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 (Thurs-Sun 11am-3pm) and every day for Christmas (26 Dec-5 Jan 11am-3pm) and half term (15 Feb-1 Mar, 11am-3pm). It serves warming meals, 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).

Sausage rolls on a plate

Winter food at The Needles Old Battery 

Warm up on a chilly day with some warming food at the Needles Battery tea-room. Open each Thurs-Sun (11am-3pm) and every day from 17 Feb until 1 Mar, we'll be serving a selection of seasonal favorites as well as hot and cold drinks.

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. 

Red squirrel on a tree trunk

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.

Or join a family adventure and travel through time with the help of some really old trees.

Children playing in the woods, balancing on fallen logs

Tree Stories in Borthwood 

Have you ever met a creature that's hundreds of years old? In Borthwood this half term you can (Tue 18 Feb, 10am). From the tip of the highest leaf, to roots buried deep in the ground, trees have so many tales to tell. They're also homes to lots of other things too. Our gentle wander deep into the woods, with family activities along the way, is just right for mini explorers and will help them discover these ancient beings. Booking essential on 01983 741020.

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.

Low tide on Newtown saltwater marsh on a calm winter's day
Walking trail

Explore the estuary at Newtown 

Newtown is very flat which means the paths around the village are perfect for pushchairs and prams. Or if you’ve come with wellies and waterproofs, you could follow the trail to the estuary and splash through the watery meadows on the way. You might even spot some of the winter migrant birds flying overhead or wading in the creeks as you wander.

Explore Newtown
Boats gracefully decaying on the edge of St Helen's Duver
Walking trail

St Helens Duver 

The sand dunes close to the sea at St Helens, known as the Duver, are a great place for the whole family to explore. The area is fairly level, there is parking, which is free for NT members, and it’s popular for dog walking, meaning that the family’s four-legged friend can enjoy running around too. But if you’d like to explore further afield, then you can follow the trail and discover more of St Helens.

Walk our trail

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.

Boy sat in a the branches of a large tree

Wintery '50 things to do before you're 11¾' on the Isle of Wight 

Winter can be a magical season, especially when you’re ticking off 50 things challenges in the frosty outdoors. We’ve put together a few of our favourite activities to do in winter and where to go to try them.

Find out what to try
Two little girls splashing in puddle with parents in background

7 ways to get kids out for a walk 

A child who has run around in the fresh air is so much nicer to be around. And if it’s in a beautiful place then we’re happy too. But persuading a child away from a screen in a cosy room into the cold outdoors for a walk can be tricky. Here are a few tips that will hopefully lead to some happy outdoor adventures.

Teen family on a walk by the Thames at Maidenhead and Cookham Commons

How to get your teenager out for a winter walk 

Trial and tribulation has brought us to the conclusion that there are just three ways to prize your teen off the sofa and into the fresh air. Use these judiciously and you'll be so glad you did.