Thorness Bay Holiday Park- Top 10 things to do when visiting
9th Sep 2025
Thorness Bay Holiday Park- Top 10 things to do when visiting
Thorness Bay Holiday Park is situated on the northern side of the Isle of Wight, near the historic port town of Cowes. This popular family holiday park is a proud member of the Parkdean Resorts family and offers an ideal mix of seaside and countryside holidays. Visitors can choose from a variety of accommodations, including static caravans, lodges, glamping options, chalets, and camping facilities.
Thorness Bay provides a fantastic range of park facilities that cater to the entire family. You can take a dip in the indoor heated pool, which features an exhilarating waterslide. The outdoor play area is perfect for letting the kids run wild, while the all-weather multi-sports court is ideal for a game of football or shooting some hoops. Additionally, the amusement arcades are a great way to pass the time, regardless of the weather.
The Boathouse Bar and Restaurant offers a variety of light snacks and hearty meals, all while you watch the ships pass by. If you prefer to enjoy your meal in the comfort of your holiday home, the Boathouse provides takeaway options. Alternatively, you can visit the on-site delicious fish and chip shop that serves the traditional flavours of the seaside. During peak seasons at Thorness, guests and owners are treated to delightful evening entertainment every single day, complemented by an engaging kids’ club.
Additional park amenities include an on-site laundrette, ideal for extended stays and a Nisa Convenience store that stocks essential items you may have forgotten.
Holiday home ownership at Thorness Bay Holiday Park
Owning a holiday home at Thorness Bay unlocks a world of relaxation and adventure. Imagine enjoying top-notch facilities, including the swimming pool, and having the pristine beach, just a stone’s throw away, with private access from the park. Please take a look at our used static caravans for sale at Thorness Bay Holiday Park, Isle of WightÂ
Westcountry Resorts has compiled a guide on the top things to do when visiting the Thorness Bay holiday Park👉
1) Thorness Bay Beach
Thorness Bay gracefully stretches along the captivating north-west coast of the Isle of Wight, spanning approximately 2 miles (3 km) between the picturesque Salt Mead Ledge and the scenic Gurnard Head. Visitors can enjoy private access to the beach from Thorness Bay Holiday Park via a public footpath.
Renowned for its exceptional biological and geological significance, Thorness Bay boasts soft cliffs that harbour the remarkable Bembridge Insect Bed, where an astonishing array of fossilised insects and plants have been unearthed. The beach presents a delightful blend of soft sand, pebbly gravel, and striking limestone outcrops. As the tide retreats, the shore reveals fascinating limestone reefs and marls, inviting exploration and discovery. This beautiful spot is perfect for anglers seeking a quiet catch, walkers enjoying serene strolls, and fossil hunters on the lookout for nature’s hidden treasures.
2) Monkey Haven
Monkey Haven is an award-winning primate rescue centre and sanctuary located just outside Newport on the Isle of Wight. It is a registered charity that cares for a diverse range of rescued animals, including over 19 species of primates such as lar gibbons, siamangs, MĂĽller’s gibbons, mangabeys, colobus monkeys, Javan langurs, and critically endangered cotton-top tamarins. In addition to primates, the sanctuary also houses meerkats, rescued owls, reptiles, and more.
The sanctuary has received numerous accolades, including VisitEngland’s Best Small Attraction, a five-star rating on TripAdvisor as the top animal attraction on the Isle, and VisitEngland’s Best Told Story for its engaging keeper talks. Visitors can enjoy daily keeper talks and animal feedings, which provide insight into the animals’ personalities and backgrounds. Additional encounters include the Reptile Rendezvous, owl meet-and-greets, and opportunities to interact with meerkats and reptiles.
3) Butterfly World
Butterfly World, located in Wootton Bridge between Ryde and Newport on the Isle of Wight, is a tropical butterfly house and zoo that is part of the Medina Garden Centre. You can wander through an indoor sub-tropical garden filled with hundreds of free-flying butterflies, where you can observe all stages of their life cycle—from eggs and caterpillars to pupae and emerging butterflies.
Visit the Discovery Zone or the Minibeast Zone to meet fascinating creatures such as corn snakes, tarantulas, leopard geckos, millipedes, cockroaches, tortoises, scorpions, and more. Stroll through themed Italian and Japanese gardens, which feature beautiful koi ponds. Daily koi feeding sessions provide a fun opportunity to feed the fish with baby bottles. For a relaxing break, stop by the Hungry Caterpillar Café, where you can enjoy refreshments and outdoor seating—perfect for unwinding.
4) Osborne House
Osborne House is a historic royal summer retreat located in East Cowes on the Isle of Wight. Built between 1845 and 1851 for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, it served as a private escape from the formality of court life. English Heritage took over the management of the estate in 1986 and has gradually opened more parts of the house to the public.
Visitors can explore the opulent state rooms, family quarters, and the Durbar Room, as well as Swiss Cottage and Queen Victoria’s private beach, which features her original bathing machine that has been restored and made accessible since around 2012. The formal gardens and terrace have also been restored, showcasing original terracotta hues, fountains, and traditional royal gardening practices, including the iconic birthday “present room” setups. Today, Osborne House stands as an immersive and romantic historical site, offering valuable insights into the personal family life of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
5) Shanklin Beach
Shanklin Beach is located on the southeast coast of the Isle of Wight, within the expansive Sandown Bay, bordered by Yaverland to the north and Luccombe to the south. This beach features soft yellow sand and clear, gently sloping shores, all sheltered by the headland of Dunnose Point. Shanklin Beach captures the essence of a traditional “bucket and spade” family holiday, with a classic English promenade, groynes, and colourful beach huts lining the sea wall.
The esplanade offers a variety of entertainment options, including amusement arcades, themed crazy golf courses (featuring pirate and dinosaur themes), bowling, go-karting, and indoor golf for rainy days. Additional facilities include mini-golf, cafes, pubs, shops, and a slipway or steps that provide access to the sandy beach. Visitors will find a range of amenities, such as toilets, parking, slipways, beach hut rentals, shops, and food vendors. For those staying in the nearby cliff-top area, the cliff lift provides a convenient way to descend to the beach, making it especially helpful after exploring the charming Shanklin Old Village.
6) Needles
The Needles are a famous row of three distinctive chalk stacks that rise out of the sea at the western tip of the Isle of Wight in England. They are among the island’s most iconic landmarks. Perched at this far western edge, this natural wonder has inspired visitors for centuries, blending breathtaking scenery with fascinating history. The Needles are three striking chalk formations that jut out into the English Channel, remnants of a larger chalk ridge that once connected the Isle of Wight to the mainland. Constant erosion by wind and waves has sculpted these stacks into their sharp, needle-like shapes; ironically, one of the original “needle” formations collapsed in a storm in 1764.
Adjacent to the Needles is Alum Bay, renowned for its spectacular multi-colored sand cliffs. The bay’s rainbow hues, caused by various minerals in the soil, have made it a favourite spot for photographers and visitors alike. The Needles Landmark Attraction features a chairlift that glides from the clifftop down to the beach, providing unforgettable views along the way.
7) Isle of White Steam Train
The Isle of Wight Steam Railway is a delightful heritage railway that offers a 5½-mile round trip through the beautiful countryside of the Isle of Wight. The route runs from Smallbrook Junction to Wootton, with a main stop and headquarters at Havenstreet. It is operated by the Isle of Wight Railway Co. Ltd. and is largely run by dedicated volunteers.
Passengers can enjoy rides in beautifully restored Victorian and Edwardian carriages, some of which date back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Visitors can also observe restorers at work in the workshops as they restore vintage trains using traditional skills. The railway typically operates most days from June to September, along with selected days in April, May, October, and on public holidays.
8) Vetnor
Ventnor is a captivating seaside town nestled on the southern coast of the Isle of Wight, England. It delights visitors with its mild climate and stunning Victorian architecture, creating an inviting atmosphere that beckons exploration. The renowned Ventnor Botanic Garden is a true gem. Featuring a breathtaking array of subtropical and exotic plants that flourish in the town’s unique microclimate beneath the majestic St. Boniface Down, the island’s highest point.
Ventnor Beach, with its delightful blend of sandy stretches and shingle coves, is a beloved destination for families and swimmers alike, offering a perfect spot for relaxation and play. The town also boasts a charming fishing community, where fresh local crab and lobster are celebrated as culinary treasures. Whether you’re wandering through its picturesque streets or savouring the local delicacies, Ventnor promises a memorable seaside experience.
9) Appuldurcombe House
Hidden in the lush countryside of the Isle of Wight is Appuldurcombe House—a grand yet haunting remnant of an 18th-century mansion. Once the most impressive residence on the island, it now stands in atmospheric decay, its walls whispering stories of ambition, scandal, and decline. Construction of Appuldurcombe House began in 1702 under Sir Robert Worsley, who demolished an earlier Tudor structure to make way for his vision of Baroque grandeur. Architect John James created the original design, and later, James Wyatt added refinements that established the estate as a showcase of aristocratic taste.
Today, Appuldurcombe House is managed by English Heritage. Although some areas are roofless and the interior remains largely empty, the mansion’s soaring walls and symmetrical façade continue to impress. Visitors are welcome to explore the atmospheric ruins and imagine the glittering banquets and whispered intrigues that once filled its rooms. The surrounding parkland, designed by Capability Brown, is also a highlight. With rolling lawns, mature trees, and scattered follies, it provides the perfect backdrop for a picnic or a contemplative walk.
10) Freshwater Bay
Freshwater Bay, nestled at the western tip of the Isle of Wight and just south of the charming village of Freshwater, is part of a stunning region affectionately referred to as West Wight or the Back of the Wight. This breathtaking bay is embraced by striking white chalk cliffs, sculpted over millennia by the relentless forces of erosion and the winding flow of the River Yar. The shoreline, adorned with smooth grey flint and chalk pebbles, creates a symphony of sound as the waves kiss the land. When the tide recedes, sandy patches and a rocky ledge emerge, unveiling excellent spots for rock pooling, perfect for those seeking adventure.
Renowned for its array of water activities, kayaking, paddleboarding, surfing, snorkelling, and, of course, exhilarating rock pooling, Freshwater Bay offers a playground for the adventurous, especially when the waters are calm. The bay is celebrated for its tranquil and picturesque ambience, making it an idyllic haven for families and nature enthusiasts alike, where the beauty of the natural world can be fully embraced.
For more information on the used static caravans for sale at Thorness Bay Holiday Park on the Isle of Wight, please visit: Willerby Westbury
Alternatively, if you have a static caravan or lodge you are looking to sell on the Isle of Wight, read: Sell my static caravan or luxury lodge on the Isle of Wight with ease. Westcountry Resorts has been helping caravan and lodge owners sell their holiday homes for the last twenty years. For more information, get in touch or call 01392 271 222.