Summer has well and truly arrived, so here at Wightbay, we want to introduce you to some of the best days out you can have on the Island!

As the summer holidays draw closer, the thought of entertaining the kids for 6 whole weeks can be overwhelming, so you might want to plan in some activities. Or maybe you just want to be a tourist for the day and take some visiting family members on a fun day out!

Whether you are looking for something scenic, historical, to tire the kids out, or a day of fun for the animal lovers, we have something for all the family to enjoy, whilst making some great memories!

Brading Roman Villa

Situated overlooking Sandown Bay on the Isle of Wight, Brading Roman Villa is one of the finest Roman sites in the UK. Our award-winning Visitor Centre and Museum offer unique insights into Roman life in Britain, from beautifully preserved mosaic floors to an extensive collection of Roman archaeology.

Since its re-discovery, the villa and surrounding land have been excavated many times. Using artefacts, the mosaics and archaeological reports, the museum will take you on a tour from prehistory up to the modern day, introducing you to the life of those who lived here 1,800 years ago.

Once you finish exploring in the museum, you can take a walk around our grounds, visit the shop, café and events or exhibitions. We offer free parking and access to our outside space all year. Our shop is home to a unique range of gifts inspired by our Roman heritage and environment. Every purchase helps to support our museum and allows us to continue to protect and conserve the collection. The products on offer include jewellery made by local silversmiths, a wide range of books, locally produced food, Roman inspired souvenirs, and a wide range of affordable children’s toys and gifts. With helpful and knowledgeable retail staff available to help, why not drop in for that unique gift?

Finish off your visit by joining us in the Forum Café, with the panoramic views overlooking Sandown Bay providing a relaxed and delightful setting. We know the Romans were famous for their love of fine food and feasting, and would have appreciated this view every day, and so can you!

Book your day out here!

Isle Of Wight Donkey Sanctuary

The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary is a fun day out with something for all ages. With free car parking and free admission, we rely entirely on voluntary donations, all of which are gratefully received.

There are over 100 donkeys and ponies to meet, with activities throughout the year offering the chance to interact with some of our animals. Details of our activities can be found and booked online.

If you’re looking for a special gift, there’s plenty to choose from in our shop – you can even choose to adopt one of our donkeys or ponies.

If you’re after some delicious food, freshly cooked using local produce, then head to Grazers Café on site, catering for all diets including vegetarian and vegan options. We welcome the whole family, including the dog!

Book your day out here!

Monkey Haven

Say hello to Monkey Haven, the Island’s award-winning primate rescue centre that makes animals happy – and people happy. It’s a place to relax, have fun in the fresh air and meet some amazing animals.

The Island’s favourite sanctuary is a winner of Visit England’s Best Small Attraction and the People’s Choice award in the London Charity Film Awards 2022.

You’ll come face to face with all kinds of rescued animals, including Siamangs, Lar gibbons, meerkats, reptiles and birds of prey. You could even get the chance to handle a snake or meet an owl during one of the regular keeper talks and animal feeds throughout the day.

Learn all about the fascinating creatures, their personalities, and how they came to be at the Haven. Many were rescued from tragic situations, found tied up in airports, or badly neglected by their previous owners.

We have great facilities / disabled access and look forward to welcoming you to our happy haven soon!

Book your day out here!

Wildheart Animal Sanctuary

The Wildheart Animal Sanctuary rescues exotic animals from suffering and provides a safe haven for them to rehabilitate on the glittering shores of Sandown Bay. From Tigers and Lions to Monkeys and Cockatoos, all our animals have an amazing story to tell and all play a part in ending animal exploitation. Daily visitor talks and animal encounters help to harness the power of our residents as ambassadors for change.

Never before have the realities of widespread animal exploitation and abuse been so apparent. We aim to end animal cruelty in captivity, whilst ensuring cohesive and well functioning ecosytems in the wild. At the forefront of our work are our amazing rescued animals that have been saved from horrendous circumstances all over Europe and now live out a life of luxury in our sanctuary by the sea.

Visitors get the opportunity to find out all about their stories in our daily animal talks and encounters, whilst wandering our amazing site, set in the backdrop of an historic Palmerston fort. The animals here include Lions, Tigers, Lynx, Spider monkeys, meerkats, Servals, reptiles, birds and much more. Not to mention the Islands largest primate area, which you can actually walk through to get up close with our group of lemurs!

Why not visit us, have a meal in our Wildheart Café and relax in the knowledge all of the money you spend with us directly supports our efforts to end animal cruelty once and for all.

Book your day out here!

The Needles
From dramatic coastlines to unforgettable experiences, no visit to the Isle of Wight is complete without a trip to The Needles, with excitement and entertainment for the whole family.

The Needles are one of the Isle of Wight’s most iconic sights. These three white chalk stacks leading up to the Needles Lighthouse are the first thing that many people think of when they hear the words ‘Isle of Wight’. The Needles are more than just a beautiful sight, however.

There’s plenty to do here, from the world-famous Needles Rocks to the Needles Old Battery. Discover the outstanding landmarks and places of natural beauty; well known for its multi-coloured sand cliffs and stunning coastal views, a variety of family attractions, hands on interactive experiences, plus you can tuck in to a variety of local cuisine, and treat yourself to plenty of island products in our catering and retail outlets.

Throughout the summer, enjoy unique firework displays, each one transporting you on a magical journey – the perfect way to end a family day out at this unique destination.

Book your day out here!

Sandham Gardens
Located on the northern side of Sandown, situated in a picturesque seaside town and beach front location, Sandham Gardens is the ideal place to relax and enjoy quality time with friends and family.

Offering a great value day out for all ages, including stunning gardens and a wonderful location opposite the ‘UK’s best beach as voted for in Countryfile Magazine’, we have a wide range of exciting activities to enjoy including Sandham Skynets: The Big Bounce, Sandham Karts and Dino Islands: A Golf Adventure. You can also enjoy refreshments from our Ice Cream Shack, as well as free entry to the rainbow playground and skate park.

Each attraction brings its own identity and fun, meaning there really is something for everyone to enjoy.

The multi-level golf course includes a number of water features and life-size dinosaurs, and includes obstacles such as sizzling volcanoes and rickety bridges.

The electric go-karts give budding racers the chance to zoom around our track and race against their friends to see who can become the next Sandham Grand Prix Champion.

And our Skynets provide huge amounts of fun with stunning views to match. Multi-levels, Bird-hut hideouts, slides and much more…

Book your day out here!