Have a ‘Wild Wight’ Experience
So you must have heard of the Isle of Wight Festival? Or, you could have come to the Isle of Wight on a family holiday once upon a time and remember the Isle of Wight Ferry ride? Because we want you to come back again and again we firstly want to make sure you have a great time when you Visit the Isle of Wight. Therefore its our job to help you discover the isle of wight‘s best treasures.
We have put together our ideas into our ‘wild’ experiences, for Groups of visitors, school or team Building trips, or family fun seekers. These pages are packed with our ideas about the best places to visit, eat, and stay:
Day Trips (by public transport or private cars/taxi)
The Isle of Wight can be enjoyed with or without a car. Small groups of day trippers often use the foot passenger options, in other words;
- – Arrive by rail from London Waterloo or Victoria into either Portsmouth Harbour, joining the Wightlink FastCat ferry route with a through ticket to Ryde Esplanade.
- Or come by train to Southampton Central Station and then hop on the free bus to the Red Funnel ferry port. The Car ferry takes passengers into to East Cowes, from Terminal 1, Quay Road. Or the Red Jet Passenger Terminal travels into West Cowes (either option is better when you buy a railcard for discounts on the ferry fare too).
- Another alternative is to use a National Express coach to Portsmouth Hard Interchange or Southsea Parade which is served by Hover Travel to Ryde Esplanade.
You can always talk to us for more advice because we want you to have a great time and leave happy, booking your next experience real soon. For example tips like leaving London after the rush hour rail prices fall & you’ll still be in Ryde by 11.50am most mornings!
So here are our suggested best days out, which should always include some karting to discover what a Wild Wight is about:
Option #1
Here’s where you get an adrenaline rush first thing and then slowly unwind and relax into Island life!
Arriving into Ryde around 10am, head straight to the bus station on Ryde Esplanade, travelling 10 minutes on the No 2 or 3 alighting at the Tesco Extra stop. Following signs to..
Wight Karting – nationally renown for their excellently technical outdoor 520m race track & a top action attraction on the Isle of Wight (Trip Advisor). Suit-up as a racing driver for a 2-hour motorsport extravaganza! Finishing Top on the Podium will get you medals or Trophies (group size dependent) and the biggest buzz for the least training on any sport – that’s a promise! Take a drink at La Babalu Licensed snack bar from speciality Milkshakes to a chilled bottle of San Miguel. Following, it’s either next door to…
Westridge Golf 9 Hole course or for the ‘Top Tracer’ or Golf Driving Range. Choose one of the 6 modes of play and test your score against the APP Leaderboard. With those with limited golfing skill, the sport is opened up into a fun, relaxing exercise.
…or walk 15 minutes (drive 5mins) ‘Splatter’ paintballing with lunch at Oasis Cafe on the way.
…or on to Wight Water Paddle Boarding or SUP boarding with all the gear provided. This beach is stunningly vast and miles of golden sands stretch before you to discover. You gat there by Southern Vectis bus right outside our gates.
Then back to Ryde for some fun in The Lost Crypt , an amazing escape room experience for teens upwards created in the actual crypt of Trinity Street Church, Dover Street Ryde. Or go for the supper (pre-booked) in one of Rydes’ vast range of restaurants (ask us locals for our personal recommendations) and onto the Hovercraft or Wightlink Fastcat 20.47 *back to the mainland exhausted and relaxed with great photos to remember your ‘Wild Wight’ taster day, and into London Waterloo by 11.20pm* (don’t fall asleep on the train!).
*Double Check timetables.
Day 2 or Option #2 (again with public transport as an option)
With a 10 am arrival into Ryde why not walk to ..
Goodleaf Tree Climbing at Appley Park taking in the Harbour, Canoe Lake and beautiful beaches on the way. The paths are level and easy for bikes or mini scooters. The tree climbing is set in a Victorian park and a family run business takes you high into the treetops for great views of the coastline.
We then suggest a traditional Fish and Chip lunch at Appley Beach Café, or choose the Dell Cafe – for dining a little more upmarket & also on the sea wall.
A short 5 minutes walk to Easthill Road Bus stop catching the Southern Vectis No. 8 Bus to St. Helens Causeway. Because a Southern Vectis ‘Day Rider’ ticket costs from just £5 per head (on Groups of 5+ saver) its a great way to see the Island. You alight at St. Helens Causeway and cross the sand dunes to..
Tackt-Isle Adventure Activities. Here, where we suggest 1/2 day on either, the sea wet-suited up for Kayak and Paddleboard (SUP) Games, or a dry-land option – a Speedy Scavenger Hunt and Bushcraft. With lovely beaches to explore you’re guided (when booking a larger group) to the amazingly beautiful Priory Bay. Everything you need is supplied by Ben and his team – just bring your sense of adventure!
After a refreshing shower (provided), it’s back on the Number 8 bus towards Ryde, stopping at..
Mermaid Gin Distillery at the Wishing Well for ‘Mini Mixology’ lesson and a sampling of this local distillery’s finest selection of spirits. Onto the next bus, you’re very ready to eat – and we end your day back in Ryde. Fancy a delicious curry at Ryde Tandoori on Union Street, or dine at Michelangelo’s Italian restaurant right opposite the Pier where you can decide on your departure times as you relax and look at your great photos and memories of your Wild Wight taster day!
Variations
Some groups and team building organisers need to accommodate varying taste and ability so we have suggested these alternatives :
- Southern Vectis No 4 (via Staplers) to visit the Island Riding Centre for a taste of Dressage or a beginners riding session
- Splatter Paintball at Coombley Woods
- Gin tasting on the Isle of Wight at the Mermaid Gin Distillery
- Escape Room Experience at The Lost Crypt, Ryde
Other options and Upgrades
(additional charges)
- Coach Collection Provided by Red Line Taxis, Seaview Services, ALS Coaches, Alpha Cars, or Ryde Taxis.
- Go-Karting Exclusive S1 or Endurance Team Competition Event with trophies and presentation.
- Full Mixology at Mermaid Gin Distillery at the Isle of Wight Distillery, Seaview.
- Seafront-Location Lunch or Evening Meal at the Three Buoys, Ryde or Best Dressed Crab, Bembridge (with limited wine).
- Coach-Led Competition on Top Tracer at Westridge Golf Centre, Ryde.
- Rib Rides from St Helens or Fishbourne, or Ryde Harbour (min. 8, max. 28)
- Kite Surfing with Two Elements Kite Surfing School or Wight Water.
