Fun things to do in Isle of Wight

Amazon world was created by Derek Curtis after a vist to the Amazon rainforest. Concerned by the distruction & devestation being caused there he wanted to raise awareness of how serious the situation is, Amazon World was born.....

There are many ecological facts here as you walk around, many birds, animals reptiles, insects, amphibians and fish mostly from the Amazon region of the world.

Talks about the animals throughout the day & also falconary displays near the front entrance.

Open from 10 daily, admission was roughly £7.00, cafe, outdoor Jarassic play area, plus gift shops.

The Botanical gardens sit on the site of a former Hospital for diseases of the chest, with the advancement in medicine the hopsital was no longer needed & finally demolished in 1969 after 80 years of use.

Originally called Steephill Pleasure Gardens, with the position of being under a huge cliff which created a warmer area Sir Harold Hillier decided it should be changed in to a Botanical Gardens. The gardens have not been without their problems, first with poor clay soil & then in the violent storm which hit Britain in 1987 & another in 1989 over 500 trees were lost. Which make what you see today even more of a wonder & achievement.

The impressive new colonial looking visitor centre houses interactive displays, toilets, cafe & shop.

The Gardens are split in to different areas, Mediterranean, New Zealand, Japanese, Americas, native flower meadow..... my favourite is the Palm Garden, probably becasue it reminds me of going abroad. The gardens are set within 22 acres of gentle slopes, there is also a good childrens play area. A large greenhouse houses exhibitions.

Admission is free (small charge for the green house)

Above Alum Bay near the Needles is "The Needles Park". From here you can get a chairlift to the beach below (£3.50 return I think) or you could walk the 188 steps.

Also there is a sand shop which is quite interesting & tacky tourist shops & amusement arcades. Entrance is free, parking £3.00. From here there are some great views over to the Needles itself.

The Isle of Wight is very proud of its association with the Romans & the time they spent here, there is evidence of them here all over the island.

At the Roman Villa are some of the best Roman mosaics in Europe, plus also an interactive centre & Roman Garden. Unfortunately the Roman Villa was closed when we visited, but check out there excellent website for more detailed information.

Around the coastline of the island are "chines". 'Chine' is a local word and now used only in the Isle of Wight and Dorset. It is of Saxon origin and means a deep narrow ravine, formed by water cutting through soft sandstone leading to the sea. The Island has a number of chines but the two largest are Blackgang, where very little of the original remains, due to erosion, and Shanklin, unique in the quality of its flora and fauna. With a drop of 105ft to sea level, and just over a quarter of a mile, the Chine covers an area of approximately three acres.

We walked from the bottom of the chine near the sea, where we had spotted men thatching the roof of a cottage, right up to the top leading out to Shanklyn village.

At the bottom of the chine is the Heritage Centre, with information, museum, shop and the inevitable tea room. Well worth a visit.

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The town of Sanddown is typical of many on the south-east coast of the island and it is notable for its long stretch of easily accessible golden sandy beach. It is the site of the lost Sandown Castle. Sandown has been a seaside resort town since the Victorian age thanks to its sands and the sunny weather. Today Sandown Esplanade boasts some fine Victorian and Edwardian hotels which overlook the golden sands of the beach below. Sandown Pier hosts a large amusement centre with arcade games and children's play areas, typical of a sea-side resort. The pier is also good for doing a spot of sea fishing with designated areas especially for the keen angler.

Much of the land around the lower part of St Helens is countryside and maintained by the National Trust. By the Old Church are numerous pathways leading along the beach to Seaview, up the hill to Nodes Point and up to St Helens village. These walks are only short in comparison to other Island walks but you still take in alot of nature. In wooded areas you may get a chance to see a red squirrel or if you stay by the coast see the birds breaking open shells and snails to feed on. These walks may not be a highlight but can be anice break.
A well walked path leads from behind Baywatch cafe and crosses St Helens duver, a magnificent area of open land, criss crossed by a river and covered in wild plant life. From the duver you can cross over a causeway to Bembridge or cross the wooden bridge and ascend the hill to St Helens village.