Isle of Wight

Child Friendly Holidays Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight has a particular quality that families notice quickly: it feels unhurried in a way that much of southern England no longer does. The ferry crossing helps. Something about arriving by boat sets a different pace, and the island holds it. The beaches are the obvious starting point. Sandown and Shanklin are the family classics, with long sandy stretches, reliable surf and plenty of seaside amenities. Compton Bay on the south-west coast is wilder, more beautiful and famous for its dinosaur fossils, which children find on the beach with a regularity that never gets old. Freshwater Bay and Totland are quieter still, backed by dramatic chalk downs and perfect for families who want the sea without the crowds. Cycling is one of the island's great strengths for families. The Red Squirrel Trail runs 32 miles across the island on traffic-free paths, and shorter loops make it genuinely manageable with younger children. Hiring bikes at Cowes or Newport and spending a day on the trails is one of those activities that works for every age in the family simultaneously. The island's walking is outstanding too. The coastal path offers some of the most dramatic scenery in southern England, and the Needles at the western tip are one of those landmarks that deliver exactly what the photographs promise. Child-friendly cottages and holiday parks on the Isle of Wight are well distributed across the island, so choosing where to base yourself is really a question of what suits your family. Families who want beach on the doorstep tend to head to the east coast. Those who want space, quiet and countryside lean towards the west and south. All of the properties here are Away with the Kids approved, visited, vetted and genuinely loved by families with children of their own. Use the filters above to find what suits your family.