Attractions

Alum Bay Glass

The Needles Park
Alum Bay
Totland Bay
PO39 0JD
Telephone: 01983 753473

Situated on the West side of the Island the cliff top Glass works are the ideal stop the family to view the coloured sands with marvellous views of the Needles

Barton Manor Gardens & Vineyards

Barton Manor, Barton Estate
Whippingham
East Cowes
PO32 6LB
Telephone: 01983 292835

Themed gardens open in aid of the Earl Mountbatten Hospice. Enjoy these beautiful privately owned gardens, view memorabilia from stage and screen. Café and shop.Guide Dogs only.

Calbourne Water Mill

Calbourne
PO30 4JN

www.calbournewatermill.co.uk
Telephone: 01983 531227

Open: April to Oct. 10.00am to 5.00pm and 7.00pm July to Sept
Set in 10 acres of stunning rural landscape, Calbourne Water Mill contains one of the oldest working water mills in the country, dating back to the Domesday Book. Milling takes place at 3pm, everyday except Saturday. You'll be surprised at quite how much there is at Calbourne Water Mill, apart from the peacocks, ducks, moorhens and doves there is a beautiful ancient oak woodland which is home to badgers, red squirrels, foxes and many many more birds and small mammals. Cafe and Gift shop.

Cowes Maritime Museum

Beckford Road
Cowes
PO31 7SG
Telephone: 01983 293394

Open: All year. Mon-Wed, Fri, Sat 09.30-16.30, Closed Thurs and Sun
Models, paintings and an extensive photographic archive illustrate the former shipbuilding industry which serviced the navy with vessels for several centuries. Also a collection of boats representing the modern yacht building industry, including Prince Philip's `Coweslip'. Free admission

Dimbola Lodge Museum

Terrace Lane
Freshwater Bay
PO40 9QE
Email: administrator@dimbola.co.uk
Telephone: 01983 756814

Open: 10am - 5pm (not Mondays except Bank Holidays)
The museum that lies within Dimbola holds the largest permanent exhibition of Julia Margaret Cameron's work available in the United Kingdom. As well as holding many of her photographs it contains a display of historic cameras from through the ages. An audio visual display tells the story of Julia, her photographic processes the history of photography, and the restoration of Dimbola Lodge Museum. The museum also has a permanent display dedicated to the 1970s IOW rock festival, two galleries which exhibits work from photographers around the world, these exhibitions change on a regular basis. The museum also has a gift shop and Tea Room which is renowned for its home made delicacies.

East Cowes Heritage Centre

8 Clarence Road
East Cowes
PO32 6EP
Telephone: 01983 280310

Open: Feb to Dec. Mon to Sat 10am to 1pm
Information centre on East Cowes. Permanent exhibition on the development of East Cowes from 1793. Three bays of 3D models of the town. Sell books and pamphlets.

Isle of Wight Military History Museum

Northwood Camp
490 Newport Road
Cowes
PO31 8QU
Telephone: 01983 527411

Open: end March to end October. 10am to 5pm weekdays, weekends 10-4.
All weather attraction. Containing tanks, armoured cars and artillery. Guided tours, gift shop, tearooms, and gardens. Outdoor displays during summer months. Diorama depicting D Day utilising model railway and scenery and Interactive Island illustrating the military defences on the Isle of Wight throughout the ages.

Old Town Hall, Newtown

Newtown
PO30 4PA
Telephone: 01983 531785

The small village of Newtown once sent two members to Parliament and the Town Hall was the setting for often turbulent elections. An exhibition depicts the exploits of ‘Ferguson’s Gang’, an anonymous group of Trust benefactors in the 1920s and 1930s. 16 March - 22 October: Sun, Mon, Wed, 2pm - 5pm; July & August: Sun to Thu, 2pm - 5pm. (last admission 15 minutes before closing) Also open Good Fri & Easter Sat. Closes dusk if earlier.

Osborne House

York Avenue
East Cowes
PO32 6JY
Telephone: 01983 200022

Open: Apr to Oct. 10-5pm 7 days per week
Designed by Prince Albert, this was Queen Victoria's country retreat , its rooms left largely unaltered since her death in 1901. Carriage rides throughout the extensive grounds. Restaurant, gift shop, self service café and tea rooms at Swiss Cottage.

Sir Max Aitken Museum

The Prospect
83 High Street
Cowes
PO31 7AJ
Telephone: 01983 295144

Open: Open May-Sept,. Tues-Sat 10.00am-16.00pm
A museum featuring many maritime artefacts of sailing vessels from Nelson to modern times. The museum is busy during Cowes week, particularly in Admiral's Cup years with many foreign visiting yachtsmen. It is housed in a magnificent old sail loft. Contact Mrs Howe on 01983 292191 for free guided admission or out of hours or out of season admission.

St Catherines Oratory (The Pepper Pot)

St Catherines Down
Chale
PO38

St Catherines Oratory is the only surviving medieval lighthouse in Britain. It is the rocket shaped structure, locally known as the Pepper Pot.

Tennyson Monument

Tennyson Down
Freshwater Bay
PO40

Alfred Tennyson is probablt one of the Island most famous residents. After his death in 1892 a great marble Maltese Cross was put up on the down where he had walked, and which now bears his name. The inscription reads: "In memory of Alfred Lord Tennyson this cross is raised as a beacon to sailors by the people of Freshwater and other friends in England and America"

The Needles New Battery

The Needles
West Wight
Totland Bay
Telephone: 01983 754772

Open: Saturday, 15th March 2008 to Sunday, 2nd November 2008
The underground rooms of the New Battery house a small exhibition about the secret rocket testing programme carried out at the site during the 1950s and 60s as part of Britain’s Race for Space. Refreshment kiosk. 15 March – 2 November Tuesdays and Saturdays 11am – 4pm. May also open most Sundays plus weekdays during school holidays. Please phone to check. Property closes in high winds. No admission charge

The Needles Old Battery

The Needles
West Wight
Totland Bay
Telephone: 01983 754772

A spectacularly sited cliff top fort with the best views on the Island. Built in 1862 it is now looked after by the National Trust. Fascinating military history exhibitions, original gun barrels and a tunnel leading to a bird’s eye view of the Needles Rocks. Explore the site with one of our family Discovery Packs. Tea room and small shop. 15 March – 2 November Tuesday to Sunday 10.30am – 5pm (open every day in July and August) 10.30am - 5pm (last admission 30mins before closing). Also open Easter Monday and both May Bank Holiday Mondays. Closes in high winds - please phone on day of visit to check. Gift Aid Admission*: Adult £4.65, Child £2.35, Family £11.55 *Including a voluntary 10% donation; visitors can however choose to pay the standard admission prices which are displayed at the property and at www.nationaltrust.org.uk Editor please can you ensure this wording as given is included after the prices. National Trust Members free.

The Needles Park

Alum Bay
Totland Bay
PO39 0JD
Email: info@theneedles.co.uk
Telephone: 01983 752401

Open: Easter to Early November. 10am to 5pm. Extended hours in high season
The Island's most famous natural landmark where visitors can not help but enjoy the spectacular view of the rocks and the uniquely coloured cliffs from this area of outstanding beauty. Attractions include Chair Lift, Blue Streak Simulator, Junior Driver, Glass Blowing and Sweet Manufactory. Gift shop, sandshop, cafe, restaurant and bar. Every Thursday in August there is a grand firework display ending at 10.00pm.

Yarmouth Castle

Quay Street
Yarmouth
PO41 0PB
Telephone: 01983 760678

Open: April to September. 11am to 4pm Sun-Thurs
Yarmouth Castle is the last stone artillery fortress built for Henry the Eighth in 1547. Built with no central tower, the main rectangular block has a square battery to the front and an early arrow-head bastion on the exposed angle. Gift shop. Superb views.