Adventure awaits

New opportunities and discoveries on our Isle

Oceans of opportunities

Are you aged 14-17 and enjoy adventure and being outdoors? Would you like to learn more about working in watersports or the yachting industry? If so, the UKSA Sea.Change Foundation Programme could be just right for you. You don’t need any special knowledge or experience; you just have to be excited about learning something new and meeting lots of likeminded new people. The five-day Sea.Change programme introduces you to a wide range of fun activities including paddleboarding and dinghy sailing, power boating and yachting. They know that these sports might be totally new to you, so don’t worry, UKSA’s experienced instructors will be there to support you every step of the way. Charlotte, Sea.Change Foundation student, said: “Before the course I thought I would have to go to university to start a career within the maritime industry. I have now learnt that I can come to UKSA straight after my GCSE’s and do a wide range of courses.” There are courses running in February half-term, Easter and the summer holidays. Visit uksa.org/seachange for dates and availability. Spaces are limited and offered on a first come, first served basis.

SPECIAL OFFER: 50% of course fees paid for all Isle of Wight residents which means you pay only £225 for the five-day course including food and accommodation. Quote code STYLE2022 when booking, valid for all bookings made by 31.03.22

Briddlesford Farm fun

When you visit Briddlesford Farm at Wootton you just know you are on a real working dairy farm. The smell of the cows’ tasty food (silage) is in the air, and you can see cows and calves from the car park. If you arrive after 3pm you can even watch the cows being milked in their new parlour, from a viewing point by the cow shed. The farm is home to a herd of beautiful, pedigree Guernsey cows. They give delicious golden milk and cream which is pasteurised, bottled, or made into butter and five different cheeses in the processing dairy on site. All these delights can be sampled in the Bluebells Café, which also has a tasty menu for children. Alternatively, buy some to take home and enjoy – perhaps on a spring picnic – from the well-stocked farm shop. Baby calves, in pens next to the café, are always waiting to be petted and, on weekdays in the school holidays, Welly Wednesdays take place between 2pm and 4pm when you can enjoy a guided tour of the farm.

Telephone 01983 882885 to book and visit briddlesford.co.uk.

Burn off energy rain or shine at JR Zone

Looking for a day of fun for the kids? JR Zone is the Island’s largest indoor soft play and laser arena. On the outskirts of Newport, there is ample free parking, free Wi-Fi and it is a disabilityfriendly facility. Whether it’s tumbling through the netted and cushioned playframe, or zooming down the multilane Astro Slide, your kids will love the indoor adventure playground at JR Zone. Their Laser Storm Parties are ideal for family and friends to have some fun and a bit of competition! Rain or shine, open seven days a week, JR Zone has you covered during your holidays, or on a visit to the Island. Book your session and watch your kids let off some steam, while you sit back and relax with a selection of hot or cold beverages and snacks available at the café on site.

55 Manners View, Newport, PO30 5FA 01983 559272 info@jrzone.co.uk

The ultimate Island ‘escape’

After being ‘locked down’ throughout most of 2020 – and part of 2021 – you may think that the last thing you want to do is run the risk of being locked up… forever. But for anyone who likes a challenge or to try something new, a visit to the Lost Crypt Escape Room is well worth it.

This year, bring together your best thrillseeking friends, your family or work colleagues, and head underground to take on one of the Island’s most exciting and atmospheric experiences. The Lost Crypt is no ordinary Escape Room. For starters, it’s one of only two Escape Rooms on the Island, but it’s also the UK’s first live Escape Room set inside a real church crypt. Escape Room settings don’t get much more enticing than this. Players need to ‘unlock’ a series of historical puzzles and clues, based on a unique real-life mystery, within Aspire Ryde’s historic church building – ‘Holy Trinity’. As the timer counts down, players need to keep their wits sharpened and work collaboratively to solve real life puzzles and challenges to break free… or risk being stuck underground forever. Deemed a ‘must do’ Escape Room, the 60-minute timed game is suited to both first-time and avid players. Two or more players are required to take part, with four to six players recommended. The game is family-friendly but, because of its complexity, it is only suitable for children aged eight and above, who can play if accompanied by two or more adults.

The Lost Crypt Escape Room was primarily devised as an income generation tool, to drive some revenue for Aspire Ryde’s charitable activities. So, by playing The Lost Crypt, you are also supporting other people to escape from some of life’s more serious problems, as all ticket money and profit goes directly back into areas of vital need.

Book your place: thelostcrypt.co.uk