Robin Hill

Zip lines soar through ancient woodland while peacocks strut between the adventure playground equipment - Robin Hill serves up outdoor thrills with a distinctly Isle of Wight twist. Located just outside Newport, this family theme park has been entertaining visitors for decades with a mix of gentle rides, woodland walks and hands-on activities that work brilliantly for children aged 3 to 12.

The Colossus toboggan run is the headline act - a proper Alpine-style slide that winds through the trees and gets adults giggling as much as the kids. Tree-top adventures include zip wires and rope courses, while the falconry displays showcase birds of prey in spectacular flight demonstrations. Younger visitors can feed the resident animals or tackle the adventure playground.

What sets Robin Hill apart from your typical theme park is the setting. The 88 acres of ancient woodland mean you're walking through proper countryside between attractions, with red squirrels occasionally spotted darting between the oaks. It's refreshingly low-key compared to the mega-parks elsewhere.

Families staying at nearby holiday parks like Parkdean Resorts Lower Hyde or Appuldurcombe Gardens will find it's an easy day out that doesn't require military-level planning. Allow a full day - there's enough here to keep everyone occupied, and the woodland setting means it never feels crowded even when busy.