Adventure island: Isle of Wight coast
The temptation to pull off the road was too strong to resist. On a perfect May day, the sun shining gently in a blue sky, waves illuminated in shades of turquoise and navy with the sparkle of the white cliffs in the distance, the Isle of Wight coast was a sight to make me sigh with contentment.
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People talk about the island being trapped in a time warp: there’s an element of truth – but in the best way. Coasting along lanes lined with splashes of purple pink wildflowers, looking out to the sea, it’s timelessly beautiful; here, I slow down without thinking, I relax with my daughter instead of hustling us from A to B, I remember how to enjoy the simplest things.
My love of the Great British seaside is no secret – so if anything was to have a chance of topping day one on the island, including our fabulous dinosaur fossil find, it was going to be hitting the beach. Starting with The Needles.
While half the population seemed to have their hiking boots on for the annual Walk the Wight, a 26.5 mile amble across the island, we were planning something a bit less strenuous. After picking up our tickets, we sauntered down the 189 steps to the beach.
If you want a real adrenaline thrill, there’s a RIB boat which will whisk you around the bay. Minnie was too young to try that, and frankly I fancied the gentler pace of the ‘big boat’ pleasure cruise – around 20 minutes sailing out to The Needles and back again, with a commentary along the way.
Discovering that people were stationed in the lighthouse until 1994 was surprising enough; learning about the lift shaft sunk into the cliff to see off a threatened (but eventually non-existent) 19th century invasion from the French was fascinating,
But between gazing at the striped shades of the cliffs by the shore, thrown sideways aeons ago by the movement of the earth, and spying the tiny figures wandering along to The Needles battery above, we just soaked in the views of those famous rocks emerging from the water.
I’d never realised there was a missing rock, tall and pointy with a hole at the top, which stood until a storm in 1764 saw it crashing back into the waves: only the name survives today.
Instead we amused ourselves by deciding what we thought might have caused the rock shapes – a stegosaurus hiding under the water, only his spines sticking out, decided my daughter. And someone had put a lighthouse on his nose!
The curving cliffs around the bay meanwhile were a sleeping dragon, its snout next to the dinosaur and tail stretching off towards the west coast and Hurst Castle, the closest point of the mainland to the Isle of Wight.
Back on shore once more, we swapped climbing back up for another adventure in keeping with the theme of our weekend – the chairlift to the amusement park at the top. Where, along with all the other visitors, we filled our own souvenir (a glass lighthouse) with the different coloured sand from the cliffs.
After a quick ride on the carousel and teacups – as Minnie isn’t quite five, I was forced to ride along with her – and my customary Isle of Wight souvenir, a few delicious chutneys from The Garlic Farm, the opposite coast awaited us.
Our first pitstop: pizza at West Wight Alpacas nearby. Minnie was too young to walk with the alpacas, so we waved to them in the field before stuffing ourselves with freshly cooked pizza. I was just sorry we didn’t have room for garlic bread, churros or any of the delicious looking cakes.
Then onwards through the countryside, past Carisbrooke Castle where I fought the temptation to stop and see the donkey inhabitants once more, to Appley near Ryde. Because what’s a seaside weekend without some more time at the beach?
For more of the best Isle of Wight beaches with kids, check out this post
Armed with bucket, spade, sand toys and a promised ice cream, Minnie proceeded to excavate the beach as I gazed back across the Solent to the Spinnaker Tower.
There was a ferry with our name on to whisk us back. But first, just enough time to hit the adventure playground by the Gothic Revival folly, Appley Tower.
Perfect for younger kids, with a pirate ship and huge slide among other entertainments, I had reluctantly to pass up the chance of some tree climbing at Goodleaf nearby – suitable for over-eights only.
Dragging ourselves away from the sand for the short drive to Fishbourne and the ferry back to real life, there was one silver lining: it gave me a perfect excuse to come back again.
I doubt I can wait three years though…
As it turned out, I couldn’t wait three years – check out our return visit to the Isle of Wight for a bear hunt on the island or check out my top things to do on the Isle of Wight with kids
PIN FOR LATER: ISLE OF WIGHT COAST
Disclosure: I’m working with Visit Isle of Wight who arranged our stay, visit to The Needles and gave us the heads up about Appley. This post contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission. All opinions remain my own or my daughter’s, including whether you can balance a lighthouse on a submerged stegosaurus.
Images copyright MummyTravels
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Gorgeous scenery!
Such a beautiful coastline.
Oh just reading this was like a breath of that fresh Isle of Wight air. So pleased you had a lovely time too…your post makes me want to go back!
That is such a good description of the island – you do just want to breathe in lungfuls of it. And I am already tempted to book a return trip too!
When we went, a couple of years ago, I loved the fact that it was so easy to get to from our home in London. Although we stayed by the sea, the children were very little so we didn’t get to try out any of these activities. I’m dying to go back now!
Definitely – even with Friday night traffic it was so easy to get there. I don’t know why I don’t go more often!
Looks so beautiful. I’ve never been to the Isle of Wight, but it’s always been somewhere I’ve wanted to visit. x
It is really lovely – very chilled out but lots to do, and lots of coast to keep me happy!
Exploring the Isle of Wight coast really does look beautiful, I can see why you relaxed and wandered at a casual pace and take in the scenery. A boat tour along the coast sounds perfect, with it only being 20 minutes it must have been the best amount of time to keep Minnie occupied. That play area sounds like a great place to burn off any excess steam that Minnie had after a busy day exploring.
Thanks for sharing with me on #CountryKids.
Absolutely – it’s somewhere you want to soak up not rush. And 20 mins is about right for my daughter’s attention span on boats!
I love visiting the Isle of Wight! It’s like visiting the past – with wifi!
Best of both! 🙂
My grandad loved the isle of white and ican see why. Beautiful photos. Looks like a great day. #countrykids
It is a very special place – thanks!
so beautiful!
Thanks!
This looks like a perfect weekend adventure. I know the kids would love to take the chair lift! You even seemed to have nice weather. #CountryKids
We had such a glorious weekend – beautiful sun finally, just right for exploring.
Beautiful photos, it looks like you had a lovely visit. The Isle of Wight is one of my absolute favourite places and I completely get what you mean about being able to slow down without thinking about it – I instantly feel so much more relaxed each time I set foot off the ferry!
Thanks! And absolutely – there’s something in the air there.
Having been to the Isle of Wight before I can understand the feeling of stepping back in time and chilling out. Ah to sip a strawberry milkshake and have home made cake again. #Countrykids
Mmmmmm – exactly that
It’s a wonderful island, somewhere I spent a lot of time on as a child, I really must find a way of visiting with my son too #CountryKids
Isn’t it – somewhere I think I’ll keep returning to with my daughter over the years.
Wow What an absolutely stunning coastline! It is somewhere we haven’t really thought of visiting but reading your post it is definitely a place to add to our ‘places to visit.’ !
You really should – it’s such a lovely island and I keep discovering more and more to do. Plus fab beaches.
I adore visiting the Isle of Wight and am in neighbouring Hampshire but I’m a little sad to say I haven’t visited with J since she was born! We’re planning a visit in the summer on the hovercraft though – lovely photos #CountryKidsS
I’ve never been on the hovercraft, although spotted them speeding along. Hope you have a great time this summer, always love it there.
What a wonderful day out on the island. I’m kicking myself that we didn’t board the ferry more when we lived in Hampshire. This little place of adventure, with its wonderful microclimate, was just a stones throw away!
It’s so easy to forget when it’s on the doorstep – I know I do with places closer to home. Well… another excuse to pop back to Hampshire!
What a gorgeous day you had! That sky 🙂 It sounds like you had a really special time, and I can see why you want to return. #countrykids
We really did – such a perfect weekend in the sun.
The Isle of Wight looks stunning! I once spent a long weekend there with my boyfriend, now husband, but I had no idea there were so many things to see and do. Love the disclaimer 😉
Popping over at the last minute from #CountryKids
Thanks! 😉 It always amazes me just how much there is – such a lovely place to visit.