Day Trips
A quick glimpse at this website should convince you that you and your family can enjoy a wonderful day out on the Isle of Wight. There are the world famous coloured cliffs at The Needles of course, as well as a steam railway, a magnificent zoo park and even Dinosaur Isle. With over 60 perennially popular tourist attractions we could go on and on – and we’re sure your children would love to do just that.
Save some energy though – there’s also mile after mile of unspoilt heritage coastline to stroll along as well as picturesque villages and historic towns to explore. Add the fun of a ferry crossing and it’s the ideal formula for a great family escape.
Our offers will help make the Island even more enticing. We’ve negotiated special deals on all the attractions listed, so a break from home won’t break the bank. Prices shown are for a car and up to 4 people and include day return ferry travel from either Portsmouth or Lymington plus entrance to one of the attractions.
Browse these pages and you’ll see a selection of just a few of the sights on the Island. Each description includes other places of interest nearby as well as the low down on local restaurants, pubs and cafés. So come over soon and experience some Wight magic.
Pick a section below to start planning your day out!
- Tertiary Navigation
In this section, we profile some of the best things that are available to foot passengers stepping out on the Isle of Wight. Small enough to get around without a car, you can enjoy a great day out by organising your travel to include 12 or more hours on the Island – plenty of time for an action packed day away.
There’s a variety of public transport options to get you around including Island Line trains that connect Sandown and Shanklin with the Wightlink FastCat terminal at Ryde Pier. And the exceptional Southern Vectis bus network which serves the entire Island.
Relax on one of the Island’s fabulous Blue Flag award winning beaches, explore its stunning countryside, or visit one of the top 60 attractions.
Whatever you decide to do, you’ll find plenty of food for thought, as well as some thoughts for food.
So come over soon and experience some Wight sights.
Travel Packages
We have a range of special fares which include return ferry with unlimited bus or train travel on the Island and mainland. For details click here.Getting there and around
From Portsmouth Harbour: Fed by mainland trains and buses, our FastCat foot passenger catamarans operate round-the-clock and make the journey to Ryde in around 15 minutes. The FastCat service is timed to coincide with London-Portsmouth Harbour trains and links with Island Line trains and the Southern Vectis bus network on the Isle of Wight.
From Lymington: Cross to Yarmouth, West Wight in 30 minutes on Wightlink’s shuttle service, with ferries sailing every half hour in peak periods and linking to the Southern Vectis bus network
Getting around on the Island…
By train: Island Line trains (www.island-line.co.uk) run between the Wightlink FastCat terminal on Ryde Pier Head and Shanklin, stopping at seven stations including Brading, Lake and Sandown as well as at Smallbrook Junction for the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. Ryde-Shanklin journey time: 24 minutes. Twice hourly during daytime hours, operates every day.By bus: Southern Vectis. Get practically anywhere on the Island using this extensive inter-connecting bus network (www.islandbuses.info). Serves all towns and resorts, most attractions. Travel time to Isle of Wight capital Newport: approx. 30mins.
Rail Link: New Wightbus service (01983 823784) connecting Ventnor with Island Line trains at Shanklin Railway Station. Some buses stop at Ventnor Botanic Garden, St. Lawrence and Bonchurch. Operates hourly daytimes Monday-Saturday; Sunday service Easter-late September.