Parks of The Isle of Wight

What is would you say was a super and great pastime for both adults and children alike? Immediately holiday time together comes to mind as it is the most favourite and lovely pastime for any family to enjoy on an annual basis. We all love having wonderful times with our dear ones and close friends. The grown-ups can have a drink and relax while the children enjoy the many days away from school, having a super and nice time with friends and not just sitting in front of computer and playing electronic games, but walking and cycling, jumping around and generally having fun.

Where can you find such a nice place to relax and rest? Well may I suggest you try the beautiful and green Isle of Wight. There is a great spirit on the Island brining enjoyment and service to its visitors is one of the main thrusts of the many tourism businesses. As well as this the traveler will notice immediately that the pace of life changes as soon as you cross the Solent and set foot onto the Island, it’s a magical place of beauty with the most splendid scenery. I would like to provide you with some information on a few of the main attractions and parks on the IOW. Your children will find that there are many things to do and see within them.

One of the popular attractions on the IOW is Dinosaur Isle- an Interactive dinosaur museum.

This park is located in Sandown. It is a really nice and stunning area, where you can see and play with Interactive displays, large fossil collections, alongside is an extensive gift shop, this is an all weather attractions and is open all the year round. You can have a walk into past and then back to future, contemplating the history and development of the civilization of dinosaurs that lived 120 million years ago. There is also a great collection of all kinds of dinosaurs fossilized remains.

Their sizes will surprise you as they are their natural size which means BIG! Do not be scared as they are just skeletons, but very, very long ago a world of dinosaurs ruled the Isle of Wight.

The next attraction and park is Robin Hill Country Park.

Set in picturesque country side, it is an ideal place for children’s parties and the playing of games. There are five new woodland gardens to rest in and explore so something for the whole family. Here you have a great opportunity to see and take pictures of the rare red squirrel. This is great fun for the kids as squirrel spotting can take many hours of hunting to find the right picture,. It is a real fun for kids!

The thirds alternative is Fort Victoria to the West of the Wight, situated on the north side of the Solent. Here you can see the following attractions, the Marine Aquarium, and Archaeology Exhibition, Planetarium and Model Railway. Again I t is an opportunity to combine leisure time with super educational themes. It is a very good place to view vintage boats and ships in action as the views across the narrow straits between the Island and the mainland is narrow and very busy. After having a super walk you can have lunch at Verdi’s Cafe.

Here are just some parks and attraction options found on the Isle of Wight. However, there is a great amount of Isle of Wight attractions. Choose whatever you want and have a great day out! IOW Tourism welcomes you!

Fun Activities of The Isle of Wight

There are many places in the world where you can have a nice holiday and great fun. At any of the places you intend to spend your valuable vacation time you wish to make sure that you chosen well. One of the main things is who you are going on your trip, as your companions play a vital role in the success of the adventure. You can of course go on trip alone, but that takes a special kind of person as travel is all about experience and that is often best shared. If you want to be away from civilisation and to rest for a while from hustle and bustle of everyday living then why not choose the Isle of Wight as the perfect destination. It is calm and tranquil place often thought of as being many years behind the pace of mainland or north Island as the locals like say.

You know on think about it, I must personally say that Isle of Wight can and is an ideal destination for everybody. For example, it is a great opportunity to spend a wonderful vacation with the whole family. The weather is often better than that of the mainland; there is plenty of enchanting picturesque scenery, golden beaches, historical places and festivals galore that cater for all tastes. Natural beauty appeals to your imagination and inspiration. There are so many places for kids like Zoos, Parks, and Isle of Wight Attractions. Your children will be excited and busy with so many different things to do. Young couples also will be engaged with festivals and events.

The Isle of Wight is a breeding-ground for many fiestas, carnivals and celebrations, such as the Isle of Wight Music Festival, The Bestival, Jazz Festival and many more! If you are looking for something very different or extreme, you can go on walking or hiking adventure, there are some great water sports, paragliding courses and all sorts of other activities. If you are interested in history, you are welcome to explore the rich and interesting history on the Isle of Wight as it has many famous places to visit and explore. Those wishing to explore the Islands culinary cuisine are greeted by a plethora super restaurants, bars and pubs.

There you can have a mug of beer or a nice dinner with candles and glass of wine. These settings are superb and should be enjoyed with good company, talking with your friends, recalling the moments of your life, chatting over anecdotes and funny stories while soaking up the ambience around. For those that go it alone, try just lying in the Sun, sunbathing and gently swimming in the Sea all of which will improve your soul and give you an appetite for more than juts food. If you are fond of the same, then the nice and warm Isle of Wight beaches are waiting for you. I find it personally so nice to lie down, enjoy the warm Sun rays and just relax. Let the rays caress your body and your soul will float among the clouds in the sky, it truly is a splendid feeling. In evening you can take a walk alongside the beach and contemplate the nice red sun slowly setting in the West.

Many people cross to the Island on a weekend break for all sort o weekend attractions such as Hen and Stag parties, Murder Mysteries, Ghost Hunts and Golfing Weekends. A lot of amusing time is guaranteed, you can go also go in for some games like Lazer combat or paintball, but be sure to bring a jumpsuit and an armored plated set of pants Seriously all the equipment is supplied and it is a very exciting and fun experience and well worth trying if you have never done it before. Two teams of 6 people each are chosen and fight each other in several different events. It is fast, exciting and often quite a dirty game if played in the muddy fields. For those with a little more dignity, Clay Pigeon is a great fun for noble gentleman or women. The goal of this outdoor activity is to shoot as many clay pigeons as possible, the clays come thick and fast and a keen eye can often take the day!

So, as you can see these are only some super activities and opportunities for having fun on the Isle of Wight. IOW Tourism can provide you with a good accommodation and guest service.

Cowes-Torquay-Cowes racing, Bestival and International Charity Classic Car Extravaganza

While having a splendid vacation on the seaside, taking the rays and tanning nicely you are more than likely very relaxed and in joyful mood, however you may now be looking for some new and excitement that can satisfy your soul aspirations.

As the days grow shorter the “tanning season” is drawing to a close, but you can still have great fun visiting the Islands thrilling boat races for example.

The Cowes-Torquay-Cowes powerboat race is a big event held from 28th to 30 August this year, 2009. Around  80 craft are going to participate. As you can see by the name the main race starts and finishes in Cowes – the marine capital of the Isle of Wight. This event is organized and supported by the British Powerboat Racing Club (BPRC). Cowes-Torquay-Cowes is considered a very serious and challenging offshore race and not for the weak of heart. Do try and get down to Cowes or along the foreshore as it’s a great and thrilling site to see these thunderbirds of the sea thrash their way forward at super speeds it’s a really thrilling weekend pastime.

photo by leightonian

Another event not to be missed is the Bestival happening on the 11th to the 13th of  September, 2009. Set up in the leafy surrounds of Robin Hill Countryside Adventure Park you can and will have a crazy and wild time. The Bestival is a 3-day boutique music festival supported by Radio 1 DJ Rob da Bank. It is a multi award-winning event  producing fun and quirky pastimes for all its visitors and guests. On top of which you will discover the many and varied kinds of music genre, plus many attractions, bars, cocktails, circus and acrobatics performances, all wait to entertain and captivate you. This year’s line-up includes Kraftwerk, Massive Attack, MGMT, Fleet Foxes, Seasick Steve, Klaxons, Soulwax, 2manydjs and Bat for Lashes. Lest not forget the wonderful dressing-up theme as this is always widely embraced (this year the theme is Space, the final frontier!). Further attractions include the Come Dancing Spiegeltent and the Bollywood Bar so be there or be square!. The Bestival is one of the best ways to enjoy your life and give back great energy for the soul!

Next for your notebook is the International Charity Classic Car Extravaganza to be held on the 19th  and 20th  of September in Newport and Ryde. This is the its eighth year of operation and is an extremely popular event,  featuring all types of cars, from vintage and veteran to customized and retro, plus motorbikes and specialist military and commercial vehicles. In total, over 600 cars and other vehicles are expected to feature, including a large contingent of Minis (in celebration of the model’s 50th anniversary) and a number of Rolls Royce Silver Ghosts. The event starts at Newport Quay on Saturday and moves to Ryde Esplanade on Sunday. Make sure to take your camera with you as it’s a fabulous time for posing with the car of your dreams. We wish you a great time and lots of happy memories and pictures.

Walking Around The IOW Can be Very Inspirational

The Isle of Wight is an obviously in my eyes a very nice island. I think that most people would agree that a pleasant and pleasurable walk around the island can be most exhilarating. There are many such lovely places on the isle where you can gain an inspiration from nature, so it is rather a challenge to choose just one. The whole isle is set in very picturesque landscape, which is why many people like to stroll it around. So, it is up to the individual as to what direction and track to plan.

You can have a nice walk on a flat a planned flattish route, in the forest, along the Solent, or hike in some of the more rugged heights or even surf on a board in waters around, honest it is also a walk only a marine one! Also if walking has taken its toll you can always just drive around the all Isle of Wight, staying at some interesting towns and then walking to the alluring historical or natural places, I would say masterpieces of extraordinary beauty in many cases.

From my point of view, I want to say that it is an exciting trip around the island, and you should try it, as the impressions it leaves are just marvelous. Walking is a very wonderful thing as you often begin to look at the same thing you pass every day in a car quite differently. You start to feel the breath of nature, the spirit of history taking in the ambiance and atmosphere of the location. It is really rather different thing when you feel the energy of the place… It is a splendid inspirational way of looking at life in the slow lane of one foot in front of another. Why is the Island so attractive? Every season offers something very new and interesting.

You can often visit familiar places to you and they will look different season to season. You will notice new and fresh details and peculiar features. This again can be very attractive because you can often catch something very special that never happens or will return again. You cannot return back or turn the clock back, but you can have this feeling in your memories. This experience brings you to a treasure trove of emotions.

Leave the hustle and bustle of daily routine and take a stroll around the Isle of Wight. Relaxation, inspiration and splendor are guaranteed. You can best create your holiday plan by sitting down making a list of you preferences, plan your holiday schedule and the full speed ahead. New surprises and discovering are waiting for you. Open yourself to the world of impression and feelings… After your holiday you will be ready for innovations and brilliant ideas. A great vacation is the break for your body and soul. Go for it!

Family Holiday Parks in And Around Ryde

What can be more romantic than travelling on the top deck with the sun setting in the distance on a warm summers evening sailing to the Isle of Wight for a super holiday with your loved one? Believe me when I say it is a lovely experience, as you glide slowly forward with the thoughts of what a superb trip is in store as you have heard so much about the nonstop entertainment and nightlife guaranteed all across the Isle of Wight in the summertime. The reputation for great sea food cuisine is making it a favourite destination for the seasoned traveller and new holidaymakers.

The IOW is a perfect location offering wonderful natural locations along with great beeches and scenery to match. The islanders are glad to offer to you all kinds of accommodation to suit every pocket and every family. To find out more information on the suitable accommodation awaiting you why not visit the Island Eye portal.

All across the island you will find suitable accommodation parks at your disposal that cater for all tastes, ages and interests. For example, in the Ryde area there are several, the first is situated 3 miles due East from Ryde where we find Field Lane, containing a nice little family park situated in St. Helens where you and all your children can have a splendid holiday.

This fortunate park position allows you to access nice sandy beaches and enjoy days of sun bathing bucket and spade as well as good safe swimming. From here it is also possible to choose many superb walks that cover all parts of the island.

Another superb situation in Ryde is Hillgrove Park. There again you will find many entertaining activities, games and a super swimming pool for children. If you want to be even closer to nature why not try one of the static caravans and bungalows found at Nodes Point which is located just 3.1 miles from Ryde on the road to towards St Helens.

This park is aimed at holidays for families. There are super amusements, entertainments and attractions that will not leave you or your children wanting. The indoor swimming pool is very impressive and really an exciting pastime for the kids. But don’t forget to have a go yourselves; it is an extremely good exercise for the body and its general health. The staff is open and friendly offers a warm welcome to all their guests throughout the season. The services are excellent and the prices are more than suitable for your family budget.

If you want to go away from your routine everyday life, choose the Isle of Wight. It has on offer an ideal coastline, wonderful rural areas and breathtaking natural beauty for you to enjoy your holiday. All accommodation facilities are comfortable and meet high standard of hotel business. Take a break and visit Ryde!

Open Yourself to Exciting World of Our Own Backyard

There are so many things that are written about one`s holiday time and where to take the all important annual vacation. I am quite sure every year each people plans their holidays with meticulous detail. As it this time when one dreams about having a wonderful time away from work, office, ordinary life and the other monotonous daily chores. OK, so where do we go Europe, further afield perhaps? Well often the answer here will depend on your interests and preferences as well as the all important factor of the monetary budget. After thinking and debating on such a task you eventually will decide as to what the budget can afforded, then the question will switch to where and what is the best place for your vacation this year? We know already there are many places where you can have a great rest and relaxation so the choice is wide.

However, with the budget we have we may well be looking this year to stay in the UK and perhaps visit some of the famous seaside resorts, as much talked about as the kind of holidays by our forefathers used to go on. Such things as sharabangs and a week at Butlins, memories of days at the seaside with their buckets and spades. However, it does not mean that this particular style of holiday or resort will suit you down to the ground or even if you would like it? But we have in our own minds and we should go and see such places for ourselves and see what al the fuss was about.

As when you think about it, you can often spend a great deal of time traveling mile after mile and never actually realize that paradise is nearer than you think. So let`s be wise and appreciate that this year it will not be necessary to go that far away in order to find joy and happiness. Just look around locally and see what UK wonders are really on your own doorstep. To begin with, you will need to make a deep and extensive research on the topic in question. Examining the family requirements is a good place to start. If one person prefers a passive leisure time like drinking a pleasant pint of beer, attending an exciting festival or having a wonderful time at the disco, and the other is fond of a more strenuous pastime like quiet walk for the odd 12 miles followed by an interesting book…Then their tastes differ, but help is at hand. As we don`t have to go that far away and we are very glad enlighten you as to one UK destination that will fit all of the requirements just muted. The Isle of Wight offers not only an answer to your questions but much more as well.

There are many areas where you can have a great time dotted all over the Island thus having a wonderful vacation. What can you not enjoy about the Isle of Wight? It has splendid natural beauty surrounded by nature and a great many evening entertainments and hot nightlife for those more enthusiastic youngsters among the party. All of which will be at your disposal when visiting the IOW. If you are fit and wish to partake in a walking adventure, again the Island has many signed and well documented walks throughout the whole island where you can explore each town and village of this beautiful isle. And believe me there are many places worth seeing along the trails. It is a good opportunity for the British people to discover their own culture and feel free to embellish and contemplate why our forefathers made such a song and dance about our own wonderful Islands.

Just a quick note on accommodation places for you. Via the internet and cyber space you can easily find any Isle of Wight Hotel that should comfortably satisfy all your requirements and demands. Here as well you can find out some useful background information on an Isle of Wight Holiday.

photo source

Family Holiday on The Isle of Wight

With the current world situation we all need to follow the dictates, rules and laws to survive and try and maintain a reasonable lifestyle. This lifestyle reflects at anytime our need to share positive emotions and feeling among our families. A holiday is a great opportunity to have a nice time with the all members of the family giving us rest from the ordinary routine rigors’ of everyday work and life. But, there a question arises.

How to have a great vacation by investing as little money as possible? Well may I propose the following answer? One of the best ways to have a great vacation is to take a holiday in your native country. Why I hear you ask?  Well, you already know almost everything there is to know about your natural countries culture, customs and traditions, thus on your first new outing or adventure so you can’t be tripped up and get into any trouble by following a wrong course of action. However, there are still many new things and places to discover as it is an amazing world of splendid and wonderful things, this place we call the home.

The Isle of Wight is a British island of an offering huge enjoyment, pleasure and thrills! It is an island where you can have picnics with your families; partake in many various interesting sporting activities, visit a Norman castle, admire a Roma and fresco.  It is a chance to have a superb leisure time; with many a distraction for every person at every age and of any course social interests groups are also well catered for as the Isle of Wight caters for all tastes! There is a good family camping facilities dotted all over the Island intertwined within the natural beauty, making it marvelous and so spectacular that from a child to adult person to enjoy. Thus everybody feels very relaxed and comfortable in the picturesque scenery and peaceful surroundings.

Many different events are organised on the IOW for you, so can choose whatever your souls wants; from just a nice sunbathing afternoon on one of the golden beaches, or a visit to one of the fabulous exciting attractions on offer. Super world wide acclaimed hot music festivals or a peaceful rest in the open air, or perhaps a super gift of shopping therapy for the girlies.

What do we suggest for the little ones?  Sparky’s Krew is an exhilarating place for children from 5 to 16 years offering many different facilities. For the more creative child why not pop along to Chessell Pottery and see what they can get their hands on. Not forgetting the parents, you also want to have a camping holiday with fun so why not pop along in the evening and be entertained at the Regatta View Show bar. It is a stylish and charming choice for parents. Enjoy a nice drink and contemplate the boats` and sailing regattas of the Solent. Those wishing to discover something new that’s not that far away should examine a local IOW museum visit.
Why not try out the Calbourne Water Mill, Yarmouth Castle, and the Dimbola Lodge or spend a really educational visit at the Isle of Wight Pearl.
We wish all a super and safe holiday!

An Exciting National Bike Week on The Isle of Wight

There are now only a few days before the unsought for the real summer weather to start. Everybody feels nice and expectant, looking forward to the warm and pleasant atmosphere of the coming season. It is great time to have fun, to go on picnics, to meet friends, visit the most gorgeous places on our planet…Summer is a good chance to get absorbed in all aspects of our super surrounding natural countryside so why not delve into and try out some of the sporting activities that can bring you in close concert nature. Adrenalin driven healthy lifestyle makes your life brighter and provides you with a sense of satisfaction.

Isle of Wight announces the National Bike Week. This is a great time to fun for all of your family to see Isle of Wight. The event takes place from 13th to the 21st of June, 2009. The Isle of Wight is a wonderful place and worth visiting for a cycling break.

Isle of Wight county council along with the local tourism authority has created many cycle ways throughout the Island. To start you off there is a flat cycle path tracking from the no longer used railway station in Cowes and stretches all the way into the centre town of Newport. Her you can rest for while as many nice picnic places from Newport to Sandown are available. From here onto Sandown viewing the wild natural beauty of the IOW, observing the rare wild plants and local species or even have a chance to see the red squirrel close up.

You may also be interested in a fine 12-mile cycle route called the Sunshine Trail. This tracks through a very favorable picturesque area that receives some of the highest amount of sun shine. Starting from the south of the IOW, it offers really magnificent panoramic views over Shanklin, then onto Lake passing by Sandown railway stations. All the way you can contemplate some of the amazing views and all from the comfort of your trusty mountain bike. For those looking for a little longer route we can offer a 15 or 16 miles cycle. This is a little more ambitious but for the real enthusiast why not attempts the 62-mile round the island route. It can be performed in one day, although it is nice to stop over in some of the super inns and B&B; dotted along its path.
If you do not have a bike, but have a great desire to take part in this event and gain such exciting experience then you can easily hire one from the very first day of the festival.

The Isle of Wight Councils organizes for islanders as well as tourists a rich program of divers’ capability so everyone can have a go at something on offer…

During the National Bike Week you will have an opportunity to see a wide range of interesting events…They say that June is marked by the coming of The Prodigy and Stereophonics to the island. So, believe me when I say, you will have a great many pastimes to keep you from becoming bored! We wish you to have a great cycling holiday have fun and cycle safe.

Bestival is a Superb Place to Feel Your Spirit

The Bestival is one of the greatest events in the musical calendar. This Bestival provides people with the three-day fun filled package of joy and a storm of emotions.

Incredible experience and exclusive tornado party are guaranteed.

This year the festival is to be found at its normal venue of Robin Hill on the Isle of Wight from the 11th to the 13th September. Initially the event was organised by BBC radio in late summer of 2004 with the aim to bring good and qualitative live music to a wide public canvas, 2009 is the sixth edition of this annual festival.

The Bestival is famous for its masquerade or fancy dresses presentations. It is a chance to feel totally free and let yourself go wearing whatever you wish,  to pull out various traditional and non-traditional ideas, to use your inspiration, to liberate your imagination and spirit in order to get a achieve satisfaction. It has a non-formal feel and innovative way of communication and uniting people of different styles of living and thus a whole state of triumph of existence is explored! In the objects of the Bestival you can look and feel like you are a human being of the great world society, without objection from others and at peace with oneself. It is a very special format and you can experience only during this Bestival session if you take part. That is why the other name for this festival is the boutique music festival.

2009 party goers will have to enjoy Massive Attack, Kraftwerk, Elbow and the many others. There will be plenty of artists entertaining the most capricious and demanding public.

Regarding your stay during the festival, there is a campsite and all the necessary facilities at your disposal. So you will have pleasure eating and drinking as well as for the greater long term comfort showers and toilets are provided. There is plenty spaces for car parking etc.

So just relax and let it flow, and with the help of the odd alcoholic drinks you will fly in the sky…

We can be sure that your weekend will be full of excitement and pleasure. So you be sure to make time for the Bestival as it’s high time for adrenalin and stimulation!! Have fun and enjoy lovely Bestival on the Isle of Wight! We are sure you will take home some very exciting moments for your memory as well as great photos to remind you about a weekend in the years to come.

Madness ‘House Of Fun’ Bestival Isle of Wight 2007

Smuggling on the Isle of Wight

Smuggling became evident on the Isle of Wight probably due to high taxes and low incomes for the locals. So smuggling became a way of generating income whilst avoiding high taxes which also meant more profit for the smuggler. The Island was well known for its exports of wool and had significant trade in this area. Up until towards the end of the end of the 18th century the Isle of Wight was relatively lacking in defences against smuggling. This led to the Island being almost a smugglers paradise with its many landing points along its south coast. The numerous chines became the sights of a whole number of routes for smuggling on the Isle of Wight providing cover so the many smugglers were less likely to be caught.

For some time in certain areas of the Island the smugglers were almost unchallenged and had a roaring trade. The Isle of Wight was up until the end of the 13th century an independent principality and many of the islanders distrusted and despised rule from the mainlanders. Smuggling tales are widespread throughout the Island and many are well known to locals. It must be said however that the smugglers did not go unchallenged and the local preventive forces gradually became more and more effective at stopping the smugglers from carrying out their criminal activities.

Of all the smugglers havens on the Isle of Wight, Rookley is known for having been the smugglers capital of the Island. The main reason for this is that Rookley is located at the epicentre of the Island. On the south coast Chale was well known for being the home of the notorious smuggling clan the ‘Wheelers’ they lived in the infamous ‘Box cottage’. Bembridge was famous for its crossings to and from France.

Bembridge today is famous for its windmill which harks back to more historic times and was used by smugglers as a helpful landmark for approaching ships.

Niton was known and written of that almost its whole populace were smugglers with many posing as having normal respectable day jobs such as farmers and fishermen. However they did little farming and fishing but somehow still had plentiful amounts of cash to spend on whatever they so desired. However it was along the north coast of the Island that most of the confrontation between the smugglers and customs officials of the time took place. For a while the smugglers had little fear of the authorities and their reprisals.
This wasn’t to be forever and in September in the year of 1777 William Arnold took up the post of collector of customs based in Cowes. This was the start of the wind of change for smuggling on the Isle of Wight and gradually William gained more support in stamping out smuggling in this local area not to mention resources to do so.