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GREAT VALUE HALF-TERM BREAKS ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT

With October half-term (26-30 October) fast approaching, the Isle of Wight has some great value ideas to keep the kids entertained. 

Whether it’s a day out at a fantasy park with a Witches and Wizards theme, or something more extreme like laser combat or learning to deep-sea dive, there are some brilliant holiday experiences to be had on the Isle of Wight this October half-term.  In addition, the Island’s clean, sandy beaches make the perfect natural playground for ball games and running races and won’t cost visitors a penny!  www.iwight.com/just_visiting/parks_and_beaches

Many Island attractions stage special events during half-term like the Seaside Story Walk at Fort Victoria on 26 October (£2 per child), or a Fright at the Museum on 30 October, which sees popular family attraction Dinosaur Isle transformed for an evening of ghouls and ghosties and things that go bump in the night and costs just £5 for adults and £3 for children (aged 3 to 15) and £14.50 for a family of four.  

For children aged 10-16, Camp Beaumont on the Isle of Wight is offering seven-nights (24-31 October) full board, multi-activity breaks from £209 per child, including all meals and activities.  The camp is set on a clifftop amidst 100 acres of woodland and offers a wide range of adventure activities including zipwire, caving and quad biking.  There is also an indoor heated swimming pool, fencing salon and an archery range.  To book, call Camp Beaumont on 01603 660 333 or visit www.campbeaumont.co.uk

With around 60 miles of coastline, there are also plenty of opportunities to get afloat over half-term.  The Medina Valley Centre offers RYA dinghy sailing courses, canoeing and kayaking at its quiet riverside location midway between Newport and Cowes.  Accommodation can be arranged at their 80-bedroom site where B&B starts at just £21 per person per night and a family of 4+ booking a residential activity holiday (minimum 5 nights) receives a 12.5% discount.  Visit www.medinavalleycentre.org.uk for full details.

Or let the kids experience the wonders of the aquatic world in a safe and fun environment with professional divers. The PADI Junior Open Water Diver Programme takes around four days to complete, including pool and sea dives.  Suitable for those aged 10-14 years, the programme is available over half-term and costs £350, including all equipment hire.  A shorter, Speciality Course Package is also available at £195.  For more information, telephone Isle of Wight Divers on 01983 240255, or visit www.iowdivers.co.uk.

At Combat Island, you can put your military skills to the test and experience the latest second generation cordless hi tech electronic rifles – the perfect group activity with no mess, no bruises but plenty of mud!  The woodland environment is the perfect location to stalk out your opponent and provides hours of entertainment for all age groups. Suitable for ages eight and above, each session is two hours long and costs £12 per person, or £10 for groups of over ten people.  Tel. 01983 761380, or visit www.combatisland.com for details.

Creative kids are also well catered for at the Island’s Quay Arts centre which is hosting a wide assortment of arts and crafts events over half-term, such as the Scary Monsters Workshop on Saturday 31 October, which is absolutely free!  Or get the kids to create costumes for the Kids Wizard Week at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, or the Witches & Wizards Day Out at Blackgang Chine where there are prizes for the best costumes – just don’t forget to pack them!  

Half-term events on the Isle of Wight:

Kids Free at Carisbrooke Castle & Osborne House
24 October-1 November

Carisbrooke Castle and Osborne House will be opening their doors for free to young visitors during half-term.  Every day from 24 October to 1 November up to 3 children under the age of 16 will be admitted free with each full paying adult, or concession at either English Heritage site.  At Carisbrooke Castle families can meet the ‘famous four’ donkeys Jack, Jill, Jimbob and Jigsaw, and kids can dress up as soldiers.  The vast estate gardens of Osborne include Swiss Cottage, the charming wooden chalet built for the royal children as a place to learn to cook and clean and their individual gardens and personal wheelbarrows, inscribed with each child’s initials.Cost:  Adult admission ticket to Carisbrooke Castle £6.70, Adult admission ticket to Osborne House and grounds – £10.40 Tel: 01983 522107 www.english-heritage.org.uk/carisbrookecastle/ . 
Tel: 01983 200022 www.english-heritage.org.uk/osbornehouse.

 

Magical Woodland Week
26–30 October 
Chessell Pottery Barns, near Calbourne, West Wight
Join in the fun and have a go at making your own woodland inspired pottery designs with easy-to-use decorating sponges.  Designs include fairies, gnomes, leaves, acorns and toadstools, plus a cute little hedgehog and a spider.  Cost:  Pottery items from £4.95 + studio fee £4.95 per person which covers all materials, assistance in the studio, plus glazing and firing of all items decorated per person that session. Fired items will be ready to collect within the week. All ages welcome, free entrance, disabled access. Tel. 01983 531248, www.chessellpotterybarns.co.uk

Kids Wizard Week
25–30 October
Isle of Wight Steam Railway, Havenstreet, near Ryde
Bring your own costume and dress-up as wizards, witches and other spooky characters, marvel at the magic shows, explore the enchanting woodland walk and meet the bats from the Isle of Wight Bat Hospital (selected days only).  There are prizes each day for the best costumes, plus a Halloween colouring competition.  Cost:  Tickets include steam train rides - Adults £9, Children £4.50, Family £22.50 (2+2). For full details please contact: 01983 882204 www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk

National Trust Kids 
24-31 October
Needles Old Battery, Alum Bay
From Pirate and Spy puzzle trails to Shipwreck stories and an event called ‘Children at War’, the National Trust has organised a great selection of activities to educate and amuse the kids this half-term.  Cost:  normal admission prices apply unless otherwise specified. Tel. 01983 741020, or visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/isleofwight for full details. 

Seaside Story Walk 
26 October, 10.30am 
Fort Victoria, Yarmouth
A walk for children and their families along the seashore with stops for stories, songs and the chance to look for beach treasure!  The walk is just one-mile long and takes about an hour and a half.  Meet at The Dolphin sculpture, Fort Victoria, Yarmouth (www.fortvictoria.co.uk). Cost: £2, booking is advised. Contact:  Sue Bailey on 01983 241095 (www.isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk).

Film: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
28 October, 2.30pm 
Medina Theatre, Newport
A chance to see this timeless classic on the big screen, which actually features the car flying over the Needles, one of the Isle of Wight’s most famous landmarks!  Dick van Dyke, Sally-Ann Howes and Lionel Jefferies star in this colourful children’s musical about a ‘fine, four fendered friend’,Cost: £2.80 per person Tel. 01983 823838, www.medinatheatre.co.uk

Ghost-hunting tours at Blackgang Chine 
28/29 October
Blackgang Chine, near Ventnor
Hear the tales of Blackgang’s gruesome past and visit the scenes of ghostly hauntings and dastardly deeds!  Tour meets at 5pm and finishes around 6.15pm. Cost: £6 per person, £22 for 4 persons (not recommended for under 10 year olds!). Booking in advance essential as tickets are limited Tel. 01983 730330, www.blackgangchine.com

Witches & Wizards Day Out!
29 October, 11am to 4.30pm
Blackgang Chine, near Ventnor
A special day of fun and activities to celebrate this spooky time of year: Fang-tastic Treasure Hunt – for skulls from 10am, seasonal games and loads of prizes from 12 to 4pm, fancy dress competition - Wear it Pink (on behalf of Breast Cancer Campaign) at 2.45pm, themed Punch & Judy Show at 3pm. Cost: £9.50 per person (4-60 years), Saver Ticket (4 persons) £35, Senior Citizens £7.50, Disabled Concession £7.50 Tel. 01983 730052, www.blackgangchine.com

A Fright at the Museum
30 October, 6pm to 8.30pm
Dinosaur Isle, Sandown seafront
The museum will be transformed for an evening of ghouls and ghosties and things that go bump in the night!Cost: Adults £5, children (aged 3 to 15) £3, family ticket (2+2) £14.50, concessions £4.  To book telephone 01983 404344, www.dinosaurisle.com

Scary Monsters Workshop 
31 October, 10am to 1pm
Quay Arts, Newport
Create something wonderful using craft straws, pipe cleaners, sparkles and more at this free, family drop-in workshop designed to make Hallowe’en monsters, which is suitable for children of all ages.  Other events at Quay Arts over half-term include Music, Make me Draw! (8 years+) on 26 October (10am to 2.30pm, cost £15) – please bring a music CD; Jewellery Workshop (ages 9-12 years) on 29/30 October (10am to 2.30pm, cost £35) and Clay Days with a spooky theme (8 years +) on 29 October (10am to 2.30pm, cost £15). Cost: The Scary Monsters Workshop is free – children must be accompanied by an adult. Tel. 01983 822490, or visit www.quayarts.org for more information.

For more events please visit our festival and events section or www.iwight.com for other things to do on the island please check out our places to visit and eating out section