Isle of Wight Things to Do

  The Needles
by devat81
 
  • The Needles
      The Needles
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  • Needles from Old Battery
      Needles from Old Battery
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  • We at Sandown Bay
      We at Sandown Bay
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  • The Town Side
      The Town Side
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  • Farm House
      Farm House
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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

The Needles Old Battery

by SurfaceTravel

Aside from being an historic Victorian gun battery, this is the best place on land to view the Needles. This is a National Trust Property. From their web site (listed below):"The threat of a French invasion prompted the construction in 1862 of this spectacularly sited fort, which now contains exhibitions about the Battery's involvement in the First and Second World Wars and the Headland's intriguing past as a secret rocket testing site. The Battery retains two of its original gun barrels, and the laboratory and position-finding cells have been restored. A 60yd tunnel leads to dramatic views of The Needles rocks and the Dorset coastline beyond."When researching this or driving there, do not confuse it with Needles Park, a sort of family tourist trap located next door. It may be a good place to visit (I don't know), but it isn't the same place as the Battery, nor do you need to go there to...

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Bestival Isle Of Wight 2006

by budapest8

Rachid Taha Band with special guest Brian Eno • Raf Daddy • Ricardo Villalobos • Ricky Redhead • Richard Barbieri • Rob da Bank • Rob Luis • Rodney P • Ross Allen • Rumble Strips • Sasha • Scissor Sisters • Scritti Politti • Semi Finalists • Shantel • ***disco • Skream • Softrocks • Solid State Revival • Sombrero DJ's • Son Of Dave • Soul Jazz presents Pete Reilly • Subway • Sugardaddy • Switch • Taxi • Tayo • Terry Hall • The Aliens • The Bays • The Bees • The Black Dog • The Boy Least Likely To • The Cuban Brothers • The Egg • The Eighteenth Day of May • The Fall • The Hat • The Long Blondes • The Nextmen with MC Wrec • The Pipettes • The Stranglers • The Sunshine Underground • The Young Knives • Tilly And The Wall • TM Juke with Alice Russell • Toby Tobias • Touché • Trouble DJ's & MC Ratty • Tunng • Ulrich Schnauss • Various Productions • Vetiver • Vicarious Bliss • Whitey • Will...

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Bestival Isle Of Wight 2006

by budapest8

Holloways • Hot Chip • Hot Club De Paris • Howard Marks • Howdi • Hush The Many • Huw Stephens • I Like Trains • Ian Knocka Dore • IDC • James Priestly • James Yorkston And The Athletes • Jamie T • Jamsin & Emma-ra • Jazzanova • Jeggsy Dodd • Jeremy Warmsley • Jim Noir • Jimpster • Joana And The Wolf • Joe Driscoll • John Martyn • John Metcalf • John Stapleton • Justice • Justin Robertson • Kanda Bongo Man • Kelley Polar • Kid Carpet • Kid Creole & The Coconuts • King Creosote • Kirk Degiorgiou • Kish Mauve • Kitty Daisy & Lewis • Klaxons • Kode 9 • Kraak En Smaak • Krafty Kuts • Krooks • Ladyfuzz • Lily Allen • Lindstrom & Prins Thomas • Lo Fi Fnk • Love Is All • M Craft • Magnetophone with Sonic Boom and Kwaing Creasite • Man Like Me • Mara Carlyle • Mark Ronson • Mary Ann Hobbs • Max Sedgley • Maya • Metronomy • Mi & Lau • Michael Cook • Mika • Mistys Big Adventure • Mixmaster Morris...

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Bestival Isle Of Wight

by budapest8

8 - 9 - 10 September 2006 Robin Hill Country Park, Newport, Isle of WightScissor Sisters to headline Sunday night and Pet Shop Boys on Saturday with Gogol Bordello on Friday. 8 stages of boutique festival fun - live music, top DJs, cabaret & super strange happenings. Supported by BBC Radio 1 - More acts and headliners to be announced!The full unadulterated line up of bands and DJ’s for Bestival 2006 in alphabetical order is…..1990’s • Absentee • Albino Monkey • Alfredo • Alan James • Ali B • Amadou & Mariam • Annie Mac • Annie Nightingale • Appleblim & Shackleton • Archie Bronson Outfit • Ashley Beadle • Ayota • Barry Ashworth • Barry Peters Halifax Hospital Radio • Bat For Lashes • Bent • Biggabush • Bikini Beach Band • Bishops • BJ Cole • Blackbeard • Blackgrass • Bobby Friction & Nihal • Boomclick Sound System • Brakes • Breaks Co-Op • Bugged Out Chilled Out • Caged Baby • Carl Cox...

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St. Mildred's Church

by Helga67

St. Mildred's Church is best known for its connection with Queen Victoria. The Queen had two aisles added around 1855 to accommodate herself and her household. Queen Victoria often visited the church as it was only a short distance from her home at Osborne House.Have a look inside and see where the Royal Family had their private corner, the Royal Pew. If you are lucky, there will be a parishioner around to tell you about the history of the church.Afterwards you can have some coffee/tea and cake in the coffeeshop.

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Shanklin

by Helga67

Shanklin was the base for our stay on the island and we loved it here. It is a charming little coastal town with a beautiful old village, Shanklin Chine, sandy beach and many hotels. The beach is sheltered by tall cliffs and can be easily accessed by the cliff lift. The village is extremely pretty with its thatched cottages, quaint shops and old fashioned tea rooms. The Shanklin Chine, is a deep gorge carved out by a stream with a waterfall and rare plants. In the evening the Chine is illuminated.High Street and Regent Street are excellent for shopping, especially gifts. Most gift shops are open until 9 pm.I liked the cliff-top walk along the Bay with spectacular views, going from the cliff lift toward the old village via the Chine.

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Godshill

by Helga67

With its thatched cottages and tearooms, Godshill is considered one of the prettiest villages on the island . Godshill's medieval church is located on a hill from where you will have beautiful views over the local countryside. It also has unusual churchyard monuments.In the village you can visit the "Model Village", which depicts the entire area in miniature and The "Old Smithy", a former blacksmith's forge and cottage with landscaped garden in the shape of the island, with models, grottos and avariaries, gift and coffee shop.There are also numerous shops offering local crafts and products.Make sure to be there in time, it can be quite crowded and everything closes at around 5 pm. After that time the village looks almost deserted.

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Carisbrooke Castle

by Helga67

Carisbrooke Castle is a Norman castle in the middle of the island, on a hill near Newport. It has a rich history, and was originally built to defend against the threat of Spanish invasion.One of the castles most famous visitors was Charles I, who was imprisoned here.Today, it is open to the public. There are two medieval wells, of which one is still operated by a team of donkeys that are used to demonstrate the treadwheel. There is also a museum housed in the Great Hall that displays objects connected with the history of the castle.

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The Needles

by Helga67

The Needles is a famous natural landmark on the Isle of Wight. The Needles are a series of chalk stacks at the western most point of the island. At the end there is a lighthouse. To see The Needles you can go to the nearby Alum Bay, which is famous for the coloured sand. At the top of the cliff there is a pleasure park and a chairlift to the beach.

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Osborne House

by Helga67

Osborne House was once the country retreat and family house of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Queen Victoria lived here until her death in 1901. You can visit the house and garden. Little has changed since 1901. The interior of the house is very lovely with marble statues, great paintings, beautiful furniture and state rooms and a room full of Indian gifts. Unfortunately, it is not allowed to take photos inside. There are many rooms to visit which will take you about 2 hours to see it all.Also the garden is lovely with a walled garden and Swiss Cottage, which was a playhouse for the royal children. You can go there on foot (about 20 min) or take a free shuttle. At the entrance is a huge gift shop.Entrance: 9.5 GBP

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Fun things to do in Isle of Wight

Top 3 Hotels in Isle of Wight

The Channel View Hotel  Shanklin

 1 Review and 68 Opinions  We have just returned from a most excellent stay in this hotel, excellent in ALL respects. The... 

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Channel View Hotel  Sandown

 1 Review and 67 Opinions  Unfortunately I received a very nasty bout of food poisoning whilst staying at this hotel. I missed... 

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Lakeside Park Hotel  Ryde

 135 Opinions

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200 Hotels in Isle of Wight
 
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Reviews and photos of Isle of Wight attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Isle of Wight sightseeing.

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Things to Do: Cities in Isle of Wight
  1. Sandown Things to Do
  2. Ryde Things to Do
  3. Freshwater Things to Do
  4. Newport Things to Do
  5. Yarmouth Things to Do

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Questions and Answers

northeast80 profile photo

Q:  Hi All Has anyone ever cycled round the Isle of Wight? I've found a few routes and wondered if anyone had any suggestions. We... 

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A: IOW is a brilliant place to explore and especially out of school holiday season. I don't think it matters which way round you go as it is a circle and sooner or later you... 

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