Location description from owner

The England region

The Isle of Wight in general has a wealth of interesting places to visit or things to do. For more information on places of interest please visit the library at the far end of the High Street (01983 852800) where there is a tourist information point or visit www.wightlife.com which gives a comprehensive on-line guide to every aspect of island life.

Isle of Wight has many attractions for children.

In adjacent areas, Blackgang Chine and Robin Hill Countryside Adventure Park are big favourites and also close by.
Amazon World Zoo Park in Arreton and the Isle of Wight Zoo and Tiger Sanctuary in Sandown which houses the 18 "celebrity" tigers that appeared on this year's ITV series "Tiger Island".
Isle of Wight Steam Railway, based in Havenstreet, operate a vintage steam locomotive with Victorian or Edwardian carriages on a daily basis from May to September.
The Needles Park at Alum Bay with a chairlift ride to the beach, glass studio and sweet manufactory with fireworks finale every Thursday.
For all ages Arreton Barns, Shanklin Chine and Godshill are also nearby and worth a visit.

To name but a few...

Entertainment

There are theatres in Shanklin, Ryde and Cowes and two in Newport offering a range of life performances and shows. The Isle of Wight has a thriving festival programme. The Isle of Wight international jazz festival is held in Ventnor in April. Festivals elsewhere in the Island include the Isle of Wight Festival, Cowes week, Osborne House Classical Concert and the Isle of Wight Folk and Blues Festival and White Air Extreme Sports Festival. Within Ventnor, there is music most nights at the Spyglass Inn during summer weeks.

The Island breaks website www.islandbreaks.co.uk provides details of all possible activities across the island. There are opportunities for a wide range of pursuits including walking, cycling, windsurfing, sailing, birdwatching, climbing, flying and paragliding. Pleasure flights are offered from the Island.

Ventnor

The Beach

The beach is situated along Ventnor Esplanade. There are beach huts, wind breaks and deck chairs available for hire during the summer months. There are various cafes, bars and restaurants nearby and a beach shop.

The Harbour

There is a fishery offering feshly caught fish at the harbour. The Ocean View offers meals throughout the day with a magnificant sea views.
Places of interest

There are some superb walks in the area, particularly along the coastline. Walking east along the Esplanade you can visit the harbour area and waterfall then continue for over a mile along the seawall up to Bonchurch village.

Going west there is a beautiful walk along the cliff to Steephill Cove and beyond, though care should be taken with young children as the cliff edge is unfenced. Walking back from here there is the option of cutting through Ventnor Park which is also a pleasant walk.

Other places of interest are in the immediate area are:
The Longshoreman's Museum, Esplanade
Ventnor Heritage Museum at 11 Spring Hill (01983 855407), just off the High Street
Ventnor Botanic Gardens, Undercliff Drive (01983 855397)
Coastal Visitor Centre, Dudley Road (01983 857220)
Ventnor also has its own golf course and there are local tennis courts.
Children's Corner

Eating out

There are a variety of places to eat out.

On the Esplanade, the Spyglass, the Met and Ocean View all offer a reasonable food service.

The Royal Hotel, Rex Piano Bar and Crab and Lobster offer high quality restaurant service and the Hamborough Hotel has a Michelin star restaurant.

In the town centre a Chinese restaurant, Tapas bar and a number of café bars.

Further afield, the White Horse in Whitwell and the Buddle Inn in Niton are noted for good food.

Traditional breakfast is served at a number of outlets on the Esplanade.

The Golden Sands on the Esplanade is noted for fish and chips