Thursday, June 16, 2011

5 places to visit on the Isle of Wight

St. Catherine's Oratory

On the southern side of the Isle of Wight there is a region of chalk hills known as St. Catherine's Down near St. Catherine's Point, the southernmost part of the island. Out here atop what is called St. Catherine's Hill is an old, stone lighthouse that is at least 600 years old. The view is breathtaking, and those who study history will want to spend some time here taking in the sites. Not too far away is a modern lighthouse and another lighthouse, a partial one, that was started a couple of hundred years ago but never finished.

Dinosaur Isle

Having only been opened to the public for a little less than ten years, Dinosaur Isle is a gigantic museum about ... can you guess? Dinosaurs! There are more than 30,000 items, mostly fossils, to view in the museum, and if that's not enough for you, there's also a learning center, a gift shop, artwork and even a restaurant right next door. On the east side of the town of Sandown on the east side of the Isle of Wight, Dinosaur Isle is located a short distance from a tourism area full of food and fun.

The Old Smithy & Gardens

Located in the village of Godshill on the southern side of the Isle of Wight, The Old Smithy & Gardens offers plenty for those with a green thumb. You can stroll through beautiful gardens to check out the local flora, but this is also a great place to shop for fashionable clothing. There's even a coffee shop if you need something to pick you up, and tasty treats are also available. And if you like searching for unusual gifts, you've got to check out the gift shop here.

Calbourne Water Mill

The water mill in the village of Calbourne in western central of the Isle of Wight has been in working condition for hundreds of years, and you can actually sign up for and attend classes on millworking taught by an actual millwright. This is a perfect spot for a family vacation as there are camping sites, museums, miniature golf, cooked and baked goods, and much, much more. Especially enticing for those who like the outdoors are the walkways through local forests and around area ponds.

Brading Roman Villa

If you're an ancient history buff, especially if you like to learn about ancient Rome, the Brading Roman Villa in the small town of Brading on the eastern side of the Isle of Wight is worth your visit. Here you will find the remains of an actual Roman courtyard villa that was in working order until about 400 A.D. Most of what you can see are the floors of the villa, five of the rooms covered with beautiful mosaics, but parts of some walls still remain. There are also some remains of farm buildings, and there are plenty of exhibits about Roman history, specifically relating to the region, within the halls of the tourism center at the site. Special events are held at the villa from time to time, so check the schedule on the Website if you plan on visiting.

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