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THE BEST HOLIDAY I EVER HAD…HALF-TERM FUN ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT

If you're looking for somewhere with endless places to explore and entertain the kids this half-term (13-21 February), somewhere that’s inexpensive and easy to reach, then consider a holiday isle that was recently named by Harry Potter actor, Rupert Grint, as his ‘best childhood holiday experience’ – the Isle of Wight.

The Isle of Wight is an Island of contrasts – kids can get active, adventurous or just chill out and experience its natural wonders. In fact, with around 60 places to visit, 12 award-winning beaches including the Blue Flag resorts of Ventnor and Sandown, plus accommodation to suit every taste and pocket, the Isle of Wight makes the perfect half-term getaway.

When recently asked to recall his best and worst holiday experiences, actor Rupert Grint, best known for playing the role of Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter films, said his best holiday was spent on the Isle of Wight:  “We went to the Isle of Wight as a family, three summers in a row. I’m the eldest of five children, but only James, now 19, and Georgina, now 16, were around then. We had a great time as there was so much to do there. We got up to a lot of mischief, exploring the caves and beaches.....you couldn’t ask for a better holiday for a kid”.

Active types like Rupert will enjoy searching the Island’s coastline for Dinosaur footprints – contact Dinosaur Isle on 01983 404344 to reserve a place, or book at the museum shop (age 3-15 years £2.40, www.dinosaurisle.com).  Alternatively, spend some time exploring the Island on two wheels (half-day bike hire from £7/ www.islandbreaks.co.uk).  The Sunshine Trail is a signposted 12 mile circular route on the south of the Island, passing through beautiful countryside along bridleways, cycleways and quiet roads.  This route and 5 others can be found in Rail Rides, a guide to cycling from local railway stations, available from Island Tourist Information Centres.

But if it should rain, there are plenty of great value indoor attractions like Brading Roman Villa with hands-on activities and a dressing up box for the kids (family ticket £18.50, www.bradingromanvilla.org.uk).  

There is plenty on offer at the Island’s Quay Arts centre during the February half-term break to entertain kids of all ages. The week starts off with Wonderland, a free drop-in session on Saturday 13 February (12pm-3pm), before the afternoon children’s theatre show Finding Alice (3pm, tickets £6).  As the lines between the worlds blur, Miriam gets lost in Wonderland. Mr Rabbit is looking for Alice - and he’s late! The sports-mad Mad Hatter is looking for his cricket ball and the Queen of Hearts is threatening to chop off everyone’s head as usual… a must-see!

This is followed by a Beautiful Beads workshop (age 9–12 years) on Monday 15 February (10am–2.30pm, £15) and Photo Collage on Tuesday 16 February (10am-2.30pm) where kids can turn a family photo, once photocopied, into a work of art.  For more information about these and other creative courses running during half-term, visit www.quayarts.org

Carisbrooke Castle is offering a mixture of four-legged and frightful activities during half-term week guaranteed to give everyone in the family a fun-filled historic day out.

From 10am until 4pm every day from Saturday 13 until Sunday 21 February, children can meet the castle donkeys and see who plays up for staff during feeding and grooming sessions being put on each morning and afternoon for half-term only.  The donkeys will also be happily showing off their skills turning the waterwheel in the castle Well House.

Throughout the day knowledgeable staff will be spilling the beans on the haunts and habits of the castle’s famous phantom residents during frightfully fun ghostly storytelling sessions – suitable for youngsters and mum and dad too.  Admission to the castle is £6.70 for adults and £5.70 for concessions and £3.40 for children.  English Heritage members are admitted free (www.english-heritage.org.uk). 

On Saturday 20 February, the Isle of Wight council-run Museum of Island History in Newport (www.iwight.com/museums) will be having a free entry day to celebrate ‘A History of the World’, a partnership set up between the BBC and the British Museum that extends across the UK. 

Visitors will be able to see a medieval seal matrix with a Roman carved gem, chosen as one of only 10 objects to represent Hampshire and the Isle of Wight as regional objects which have local and global links.  The seal matrix can be seen on the History of the World website.

Stay near the coast in a beautifully converted barn or a stylish cottage, or choose a family-friendly B&B in a quiet rural setting.  

Mattingley Farm extends over 5 acres and features 3 self-catering properties: two dairy cottages and a converted barn sleeping between 4 and 6 people.  Although no longer a working farm, Mattingley does have an assortment of tame animals which children are welcome to help tend as well tractor rides and an indoor play barn with a full-size snooker table, trampoline, table tennis and soft play area.  Prices range from £260-£290 per unit per week during half-term.  

Book five nights or more nights at Rosemary Cottage, located just 10-minutes drive from the golden sands of Sandown, and pay only £10 per night for any child sharing a room with adults.  The perfect location for walking and cycling, B&B at this comfortable establishment is £30 to £35 per person per night.  For these and other great February half-term accommodation offers click here.

For details on how to get to the Isle of Wight, where to stay and what to see and do,  visit www.islandbreaks.co.uk or telephone 01983 813813.