With its secluded beaches, extensive history and fun, child-friendly days out, the Isle of Wight is a brilliant UK holiday destination.

At just 13 miles long and 27 miles wide, over half the island has been recognised as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The Isle of Wight is packed with stunning coastal scenery and beautiful places to explore and there are direct ferry links from Lymington, Portsmouth and Southampton too - so the island is really easy to get to.

If you are planning on heading to this relaxed island in 2020, here are top 5 family days out that both you and the little ones can enjoy. 
 

1.Enjoy amazing thrills at Blackgang Chine

Open from 21st March 2020, Blackgang Chine is the oldest amusement park in the UK!

Located on an amazing cliff-top location with far-reaching views out to the sea, become the captain of your very own pirate ship, enjoy rootin’ tootin’ fun at Cowboy Town, walk amongst magnificent dinosaurs, or whizz down exhilarating slides.

Blackgang Chine is a baby-friendly park that offers great fun for all the family, allowing young imaginations to run wild. 
 

2.Give the toboggan ride a go at Robin Hill Country Park

The sister park of Blackgang Chine, Robin Hill Country Park is famous for its exhilarating toboggan run; a quarter-mile downhill ride through the park’s green hills.

There’s also a falconry, adventure play area and many exciting exhibitions to discover.

Robin Hill Country Park is set in 88 acres of beautiful countryside and offers outdoor fun and adventure the whole family will love.

In 2020, there are a number of regular events throughout the year to enjoy too, including Spirit of the Orient from the 14th - 22nd February; Fires of San Juan 3rd & 4th July and the Festival of the Dead from the 2nd - 32st October 2020. 
 

3.Watch a spot of sailing at Cowes Week 2020

Held from the 8th - 15 August 2020, there’s nothing quite like the experience of Cowes Week on the Isle of Wight.

It’s the world’s oldest and largest sailing regatta and every year, visitors can experience a full 8-day schedule, which includes competitive racing, exciting sailing action and on-land entertainment.

Over 100,000 visitors head to Cowes every year for the spectacle, so whether you’re just watching the events or are planning to get involved, it’s the perfect time to visit. 
 

4.Explore the extraordinary at The Needles

With its world famous chairlift, a trip to The Needles is a must during your holiday.

Comprising three stacks of chalk, all in a row, that rise about 30m out of the sea, The Needles can be found off the western extremity of the Isle of Wight close to Alum Bay, and part of Totland, the westernmost civil parish of the Isle of Wight.

Take the lift down to the beach and enjoy views of the sand cliffs, before heading to the sand shop to make your own multi-coloured sand souvenir. There’s also the glass blowing workshop to discover, giving you a fascinating insight into how traditional glassware is made.

And with boat trips available daily, take a trip around the Needles rocks and lighthouse for the full experience. It’s open 7 days a week throughout 2020, excluding Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
 

5.Go back to the Jurassic era at Dinosaur Isle 

Since the Isle of Wight is part of the UK, it may well rain at some point during your trip!

If it does, don’t panic - just head to Dinosaur Isle — a purpose built interactive museum displaying over 1,000 of the best-preserved fossils from the island.

Once inside, you will also discover a large dinosaur gallery exhibiting real fossils, skeletal reconstructions and two animatronic dinosaurs.

Dinosaur Isle offers a fascinating look back into the past and holds an invaluable educational value that kids can take home with them, too. 
 

Best places to stay on the Isle of Wight in 2020

If reading this blog has encouraged you to come and explore the Isle of Wight and its wonderful coastline for yourself, then why not consider booking a self-catering holiday cottage on the Isle of Wight?

Holiday Cottage Compare has a wide selection of holiday cottages to rent in the Isle of Wight (or IoW as it’s sometimes known) area, sleeping anywhere between 2 and 20 people, many of which also extend a warm welcome to your pets.

Choose from an apartment overlooking the sea or opt for a more romantic, remote cottage inland, with a log burner to snuggle up along with a glass of wine. We also have several cottages with a hot tub and games room.

At Holiday Cottage Compare, you can browse holiday cottages across all the main towns and villages including Cowes, Freshwater, Yarmouth, Luccombe, Ryde, Sandown, Ventnor and St Lawrence.

Whatever you are looking for, we will have something to meet your requirements.

You can either browse our easy to use website or simple get in touch via our free concierge service and let us find the perfect holiday cottage for you

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