarmouth
​
Zoos

Saving money

Ferry discount codes
​
Tesco Clubcard
​Multilink
Accommodation
​Attraction discounts
Eating out
​
Free attractions

About

Contact
Blog
Who is the Guru?
​Advice for plagiarists
Privacy Policy
​Disclaimer

Some of the links on this site are 'affiliate links' meaning we may receive commission from accommodation providers at no cost to the buyer. We are also an Amazon Associate and earn from qualifying products. 
​
However, we maintain full editorial control and only recommend based on merit rather than whether they offer commission.
​© COPYRIGHT 2021. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.