Events for all seasons

1. 2.

Fencing

En garde! Book fun fencing sessions with Warner Leisure Hotels.

¬ warnerleisurehotels.co.uk/hotels/bembridge-coasthotel

What a place to fish! Surrounded by sea, we’ve got everything for anglers of all abilities. Sea anglers could catch flounders, bass, dogfish, and even sharks. Freshwater angling is available in many private reservoirs and lakes where the fish include trout, carp and perch. If you don’t land anything, then head for one of our fabulous seafood restaurants for dinner!

¬ visitisleofwight.co.uk/things-to-do/activities/fishing

Tickle your tastebuds at The Garlic Farm where there are talks, tours and tasters of bulb-based products. The shop has curiosities including garlic beer and garlic fudge. You can also see where garlic is grown on a farm walk or tractor tour. Workshops for groups include cooking demos, foraging and garlic growing. You can get up close to farm animals at Briddlesford Lodge Farm, where Island milk and cheese is made. Meet the award winning Guernsey herd and see various artefacts used in milking. They specialise in educational visits and the owners are qualified under the Countryside Educational Visits Accreditation Scheme.

¬ thegarlicfarm.co.uk ¬ briddlesford.co.uk

Fossil hunting

The Isle of Wight is also known as ‘Dinosaur Island’ as it’s one of the best places in Europe to find fossils. Entire skeletons have been stumbled upon by holidaymakers, but you’ll maximise your chances of success on a guided tour. There are plenty to choose from including Dinosaur Isle, Dinosaur Expeditions and Island Gems. ¬ dinosaurisle.com ¬ dinosaurexpeditions.co.uk/fossil-trips ¬ islandgems.co.uk

Gardens

There’s so much to see at the Osborne estate, where Queen Victoria and Prince Albert made their home. As well as the formal Italianate planting, there are rare palms, a walled garden and parkland with many trees planted by Albert. Head Gardener Tours are available. Duration: 2 1/2 hours.

Another ‘must see’ is Ventnor Botanic Gardens. Basking in its own microclimate, you can see subtropical and exotic plants thriving outside, including many rare species. They say that every day of the year, something is in bloom. Look out for the spectacular ‘forest’ of Giant Echiums in the summer. Garden Curator Tours are available. Please call 01983 855397.

At Mottistone, the National Trust gardens are full of surprises, with hidden pathways, Mediterranean planting and colourful herbaceous borders. They surround an Elizabethan manor house. Head Gardener Tours explore the garden highlights and history. Duration: 2 1/2 hours.

Pre book on 01983 741302 or email mottistonegardens@nationaltrust.org.uk ¬ www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/osborne/ ¬ botanic.co.uk/about/groups-coaches/ ¬ nationaltrust.org.uk/mottistone-gardens-and-estate

3. 4.

Garden Centres

Get your gardening gloves at the ready to explore the Island’s Garden Centres. With a range of garden centres across the island you can find something for everyone to enjoy, whether that’s tucking into an afternoon tea at Dalverton Garden Centre or getting a group together to go to the Christmas World at Busy Bee Garden Centre. ¬ www.busybeegardencentre.co.uk ¬ www.facebook.com/iowgardening ¬ www.honnorandjeffrey.com ¬ medinagardencentre.co.uk

Golf

Swing by one of the eight golf clubs on the Island, for great golf and spectacular views. Courses range from 58 to 70 par and cater for all abilities up to County Championship standard. Many courses welcome visitors and provide hire facilities.

Cowes Golf Club – this nine hole course has views over the Solent, with alternate tees for the second nine. 5,953 yards | Par 70 Freshwater Golf Club – a seaside links style course, suitable for all levels with dramatic views over the coast so you can ‘see the sea from every tee’. 5,725 yards | Par 69

Newport Golf Club – a golf club up on the Downs, minutes from the Island’s ‘capital town’. 5,579 yards | Par 68

Osborne Golf Club – in the grounds of Osborne House, with views out over the Solent. This nine-hole course has some alternate tees for the second nine. 6,381 yards | Par 70

Ryde Golf Club – a nine hole course with some alternate tees for the second nine, plus lovely sea views. 5,772 yards | Par 70 Shanklin and Sandown Golf Club – a County Championship Course on beautiful, hilly heathland. There are some strong slopes and gradients, with gorse, tree and shrub lined fairways. 6,044 yards | Par 70 Ventnor Golf Club – founded in 1892, this has twelve holes (six holes played twice for a full round), and sits high up on the Downs looking out across the Channel. 5,700 yards | Par 70 Westridge Golf Centre – the Island’s only ‘pay as you play’ course (nine holes) with a floodlit driving range. 2,012 yards | Par 31 ¬ visitisleofwight.co.uk/things-to-do/activities/golf

History & heritage

There’s so much history to explore, from the Bronze age to the present day, with lots to interest fans of Queen Victoria.

Discover Osborne Tour (contact tour guides) Enjoy an exclusive guided tour providing an intimate view of Queen Victoria’s beloved home with lots of insider anecdotes along the way. Marvel at the richness of the state rooms including the Durbar Room with its lavish Indian décor.

Advance booking is required for both tours. Call to confirm prices and book: 0370 333 0604 or email osborne. bookings@english-heritage.org.uk

Welcome tours are available at Bembridge Windmill, built in the 1700s (open every day from April to October). Guided tours available at nearby Bembridge Fort, an unrestored Victorian fort set on dramatic chalk cliffs and open downland with coastal views. Price: £5 per adult (NT members free). Advance booking is essential. Call 01983 741020 or email isleofwight@nationaltrust.org.uk ¬ www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/osborne ¬ nationaltrust.org.uk/bembridge-windmill

Horse riding

The Island is a wonderful place for horse riding, with miles and miles of bridleways, country lanes and sandy beaches. The Island Riding Centre offers stabling and accommodation – it’s where the Queen’s Household Cavalry stayed during a recent visit. ¬ visitisleofwight.co.uk/things-to-do/activities/horseriding

Hovercraft

Hovertravel provide the only commercial service in the world, operating from Southsea to Ryde. Groups can go behind the scenes to see how the hovercraft works and travel on a specially chartered service. You’ll meet the pilot and experience manoeuvres such as the ‘doughnut’. You could also take a flight to the Hovercraft Museum at Lee-on-Solent.

¬ hovertravel.co.uk

Be a racing driver for the day with Wight Karting. You’ll be given all the gear, and shown how to drive your karts around the all-weather outdoor floodlit track, which provides a safe and fun environment. Participants will need to be aged 3+ for electric karts, and aged 8+ for the petrol karts. Sandham Karts offer electric karts for everyone ages 4+. ¬ wightkarting.co.uk/groups ¬ sandhamgardens.com

2.

Literature

From Alfred, Lord Tennyson who made his home in Freshwater, to Lewis Carroll, who was inspired by the golden sands of Sandown, the scenery and tranquillity of the Isle of Wight has long been a source of creativity for some of the world’s literary giants. Karl Marx, Jane Austen, Charles Darwin, Charles Dickens, J B Priestley and Edward Lear are just some of the literary greats associated with the Island.

The Isle of Wight Literary Heroes Trail can be downloaded from visitisleofwight.co.uk. It takes you on a journey across the Island, discovering locations where celebrated writers went on holiday, spent their childhood days and found inspiration. Isle of Wight Guided Tours’ portfolio includes a Tennyson tour and they can tailor a tour to your group’s interest.

Time your break to coincide with the Isle of Wight Literary Festival in October and check out the talks and workshops by world-famous authors such as Alexander McCall Smith.

¬ visitisleofwight.co.uk/things-to-do/literary-heroes-trail ¬ isleofwightguidedtours.co.uk ¬ isleofwightliteraryfestival.com ¬ farringford.co.uk

Music

Book a break that encompasses one of the many music events that happen across the Island every year. Whether it’s the famous Isle of Wight Festival or the popular Isle of Wight Jazz Festival – there’s something to cater for every take. ¬ Isle of wight Festival: isleofwightfestival.com ¬ Rhythmtree: www.rhythmtree.co.uk ¬ Wolverton Folk and Blues Fair: www.facebook.com/WolvertonFolkandBlues ¬ Ventnor Fringe: vfringe.co.uk ¬ Jack up the Summer: jackupevents.co.uk ¬ Isle of Wight Proms: www.wightproms.co.uk ¬ Harp on Wight: www.harponwight.co.uk

3.

Paintballing

Play games such as ‘paint football’ and ‘capture the flag’ as part of a thrilling and entertaining paintballing session with a group of mates, family or work colleagues. ¬ splatteronpaintball.com ¬ islandpaintballing.co.uk

Painting

Get creative on a ‘Rambles with a sketchbook’ break, and capture the Island’s landscapes out in the field. Guided by an art leader, the ramble covers up to four miles each day, stopping to sketch local scenes.

Alternatively, learn oil painting techniques on a ‘Wet on wet painting holiday’ – both are on offer at HF Holidays in Freshwater.

¬ hfholidays.co.uk/destinations/united-kingdom/isleof-wight

Running

The Isle of Wight Festival of Running is organised by the West Wight Sports and Community Centre. They also organise other sporting events such as the ‘Chilly Hilly’, a Cross Solent Swim, and the West Wight Triathlon. The Isle of Wight Marathon was established in 1957 – one of the first to be held in the UK. It passes through beautiful scenery and incorporates some tough hills. ¬ isleofwightfestivalofrunning.co.uk ¬ rydeharriers.co.uk/isle-of-wight-marathon-race

4.

Photography

Explore the locality through a lens, practising techniques and gaining professional advice along the way. HF Holidays offer ‘Through The Lens’ breaks at their centre in beautiful Freshwater.

It’s just around the corner from Dimbola Museum & Galleries, which was the home of the pioneering Victorian photographer Julia Margaret Cameron. Dimbola puts on courses and hosts exhibitions by leading photographers.

Other organisations that offer photography for groups include Capture Perfect and Light at Night Photography will give you another perspective on the Island’s beauty with ‘Moon Rising’, and ‘Night Sky and Nature’ workshops. ¬ hfholidays.co.uk/destinations/united-kingdom/isleof-wight ¬ dimbola.co.uk ¬ captureperfect.co.uk ¬ timwells.photography ¬ ainsleybennettphotography.co.uk