Winter family adventures on the Isle of Wight

The weather might be a bit nippy but if you dress the family in coats and wellies, scarfs and hats and head outdoors in the fresh air, you’ll find over 5000 acres of Isle of Wight countryside to explore together on your doorstep. You could follow one of our easy downloadable trails, warm up and refuel in the Needles Old Battery tea-rooms or have a go at some wintery 50 things to do before you’re 11¾. All of which means there’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained this winter on the Isle of Wight.
Refuel for winter walking
If being stuck indoors means there’s lots of unused energy bouncing around, then a walk across Tennyson Downs and the Needles Headland is sure to burn it off. But if you need to refuel for the trip back, our tea-room at the Needles Old Battery is open each weekend this winter for takeaways (Sat & Sun 11am-3pm) and every day over February half-term (13-21 Feb 11am-3pm). It serves warming snacks, refreshing drinks and lots of yummy cake, as well as award winning scones – all of which should keep out the winter chill and get even the youngest of walkers back across the downs (park at either Highdown Pit carpark (SZ325856) or Needles Landmark Attraction).
Winter in the woods
Borthwood Copse is a magical place even in the winter. There are lots of big trees to climb, fallen branches to make dens from, and red squirrels to spot.

Spot a squirrel this winter
We’ve got an easy walking trail you can download so the whole family can explore Borthwood together. It will take you along ancient tracks and through wooded glades but don’t forget to look up in the branches for red squirrels.
More family walks for little legs
Despite all the energy that the youngest members of the family can have, we know that little legs can get tired quite quickly. Luckily, some of our downloadable trails are just right for taking a shorter, gentler walk that the whole family can enjoy on a bright winter’s day. You can follow the whole route, or just use them as a guide to discover where to go.
50 things activities to try this winter
It may not seem it, but winter is still a great time of year to tick off some of your 50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾. We’ve put together a list of the best ones to try at this time of year.