Attractions

From theme parks to animal parks, historic sites to natural delights, the Isle of Wight has loads of great places to visit. Check out the extraordinary range of attractions and distractions over the next few pages for some great ideas of where to go, what to do and how to make the very most of your time on the Island. We have some special inclusive Day Return tickets which include entry to some of the Island's top attractions. You can find more details here .

Tertiary Navigation: East; South; West; Mainland

Aspex Gallery
The Vulcan Building
Gunwharf Quays
Portsmouth
PO1 3BF
Email: info@aspex.org.uk
Telephone: 023 9277 8080

Open: Tuesday-Saturday 11-6pm, Sunday 12-5pm, Closed Mondays
The Aspex Gallery has a variety of exhibitions throughout the year. Admission is free.
Beaulieu Abbey
John Montagu Building
Brockenhurst
New Forest
SO42 7ZN
Email: info@beaulieu.co.uk
Telephone: 01590 612345

Open: Open every day of the year except Christmas Day. 10 am until 5.00 pm
Beaulieu Abbey gives visitors the opportunity to view a series of modern embroidered wall hangings depicting scenes from medieval monastic life and the history of the Abbey since 1204.
Beaulieu National Motor Museum
John Montagu Building
Brockenhurst
New Forest
SO42 7ZN
Email: info@beaulieu.co.uk
Telephone: 01590 612345

Open: Open every day of the year except Christmas Day. 10 am until 6.00 pm, May-Sept, 10-5pm Oct-Apr.
Beaulieu National Motor Museum displays 250 vehicles. Beaulieu is also the home of the world famous Beaulieu International Autojumble and Automart. Adult - £15.00, Children (5-12yrs) - £7.75, Youths (13-17yrs) - £8.75, Senior Citizens - £14.00 Family Ticket - £41. (Admission price includes entrance to Palace House, the Abbey and Monastic Life Exhibition and the National Motor Museum).
Beaulieu Palace House
John Montagu Building
Brockenhurst
New Forest
SO42 7ZN
Email: info@beaulieu.co.uk
Telephone: 01590 612345

Open: Open every day of the year except Christmas Day. 10 am until 5.00 pm
Beaulieu Palace House was the 14th century Great Gatehouse of Beaulieu Abbey. Palace House is located in extensive grounds and gardens with lawns and walkways that overlook the Beaulieu River.
Blue Reef Aquarium
Clarence Esplanade
Southsea
Portsmouth
PO5 3PB
Email: portsmouth@bluereefaquarium.co.uk
Telephone: 023 92 875222

Open: Open daily from 10am 7 days a week
Blue Reef Aquarium brings to life the mysteries of the undersea world. There are displays including 'fascinating frogs' and the 'Blue Reef Nursery'.
Charles Dickens Birthplace
393 Old Commercial Road
Portsmouth
PO1 4QL
Telephone: 023 9282 7261

Open: April-September. 10am-5.30pm
The writer Charles Dickens was born in this house in Portsmouth in 1812. The house is now preserved as a museum furnished in the style of 1809 which is when John and Elizabeth Dickens set up home at the beginning of their married life there. Adults - £3.00, Senior Citizen - £2.25, Children & Students - £1.80
D-Day Museum and Overlord Embroidery
Clarence Esplanade
Southsea
PO5 3NT
Email: info@ddaymuseum.co.uk
Telephone: (023) 9282 7261

Open: Open daily except 24-26 December. 10.00am - 5.00pm
The D-Day Museum opened in 1984 to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of D-Day. Its displays the Overlord Embroidery which pays tribute to the sacrifice of those who took part in Operation Overlord. Adults - £6, Senior Citizen - £4.50, Children/Students - £3.60
Eling Tide Mill
The Toll Bridge
Eling
New Forest
SO40 9HF
Telephone: 023 8086 9575

Open: Wednesday to Sunday all year and Bank Holidays.. 10am - 4pm
See natural tide power harnessed in the only surviving tide mill producing wholemeal flour in a centuries-old tradition. Founded over 900 years ago. Free Parking, giftshop with stoneground flour for sale, neighbouring Heritage Centre with cafe, walks through Eling village to Saxon Church and Southampton Water.
Flagship Portsmouth
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Portsmouth
PO1 3LJ
Email: enquiries@historicdockyard.co.uk
Telephone: 023 9286 1512

Open: every day except Christmas Eve & Christmas Day. 10.00am to 5.30pm
Portsmouth historic dockyards with attractions such as the Mary Rose, Action Stations, HMS Victory, HMS Warrior 1860 and the Royal Navy Museum
Longdown Activity Farm
Longdown
Ashurst
Southampton
SO40 7EH
Email: enquiries@longdownfarm.co.uk
Telephone: 023 8029 2837

Open: Saturday, 17th February 2007 to Sunday, 28th October 2007. 10.00am to 5.00pm
Longdown Activity Farm offers lots of hands-on activities every day, including small animal handling and bottle-feeding calves and kids. Indoor and outdoor play areas, with ball pools and trampolines.
Marwell Zoological Park
Colden Common
Winchester
Southampton
SO21 1JH
Email: helenj@marwell.org.uk
Telephone: 01962 777407

Open: Daily. From 10am to 6pm (4pm 29th Oct 06 - 25th March 07)
Beautiful Marwell offers a wonderful day of fun and interest for all ages. There are over 200 rare species of animals including tigers, snow leopards, rhino, antelope, zebra and monkeys - prepare to be amazed!
Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre
Longthorns
Wareham
BH20 6HH
Email: apes@monkeyworld.org
Telephone: 01929 462537

Open: Open daily. 10:00am - 5:00pm (July/Aug 6pm) Closed Christmas Day
Monkey World - Ape Rescue Centre is set in a 65-acre woodland park and is home to over 160 rescued and endangered apes and monkeys. The park is a haven for 16 different species, where they are free to be themselves in a natural environment and in the company of their own kind.
New Forest Cider
Littlemead, Pound Lane
Burley
New Forest
BH24 4ED
Email: newforestcider@msn.com
Telephone: 01425 403589

Open: Thursday, 1st February 2007 to Wednesday, 31st October 2007. 10am - 5pm (Closed Mondays)
Here is a commoner's Forest smallholding where traditional farmhouse cider is made the old fashioned way, from local orchard apples and cider fruit. Apple juice, country wines, liqueurs and local preserves available in our shop. An old cider press, calvados still and mill in the barn to view. B&B and Self Catering accommodation also available.
New Forest Museum & Visitor Centre
High Street
Lyndhurst
New Forest
SO43 7NY
Email: office@newforestmuseum.org.uk
Telephone: 023 8028 3444

Open: Open daily. From 10.00am
The New Forest Museum, situated in Lyndhurst, the capital of the New Forest, provides visitors with a fascinating and detailed insight into the life of the New Forest and its people. It is an essential starting point for a visit to the area. The museum gallery tells the story of the New Forest, its history, traditions, characters and wildlife. Includes the New Forest Embroidery. Free children’s activities, colourings and quiz sheets. There is also a free Reference Library and a well-stocked Gift Shop with something for everyone and the best range of local books in the area.
Paultons Park
Ower, nr. Romsey
New Forest
SO51 6AL
Telephone: (023) 8081 4442

Open: March to October. Daily 10.00 am to 6.30 pm
Paultons Park offers a mixture of roller coasters and log flumes, with animals such as penguins, meerkats, wildfowl as well as a museum, water mill and garden area. Adults - £15.50, Children (under 14) - £14.50, Children under 1 metre - free, Senior Citizens - £15.50
Portsmouth Cathedral
St. Thomas's Street
Old Portsmouth
Portsmouth
PO1 2HH
Email: visits@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk
Telephone: 023 92823300

Portsmouth Cathedral is a medieval building with a rich history. It offers a welcoming environment whatever your beliefs and interests. There is a 'build-on' teaching model of the Cathedral - helpful for visually impaired visitors. A 'loop' system for services is available for visitors with hearing impairment. There is an (aided) disabled person's lavatory. Wheelchair users have access to all parts of the Cathedral. It also has a bookshop.
Portsmouth City Museum
Museum Road
Portsmouth
PO1 2LJ
Email: enquiries@portsmouthcitymuseums.co.uk
Telephone: 023 9282 7261

Open: Open daily except 24-26 December. 10.00am-5.00pm
The Portsmouth City Museum displays what Portsmouth would have been like to live in during the past with reconstructions of a 17th century bedchamber, a 19th century kitchen, a Victorian parlour, a 1930's kitchen, and a 1950's living room.
Portsmouth Natural History Museum
Eastern Parade
Southsea
PO4 9RF
Email: info@portsmouthnaturalhistory.co.uk
Telephone: (023) 9282 7261

Open: Open daily except 24 - 26 December. 10am-5pm
Portsmouth Natural History Museum's displays aim to celebrate the diversity of life Portsmouth has on its doorstep.
Rockbourne Roman Villa
Rockbourne
Fordingbridge
New Forest
SP6 3PG
Telephone: 01725 518541

Open: Daily April to September. 10.30am to 6pm last admission 5.30pm
Visit the remains of the largest known Roman villa in the area.
Royal Marines Museum
Southsea
PO4 9PX
Email: info@royalmarinesmuseum.co.uk
Telephone: 023 9281 9385

Open: Open 7 Days a week, all year (except Christmas). 10am - 4.30pm
The Royal Marines Museum boasts something for everyone. Based in one of the Officers' Messes, built in 1860's, the Museum shows medals and interactive displays to give an insight into the Royal Marines.
Royal Navy Submarine Museum
Haslar Jetty Road
Gosport
PO12 2AS
Email: admin@rnsubmus.co.uk
Telephone: 023 9252 9217

Open: all year (except December 24th & 25th). 10.00am - 5.30pm (Apr.-Oct.) 10-4.30 (Nov-March)
This museum allows visitors to walk around real submarines and discover what life on board would have been like.
Setley Ridge Vineyard
Lymington Road
Setley, Brockenhurst
New Forest
SO42 7UF
Email: Enquiries@setleyridgevineyard.co.uk
Telephone: 01590 622246

Open: Open Daily 10am to 5pm for Sales and Free Tastings
Enjoy the pleasure of English wine in the New Forest Grown, produced and bottled on-site.
Southsea Castle
Clarence Esplanade
Southsea
PO5 3PA
Email: enquiries@southseacastle.co.uk
Telephone: 023 9282 7261

Open: Open daily April-September. 10am-5.30pm
Southsea Castle was built in 1544 as part of a series of fortifications around England, constructed by Henry VIII to prevent invasions. Adults - £3, Senior Citizens - £2.25, Children & Students - £1.80
The New Forest Otter, Owl & Wildlife Park
Deerleap Lane
Longdown, Ashurst
New Forest
SO40 4UH
Telephone: 023 8029 2408

Open: Open every day (weekends only in January). 10.00am-5.00pm
The New Forest Otter, Owl & Wildlife Park is an acknowledged Conservation Park set in 25 acres of ancient woodland within the New Forest Heritage area. Here you will find part of Europe's largest gathering of mutli-specied Otters, Owls and other indigenous wildlife all in their natural surroundings including, Pine Martens, Badgers, Pole Cats, Mink, Foxes, Scottish Wild Cats, Deer, Lynx, Wallabies and Wild Boar.
The Royal Armouries at Fort Nelson
Down End Road
Fareham
PO17 6AN
Email: fnenquiries@armouries.org.uk
Telephone: 08700 344 344 or 01329 233734

Open: Winter 10.30 - 16.00, Summer 10.00 - 17.00
Fort Nelson is one of the forts built around Portsmouth in the 1860s to guard the Dockyard from French invasion. It displays Victorian architecture and provides the setting for the Royal Armouries collection of artillery. Entry is free but some events may carry a small charge. Open every day except Christmas Day & Boxing Day. Open 1 hour later on Tuesdays.
The Spinnaker Tower
Gunwharf Quays
Portsmouth
PO1 3TT
Telephone: 023 9285 7520

Portsmouth's iconic Spinnaker Tower is finally open to the public after ten years of planning and construction, and it was well worth the wait! Watching over the entrance to one of Britain's greatest and busiest harbours, the Spinnaker Tower is set to become a new British icon alongside the London Eye and BT Tower. Soaring 170 metres into the sky above historic Portsmouth Harbour, you can now take the express or panoramic lifts to the 100 metre high viewing deck 1, and experience the fantastic views of the City, The Solent and the Isle of Wight beyond. You can even look straight down as you stand on Europe's largest glass floor!