A weekend in the Isle of Wight with the kids

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A weekend in the Isle of Wight with the kids

Two days, four proper stops and plenty of room for small legs to burn off breakfast. Day one keeps things tight: Carisbrooke Castle in the morning, then just 2.6 miles down the road to Chillerton Down, National Trust land where children can stretch out and run about. Day two is the bigger hop — 28.2 miles to Hinton Ampner — with Preshaw House a gentle 2.9 miles on from there.

Base yourself wherever suits your crew. Willow Barn sleeps seven and sits 3.1 miles from Ryde Esplanade station, with Ryde beach 3.5 miles away and rated Good by the Environment Agency; Oak Barn does the same job for four. Channel View Hotel is 0.4 miles from Shanklin station and 0.4 miles from a beach graded Excellent. For wet-weather insurance, Thorness Bay Holiday Park has a swimming pool, hot tub, bar and evening entertainment, with Gurnard beach 2.4 miles away. Coming by train? Shanklin is your station.

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Day 1

Start at Carisbrooke Castle while everyone's fresh and patience is at its highest, then keep the driving to a minimum — it's only 2.6 miles on to Chillerton Down, so there's no need to rush lunch. Save the National Trust afternoon for running about and a proper leg-stretch, with a flask and a bag of snacks in the boot for the way back.

Morning

Carisbrooke Castle

Castle & Heritage

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Afternoon

Chillerton Down

National Trust

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Day 2

Today's the long leg: 28.2 miles to Hinton Ampner, so leave early, hand out snacks in the car and treat the journey as the quiet bit of the day. Preshaw House is a much friendlier 2.9 miles on from Hinton Ampner, which leaves the afternoon relaxed rather than rushed — and an early finish if the children have had enough.