Family fun day out on a budget
For under £50...
We asked Robbie Lane from Isle of Wight Guru for his favourite days out on a budget, for a family of four spending under £50.
With a daily budget of £50 for a family of four, you can have a jam-packed day in the East Wight.
Quarr Abbey
Start off with a free trip to Quarr Abbey, which is a monastery with its own café, pigs and woodland walks. For a couple of pounds you can pick up some food for the pigs, or you can bring your own fresh fruit and veg. There are occasionally free tours offered by the resident monks or head into the woodland in search of red squirrels.
Bembridge Beach & Lifeboat Station
Next up, head towards Bembridge – one of many dog-friendly beaches on the Island. The impressive RNLI lifeboat station is free to visit and there are usually volunteers on hand to show off the equipment. Check their Facebook page as they often do practice launches.
The beach at Bembridge is good for crabbing at low tide. Spend a fiver of your budget on a net and bucket from the RNLI shop for a guaranteed hour of squealing and splashing. The children will love it too...
Bembridge Windmill
Bembridge Windmill is a worthwhile detour before our second beach of the day. It’s not huge, but a family ticket will only cost you about £20 – or it’s free if you have National Trust Membership. The best bit is the climb to the top, which involves clambering up some well-worn ladders.
St Helens
St Helen’s beach is our final stop. It’s got a similar vibe to Bembridge beach with lovely shallow waters, but it’s better for tame water sports. Hire a stand-up paddleboard on the beach for about £15 and take turns to see if anyone can maintain their dignity for more than five seconds.