Things to do around Yaverland

Chris
Things to do around Yaverland

Local attraction

Here I've listed some of our favourite attractions within the Sandown area, and some lesser known ones from further afield.
Fantastic for a rainy day, here you will see many fossils found locally, see models of some of the dinosaurs found here and learn about the geological history of the island. They also do fossil walks on Yaverland Beach immediately under the holiday park. You'll probably spend 2-3 hours here depending on what else they have going on. Entrance fees are reasonable at time of writing. Its an easy 10-15 minute walk from the Chalet, there is car parking if you can't manage that but you have to pay.
35 recommandé par les habitants
Dinosaur Isle
Culver Parade
35 recommandé par les habitants
Fantastic for a rainy day, here you will see many fossils found locally, see models of some of the dinosaurs found here and learn about the geological history of the island. They also do fossil walks on Yaverland Beach immediately under the holiday park. You'll probably spend 2-3 hours here depending on what else they have going on. Entrance fees are reasonable at time of writing. Its an easy 10-15 minute walk from the Chalet, there is car parking if you can't manage that but you have to pay.
A craft village not too far away from Sandown, this is well worth a visit. The chief attraction is the Maritime Museum with its collection of artefacts retrieved from local shipwrecks. This is a must visit. The rest of the village comprises small craft shops, a farm shop and very pleasant pub and restaurant. You'll probably spend an afternoon here quite easily. It is good for rainy days.
18 recommandé par les habitants
Granges d'Arreton
Main Road
18 recommandé par les habitants
A craft village not too far away from Sandown, this is well worth a visit. The chief attraction is the Maritime Museum with its collection of artefacts retrieved from local shipwrecks. This is a must visit. The rest of the village comprises small craft shops, a farm shop and very pleasant pub and restaurant. You'll probably spend an afternoon here quite easily. It is good for rainy days.
I must confess I have never been here, but everyone we know who has has said how good it is. A good morning or afternoon visit, I think its quite "outdoor" but rain friendly if you know what I mean! Easily walkable from the Chalet, you can hear the Tigers roaring in the morning from the holiday park.
54 recommandé par les habitants
Isle of Wight Zoo
Yaverland Road
54 recommandé par les habitants
I must confess I have never been here, but everyone we know who has has said how good it is. A good morning or afternoon visit, I think its quite "outdoor" but rain friendly if you know what I mean! Easily walkable from the Chalet, you can hear the Tigers roaring in the morning from the holiday park.
Another great interesting place to lose half a day in the event of inclement weather. Here you can learn about wartime life on the island, see - and sometimes ride on - historic military vehicles and talk to people who lived on the island during this time. The entry fee is reasonable at the time of writing and parking is free. It's definitely a bus journey or drive, roughly half an hour in the car.
Military And Heritage Museum
Another great interesting place to lose half a day in the event of inclement weather. Here you can learn about wartime life on the island, see - and sometimes ride on - historic military vehicles and talk to people who lived on the island during this time. The entry fee is reasonable at the time of writing and parking is free. It's definitely a bus journey or drive, roughly half an hour in the car.
This one is probably only worth visiting if you have an interest in dinghy or yacht sailing. If you do then its a must. Probably good for an hour or so this is an exhibition based mostly around local boatbuilder and designer Uffa Fox and the classes that he designed and sailed. Many of the boats exhibited have been restored within the museum. This is NOT where Airbnb tell you it is, Airbnb have listed the gallery - this is worth a visit but the museum is more interesting. Please see the website for the proper address and opening times which are a bit sporadic. It's pretty much immediately off the floating bridge in West Cowes, look for the big "Hammerhead" crane - its right underneath. There is free car parking and admission fees are low. Its a 30-40 minute drive, I'd go via the floating bridge if I was doing it and avoid Newport.
Classic Boat Museum
Columbine Road
This one is probably only worth visiting if you have an interest in dinghy or yacht sailing. If you do then its a must. Probably good for an hour or so this is an exhibition based mostly around local boatbuilder and designer Uffa Fox and the classes that he designed and sailed. Many of the boats exhibited have been restored within the museum. This is NOT where Airbnb tell you it is, Airbnb have listed the gallery - this is worth a visit but the museum is more interesting. Please see the website for the proper address and opening times which are a bit sporadic. It's pretty much immediately off the floating bridge in West Cowes, look for the big "Hammerhead" crane - its right underneath. There is free car parking and admission fees are low. Its a 30-40 minute drive, I'd go via the floating bridge if I was doing it and avoid Newport.

Historic building

The Isle of Wight is full of history both military and peacetime. Most of these are well advertised, but here are some lesser known gems that are well worth a visit.
This is easily the best £5 you will spend if you are interested in the military history of the island. These are guided tours and run once a week on a Tuesday in holiday season. You MUST book this well in advance if you want to go, and they fill up weeks in advance. If you miss out the Needles Old Battery is very similar and in better condition but this guided tour is in my view a better morning even though the fort is pretty derelict. Not recommended for very small children or those with mobility difficulties. You must book your visit via the National Trust website. If you have any interest in the military history of the island this is unmissable if you can get a place.
National Trust - Bembridge Fort
Culver Down Road
This is easily the best £5 you will spend if you are interested in the military history of the island. These are guided tours and run once a week on a Tuesday in holiday season. You MUST book this well in advance if you want to go, and they fill up weeks in advance. If you miss out the Needles Old Battery is very similar and in better condition but this guided tour is in my view a better morning even though the fort is pretty derelict. Not recommended for very small children or those with mobility difficulties. You must book your visit via the National Trust website. If you have any interest in the military history of the island this is unmissable if you can get a place.
This is the church used by Queen Victoria when she was in residence at Osborne House. Its tucked out of the way off the main road up to Cowes and is in a delightful setting. Entry is free, there is a coffee shop in the visitors centre and the views of the Medina river are stunning. Well worth a visit for a drink on the way back from Osbourne if you've been, you probably won't be here for much more than an hour. The Folly inn is a short walk down the river towards Newport. Plenty of free parking.
St Mildred's Church
Beatrice Avenue
This is the church used by Queen Victoria when she was in residence at Osborne House. Its tucked out of the way off the main road up to Cowes and is in a delightful setting. Entry is free, there is a coffee shop in the visitors centre and the views of the Medina river are stunning. Well worth a visit for a drink on the way back from Osbourne if you've been, you probably won't be here for much more than an hour. The Folly inn is a short walk down the river towards Newport. Plenty of free parking.
The Needles Old Battery is well advertised and worth visiting. The New Battery is often overlooked. Constructed to prevent larger guns crumbling the cliffs this battery saws action in both wars and later was the site of Britain's rocket programme. Largely derelict, the site is mainly an exhibition of the post war space programme - the wartime history being taken care of in the Old Battery. You won't be here for much more than an hour, but if you've been to the Old Battery its well worth the 10 minute walk up the hill, or take the bus. It's free to get in.
31 recommandé par les habitants
The Needles Old Battery & New Battery
31 recommandé par les habitants
The Needles Old Battery is well advertised and worth visiting. The New Battery is often overlooked. Constructed to prevent larger guns crumbling the cliffs this battery saws action in both wars and later was the site of Britain's rocket programme. Largely derelict, the site is mainly an exhibition of the post war space programme - the wartime history being taken care of in the Old Battery. You won't be here for much more than an hour, but if you've been to the Old Battery its well worth the 10 minute walk up the hill, or take the bus. It's free to get in.

Food scene

There are loads of excellent eateries in the local area, these are our favourites.
Fantastic beer and food in an historic inn with a lovely outdoor seating area overlooking the approach to the solent. This pub is walkable from the Chalet, it takes about 45 minutes to an hour but is absolutely not suitable for pushchairs or those with limited mobility! If you do tackle the walk however you will be treated to stunning views from Culver Down and at low tide you can walk down to the beach at Whitecliff Bay and take the route along the beach and over the rock pools. The walk there is easier then the walk back, and the bus from Bembridge is an option for the return journey. If you drive there is ample car parking around the pub both in the (Small) car park and the surrounding area. Booking would be advisable for food.
29 recommandé par les habitants
The Crab and Lobster Inn
32 Forelands Field Rd
29 recommandé par les habitants
Fantastic beer and food in an historic inn with a lovely outdoor seating area overlooking the approach to the solent. This pub is walkable from the Chalet, it takes about 45 minutes to an hour but is absolutely not suitable for pushchairs or those with limited mobility! If you do tackle the walk however you will be treated to stunning views from Culver Down and at low tide you can walk down to the beach at Whitecliff Bay and take the route along the beach and over the rock pools. The walk there is easier then the walk back, and the bus from Bembridge is an option for the return journey. If you drive there is ample car parking around the pub both in the (Small) car park and the surrounding area. Booking would be advisable for food.
This pub is right on the top of Culver Down, as you look from the chalet it is just to the right of the Yarborough Monument. The views from the Down are stunning, and the pub's beer garden is as good a place as any to take them in! The walk there is quite brisk to say the least, but its well worth it with panoramic views all round the eastern side of the island. You can drive there if you can't manage the walk, there is ample car parking either in the pub car park or the nearby national trust car park. Both are free. Booking would be advisable for food.
The Culver Haven Inn
Culver Down Road
This pub is right on the top of Culver Down, as you look from the chalet it is just to the right of the Yarborough Monument. The views from the Down are stunning, and the pub's beer garden is as good a place as any to take them in! The walk there is quite brisk to say the least, but its well worth it with panoramic views all round the eastern side of the island. You can drive there if you can't manage the walk, there is ample car parking either in the pub car park or the nearby national trust car park. Both are free. Booking would be advisable for food.
Run by the same group as the Crab and Lobster in Bembridge. Here you will find the same quality food and drink but without the historic building or view. However this pub is very child friendly and is easily walkable from the Chalet. A great place to spend your first evening after unpacking when you don't want to cook!
7 recommandé par les habitants
Caulkheads
42-44 Avenue Rd
7 recommandé par les habitants
Run by the same group as the Crab and Lobster in Bembridge. Here you will find the same quality food and drink but without the historic building or view. However this pub is very child friendly and is easily walkable from the Chalet. A great place to spend your first evening after unpacking when you don't want to cook!