Isle of Wight Primary School Trips & Tours

Carisbrooke Castle, owned by English Heritage, is the island's major fortress and one of the finest castle ruins in the south. The castle stands on a Roman site and dates from 1070 AD. The massive round keep and the 14th century gatehouse are two of its most notable features. The castle also houses the island's museum.

Built for Queen Victoria in 1845 as a country retreat, this house was later presented to the nation by Edward VIII on his accession to the throne. There are plenty of aspects to keep pupils entertained, from the chance to explore the Royal & State Apartments, understand the culture and fashions of the Victorian era, or even ride a horse-drawn carriage to the Swiss Cottage.

This is a fine example of a Roman courtyard villa, and the type owned by the wealthiest of Roman Britons. Spend time exploring an archaeological site, marvel over real Roman artefacts and the magnificent mosaic floors, and consider the costs and benefits of restoring a site of historical interest.

These coloured sands are one of the island’s major natural attractions. Pupils love riding the chairlift from cliff top to shore and back again, and taking a boat cruise under the 400ft cliffs. You can also view the original ‘needle’ rock and lighthouse too.

Visit one of five specially-selected beaches, full of fossils and other interesting objects. Comb a beach and hunt for fossils, collect evidence to consider the habitats of the past and take a piece of history home.

Recreate the story of the rainforest from discovery, through near destruction, and hopeful recovery. Pupils will have the chance to pet and feed some of the 200 animals and understand the importance of conserving our plant and animal habitats. A fun aspect of this visit is ‘The Tomb’, a recreation of an ancient Mayan burial chamber which is home to giant fruit bats, kinkajous, slow loris and an anaconda.

Shanklin Chine is a natural gorge of great scenic beauty with a spectacular 45ft waterfall. A favourite smuggler's haunt, the Chine was much admired during the late 18th century and throughout the Victorian era. Today, the beautiful surroundings differ very little from their original peace and tranquillity. Join the nature trail and look for the rare flora and fauna.

Watch sweet-makers at work, with an opportunity to watch a demonstration of sweet-making using traditional techniques. There’s even a chance to sample the delicious results at the end!

This museum is home to one of Europe’s finest collections of dinosaur remains. Their mission is “to be a national centre of excellence in the conservation, display and interpretation of the Island’s dinosaurs and diverse geological heritage”. Discover how dinosaurs lived, experience dinosaur landscapes and encounter life-sized dinosaurs. There are interactive displays and you can watch experts at work preparing new finds.

At the Shipwreck Centre your pupils will see artefacts from the golden age of shipwrecks, pirates, and diving for treasure. You’ll view the famous pirate silver "Pieces of Eight" and Spanish gold recovered from the mystical underwater world around the coast, along with fascinating antique diving equipment used by the early divers.

The Portsmouth Historic Dockyard offers an ideal day out for groups, and the opportunity to learn more about some of the most famous war ships in the world; the Mary Rose, HMS Victory and HMS Warrior 1860. 2014 will see the launch of the National Museum of the Royal Navy’s ‘HMS - Hear My Story’ permanent gallery and ‘Racing to War - the Royal Navy & 1914’ temporary exhibition as part of the wider WWI Centenary commemorations. Add a visit to the new internationally-renowned Mary Rose Museum, Action Stations plus a boat tour of Portsmouth too!

Stretching for up to 23 miles in any direction, the 360˚panoramic views from the top of the Spinnaker Tower are truly breathtaking and offer a fascinating, interactive visit for primary-aged pupils. Visit the View Deck for uninterrupted panoramic views across the city, harbour, sea and coastline, then explore the secrets within the view with the i-VIEW interactive interpretation. Interactive multi-touch screens will allow pupils to find out more about the many points of interest in the view. Experience the remarkable feeling of walking across the Sky Walk large glass floor too.

Stimulate pupils’ senses and test their bravery; at 100 metres above sea level, there is no sensation quite like it! The High Spy Interactive Ship Finder will enable pupils to see what ships are passing by in the harbour, with this clever tool giving access to up-to-the-minute shipping movements. A View Deck Host will be on-hand to share their incredible knowledge and answer any questions too.

Here you can see table and decorative glassware in the process of being free blown and formed. No moulds are used and, consequently, no two pieces are identical in any way.