From fluffy lambs to a free, alternative Easter bonnet workshop, there’s plenty of fun to keep children busy on the Isle of Wight.
What’s more with self-catering breaks starting at just £16 per person per night and 3 nights B&B breaks from £90 per person it’s a very tempting alternative to staying at home during the school Easter Holidays.
New this year, Blackgang Chine, one of the Isle of Wight’s most popular attractions and much loved by generations of Brits holidaying on the Island, has added a Giant Bug walk with giant insects and talking gnomes – ideal for the kids – while its sister attraction Robin Hill Countryside Adventure Park near Newport, has added a Rio Grande Train ride to its fantastic range of attractions.
Following the recent news that nearly 50 new species from the dinosaur age have been found on the Isle of Wight in the last four years, aspiring palaeontologists should head to Dinosaur Isle on Sandown seafront where guided fossil walks can be booked.
Here are our top tips for what to see and do with your family on the Isle of Wight this Easter:
Easter Lambs and Easter Eggs
Have fun meeting the lambs and seeing if the seagulls have laid eggs at Newtown, a national nature reserve in the Island’s north. Plus make an Easter lamb with real wool from a National Trust sheep and take it home. Suitable for children aged 7 and under. All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
When: Wednesday 15 April, 12.45 for 1pm start
Where: To be advised when booking
Cost: £2.50 per child aged 3-7, under 3s free, booking essential.
Visit National Trust
Watch the Easter birdie!
Kids can learn about the birds breeding and feeding around Newtown estuary using a solar powered telescope (weather permitting). Binoculars provides – wellies recommended. Suitable for children aged 5-13. All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
When: Thursday 16 April, 11am for 11.15 start
Where: To be advised when booking
Cost: £2.50 per child aged 3-7, under 3s free, booking essential.
Visit National Trust
Decorate an Easter Egg cup for just £5!
An ‘unbeatable’ offer from Chessell Pottery Barns. Let the kids have a go at painting their very own egg cup and stay for lunch or a home-made cream tea. Visitors can collect their fired eggs a few days later, or have them posted to their home.
When: Easter weekend (10-12 April)
Where: Chessell Pottery Barns, Brook Road, Chessell, Yarmouth, PO41 0UE
Cost: £5, advanced booking recommended.
www.pottery-café.com
An Alternative Easter Bonnet
A great alternative to the traditional Easter bonnet, kids are invited to make a ‘Mad Hat’ at two free family drop-in workshops (all ages) organised by the Island’s Quay Arts centre and wear it afterwards at the Mad Hatter’s Birthday team party (18 April) and get a free cup cake!. These free craft sessions take place on Saturday 4 April; choose from either the 10am to 12 noon or 1-3pm slot. For more information and to book, call 01983 822490. For more kid’s creative courses taking place over the Easter holidays, visit www.quayarts.org
Wear the kids out on an Easter Egg Hunt!
Easter just wouldn’t be the same without a traditional egg hunt and it’s a great way to get them active after scoffing all that chocolate!
Appuldurcombe House & Isle of Wight Owl & Falconry Centre Easter Egg Hunt
Sunday 12 April (10am to 12 noon)
Thousands of eggs to find in 11 acres of grounds! Family ticket (2 adults/3 children) £12.
www.appuldurcombe.co.uk
Mottistone Manor Garden Easter Egg Trail
Sunday 12 April (11am-4pm)
Become a garden detective and crack the clues around this magical garden to get a chocolate egg. Plus children’s flowerpot trail and family activity packs and delightful walks to the Long Stone. Normal admission prices apply (National Trust members free) plus £1.50 per trail sheet for each child participating.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/isleofwight
The Needles Old Battery Easter Egg Trail
13 April (10.30am – 4pm)
Crack the clues around this Victorian gun battery perched on the cliff-top with a great view of the famous Needles rocks. Normal admission prices apply (National Trust members free) plus £1.50 per trail sheet for each child participating. www.nationaltrust.org/isleofwight
The Isle of Wight Model Village Miniature egg hunt
Easter weekend
Kids are challenged to find as many toy eggs as possible in exchange for a chocolate one! There is no charge for the egg hunt but normal admission prices apply: adults £3.30, children £1.95, seniors £2.95, family ticket £10 (2+3), which includes a return visit to the Model Village within one week. www.modelvillagegodshill.co.uk
Where to stay:
 Easter breaks start at just £249 for the whole family for 3 or 4 nights (that’s from £16 per person per night) at Gurnard Pines Resort, near Cowes. Their woodland bungalows and pine lodges are set within 50 acres of private woodland, facilities include a 25m heated indoor pool, leisure club and indoor and outdoor play areas.
Sandown Manor, a family run establishment, is offering 3 nights B&B from £90 per person or £130 per person to include return ferry travel. Prices are based on 2 adults sharing a room. Family rooms available from £225 for 3 nights B&B, or from £305 including return car ferry. Easter offer runs from 10-13 April 2009 inclusive. Children can make friends with the Shetland pony and sheep.
Please mention ‘Island breaks’ when enquiring about the above, and for more special accommodation offers this Easter, visit:
www.islandbreaks.co.uk/site/accommodation/special-offers/easter-offers-o9211
It’s simple to get to the Isle of Wight, there are up to 350 ferry crossings a day from Portsmouth, Southampton, Lymington and Southsea. Once you’re there it’s easy to get around, ferry routes connect directly with the Island’s road, rail and coach links.
March 2009
For details on how to get to the Isle of Wight, where to stay, eat and drink, visit www.islandbreaks.co.uk |
Canvas Holidays 2012
