Should I Buy A Blackgang Chine and Robin Hill Annual PAss (FVP) in 2023?

Clifftop fun at Blackgang Chine - but is it worth buying an annual pass?

Back in 2022, we wrote a blog about the Blackgang Chine and Robin Hill 'Frequent Visitor Passes', which are similar to annual passes. We looked at whether it was worth buying one or whether you should just pay-as-you-go.

The passes mean that you can visit as many times as you like, including during most of the events during the year. That includes things like Summer Fest and Cowboys Vs Dinosaurs at Blackgang Chine and the Isle of Wight Balloon Festival and Festival of the Dead at Robin Hill. In 2022, we particularly enjoyed the summer shows at Robin Hill which included Braniac! Live. We also went along to an excellent summer party one evening at Blackgang Chine. 

You can't get in free to Polar at Robin Hill with a Frequent Visitor Pass, but in December 2022 you could get a 25% discount if you snapped up a 2023 Frequent Visitor Pass.

Our conclusion in 2022 was that:

​If you plan to visit either park during two different school holidays then an annual pass is worth paying for. If you mostly visit off peak or just want to visit during one school holiday then it may not be worth it.

Most of what we wrote in that guide is still valid. However, there have been two notable changes which are worth mentioning before you make your decision.

---

1. Prices for Frequent Visitor Passes have gone up - but daily visit prices haven't

In 2022, a FVP/annual pass for Blackgang Chine or Robin Hill cost £50, whilst a joint park pass cost £90. 

In 2023, the price for a Frequent Visitor Pass for one park is £60 (a £10 increase) whilst a joint park pass has increased to £99 (a £9 increase).

These are the prices for anyone aged four or over. Younger children get in free. 

Meanwhile, the prices for day entry to both parks hasn't increased at all from 2022 to 2023. Robin Hill ranges from £19.50 to £35 depending on when you visit and whether you book in advance. Blackgang Chine ranges from £23 to £35 per person. See our guide on how to get the best value from Blackgang Chine and Robin Hill.

Another change is that the Easter school holidays are now 'mid-peak' rather than peak season, so they aren't quite as expensive.

With that change, you might think that you would need to use a Frequent Visitor Pass more to make it worthwhile. However...

---

2. You can now get friends and family in for half price

The second big change for 2023 is that FVP holders can get a 50% discount on entry prices for friends and family. 

The four main rules that I'm aware of are that:

• One Frequent Visitor Pass is required for each guest that you bring into the park. This scuppers my plan to buy one annual pass and then bring a coach party along for a half price day out.
• You have to accompany your friend or family member into the park - you can't send them with your pass. However, that doesn't mean that you all have to stay for the same length of time.
• You can't use the discount during the May half term or during the six week school summer holidays. 
• I don't think that you can book a 50% off ticket in advance, so the discount is off the 'gate' price.
  
  

This could potentially be a good money saver. For example, a family of four could bring along another family to Blackgang Chine during the Easter holidays and pay £54 instead of £99. I'm aware that's not 50% but I believe that you get 50% off the 'gate' price of £108 rather than the online price of £99.  

---