My NWDA Holiday on the Isle of Wight

We arrived at Whitecliff Bay in Bembridge and were welcomed by the stewards, we found our pitch, a lovely open space overlooking Bembridge runway, a quiet runway which has a beautiful sunset over it each evening.

The children immediately wanted to go to the beach despite it being the evening so we got set up and went for an evening stroll along the beach followed by a drink at the bar on the adjacent site, there was also a small park there so while we sat overlooking the sea the children played happily. 

Our days were packed with playing on the beach, there was even a sandcastle competition and a live band down there one day which was brilliant and the spacious beach was a great place for the children to play safely.
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The sea bed sloped gradually without ledges so we didn't have to worry about suddenly finding ourselves out of our depth. At one end of the beach a shallow pool was created as the tide went out which was perfect for our 1 year old to paddle in. The sun also warmed the water in this a little (well I think it was the sun). 

The beach also has rock pools at either end so there was something to do when we got tired of being sat in one place. The beach also has a beach shop and a cafe which served lovely food, we even had breakfast down there on our last day, so that we didn't have any washing up. Unfortunately there weren't any toilets on the beach, but a walk back up the slope and there are toilets at the bar. ( I think the bar is why Lee was happy to take the children up to the toilet). The slope down to the beach is quite steep but we managed to get ourselves and all of our beach stuff up and down quite happily each day. 

Our evenings were often spent on site, watching the sunset over the runway or with an evening stroll along the beach followed by a couple of drinks at the Nab bar on the adjacent site. One evening a week there was an open air cinema on the green overlooking the sea. This was just in front of the bar so we could get drinks while watching. This was great fun, they even toasted marshmallows for the children. All we had to do was take chairs....and blankets as it did get a bit chilly.
​https://www.hoseasons.co.uk/holiday-parks/whitecliff-bay-holiday-park-whcb/?gclid=CjwKCAjwyrvaBRACEiwAcyuzRI8GpnICu-kCCXvZlufBfGBIpd_ASl0lR_919wbhdR_b841354sbzBoCCdQQAvD_BwE&clickcd=50124&s_kwcid=AL!2504!3!224486056684!e!!g!!whitecliff%20bay&ef_id=W1Au7gAAANFC7dNr:20180719062550:s

We found so much to do nearby. 

​We were really lucky to be on the island at the time when you can walk out to the fort at St Helens. This is an absolutely amazing thing to do as you walk out through the sea (ankle Deep) at low tide. There are only a couple of points where you can do this and there are thousands of people who go. It is truly an amazing experience. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/st-helens-duver/features/st-helens-fort We loved this and it is something I will remember for a long time. 
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There was also an open day at Bembridge lifeboat Station with a display where they launched the lifeboat. the station was open for visitors to take a look around.http://www.bembridgelifeboat.org.uk/ The girls loved watching the lifeboat as it came down the ramp into the sea. We then watched as the two lifeboats worked together to carry out a rescue demonstration. 

We also went to the zoo on the island in Sandown, this was about a 10 minute drive from the site but can also be walked if you wish to follow the coastal path.I have done this walk in previous years but didn't fancy it with two small children in tow.  Sandown has places to eat, a lovely long beach as well as the zoo and Dinosaur isle. It’s also not far from there to Amazon world where you can find all sorts of animals as you walk around their enclosures. If you do take the coastal path you walk up to Culver Down, there is also a pub up there, surrounded by the sea and stunning views on both sides. 
 http://www.isleofwightzoo.com/     http://www.amazonworld.co.uk/
http://www.dinosaurisle.com/newhomepage.aspx

The Isle of Wight is only approximately 23 x 13 miles but is jam packed full of places to visit. One of our favourite places on the island was Blackgang Chine. I've been going here since I was a child and now love taking my children here too. Its such an adventure through dinosaurs, fairies, under the sea and we even encountered some scary goblins and pirates. It is a place of mystery and magic and the children can play on nearly all of the displays, especially in the wild Wild West.
https://blackgangchine.com
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During the summer one evening a week Blackgang chine did a firework display. we chose not to watch this in the park but instead went up to the viewpoint where they set the fireworks off from.  

Blackgang chine now has a sister company on the Island called Robin Hill. This seems to be more about picturesque walks and climbing activities for the children. We found Robin hill to be a bit more suited to older children due to the rides and games but there was still plenty for the little ones. They also do an electric woods in the summer evenings where the trees are all lit up and they put on a performance in their amphitheatre. Our children loved this and it was well worth the later night. 

https://robin-hill.com/

During our stay there were lots of village carnivals and the island had loads of festivals over the summer, the garlic festival and the Chale show were both on during the time that the THS Is open on the island. 

The Chale show had a large arena with entertainment on over the weekend and lots for the children to do. It also had steam, and military vehicles to look at. It was quite blustery up there on the edge of the cliff which made it a bit deceptive as we didn't realise quite how sunny it was. 

http://thechaleshow.co.uk/

The views out along the military road to Chale were really gorgeous. 

We followed this road out past Chale to the Needles. The iconic Cliffs on the Isle of Wight. Here you could watch glass making, go in the arcade or make a sand figourine with the multicoloured sands that are collected from the cliffs here. There was also a chair lift down to the beach however this was closed when we went due to the wind. 
http://www.theneedles.co.uk

Cowes week was also on during the THS dates. This is a massive boating event with a spectacular firework display at the end. It’s definitely one to have a look at even if your not that into boating there’s so much on there, live bands, food stalls and a great atmosphere. There is often a display from the Red Arrows at this event too. https://www.visitisleofwight.co.uk/whats-on/lendy-cowes-week-p1464171

One place that we stumbled across and have come to love is Calbourne water mill. Not only is it a beautiful location but you can go in the Mill to see it working. There are stunning walks as well as pedalos and boats along the river. They also had a 1950s event on and had lots of old military vehicles and some entertainment. My favourite bit was that you can feed the birds, ducks and fish here, if we kept really still they would come along and land on our hands. http://www.calbournewatermill.co.uk/

There is so much more to do on the island but I feel I have probably talked enough now.

​Perhaps Ill do another post one day with places to eat and drink! 

Check out the white life magazine on your way out and here’s a useful link. 

https://www.visitisleofwight.co.uk