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12 Things To Do In Newport And Carisbrooke (2025 Guide)
I wouldn’t say Newport is a must-see sort of place on an Isle of Wight holiday. It’s a moderately attractive market town that looks similar to many other English towns (Ed: was your previous job in marketing?).
However, it is the county capital of the Isle of Wight, meaning it’s got the best range of shops and a fair few things to do. It’s also the home of the Isle of Wight Festival, it's well connected via public transport and it’s no more than 25 minutes drive from more than 20 beaches.
Nearby Carisbrooke is a historic place that was once its own little village. It has sprawled a bit but still has a lot going for it (The Guardian agreed and raved about it a while ago).
There are plenty of places to stay in Newport as well including several cottages on HolidayCottages.co.uk.
Here are 12 things to do in Newport and Carisbrooke:
However, it is the county capital of the Isle of Wight, meaning it’s got the best range of shops and a fair few things to do. It’s also the home of the Isle of Wight Festival, it's well connected via public transport and it’s no more than 25 minutes drive from more than 20 beaches.
Nearby Carisbrooke is a historic place that was once its own little village. It has sprawled a bit but still has a lot going for it (The Guardian agreed and raved about it a while ago).
There are plenty of places to stay in Newport as well including several cottages on HolidayCottages.co.uk.
Here are 12 things to do in Newport and Carisbrooke:
Newport...a fairly normal town but it's well located for exploring
1. Carisbrooke Castle
**English Heritage Discount Code: Save 20% on annual memberships via this link with exclusive code IWGEHMEXC until 31/12/24**
Carisbrooke Castle is an impressively large site that looms over the village of Carisbrooke. Unlike some 'castles' which resemble rubble, Carisbrooke Castle is largely intact and is a decent family-friendly attraction, thanks to the efforts of English Heritage.
I personally don’t think there’s much for toddlers at Carisbrooke Castle and it’s mostly outdoors, but they make an effort to offer stuff for primary school aged children such as Easter events and jousting on the bowling green in the summer. Carisbrooke Castle doesn't have a playground and there isn't one particularly nearby (there's a small one at a park on Clatterford Road).
In my view, the best bits are the display of the donkeys pulling up the bucket from the well and the 360 degree view from The Keep. There's also a museum, chapel and gardens, which I will enjoy more in about 20 years' time.
My mother’s house can be seen from The Keep. Please have a look through her kitchen window if you get a minute and drop us an email if she’s left the oven on.
Entry is about £10-£15 or free for English Heritage members. If you’re also visiting Osborne House, it is worth considering English Heritage membership. Combined entry works out at about half of the annual membership fee (ish) and members also get a discount on the ferry.
A free alternative is a walk around the dry moat with its good views of Carisbrooke Castle and village. It features in our guide to short walks of about one mile, which are ideal for reluctant children and husbands.
I personally don’t think there’s much for toddlers at Carisbrooke Castle and it’s mostly outdoors, but they make an effort to offer stuff for primary school aged children such as Easter events and jousting on the bowling green in the summer. Carisbrooke Castle doesn't have a playground and there isn't one particularly nearby (there's a small one at a park on Clatterford Road).
In my view, the best bits are the display of the donkeys pulling up the bucket from the well and the 360 degree view from The Keep. There's also a museum, chapel and gardens, which I will enjoy more in about 20 years' time.
My mother’s house can be seen from The Keep. Please have a look through her kitchen window if you get a minute and drop us an email if she’s left the oven on.
Entry is about £10-£15 or free for English Heritage members. If you’re also visiting Osborne House, it is worth considering English Heritage membership. Combined entry works out at about half of the annual membership fee (ish) and members also get a discount on the ferry.
A free alternative is a walk around the dry moat with its good views of Carisbrooke Castle and village. It features in our guide to short walks of about one mile, which are ideal for reluctant children and husbands.
The grand entrance to Carisbrooke Castle
The steep Keep at Carisbrooke Castle
2. Shopping in Newport
Newport has the biggest range of chain shops on the Isle of Wight. Sure, it looks fairly similar to every other mid-sized town you’ve been to in England, but a trip to the large M&S or TK Maxx is a good way to waste an hour on a wet day. There's a glut of large supermarkets, which of course is the main reason you've come to the Isle of Wight.
Charity shop fans should head to the Sunflower Shop on Holyrood Street, which has two floors of stuff raising money for the local Hospice. There’s a quirky side street called Watchbell Lane and St Thomas’ Square is quite attractive too. The Guildhall in Newport was designed by John Nash, who designed Marble Arch and Buckingham Palace - although I expect you knew that.
Honestly, I think the rapid growth of generic out-of-town retail outlets in historic towns like Newport has been to the detriment of their long-term sustainability...but this probably isn't the place for that debate.
Charity shop fans should head to the Sunflower Shop on Holyrood Street, which has two floors of stuff raising money for the local Hospice. There’s a quirky side street called Watchbell Lane and St Thomas’ Square is quite attractive too. The Guildhall in Newport was designed by John Nash, who designed Marble Arch and Buckingham Palace - although I expect you knew that.
Honestly, I think the rapid growth of generic out-of-town retail outlets in historic towns like Newport has been to the detriment of their long-term sustainability...but this probably isn't the place for that debate.
Who doesn't love a trip to Sports Direct whilst on holiday?
3. Newport Cineworld
Another wet day rescue plan is Newport’s 11 screen Cineworld cinema. There’s also a KFC, a pizza hut and a Burger King nearby, if you really must.
4. Carisbrooke Priory and St Mary's Church
A lesser-known historic attraction on the Isle of Wight is the former nunnery of Carisbrooke Priory, near to Carisbrooke Castle. It was bought by a group of Christians from different denominations in the 1990s (including my father) and now welcomes people of all faiths and none. There’s a café, a chapel, sizeable gardens as well as plenty of interesting old architecture. It does rely on volunteers so check it’s open before you turn up.
When you’re in the area, you might consider walking up to the top of Mountjoy Cemetery, which has fantastic views towards Cowes.
There are also several historic churches on the Isle of Wight, which provide a free place for grown-ups to drag children to.
St Mary’s Church in Carisbrooke is one of the oldest, with a history going back to the 12th century and a mention in the Domesday Book (is it just me, or does every old building claim that?).
Whilst you’re in Carisbrooke village, you might like to walk past one of the pretty fords. There’s one on Castle Street and another on Clatterford Shute. Please try to avoid falling in.
When you’re in the area, you might consider walking up to the top of Mountjoy Cemetery, which has fantastic views towards Cowes.
There are also several historic churches on the Isle of Wight, which provide a free place for grown-ups to drag children to.
St Mary’s Church in Carisbrooke is one of the oldest, with a history going back to the 12th century and a mention in the Domesday Book (is it just me, or does every old building claim that?).
Whilst you’re in Carisbrooke village, you might like to walk past one of the pretty fords. There’s one on Castle Street and another on Clatterford Shute. Please try to avoid falling in.
How much money does it cost to visit Carisbrooke Priory? Nun
5. JR Zone Soft Play and Isle Imagine
Newport’s soft play area is on a trading estate between a plumbing shop and a tool hire centre. Perhaps not what you had in mind when you booked a summer holiday to the Isle of Wight, but it does provide a welcome shelter for toddlers on a rainy day. I’m always the first one down the slides and any suggestion that my children would be fine without my ‘help’ are not appreciated.
The only problem I have with soft play is that when it’s sunny, you’d rather be outside but when it’s raining, it is usually heaving.
Check the reviews here.
Similar rainy day fun can be found at Isle Imagine in Newport. It is one of those role playing places where your children can dress up a police officers or hairdressers.
The only problem I have with soft play is that when it’s sunny, you’d rather be outside but when it’s raining, it is usually heaving.
Check the reviews here.
Similar rainy day fun can be found at Isle Imagine in Newport. It is one of those role playing places where your children can dress up a police officers or hairdressers.
6. Playgrounds in Newport and Carisbrooke
I reckon the best playground in Newport is the one in Seaclose Park, near to the site of the Isle of Wight Festival. It does get busy, but it’s got a good range of things to do. The downside is that you have to pay to park. Honestly, this country... (see our guide to cheap and free parking for alternatives).
Other options include a small park in Litten Park, near to M&S, which is modern but busy and not especially large.
Carisbrooke has a hidden playing field on Clatterford Road. It's got a very small playground, but you'll probably have it to yourself. The football pitch at Clatterford Road is famously sloping so taking a corner is much easier from one side than the other.
See more about playgrounds in our toddlers' guide.
We combine the playground at Seaclose Park with a visit to Medina Quay Beefeater.
Other options include a small park in Litten Park, near to M&S, which is modern but busy and not especially large.
Carisbrooke has a hidden playing field on Clatterford Road. It's got a very small playground, but you'll probably have it to yourself. The football pitch at Clatterford Road is famously sloping so taking a corner is much easier from one side than the other.
See more about playgrounds in our toddlers' guide.
We combine the playground at Seaclose Park with a visit to Medina Quay Beefeater.
Seaclose Park, which is not very close to the sea
7. car-free cycling and squirrel spotting
Newport has a couple of car-free cycling options.
The best one is probably the cycle track that links Newport and Cowes on an old railway line. It's mostly flat and is about six miles if you want to end up back where you started (which you will do, unless you're planning a permanent relocation).
The track is part of the Red Squirrel Trail, which is a mostly car-free cycle route that covers about 30 miles on the Isle of Wight. You can read our pedal-by-pedal guide to the trail or get a download and GPS thing on the official Red Squirrel Trail website
Bike hire places are in our public transport guide, although none of them are particularly close to this particular cycle track.
Another option is Parkhurst Forest, home of red squirrels and the occasional escaped convict (that's a joke...).
The best one is probably the cycle track that links Newport and Cowes on an old railway line. It's mostly flat and is about six miles if you want to end up back where you started (which you will do, unless you're planning a permanent relocation).
The track is part of the Red Squirrel Trail, which is a mostly car-free cycle route that covers about 30 miles on the Isle of Wight. You can read our pedal-by-pedal guide to the trail or get a download and GPS thing on the official Red Squirrel Trail website
Bike hire places are in our public transport guide, although none of them are particularly close to this particular cycle track.
Another option is Parkhurst Forest, home of red squirrels and the occasional escaped convict (that's a joke...).
The Newport to Cowes cycle track is car-free
The cycle track forms part of the Red Squirrel Trail
8. Music and Artsy stuff in Newport
Free exhibitions and ticketed performances can be found at Quay Arts, which is in a lovely riverside spot in Newport. There’s also a café for those who are more interested in coffee than culture.
Medina Theatre is a larger theatre, offering more mainstream stuff whilst charming little Apollo Theatre has things like am-dram performances and a few nice places to eat nearby.
Strings Bar and Venue is a live music venue. It's the sort of place where you can see up-and-coming bands and later say "I saw them when they were playing in Newport before they were famous".
Medina Theatre is a larger theatre, offering more mainstream stuff whilst charming little Apollo Theatre has things like am-dram performances and a few nice places to eat nearby.
Strings Bar and Venue is a live music venue. It's the sort of place where you can see up-and-coming bands and later say "I saw them when they were playing in Newport before they were famous".
Rock and/or roll is available at Strings in Newport
9. Swimming at Medina Leisure Centre
The Isle of Wight gets about 500 hours a year more sunshine than London, so you will hopefully be spending some of your time on the beach. If the weather doesn’t quite live up to the statistics then you might consider a splash in the public swimming pool at Medina (near Seaclose Park).
There’s a big pool and a small pool. Last time we went it was a clean and pleasant experience compared to some mainland public pools...
There’s a big pool and a small pool. Last time we went it was a clean and pleasant experience compared to some mainland public pools...
10. Museum of Island history and Newport Roman Villa
The ‘main’ Roman Villa on the Isle of Wight is at Brading. However, if you’re into history you might also like to visit Newport’s Roman Villa. It is squeezed in between some houses in a residential area and has limited opening hours. I've not been since I was eight years old, but my mate Jack went more recently and said it was 'great'. People on TripAdvisor seem to agree. It makes it into our list of Isle of Wight attractions that you probably haven't been to.
Meanwhile, Newport’s Guildhall is home to the Museum of Island History. It's probably not one to fill half a day, but it's only a couple of pounds to get in.
Meanwhile, Newport’s Guildhall is home to the Museum of Island History. It's probably not one to fill half a day, but it's only a couple of pounds to get in.
11. Roller Disco at 4D Sports Club
4D Sports is a venue in Newport, which is ideal for busting some disco moves. They host roller skating beginner sessions as well as disco nights. Last time I checked it was about £5-10.
The same venue also hosts airsoft and laser tag - which both involve shooting people. However, those are aimed at group bookings and parties rather than families on holiday.
You'll find it alongside the River Medina, near to the Premier Inn.
The same venue also hosts airsoft and laser tag - which both involve shooting people. However, those are aimed at group bookings and parties rather than families on holiday.
You'll find it alongside the River Medina, near to the Premier Inn.
12. Walks and runs around Newport
Honestly, I would not pick Newport as the best place for a walk around the Isle of Wight.
You won't see the sea very often (if at all) and there are far better options by the coast.
However, if you pinned me against a wall and furiously demanded to know where to walk in Newport then I would suggest:
Gluttons for punishment may like to join the Isle of Wight's Parkrun, which takes place each Saturday morning in Seaclose Park in Newport. Check the website first as it sometimes moves to a different location.
You won't see the sea very often (if at all) and there are far better options by the coast.
However, if you pinned me against a wall and furiously demanded to know where to walk in Newport then I would suggest:
- a 1.5 mile Gremlin themed Treasure Trail around Newport. It is one of the only Isle of Wight Treasure Trails we haven't completed (for the aforementioned reasons) but we greatly enjoyed the other trails. You pay £10 for the guide.
- The nine mile Medina Estuary Trail, which heads from Newport to Cowes and then back down the other side of the river. Check that the floating bridge between (West) Cowes and East Cowes is operating as it's not terribly reliable. The walk is mostly off-road and gives river views for most of the walk. It's a good one for bird watchers.
Gluttons for punishment may like to join the Isle of Wight's Parkrun, which takes place each Saturday morning in Seaclose Park in Newport. Check the website first as it sometimes moves to a different location.
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