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20 Winter Days Out On The Isle Of Wight (2024 Guide)
Visiting an English holiday destination between November and February may seem a bit counter-intuitive, but there are plenty of advantages to an Isle of Wight winter break. The ferry is usually cheaper, the roads are quieter, some of the parking is free, the accommodation is cheap and those attractions that are open don't have long queues. Dog walkers are free to take their pets onto any of the Isle of Wight's beaches in winter, whereas in summer there are some restrictions.
Some attractions close over Christmas, some close earlier than usual in the winter, so please call ahead if you are making a special journey.
Here are some days out, attractions and other ideas of things to do in winter on the Isle of Wight.
Some attractions close over Christmas, some close earlier than usual in the winter, so please call ahead if you are making a special journey.
Here are some days out, attractions and other ideas of things to do in winter on the Isle of Wight.
"Welcome to the sunshine capital of the UK"
1. Beaches in winter
Swimming in the sea around the Isle of Wight in December is less of a pleasure and more of an ice bucket challenge, with polar bears taking a swipe as you practice your backstroke. There are those who swim every day, but these people should be treated with suspicion as they are part of a cold blooded species that live under Sandown Pier.
We prefer a brisk walk and a hot drink along a seawall. Bonchurch to Ventnor is a good option for wave crashing. Yaverland to Shanklin is nice if you want to see a resort on a quiet day.
We prefer a brisk walk and a hot drink along a seawall. Bonchurch to Ventnor is a good option for wave crashing. Yaverland to Shanklin is nice if you want to see a resort on a quiet day.
There are lots of pleasant esplanade walks, such as Appley in Ryde to Seaview
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Ventnor to Steephill or Bonchurch is a breezy walk
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Cowes to Gurnard is good if you want to look at yachts on the Solent. There's also a nice seawall walk from Appley towards Seaview. The Colwell to Totland seawall was interrupted by a massive landslide a few years ago, but it reopened with a 'make do and mend' path, which actually adds to the attraction.
Colwell to Totland includes a section with a dramatic landslide
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Parking on Shanklin Esplanade in winter is much less of a bunfight than summer
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Freshwater Bay is a favourite spot for watching the waves on a stormy day, whilst Compton Bay looks beautiful on a sunny winter's day. If you visit Compton Bay, check the West Wight tide times or walk along the cliffs as there isn't as much beach in winter.
Freshwater Bay is a crashing and splashing sort of beach in winter
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A tasty bit of winter sun on the cliffs at Compton Bay
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2. Tapnell Farm Park, Monkey Haven, AMAZON WORLD and Wildheart Animal Sanctuary
Tapnell Farm Park is great for younger children and has lots to do indoors so you can shelter from the wind and rain. There's a petting zoo and a large indoor play area and coffee shop.
About half of it is outdoors, including the bouncy pillow and most of the pedal go kart track.
Wildheart Animal Sanctuary was previously known as Isle of Wight Zoo (read the blog). Many years ago, it was Sandown Zoo and was described by the Sunday Times as ‘The Slum Zoo of Britain’. It is certainly much improved now and does an excellent job of looking after its much-loved residents. It opens with reduced hours in the winter and specialises in big cats. Thanks to car insurance adverts, there is also a meerkat encounter. Please limit yourself to one Joe Exotic impression per visit.
See our guide to discounts to Isle of Wight attractions, which includes Wildheart Animal Sanctuary.
Other wintery animal attractions include award-winning Monkey Haven near Newport and the Isle of Wight Reptilarium and Terrapin sanctuary, which is part of Fort Victoria in Yarmouth. Where's Yarmouth? Right between your ears, ha!
Monkey Haven scores 5/5 on TripAdvisor and was named Best Small Attraction at the Red Funnel Isle of Wight Awards in 2022 and 2023.
Amazon World nearish to Sandown offers various slimy creatures to stare at and much of it is indoors and warm. Needless to say, the animals need year round care and attention because as we all know, a crocodile is for life, not just for the summer season. (See our attractions discount guide).
West Wight Alpacas is another year-round option. They offer Alpaca walks, and they sell alpaca socks, so you can warm your feet up afterwards.
About half of it is outdoors, including the bouncy pillow and most of the pedal go kart track.
Wildheart Animal Sanctuary was previously known as Isle of Wight Zoo (read the blog). Many years ago, it was Sandown Zoo and was described by the Sunday Times as ‘The Slum Zoo of Britain’. It is certainly much improved now and does an excellent job of looking after its much-loved residents. It opens with reduced hours in the winter and specialises in big cats. Thanks to car insurance adverts, there is also a meerkat encounter. Please limit yourself to one Joe Exotic impression per visit.
See our guide to discounts to Isle of Wight attractions, which includes Wildheart Animal Sanctuary.
Other wintery animal attractions include award-winning Monkey Haven near Newport and the Isle of Wight Reptilarium and Terrapin sanctuary, which is part of Fort Victoria in Yarmouth. Where's Yarmouth? Right between your ears, ha!
Monkey Haven scores 5/5 on TripAdvisor and was named Best Small Attraction at the Red Funnel Isle of Wight Awards in 2022 and 2023.
Amazon World nearish to Sandown offers various slimy creatures to stare at and much of it is indoors and warm. Needless to say, the animals need year round care and attention because as we all know, a crocodile is for life, not just for the summer season. (See our attractions discount guide).
West Wight Alpacas is another year-round option. They offer Alpaca walks, and they sell alpaca socks, so you can warm your feet up afterwards.
Wildheart Animal Sanctuary specialises in tigers and lions
3. Afternoon tea
Dainty sandwiches with the crusts cut off are never going to fill you up, but they do provide a nice way to spend a couple of hours in a posh hotel on an Isle of Wight winter's day. There are several hotels that offer such things in winter on the Isle of Wight.
Options include:
Options include:
- Bembridge Coast Hotel in, er, Bembridge
- Royal Hotel in Ventnor
- Luccombe Manor in Shanklin
- Lakeside Park Hotel at Wootton Bridge
4. Brading Roman Villa
The Isle of Wight has two Roman Villas that are open to the public. The Newport one is pretty small and has limited opening hours, but Brading Roman Villa is bigger and stays open all year round. Brading Roman Villa has some activities for children that kept us occupied for about 90 minutes.
My Dad always suspected there were Roman remains in our garden, but after professional (and expensive) excavation it turned out that there was just a dead cow and ‘some evidence of Roman latrines’ . That’s old poo to you and me.
My Dad always suspected there were Roman remains in our garden, but after professional (and expensive) excavation it turned out that there was just a dead cow and ‘some evidence of Roman latrines’ . That’s old poo to you and me.
Brading's Roman Villa is a good size and is in a nice modern building
5. The Needles and Alum Bay
In summer, the Needles Pleasure Park in the West Wight is a little overwhelming for my delicate persona with non-stop school parties and constantly clanging amusement arcades. In the winter months, the teacups and other ‘family’ attractions go into hibernation but some of the other things stay open, such as glass blowing and places to eat. It’s a chance to admire Alum Bay and The Needles up close without going potty. It’s actually a stunning piece of coastline.
The Needles, as viewed from the New Battery
6. Wight Karting
My wintery visit to Wight Karting brought out my competitive side and saw me trying to beat the track time set by another dad. He didn't actually realise he was in a race with me and still won by a good margin.
Wight Karting runs sessions for families as well as races for adults for teens, which use faster karts.
It is open all year round, though it does have reduced hours in winter. Reviews are deservedly excellent.
Wight Karting runs sessions for families as well as races for adults for teens, which use faster karts.
It is open all year round, though it does have reduced hours in winter. Reviews are deservedly excellent.
Gloves are provided for go karting in winter
7. The Longstone, The Pepperpot and Bierley Waterfall
The Pepperpot (St Catherine's Oratory)
If you fancy a bracing winter walk on the Isle of Wight then you might want to incorporate an historic site like The Longstone or The Pepperpot. They are both stuck in the middle of a field, so technically speaking they are open all year round, even if they are covered in snow in winter.
The Longstone is two big lumps of greensand sandstone (nearest postcode PO30 4EA) that are thought to mark the entrance of a 6000 year old burial ground. The Pepperpot is the remains of a 14th century lighthouse (nearest postcode PO30 2HN).
There’s more on these two, including location maps and their strange histories, in our guide to 25 historic days out on the Isle of Wight.
If you're looking for walking guides, we've got advice on:
The Longstone is two big lumps of greensand sandstone (nearest postcode PO30 4EA) that are thought to mark the entrance of a 6000 year old burial ground. The Pepperpot is the remains of a 14th century lighthouse (nearest postcode PO30 2HN).
There’s more on these two, including location maps and their strange histories, in our guide to 25 historic days out on the Isle of Wight.
If you're looking for walking guides, we've got advice on:
What do you mean it just looks like a big rock? The Longstone can be found in the West Wight
Finally, a brief mention for Bierley Waterfall, which is better visited in winter than summer. It can be found along a walk in Whitwell (read our blog for more details of location). During a summer drought, it is little more than a dribble but after heavy rainfall in winter there is a bit more to see. It's not huge - don't expect to see stuntmen flying over it in barrels.
I'm a little unclear on the ownership of the waterfall, so you are best to stick to the footpath.
I'm a little unclear on the ownership of the waterfall, so you are best to stick to the footpath.
Bierley Waterfall in winter is more impressive than the summer dribble
8. Carisbrooke Castle and Osborne House
**English Heritage Discount Code: Save 20% on annual memberships via this link with exclusive code IWGEHMEXC until 07/01/24**
These two English Heritage properties are two of the Isle of Wight’s historic gems. In winter, opening hours are generally limited to weekends. If you have a choice, I prefer visiting Osborne House and Carisbrooke Castle in the summer as a lot of the best bits are outdoors (Osborne Bay is lovely - see our beaches guide). However, visit in winter and you’ll certainly avoid the crowds.
Osborne House sometimes puts on special Christmas themed events to make it all a bit more appealing.
If you're visiting both during your holiday then it's worth considering English Heritage membership. Annual membership for a family works out as roughly two thirds of the cost of the entrance fee for both attractions. If you can get a discount on the membership then you are quids in.
Osborne House sometimes puts on special Christmas themed events to make it all a bit more appealing.
If you're visiting both during your holiday then it's worth considering English Heritage membership. Annual membership for a family works out as roughly two thirds of the cost of the entrance fee for both attractions. If you can get a discount on the membership then you are quids in.
Osborne House is open on some dates during winter
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Carisbrooke Castle has terrific views
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9. Carisbrooke Priory and Quarr Abbey
Two of the Isle of Wight’s Christian communities stay open all year and welcome visitors throughout the winter on certain days (I would probably call ahead first). Carisbrooke Priory is largely run by volunteers and has a fascinating history as a former Dominican Nunnery. Quarr Abbey meanwhile is a working Benedictine monastery that sits alongside a 12th century ruin. It has a tea garden and farm shop that is open in winter and tours that operate on certain days.
You can read more about the history of Quarr Abbey and Carisbrooke Priory in our guide to 25 historic days out on the Isle of Wight.
You can read more about the history of Quarr Abbey and Carisbrooke Priory in our guide to 25 historic days out on the Isle of Wight.
Carisbrooke Priory is an interesting old building that is free to visit
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Quarr, it's cold today! Let's visit this monastery...
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10. Dinosaur Isle
Dinosaur Isle is a showcase for the Isle of Wight's best fossils and bones, but it is very child-friendly with plenty of things to prod, poke and smell. It's a good Isle-of-Wight-winter-activity, although it's not huge so don't plan to spend a whole day there.
You can get yourself cheap entry to Dinosaur Isle with a bit of effort (see our guide to discounts to Isle of Wight attractions).
You can get yourself cheap entry to Dinosaur Isle with a bit of effort (see our guide to discounts to Isle of Wight attractions).
Dinosaur Isle in Sandown has some pretty impressive bones
11. Theatres
The Isle of Wight doesn't exactly have a West End, but there are a pretty decent range of theatres which make for a good way to spend a winter's evening. For a listing of everything happening on one day, try On The Wight's Events guide.
- Shanklin Theatre - seats 600+, comedy, tribute acts, some drama.
- Medina Theatre, Newport - seats 400, local classical concerts, pantomimes, plays, ballet and tribute acts.
- Apollo Theatre, Newport - amateur dramatics, films, jazz concerts.
- Ventnor Winter Gardens - seats 400, occasional concerts.
- Trinity Theatre, Cowes - seats 200, community events and performances.
- Quay Arts Centre, Newport - seats 130, artsy stuff.
12. Newport and Ryde Cinemas
Newport Cineworld is a good place to hide from the winter cold on the Isle of Wight. It's got 11 screens, and there is also a Pizza Hut, KFC and Burger King as part of the same complex. There's also a gym on the site which you might like to sign up for after the previous indulgences.
For something a bit quirkier, try Ryde Cinema which has three screens and a much more nostalgic feel to it. It's also very cheap (currently £4). Ryde Cinema also hosts bingo.
For something a bit quirkier, try Ryde Cinema which has three screens and a much more nostalgic feel to it. It's also very cheap (currently £4). Ryde Cinema also hosts bingo.
Newport's Cineworld cinema has 11 screens
13. Ryde 10 pin bowling alley and LaserQuest
Ryde's seafront boasts a decent bowling alley. The Ice Rink closed a few years ago, although in winter you can just put on shoes without any grip and slide around the car park (A&E can be found in Newport).
The bowling alley also has LaserQuest or you might prefer to shoot people at the Isle of Wight's indoor airsoft centre in Newport.
The bowling alley also has LaserQuest or you might prefer to shoot people at the Isle of Wight's indoor airsoft centre in Newport.
14. Swimming pools
If you're too sensible to swim in the sea during winter on the Isle of Wight then you might consider the slightly warmer public swimming pools. My limits for swimming in the sea are May to September, with a wetsuit, and I still scream like a girl.
Lots of the caravan sites and hotels have their own pools but there are public swimming pools in Newport at Medina Leisure Centre, The Heights in Sandown, West Wight Swimming Pool in Freshwater, which runs as a charity. Ryde's Waterside swimming pool is also open, although they presumably don't use the retractable roof so often in December.
I can't think of public pools without thinking of the sign which says 'Welcome to our Ool. You will notice there is no P in our Pool. Please keep it that way'. Classic...
Lots of the caravan sites and hotels have their own pools but there are public swimming pools in Newport at Medina Leisure Centre, The Heights in Sandown, West Wight Swimming Pool in Freshwater, which runs as a charity. Ryde's Waterside swimming pool is also open, although they presumably don't use the retractable roof so often in December.
I can't think of public pools without thinking of the sign which says 'Welcome to our Ool. You will notice there is no P in our Pool. Please keep it that way'. Classic...
15. Country Pubs and seaside restaurants
As a very general rule, seaside fish and chip sellers close their shutters in winter but pubs across the Isle of Wight stay open. There are loads of really lovely coastal and inland pubs to choose from.
If you're after a cheap meal out, read our guide to eating out on a budget. For reviews, take a look at Matt and Cat's comprehensive guide or TripAdvisor.
Personally, I enjoy the site of crashing waves whilst I eat my burger and chips, so we often go for one of the Isle of Wight's restaurants with a sea view.
If you're after a cheap meal out, read our guide to eating out on a budget. For reviews, take a look at Matt and Cat's comprehensive guide or TripAdvisor.
Personally, I enjoy the site of crashing waves whilst I eat my burger and chips, so we often go for one of the Isle of Wight's restaurants with a sea view.
16. Kite Flying
Do you have a problem with too much wind on your holiday? Try kite flying! It won't solve your problem, but it might distract you for a bit.
Kite flying is particularly good in winter because there's less chance of running into someone whilst attempt to launch your incorrectly-constructed-heap-of-string-and-plastic.
A few spots worth considering include:
Kite flying is particularly good in winter because there's less chance of running into someone whilst attempt to launch your incorrectly-constructed-heap-of-string-and-plastic.
A few spots worth considering include:
- Yaverland Beach (near Sandown). Nice wide open beach with parking, check tide times for the beaches obviously, see our beaches guide for locations.
- Appley Beach (Ryde). Another wide open beach with parking.
- Compton Bay. Good at low tide and very picturesque, but not quite as expansive as Appley and Yaverland.
- Culver Down near Bembridge (try to avoid running off the cliff).
- Tennyson Down near The Needles (again, try to avoid falling into the sea, your kite won't save you).
- Chillerton Down (try to avoid the massive mast)
Yaverland is a good kite-flying beach
17. In-car viewpoints
In the winter months we like to park up in normally busy seaside spots and admire the view with a thermos flask and a piece of cake. Admittedly, that makes me sound like a very boring man...but my wife does make very nice cake.
We've got a separate guide to 15 of the best Isle of Wight car park viewpoints, but some good winter options include:
We've got a separate guide to 15 of the best Isle of Wight car park viewpoints, but some good winter options include:
- Sandown, Shanklin or Yaverland (easy parking on the Esplanade in winter)
- Ventnor (again, easy parking on the Esplanade)
- Freshwater Bay (dramatic crashing waves on a stormy day)
The view from Hanover Point car park is one of my favourites
You might even like to try the Wighty 90, which is a 90km driving route which includes most of the Isle of Wight's most scenic car parks and drives.
18. Isle of Wight Steam Railway at Christmas and other Christmassy fun
In recent years, the Isle of Wight's Steam Railway has run Christmas Santa specials at weekends and during the school holiday before Christmas. You can have a ride on the steam train, meet Father Christmas and wander round the museum. I suspect most younger visitors are more interested in the meeting-Father-Christmas bit than the exhibition about steam locomotive restoration, but it does have child-friendly bits. We enjoyed the trail that had a small prize at the end.
Busy Bees is a large garden centre in Ryde that is worth an hour of your time in December if you have children. They'll enjoy the flashing decorations whilst you try to stop them touching anything breakable.
An open top bus tour of housing estates may not sound like a terrific way to spend 90 minutes in December. However, Southern Vectis's tour of the best Christmas light decorations often sells out. The bus is decked out in Christmas lights, Father Christmas drives the bus and Christmas music blasts out of the speakers. Wear at least three coats and a pair of long johns.
Busy Bees is a large garden centre in Ryde that is worth an hour of your time in December if you have children. They'll enjoy the flashing decorations whilst you try to stop them touching anything breakable.
An open top bus tour of housing estates may not sound like a terrific way to spend 90 minutes in December. However, Southern Vectis's tour of the best Christmas light decorations often sells out. The bus is decked out in Christmas lights, Father Christmas drives the bus and Christmas music blasts out of the speakers. Wear at least three coats and a pair of long johns.
19. Sandown pier
Sandown Pier is only partially open in winter. The dry end of the Pier continues to serve up chips, 2p machines, arcade games, a cheap bowling alley, minigolf and a soft play area for little ones. The wet end of the Pier has funfair rides but they were closed when we visited on a stormy day in winter.
Sunny days at Sandown Pier (Full disclosure: I took this photo in August, it looks much less appealing in January)
20. Food and drink producers
The Isle of Wight’s garlic producers stay open all year round, presumably because there is always work to be done so it makes sense to keep on selling stuff to visitors.
Isle of Wight Garlic is free and has a well-stocked gift shop, which was named 'Best Shop/Retail at the Isle of Wight Awards 2022.
See our Isle of Wight Food and Drink Tour if that's the sort of thing you enjoy.
Isle of Wight Garlic is free and has a well-stocked gift shop, which was named 'Best Shop/Retail at the Isle of Wight Awards 2022.
See our Isle of Wight Food and Drink Tour if that's the sort of thing you enjoy.
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