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35 Rainy Day Activities On The Isle Of Wight (2025 Guide)
The Isle of Wight might claim to be the sunniest place in the UK but once every few years it does suffer a soggy day. Here are some wet weather activities for a rainy day.
You may also want to check out our guides to discount Isle of Wight ferry travel, free days out, activities for toddlers, families and teenagers or our itinerary for a wet weekend.
You may also want to check out our guides to discount Isle of Wight ferry travel, free days out, activities for toddlers, families and teenagers or our itinerary for a wet weekend.
1. Dinosaur Isle
Some rude and ignorant visitors believe the name 'Dinosaur Isle' was given to the Isle of Wight due to the large number of retired residents. However, those more in the know realise that it is due to the Island's fame for fossil findings. Dinosaur Isle in Sandown celebrates the latter. It's not huge, but it's also quite cheap at about £7 to get in. It took us about an hour to wander round.
For more advice on saving on entry tickets, see our guide to discounts on Isle of Wight attractions.
There's also a small dinosaur museum in the West Wight, which is run by Dinosaur Expeditions. Of course, I mean that the museum is small rather than the dinosaurs.
For more advice on saving on entry tickets, see our guide to discounts on Isle of Wight attractions.
There's also a small dinosaur museum in the West Wight, which is run by Dinosaur Expeditions. Of course, I mean that the museum is small rather than the dinosaurs.
Roar! Dinosaur Isle in Sandown
2. Tapnell Farm Park
I'd heartily recommend Tapnell Farm Park in the West Wight near Freshwater as a rainy day rescue plan for toddlers and junior school aged children, as about two-thirds of it is indoors. There's a fairly big soft play area, mini tractors and go karts to play on, an indoor petting zoo, a hay barn activity area and plenty of places for parents to sit down and drink lattes whilst they check tomorrow's weather forecast.
They also have an events barn where they hold things like cinema evenings, a pumpkin festival and Christmas events.
Some of the animals are outdoors but most of the usual farmyard ones are indoors. The giant bouncing pillow and minigolf are also outdoors - so you might have a battle on your hands when the little ones see them...
They also have an events barn where they hold things like cinema evenings, a pumpkin festival and Christmas events.
Some of the animals are outdoors but most of the usual farmyard ones are indoors. The giant bouncing pillow and minigolf are also outdoors - so you might have a battle on your hands when the little ones see them...
Soft play at Tapnell Farm Park
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Having a large one in Tapnell Farm's events barn
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3. Brading or Newport Roman Villa
If you can persuade your children to do something educational on holiday then Brading Roman Villa or Newport Roman Villa would kill some time whilst the rain pours down. Brading is the bigger of the two (entry about £10), the Newport one is nestled between houses near M&S and has much more limited opening hours.
Some people recommend Osborne House on a wet day, but my favourite bits at Osborne are the beach (see our guide to beaches) and the gardens so I would wait for a sunny day if possible.
If you'd rather stay inside and stare at your phone, why not take a virtual tour round Newport Roman Villa?
Some people recommend Osborne House on a wet day, but my favourite bits at Osborne are the beach (see our guide to beaches) and the gardens so I would wait for a sunny day if possible.
If you'd rather stay inside and stare at your phone, why not take a virtual tour round Newport Roman Villa?
Brading Roman Villa is much bigger than Newport Roman Villa...
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...and there's enough to fill an hour or two if your children are vaguely interested
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Looking for cheap self catering? Try our holiday park guide
4. Newport and Ryde Cinemas
Newport Cineworld is the largest cinema on the Isle of Wight with 11 screens. It has a Pizza Hut, KFC and Burger King in the same complex as well as a neatly juxtaposed gym. If you're looking for a cheap option, they do a Movies for Juniors thing on some mornings, which was only £2.50 for a ticket when we last went (good job too as my daughter got scared and wanted to leave after 20 minutes).
Ryde Cinema is a much more vintage day out, with three screens but it is also very cheap (currently £4). Ryde Cinema also hosts bingo. <Insert bingo cliché here>
Ryde Cinema is a much more vintage day out, with three screens but it is also very cheap (currently £4). Ryde Cinema also hosts bingo. <Insert bingo cliché here>
A terrible picture of Newport's Cineworld Cinema
5. Sandown Pier
Some find Sandown Pier a little bit twee but if you are after the classic English seaside resort then it is ideal.
There's a children's play area, as well as indoor crazy golf and an amusement arcade to take your money. We enjoy Bowling on the Pier in Sandown, which is a lot cheaper than a proper bowling alley but prefer the amusement arcade at Shanklin (see #12).
Read the blog about our visit to Sandown Pier.
There's a children's play area, as well as indoor crazy golf and an amusement arcade to take your money. We enjoy Bowling on the Pier in Sandown, which is a lot cheaper than a proper bowling alley but prefer the amusement arcade at Shanklin (see #12).
Read the blog about our visit to Sandown Pier.
A bold claim at Sandown Pier...
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...which is one of four piers on the Isle of Wight
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6. Indoor soft Play and Role Play
Younger holidaymakers may appreciate a chance to throw themselves head first into a ballpit whilst shouting "weeeeeeeeeee". Indoor soft play sites include JR Zone in Newport (3.5/5 on TripAdvisor) and a cheap and cheeeful one called Magic Island on Sandown Pier (3.5/5 on TripAdvisor for the whole attraction).
There's also a soft play area in a large church/community hub in Ryde called Aspire Ryde.
Two larger attractions have soft play areas that are included as part of the entrance fee. Monkey Madness is part of Amazon World near Sandown. It opened in 2019 and is probably the biggest soft play area on the Isle of Wight. As mentioned above, Tapnell Farm Park has a big indoor play barn with a decent soft play area (4.5/5 on TripAdvisor for the whole park).
My personal favourite is Tapnell Farm Park although we've not been to them all.
You might like to read our blog about Monkey Madness, if you're bored. Granny Guru offers some more insight and recommendations on the guide to days out with toddlers.
On a related note, Newport has got one of those role play places for young children called Isle Imagine. It can be found on a trading estate in between a locksmith and a paint shop. Perhaps you can imagine the sun is shining whilst the children imagine they are police officers or doctors.
There's also a soft play area in a large church/community hub in Ryde called Aspire Ryde.
Two larger attractions have soft play areas that are included as part of the entrance fee. Monkey Madness is part of Amazon World near Sandown. It opened in 2019 and is probably the biggest soft play area on the Isle of Wight. As mentioned above, Tapnell Farm Park has a big indoor play barn with a decent soft play area (4.5/5 on TripAdvisor for the whole park).
My personal favourite is Tapnell Farm Park although we've not been to them all.
You might like to read our blog about Monkey Madness, if you're bored. Granny Guru offers some more insight and recommendations on the guide to days out with toddlers.
On a related note, Newport has got one of those role play places for young children called Isle Imagine. It can be found on a trading estate in between a locksmith and a paint shop. Perhaps you can imagine the sun is shining whilst the children imagine they are police officers or doctors.
7. Indoor minigolf
The Isle of Wight is well-stocked with minigolf courses but only two of them are indoors.
Shanklin's indoor minigolf opened in 2020 and is modern and flashy. It's called Caddyshack and is part of the large arcade building on the seafront. It costs about £7 for 18 holes. You can combine it with a trip to the arcades next door if you're feeling flushed (see #12).
We greatly enjoyed our trip to Caddyshack. Each hole has been carefully thought out and has a different theme, such as the skateboarding themed hole where you put the ball up and down a half pipe.
As mentioned earlier, Sandown's indoor minigolf is on the pier. It's an Aztec themed one called Lost World Adventure Golf. It's been around for years and is £4 for 11 holes.
Shanklin's indoor minigolf opened in 2020 and is modern and flashy. It's called Caddyshack and is part of the large arcade building on the seafront. It costs about £7 for 18 holes. You can combine it with a trip to the arcades next door if you're feeling flushed (see #12).
We greatly enjoyed our trip to Caddyshack. Each hole has been carefully thought out and has a different theme, such as the skateboarding themed hole where you put the ball up and down a half pipe.
As mentioned earlier, Sandown's indoor minigolf is on the pier. It's an Aztec themed one called Lost World Adventure Golf. It's been around for years and is £4 for 11 holes.
Caddyshack minigolf in Shanklin has several well-thought out holes, including this one with four drums
8. Amazon World
Amazon World has plenty to do indoors. Animal highlights include parrots, snakes, lemurs, meerkats (everywhere has meerkats now), sloths and anteaters. Amazon World averages 4/5 on TripAdvisor.
It's also got a soft play area called Monkey Madness (as mentioned about 40 seconds ago). Entry to the soft play area is included with a standard ticket to Amazon World.
Amazon World made the news when four racoons went on the run in 2024. They were rounded up a few days later after much searching. I'm currently working on a screenplay about their escape and have got David Tennant lined up to play a zany zookeeper.
For more advice on saving on entry tickets, see our guide to discounts on Isle of Wight attractions.
It's also got a soft play area called Monkey Madness (as mentioned about 40 seconds ago). Entry to the soft play area is included with a standard ticket to Amazon World.
Amazon World made the news when four racoons went on the run in 2024. They were rounded up a few days later after much searching. I'm currently working on a screenplay about their escape and have got David Tennant lined up to play a zany zookeeper.
For more advice on saving on entry tickets, see our guide to discounts on Isle of Wight attractions.
9. Arts and Crafts
Pottery is popular on the Isle of Wight for some reason. Maybe it is something to do with the availability of clay. One option on a wet day is to sign up for a pottery class in Niton or Fired Arts in Ryde.
There's also a a crafty place called The Imaginarium at Fort Victoria (also mentioned later).
Long time visitors to the Isle of Wight may be surprised to see no mention of Chessell Pottery Café. They stopped doing pottery painting in 2023, but it's still open for cake and coffee.
There's also a a crafty place called The Imaginarium at Fort Victoria (also mentioned later).
Long time visitors to the Isle of Wight may be surprised to see no mention of Chessell Pottery Café. They stopped doing pottery painting in 2023, but it's still open for cake and coffee.
Fort Victoria's Imaginarium is a crafty place to spend a wet afternoon
10. Fort Victoria
Do you love reptiles, crafts, indoor stargazing or shipwrecks? If so, then there is definitely something for you at Fort Victoria near Yarmouth. If you answered no to the first question then you need to re-examine your priorities, buster.
Fort Victoria has a few small attractions and it's in a nice coastal location. It is good for a picnic, if the sun comes out. There's also a woodland with a trail that is suitable for a rainy day if you don't mind the occasional drip through the leaves.
Read our blog about Fort Victoria.
Fort Victoria has a few small attractions and it's in a nice coastal location. It is good for a picnic, if the sun comes out. There's also a woodland with a trail that is suitable for a rainy day if you don't mind the occasional drip through the leaves.
Read our blog about Fort Victoria.
It's free to park at Fort Victoria and there are a few small attractions
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Fort Victoria defends the Isle of Wight against grey squirrels attempting to cross the Solent
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11. Holiday Pampering
A spa day is one way to console yourself that it's raining outside. This is not one for the whole family, unless you've got a wad of spending money and teenagers who would enjoy putting cucumbers on their eyes. Your best option is Lakeside Park Hotel in Wootton Bridge.
We've got a whole guide to spa days and spa breaks on the Isle of Wight - although the choice is quite limited.
We've got a whole guide to spa days and spa breaks on the Isle of Wight - although the choice is quite limited.
"You take the kids to Tapnell Farm, I'm just going to get a few errands done"
12. Amusement arcades
For those who can tolerate the combined noise of a hundred fruit machines, try the amusement arcades along the seafronts at Sandown Pier, Ryde and Shanklin.
Shanklin is our favourite arcade for those machines which burp out yellow tokens that can be exchanged for a pencil if you collect half a million. The Shanklin arcade also has an indoor minigolf course if you want to waste a bit more time until it stops raining (called Caddyshack - mentioned earlier).
Ryde has a free-play games arcade where you pay about £10 and then have 90 minutes to try out all the machines. It is called Game On and opened in 2023. It isn't as massive as some mainland free-play arcades, but we found that it was well run and happily filled the time.
Ryde also has two pay-as-you-go amusement arcades, including one within the bowling alley and another at Peter Pan's funfair on the esplanade. The bowling alley arcade is slightly smarter and more modern. However, the amusements at Peter Pan's funfair is a bit larger and has a fair few modern machines. Both spurt out yellow tokens that you can swap for yet more plastic tat.
Ventnor's seafront Gaiety amusement arcade closed a few years ago and is due to be developed into residential property.
If it's still raining after a trip to the arcades in Shanklin, you might like to try Caddyshack indoor minigolf, which is next door (see #7).
Shanklin is our favourite arcade for those machines which burp out yellow tokens that can be exchanged for a pencil if you collect half a million. The Shanklin arcade also has an indoor minigolf course if you want to waste a bit more time until it stops raining (called Caddyshack - mentioned earlier).
Ryde has a free-play games arcade where you pay about £10 and then have 90 minutes to try out all the machines. It is called Game On and opened in 2023. It isn't as massive as some mainland free-play arcades, but we found that it was well run and happily filled the time.
Ryde also has two pay-as-you-go amusement arcades, including one within the bowling alley and another at Peter Pan's funfair on the esplanade. The bowling alley arcade is slightly smarter and more modern. However, the amusements at Peter Pan's funfair is a bit larger and has a fair few modern machines. Both spurt out yellow tokens that you can swap for yet more plastic tat.
Ventnor's seafront Gaiety amusement arcade closed a few years ago and is due to be developed into residential property.
If it's still raining after a trip to the arcades in Shanklin, you might like to try Caddyshack indoor minigolf, which is next door (see #7).
"What do we want? Change! When do we want it? Er, whenever, you've got a sec"
13. Ryde 10 pin Bowling Alley (Superbowl), Laser Quest and Amusements
It's not exactly unique to the Isle of Wight but the seafront in Ryde boasts a decent bowling alley. There's also Laser Quest at the same venue. As mentioned eight seconds ago, the bowling alley has quite a few decent arcade machines.
Unfortunately, Ryde's ice rink closed in 2016. Plans briefly emerged for it to turn into a gin distillery (*hiccup*) but that idea is currently on ice.
There's also a laser storm place in Newport at JR Zone, but it's only for groups of 10 or more so not really a holiday activity.
Unfortunately, Ryde's ice rink closed in 2016. Plans briefly emerged for it to turn into a gin distillery (*hiccup*) but that idea is currently on ice.
There's also a laser storm place in Newport at JR Zone, but it's only for groups of 10 or more so not really a holiday activity.
Ryde's bowling alley has a better-than-average amusement arcade
14. Swimming pools
A swimming pool is a good place to hide on a wet day, although parents will want to time it during the splash hour rather than during the aqua aerobics hour.
Public swimming pools:
The other option is to plan ahead and stay at a holiday park or resort with its own swimming pool. This is particularly advisable if you are planning a holiday outside of summer. Options include:
You can't generally use these swimming pools unless you are a guest. Some of the hotels offer a day pass, including Luccombe Hall.
Public swimming pools:
- Newport's council owned pool is called Medina Leisure Centre. It doesn't have a slide but there are two pools and they hold 'fun sessions'.
- Sandown also has a council owned pool called The Heights Leisure Centre, which also holds 'fun sessions'. They don't have a slide or flume but my daughter always liked the murals of Dora the Explorer.
- Freshwater has a community-owned pool called West Wight Swimming Pool, which also has other facilities including a climbing wall. The pool doesn't have a slide but it has a fun hour with floaty things that runs during school holidays.
- Ryde has a community-owned pool called the Waterside pool. It's just a rectangle of water but it holds 'fun swim sessions' and it's made much more interesting by having a retractable roof that opens when the sun shines. I admit that's not a great feature to mention on a rainy day guide.
The other option is to plan ahead and stay at a holiday park or resort with its own swimming pool. This is particularly advisable if you are planning a holiday outside of summer. Options include:
- Parkdean Resorts Nodes Point has a four lane water slide. We stayed here in 2024 and visited the pool four times in a week, even though the sun was shining.
- Parkdean Resorts Landguard Holiday Park has an indoor swimming pool with a slide. Personally, I would stay at Parkdean's Lower Hyde Holiday Park, which is next door. The park is more spacious and you can still use the facilities at Landguard. (In fact, you can use any of the swimming pools at Parkdean's holiday parks, regardless of which one you stay in).
- There's also a swimming pool with a slide at Parkdean's Thorness Bay Holiday Park. However, it lags behind the other three Parkdean Resorts on review scores.
- Away Resorts has got indoor swimming pools at three of its holiday parks including Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park, The Bay Colwell and The Lakes Rookley. The only one with a slide is Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park. These parks also offer big ferry discounts.
- Campers and tourers staying at The Orchards can use their indoor pool. There are some bargain deals if you book a ferry + pitch bundle with Red Funnel.
- Quite a few hotels have indoor swimming pools, including Lakeside Park Hotel & Spa in Wootton and Warner Leisure Bembridge Coast Hotel.
You can't generally use these swimming pools unless you are a guest. Some of the hotels offer a day pass, including Luccombe Hall.
Parkdean Resorts' Nodes Point has an indoor swimming pool with a four lane slide
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Thorness Bay Holiday Park also has an indoor pool - but reviews are a little lower than Nodes Point
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15. Butterfly World
The first time I visited Butterfly World I was two foot shorter and it was called Butterfly and Fountain World. The title's changed but Fountainophiles (Ed: are you making this up?) will be relieved to know that the fountains are still there, as are the Italian and Japanese Gardens. It costs about £8 to get in.
Here's our blog about our return to Butterfly World after more than 30 years.
Maria got in touch to report how much she enjoyed having her hand sucked by giant fish, which she described as a 'surprisingly pleasant experience'. Er...
All in all, it's been a rough few years for tourists visiting the Isle of Wight to see our collection of fountains. Back in 2017, Waltzing Waters in Ryde closed meaning you can no longer see illuminated fountains dancing to the sounds of classical music. No flowers please.
Here's our blog about our return to Butterfly World after more than 30 years.
Maria got in touch to report how much she enjoyed having her hand sucked by giant fish, which she described as a 'surprisingly pleasant experience'. Er...
All in all, it's been a rough few years for tourists visiting the Isle of Wight to see our collection of fountains. Back in 2017, Waltzing Waters in Ryde closed meaning you can no longer see illuminated fountains dancing to the sounds of classical music. No flowers please.
"Just keep still for a second whilst I get the camera to focus..."
16. Wight Karting
There's an argument that go karting is actually better on a slightly wet day. The karts slide around the corner more easily and it adds a bit of extra excitement to the whole thing. It does also require a bit more skill from the drivers, so first timers are probably best to wait for a dry day.
Wight Karting gets outstanding reviews and advertises itself as being all-weather. Of course, you do get rather wet...
It's near Ryde and costs about £40-£50 for a session. Various deals and offers are available to lower the price.
Read the blog about our visit to Wight Karting.
Wight Karting gets outstanding reviews and advertises itself as being all-weather. Of course, you do get rather wet...
It's near Ryde and costs about £40-£50 for a session. Various deals and offers are available to lower the price.
Read the blog about our visit to Wight Karting.
Wight Karting is open in the rain, as long as you don't mind getting a bit wet
17. Isle of WIght Board Game CAfe
If the copy of Monopoly in your holiday home has half the pieces missing, you might prefer to sit in the Isle of Wight's Board Game Café.
It has the excellent name of Snacks and Ladders and has won awards at the Red Funnel Isle of Wight Awards.
It opened in Newport in 2019 with a mix of 'classic' games that I've heard of, as well as some more complex ones which require you to do more than roll a dice and climb a ladder.
You pay a couple of pounds to use any game you like for an hour (or more for longer sessions obviously). You don't pay the cover charge if you're just coming in to eat or drink in the café.
If you're interested in such things, you can read our review of an Isle of Wight themed board game.
It has the excellent name of Snacks and Ladders and has won awards at the Red Funnel Isle of Wight Awards.
It opened in Newport in 2019 with a mix of 'classic' games that I've heard of, as well as some more complex ones which require you to do more than roll a dice and climb a ladder.
You pay a couple of pounds to use any game you like for an hour (or more for longer sessions obviously). You don't pay the cover charge if you're just coming in to eat or drink in the café.
If you're interested in such things, you can read our review of an Isle of Wight themed board game.
18. Sir Max Aitken Museum
Sir Max Aitken was a rather busy man who was an MP, a yacht racer, a powerboat pioneer, a World War II fighter pilot, a newspaper magnate and founder of the London Boat Show. His collection of oddities is on display in Cowes High Street and is free to visit.
Highlights include a cradle made for the infant King of Rome, son of Napoleon Bonaparte as well as maritime paintings and Giles cartoons.
Highlights include a cradle made for the infant King of Rome, son of Napoleon Bonaparte as well as maritime paintings and Giles cartoons.
This quirky museum in Cowes is free
A cradle made for the son of Napoleon Bonaparte, apparently
19. Indoor Airsoft
If you don't mind encouraging your children to play with guns, then there's a good-sized indoor Airsoft place in Newport. Airsoft is a bit like paintball, but you fire tiny plastic ball bearings at each other instead.
It is run by 4D Sports Club who also organise outdoor shooting matches. The indoor bit is called The Cube, although it has nothing to do with the programme previously presented by Philip Schofield.
They also have a rifle range for perfecting your aim.
It is run by 4D Sports Club who also organise outdoor shooting matches. The indoor bit is called The Cube, although it has nothing to do with the programme previously presented by Philip Schofield.
They also have a rifle range for perfecting your aim.
20. Theatres
The Isle of Wight doesn't exactly have a West End, but there are a pretty decent range of theatres. They range from TV stars on tour through to enthusiastic amateurs showing off their jazz hands.
There are other theatres which aren't in use at the time of writing (Ryde, Sandown). If you're interested in the history of such things, there is a great page on the Arthur Lloyd website.
- Victorian-era Shanklin Theatre seats 600+ and attracts some household names (Ruby Wax, Danny Baker and Jimmy Carr in the last couple of years, for example) alongside some tribute acts, some drama as well as the occasional psychic-who-looks-like-a-used-car-salesman. We've seen the excellent Island Savoyards at Shanklin Theatre a couple of times. Expect to pay £10 - £25 for a ticket.
- Medina Theatre (in Newport, near the Isle of Wight Festival site) seats 400+ and offers local classical concerts, pantomimes, plays, ballet and tribute acts.
- Apollo Theatre is a former Methodist church in Newport town centre (near to lots of places to eat). They put on a number of amateur dramatic performances each year, alongside films and jazz concerts. Tickets are usually around £10.
- Ventnor Winter Gardens has closed and re-opened in recent years. The imposing building seats 400. At the time of writing, there's only a small number of performances on offer.
- Cowes has a small theatre called Trinity Theatre which seats about 200.
- Quay Arts Centre in Newport (also mentioned at #29) is a former brewery warehouse with a 130 seater theatre and a lean towards the artsier side of theatre.
There are other theatres which aren't in use at the time of writing (Ryde, Sandown). If you're interested in the history of such things, there is a great page on the Arthur Lloyd website.
The Sound of Music at Shanklin Theatre (don't worry, the flags aren't usually there...)
21. Golf driving range
There's an undercover driving range at Westridge Golf Centre near Ryde where you can happily swing your club whilst the rain pours down. At the time of writing it is 25 balls for £7, which with my success rate is about 50-100 attempts at hitting the ball.
22. Isle of Wight Bus and Coach Museum
The free Isle of Wight Bus and Coach Museum in Ryde is indoors. The website explains to visitors that the depot housing the exhibits is 'typical of a bus garage of the Tilling era'.
I must admit to having no idea what that means, but it is presumably of great significance to those who know their Bedfords from their Bristols.
The Museum is run by volunteers and only opens on certain days (and closes in winter). You could even get a bus there for the full bus-tastic experience. There's a small café and bookshop and we found some pencils and colouring that kept the children happy for a few minutes.
They also organise events during the year where you can ride on vintage buses.
Read our blog about our visit to the bus museum.
I must admit to having no idea what that means, but it is presumably of great significance to those who know their Bedfords from their Bristols.
The Museum is run by volunteers and only opens on certain days (and closes in winter). You could even get a bus there for the full bus-tastic experience. There's a small café and bookshop and we found some pencils and colouring that kept the children happy for a few minutes.
They also organise events during the year where you can ride on vintage buses.
Read our blog about our visit to the bus museum.
Definitely a bus of some sort at the Isle of Wight Bus Museum
23. Lilliput Antique Doll and Toy Museum
Perhaps you fancy something a bit more peaceful on a rainy day- how about the Lilliput Antique Doll and Toy Museum in Bradin,g which has more than 2000 exhibits? It isn't massive, so don't expect to fill a whole day here. Then again, it isn't very expensive at about £4 - 5.
24. Random Rooms and The Lost Crypt
There are two escape rooms on the Isle of Wight - one in Ryde and one in Newport. They will appeal to fans of 90s favourite The Crystal Maze, where that bald guy from Rocky Horror occasionally gave away a barge holiday to a group of strangers from Walsall.
- The Lost Crypt opened in 2021 as the UK's first escape room inside a church crypt. The team behind it have cleverly woven together a bit of local history with the usual escape room antics and problem solving. The mystery involves an 18th century doctor.
It is aimed at 8+ and costs £20 - £30 per person depending on how big your group is. It is run by a charity called Aspire and raises money for their work in the local area.
- Random Rooms in Newport follows a similar principle where a group of up to six people are given an 'escape room' challenge which involves cracking a code or something similar. I’ve not been yet but reviews are very good.
My mother went for a friend's birthday and found it a bit bemusing, but she does sometimes try to use the cordless phone to operate the TV.
At the time of writing, it costs £66 for a group of up to 6, so potentially £11 per person - although if you can’t work that out yourself you probably aren’t ready for a brain-stretching challenge.
It is recommended for teenagers upwards.
25. The Wight Military and Heritage Museum
I'm still scarred by a school trip to the Imperial War Museum in London because a boy called Matthew was sick all over me just before we arrived. Worst of all, he completely ruined my copy of Match magazine which had a free poster of Neil Shipperley, which I had prepared a place for on my wall. I haven't been able to step into a military museum since.
If you've not endured such childhood events, then you might enjoy the Isle of Wight's own military museum, which is in Northwood near Cowes and advertises itself as an all-weather attraction. It is volunteer run and offers rides in armoured vehicles amongst other things.
If you've not endured such childhood events, then you might enjoy the Isle of Wight's own military museum, which is in Northwood near Cowes and advertises itself as an all-weather attraction. It is volunteer run and offers rides in armoured vehicles amongst other things.
26. Afternoon Tea
This is a good one for the adults on a soggy afternoon (or for your daughter if she is Violet-Elizabeth from the Just William books).
You can get tea for two at various Isle of Wight hotels such as the Bembridge Coast Hotel, Luccombe Manor and Lakeside Park Hotel.
Or you might prefer The Champagne Tea at the Royal Hotel in Ventnor, which is one of the poshest hotels on the Island. See our guide to the 10 of the Isle of Wight's posh hotels for more advice on what the different hotels are like.
You can get tea for two at various Isle of Wight hotels such as the Bembridge Coast Hotel, Luccombe Manor and Lakeside Park Hotel.
Or you might prefer The Champagne Tea at the Royal Hotel in Ventnor, which is one of the poshest hotels on the Island. See our guide to the 10 of the Isle of Wight's posh hotels for more advice on what the different hotels are like.
27. Isle of Wight Steam Railway
Ideally, I'd visit the Isle of Wight Steam Railway in the sunshine, but you spend most of your time covered up so it is worth considering on a rainy day. You'll be under cover on the train, and also in the 'Train Story' building, which is a museum with some child-friendly things. There are a couple of small climbing frames that are outdoors and a woodland walk which is (unsurprisingly) outdoors. If you're just contending with a bit of drizzle then it's probably achievable.
See our guide to getting discounts to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.
See our guide to getting discounts to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.
"Excuse me, have you seen the rest of my train?"
28. Museums and ARtsy stuff
There are quite a few smaller museums and artsy things that are indoors including:
- The Museum of Island History is not huge, so don't plan a full day with a picnic and two hours in the gift shop. It's worth a visit whilst shopping in Newport and the building itself is pretty grand. It was designed by John Nash who was the architect for Buckingham Palace and Brighton's Royal Pavilion. It costs £1 to get in.
- Dimbola Lodge in Freshwater Bay is a photographic museum with tea rooms and a statue of Jimi Hendrix. It's modestly sized but we enjoyed the dressing up section.
- The Quay Arts Centre in Newport often has displays from local artists. Monkton Arts in Ryde is an artsy café with an art gallery.
- Brighstone is a village (albeit a large one), so the fact that it has its own museum about local life is pretty remarkable. It is run by volunteers and is pretty quaint, so don't expect an IMAX cinema out the back and multi-million pound exhibitions sponsored by oil companies. Still, I'm sure they would appreciate visitors dropping in more than a huge great museum would, and the handful of reviews are positive. Opening hours are limited but it is open all year round.
- Ryde's got a fair amount of history about it, including being home to the country's oldest Pier and the only commercial hovercraft service in Europe. Such things are featured in the Heritage Centre, which is run by volunteers and is in an underground bit of the Royal Victoria Arcade on Union Street. It costs about £5.
- There are small museums about local heritage in Ventnor and Bembridge.
- Cowes hosts the famous Cowes Week and it's also home to the Classic Boat Museum or the 'Boat Museum and Restorations workshop' to give it its proper title. On the other side of the river in East Cowes is the separately housed Classic Boat Museum Gallery. It is a relatively small museum (entry is £4 at the time of writing), which shows off sailing and powerboats. The Gallery is an extra £1 if you buy a combined ticket.
- The Wight Aviation Museum is a volunteer-led project at Sandown airport with a large rocket and some other models. There's no fixed entry fee, but they have a minimum suggested donation.
Dimbola's photographic museum has the added bonus of sea views
29. Goddards Brewery or Wight Knuckle Brewery
Goddards is a well-known beer maker on the Isle of Wight that moved to a fancy new brewery in 2023.
The brewery is open to the public and appeals to 'real-ale' people like my friend Paul who shakes his head when I order half a pint of Strongbow with blackcurrant cordial.
You can visit the shop for free or pay to become a member, which then gives you access to the full attraction. Membership is £12.50 (2024 price) and gets you a souvenir Goddards 'pint goblet' and three small drinks so you can take small sips and say things like "ahhh, that's going down nicely". Alternatively, you can just pay £5 for a day pass, which also includes a pint of beer or a soft drink. Londoners should be prepared for bafflement at being able to buy a pint of beer for £5.
You can also see the brewery in action and play with some touchscreens that are scattered around. It is self-guided rather than a full-on tour.
Goddards is in Branstone, which is between Sandown and Arreton.
The brewery is open to the public and appeals to 'real-ale' people like my friend Paul who shakes his head when I order half a pint of Strongbow with blackcurrant cordial.
You can visit the shop for free or pay to become a member, which then gives you access to the full attraction. Membership is £12.50 (2024 price) and gets you a souvenir Goddards 'pint goblet' and three small drinks so you can take small sips and say things like "ahhh, that's going down nicely". Alternatively, you can just pay £5 for a day pass, which also includes a pint of beer or a soft drink. Londoners should be prepared for bafflement at being able to buy a pint of beer for £5.
You can also see the brewery in action and play with some touchscreens that are scattered around. It is self-guided rather than a full-on tour.
Goddards is in Branstone, which is between Sandown and Arreton.
Wight Knuckle Brewery is a much smaller business, which started up in the back of a pub in 2021. They've now got a brewery you can visit near Brading for more of a hands-on tour.
Tours cost £10 and include the chance to 'Smell and feel the hops' and then 'head to the fermentation room where the magic happens'. If this all makes you rather excited then you'll love it.
Tours cost £10 and include the chance to 'Smell and feel the hops' and then 'head to the fermentation room where the magic happens'. If this all makes you rather excited then you'll love it.
30. The Isle of Wight Guru Car Park Tour
If you've come to the Isle of Wight to see our stunning vistas and coastline then you may feel slightly miffed at spending the week sat in a soft play ball pool. Your best option may well be the Isle of Wight Guru Car Park Viewpoint Tour, which is our selection of great views and beaches you can see without leaving your car.
Some phrases you may want to try out during your journey to maintain a positive mood:
For the full experience, try the Wighty 90 - we think it's the Isle of Wight's most scenic driving route, even if the rain does ruin it a bit.
Some phrases you may want to try out during your journey to maintain a positive mood:
- "Y'know, I think it's brightening up!"
- "Aren't we lucky? We've got the beach to ourselves today..."
- "Most people don't get to see the Isle of Wight when it's as grey as this"
- "That fog is very atmospheric isn't it? It feels like we're on a Hollywood film set"
For the full experience, try the Wighty 90 - we think it's the Isle of Wight's most scenic driving route, even if the rain does ruin it a bit.
Gurnard's beach huts and sea view can be admired from behind a windscreen
31. Isle of Wight Pearl
Coach parties pour in to Isle of Wight Pearl on the Military Road (near Brighstone) with its showroom 'dedicated to the art of pearl jewellery' and its free talks about pearls. I'm more interested in the café that has nice sea views and is dedicated to the art of cream teas and strawberry jam.
For a bit of added localness, they use sand in some of their products from the beach which is 50 metres from the showroom and work with a Ventnor-based jeweller.
For a bit of added localness, they use sand in some of their products from the beach which is 50 metres from the showroom and work with a Ventnor-based jeweller.
32. Isle of Wight Garden Centres
There are plenty of garden centres on the Isle of Wight, but Busy Bee Garden Centre in Ryde is notable for its size. It is one of those garden centres where it takes you a while to find the plants, once you've wandered past the vases, kitchen gadgets, duvet covers and coats. It's good fun at Christmas with things like singing penguins that raise money for local charities.
Other options include Medina Garden Centre and Thompson's.
Other options include Medina Garden Centre and Thompson's.
33. John CAttle's Skate Club, Canopy Skate Park and Skates Roller Skating Rink
You might assume that a skateboarding club would be aimed entirely at grunting teenagers wearing NOFX and Less Than Jake hoodies (Ed: please update your references from 1998).
Well, not at John Cattle's Skate Club in Wootton, which is a non-profit skate club that runs adults only sessions as well as general skating sessions and lessons for children.
The website says they've had women over 60 coming along to skateboard for the first time. Reckon I might book my mother onto an intensive skateboarding week for her birthday.
Canopy Skate Park offers a similar sort of thing, but it's based in the South Wight in Chale. Cowabunga dude! (Ed: please stop).
Meanwhile, Skate is a roller skating rink based in Newport. You can hire skates or bring your own and groove along to the latest disco hits.
The same venue also hosts airsoft, which is where people shoot each other with plastic pellets. I'm waiting for the hybrid, which involves shooting each other on roller skates.
Well, not at John Cattle's Skate Club in Wootton, which is a non-profit skate club that runs adults only sessions as well as general skating sessions and lessons for children.
The website says they've had women over 60 coming along to skateboard for the first time. Reckon I might book my mother onto an intensive skateboarding week for her birthday.
Canopy Skate Park offers a similar sort of thing, but it's based in the South Wight in Chale. Cowabunga dude! (Ed: please stop).
Meanwhile, Skate is a roller skating rink based in Newport. You can hire skates or bring your own and groove along to the latest disco hits.
The same venue also hosts airsoft, which is where people shoot each other with plastic pellets. I'm waiting for the hybrid, which involves shooting each other on roller skates.
34. Woodland walks and den-building
If you don't mind the occasional drip of rainwater down the back of your neck then a woodland walk is a sheltered way to get some fresh air during a rainy holiday. The Isle of Wight's forests are good places to spot red squirrels, which are rather shy.
Your options on the Isle of Wight include:
Your options on the Isle of Wight include:
- Parkhurst Forest near Newport (Forestry Commission). Read our blog about Parkhurst Forest.
- Firestone Copse near Ryde (Forestry Commission)
- Brighstone Forest in the West Wight (Forestry Commission)
- Borthwood Copse near Sandown (National Trust)
- America Wood near Shanklin (Woodland Trust).
- Fort Victoria near Yarmouth has a woodland alongside a beach.
Cycling round Parkhurst Forest (not in the rain on this occasion)
35. Jay Miller's Circus
Although it's not a permanent attraction, Jay Miller's Circus has been coming to the Isle of Wight during the school summer holidays for years. I've not been for a long time, but I fondly remember sitting on my dad's knee whilst eating candyfloss and cheering loudly. I was 23 at the time, which might explain the odd looks I was getting from other circus-goers.
36. Isle of WIght Libraries
A trip to the reference section may not be top of your holiday wish-list but there are a good selection of mostly-free activities at the Isle of Wight's libraries which might fill a wet morning.
When I checked there were singing groups and storytime groups for toddlers as well as Lego and Minecraft groups for older children. Adults could join in with colouring and art classes or visit free art exhibitions.
The Council's website has a useful list of regular activities at each of the 10+ libraries on the Island. I would phone ahead as some activities don't run during school holidays.
Thanks to Karen for the suggestion.
When I checked there were singing groups and storytime groups for toddlers as well as Lego and Minecraft groups for older children. Adults could join in with colouring and art classes or visit free art exhibitions.
The Council's website has a useful list of regular activities at each of the 10+ libraries on the Island. I would phone ahead as some activities don't run during school holidays.
Thanks to Karen for the suggestion.
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