Winter and Christmas Activities and Events
There’s nothing better than a Christmas themed market or event to get you into the festive spirit – and sometimes some of those are on offer too. Here’s our round up of a few of the Christmassy things you might like to do before Christmas arrives. Polar at Robin Hill – always good value for money and so pretty, with twinkling walkways, a huge festive marble arch, a treetop snowball fight with trampoline full of inflatable ‘snowballs’, family rides and Christmas crafting workshops. And, of course, Pippa and Pop the polar bears, cheeky dodos and the wonderful Fairy Queen from Robin
The Ultimate Autumn Escape
The ‘Lost Crypt’ Ryde is the perfect place to escape the crowds this Autumn…Bring your family, friends, work colleagues or team mates together and head underground, to take on one of the Isle of Wight’s most exciting and atmospheric experiences. Launched in July 2021, Aspire Ryde’s Lost Crypt is no ordinary Escape Room. Players need to ‘unlock’ a series of historical puzzles and clues, based on a unique real-life mystery, within a historical church building – ‘Holy Trinity’. New for the Autumn are weekend sessions; there are bookable slots from 10:00am to 16:00pm every Saturday and Sunday. Late openings on a Saturday
An Island in Terror!
If you go down to the woods today… you’re in for a spooky surprise and an unexpected workout! It’s the time of year again for pumpkin carving and sweet stocking, but if you are looking for something with a little more thrill, Terror Island has returned and are handing out extra tricks and a side of yummy treats! We were lucky enough to attend this years press night and can assure you, Terror Island did not disappoint. With three mazes to visit, each playing on a different theme, along with plenty of added extras, this really is a test of the
The Island’s biggest, award-winning scare event returns this October!
Terror Island, with three epic scare mazes is the ultimate night out this October! Running on five select dates from 22nd - 31st, the event will really give you something to scream about this Halloween! Having scooped the ‘Best New Event’ award from internationally recognised awarding body ScareCON, for their first instalment back in 2019, Terror Island is now back bigger and better! Hosted at the UK’s oldest theme park, Blackgang Chine, it’s the perfect night out for groups of mates or a work night with a difference. As well as the three themed scare mazes, the event is hosting live DJ sets
Isle of Wight Festival 2021 Review
Everyone I spoke to agreed that this year’s IW Festival was the one they had enjoyed the best of all of the IW Festivals since 2002, and why was that? Because it happened at all!!! In a climate of Covid paranoia, and within an atmosphere of fear, John and Caroline Giddings fought tooth and nail to put on this year’s Festival and it was an absolute triumph. From the smallest artist on a makeshift stage, to the huge headliners on the Main and Big Top stages, everyone was on top form, bursting to bring their music back to the masses. And
Grand Russian High Tea Book launch raises over £1,000 for Island charities
Hosted by Lady Cheshire and Lady Grylls, a Grand Russian High Tea at the Royal Hotel was to launch Stephan Roman’s new book ‘Isle and Empires’ and to raise money for Mountbatten and Dementia UK Admiral Nurses IW. Guests were greeted with a Russian Spring Punch cocktail, made with Mermaid Salt Vodka courtesy of the Isle of Wight Distillery, Rachmaninov from Simon Davis on piano, and a real Russian samovar loaned by the Leconfield Hotel. Once seated guests were treated to a cornucopia of Russian-themed scones, cakes and delicacies, designed by Ben Chamberlain and his team, whilst sipping Russian and English
Sky High organisers issue local notice for hot air balloon flights
The countdown to the South Coast’s largest hot air balloon bonanza, Sky High Night Glow, is on! From August 20th - 22nd, Robin Hill will see magnificent hot air balloons fill the skies once more. After a record-breaking first instalment in May, Sky High Night Glow will return daily from 5pm – 10pm; with spectacular Night Glow displays every evening, there’s even more opportunity to see the balloons in action! The park’s Lower Valley will once again be a hive of activity with hot air balloon crews tethering, performing inflation races, and attempting mass launches from site! But that’s not all
Isle of Wight Festival 2021 – An interview with John Giddings
Going Live I loved your quote about cancelling the Isle of Wight Festival over your dead body.. “And I don't intend to die in the near future, fingers crossed.” Is this going to be the first concert you put on this year? “Um yes, because my wife has been doing the Covid testing at the event research programme at Sefton Park and Download, and she's at Latitude at the moment, but they are not run by me. The Isle of Wight festival team are helping the Government produce those events on the basis that we get the knowledge to be able to run the Isle
Katie Melua at the Woodland Sessions at Robin Hill
The valley at Robin Hill, home of the very first Bestival, was the perfect setting for the ‘socially distanced’ Woodland Sessions last weekend, the very weekend that would have been the IW Festival if it hadn’t been for the government’s Covid restrictions. And on the second night, Friday 17th July, Katie Melua chilled everyone out with a stunning selection from her extensive catalogue. Katie in front of the iconic marble arch at Robin Hill Supporting artist, Simon Gough gave a haunting and atmospheric violin interlude to begin, with backdrop of coastal scenes in the twilight – were they of Island scenes? We
Jack Up’s all set to bring back the good times this summer!
With the lifting of all legal restrictions on19th July, the Island’s community retro festival is ready to re-open its gates this August enabling Islander’s to reunite with friends and family in a safe, outdoor environment. Centred around feel-good music from the 80’s and 90’s, there’s guaranteed fun for all the family! Now in its eighth year, Jack Up The Summer will feature live music from the likes of Heaven 17, Heather Small, From The Jam, Black Lace and Aswad, as well as Queen and Abba tribute groups, locally produced food and drink plus the world’s only inflatable circus including a 100ft