Isle of Wight in August
Ideas for family days out
Published: 01/08/2023
As the school holidays are in full swing, the Isle of Wight has an abundance of activities to do, whether your entertaining children or looking to take a vulnerable loved one out for the day, you can cater for everyone! Here's some inspiration if you’re planning August activities:
Free
Isle of Wight Carnivals 2023, as summer hits the Island can’t help itself to a carnival to bring communities together and party away. With a long list of towns hosting regattas and carnivals to take your fancy:
- Shanklin Illuminated- Saturday 5th August 9:15pm
- Ventnor- Wednesday 9th 7pm
- Sandown Bay Regatta- Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th August, all day event
- Ryde Children's Day- Saturday 26th August 11am-3pm
You can check the full list of events here: Isle of Wight Carnivals 2023 - Explore the Isle of Wight
The Needles Landmark Attraction is rich in history from the old battery, Macaroni’s first telecommunications and the top secret rocket and missile center. There is plenty to do at The Needles such as creating a sand ornament which any islander will tell you they have fond memories of, watching The Sweet Manufactory make boiled sweets in their factory, to visiting Alum Bay Glass which was established in 1972 and people continue to watch their fascinating glass blowing live by the skilled craftsmen. Public areas are wheelchair accessible and free to enter, this does not include the chairlift and boat rides.
Cowes Week is the UK’s longest running sailing regatta, running since 1826. With around 7,000 competitors ranging from World class professions to weekend sailors, up to 10,000 people spectators attend this week to watch the sailing from the shoreline. Parties, live entertainment and popup venues and retailers turn Cowes seafront into a regatta village as well as Cowes Yacht Haven offering the main hospitality area to party into the night with live music.
Cowes Week runs from July 29th – August 4th
Quarr Abbey is situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty. It is home to a small group of Bendictine monks and a beautiful place to visit. It is considered a rather unusual and puzzling place to visit and the visitor center shows you what the abbey is, what the monks do as well as other things to look at and do such as the stain glass window game for little ones (and older ones!) to try out. In August you will find Guided Tours every Wednesday at 11am which will give you a deeper insight to the Abbey. The site is wheelchair accessible including the tea room, church, guest house and visitor center and staff are always open to providing assistance, there are some stairs around site that will have ramp access where possible; however bear in mind that some ground around the site may be uneven underfoot.
The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary began in 1987, providing a safe haven for rescued donkeys, miniature donkeys, ponies, Shetland ponies, miniature Shetland ponies and even a mule. Take a visit and meet the donkeys and stop to graze at their café. Entry is free, donations are welcomed to help support the charity or you can even adopt a donkey. In February The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary came to our tea club and Smudgie the donkey even came along too!
You can't have a day out on the Isle of Wight without visiting its beautiful beaches! From the long golden sands of Sandown to the fossil hunters dream of Yaverland and Compton.
You can see from Backpacker Boy's website 13 of our best beaches in which he outlines wheelchair accessible ones, we would also add to his list Ryde beach too, which allows for a traditional bucket and spade type day out with cafes dotted along to offer plenty of icecream.
Admissions
The Isle of Wight Garlic Festival has been an annual event held every third weekend of August since 1983. Alongside the abundance of garlic produce including garlic icecream and garlic fudge, you will find a wide array of other items on the menu. With entertainment, stalls, arena games, displays, funfairs and plenty of beer and ales to try in the beer tent. This event is perfect for every member of the family and a great day out. Both day and weekend tickets are available. Disabled parking is available at the event, the field is considered flat but always be aware of any uneven footing.
Amazon World Zoo Park is perfect for animal lovers young and old! Providing opportunity to learn about rainforests and conservation, the park has a wide range of unusual and rare exotic animals, some that cannot be seen in the UK and some Europe. With Meet the Animal talks and displays taking place daily, the Park gives you an opportunity to come face to face with Tapir’s, Lemurs, Sloths and more. The park is wheelchair friendly as well as having plenty of entertainment for little ones to run about and play.
Tickets cost: £16.95 (2-14 year olds) £17.95 (Adults) £15.95 (65+)
Monkey Haven is the Islands award winning primate rescue center, hundred of creatures big and small have been rescued ranging from reptiles and songbirds to the mighty Siamang gibbon. Not only is the Haven changing the worlds of the animals they rescue, they are striving to make the world a better place by being as eco friendly as possible. The haven allows you to stroll around at your leisure, with play areas for the little ones, as well as offering keeper talks so you can learn more in-depth about their beautiful creatures. To further encourage inclusivity the Haven has full disabled access and offers a quiet hour on a Wednesday and Saturday 9-10am and if needed, they can supply ear defenders.
Tickets cost: £11.50 (3-14 year olds) £13.50 (15+) £12.50 (65+) Island residents have a special offer as well as carers entrance being free. All tickets give you a free 7 day return.
Osborne House was created by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1845, it provides an intimate insight into their private lives. From the Swiss Cottage to the Durbar Room, each room is a display their expression of taste and interests, particularly those of Prince Alberts. This extends into the beautiful gardens where today you will find the original designs remain.
Many parts of Osborne House are wheelchair accessible, the first floor does have lift access but there will be some occasions when access is not available. Much of the gardens are also wheelchair accessible, there are some areas in which are heavily gravelled and so may not be suitable.
Tickets cost: £14.50 (Child) £23.60 (Adult) £20.90 (Concession)
Isle of Wight Steam Railway offers a special day out with steam engines, restored period carriages and rural stations, even the staff are dressed in traditional railway uniforms; a perfect way to make you feel like you’ve stepped into a different era. Not only does the steam Railway provide a station and the train to visit, there’s also the museum, the woodlands and the falconry. The stations are wheelchair accessible with level access. In August the Island Steam Fair returns for its 48th year, a fabulous collection of steam traction engines are at the heart of the show alongside a traditional fairground, entertainment and historic vehicles.
Tickets to railway with unlimited travel throughout the day start at £8.25 for 5-17 year olds and £19.50 for adults.
Brading Roman Villa is a perfect visit both rain or shine. Their award winning Visitor Center and museum gives an insight into Roman life, you’ll find preserved mosaic flooring to collections of Roman archaeology. The museum will take you on a tour from pre-history up to the modern day using artefacts and reports from the site. The whole site including the café is wheelchair accessible and designed for safe and easy access.
Tickets cost: £5.40 (5-16 year olds) £11 (Adults) £10.30 (Concessions)
Companionship visits are a great way to ensure you or your loved one can have some quality time with their caregivers and build rewarding relationships. It prevents loneliness and isolation.
These types of visits can be built to each personal requirement and wish, including going out to any of the above places!
To find out more about companionship support, visit our services:
