Island Planetarium

The Island Planetarium sits just outside Freshwater, on the western edge of the Isle of Wight, and it's one of those places that either grabs you or leaves you cold depending on what you're after. It's a proper astronomy space - projections on a dome ceiling, the lot - so if your kids are into stars and planets, or you fancy an hour learning about the cosmos without leaving the island, it does the job.

The real value here is that it's indoors. Anyone who's camped on the Wight knows the weather can be moody, so having something under a roof that isn't a museum or arcade is genuinely useful. Families with younger children tend to get the most from it - the immersive shows work well for the five-to-twelve bracket. Teenagers and adults might find it a bit basic unless you're genuinely keen on astronomy.

It works well as a morning or afternoon slot rather than a full-day thing. Slot it in alongside a walk at Freshwater Cliffs or a visit to Alum Bay if you're in the area. Heathfield Farm Camping Park and Glamping The Wight Way are both within spitting distance - handy if you're based at one of those sites and need a rainy-day plan. The Bay Colwell is also close by if you want something with more facilities.

Worth checking opening hours before you head there, as smaller attractions on the Wight can be seasonal. Not essential, but a solid backup plan on a grey afternoon.