Stubbington Library

Stubbington Library sits in a quiet corner of this small Isle of Wight settlement, and it's exactly what you'd expect from a proper local authority library - shelves of books, a computer suite, reading tables, and the kind of hushed atmosphere where you actually hear yourself think. The building is modern enough, functional rather than fancy, but that's rather the point. It's the sort of place islanders pop into on a rainy afternoon or to pick up the next thriller they've reserved.

For a family on holiday at Waverley Park or elsewhere nearby, this works best as a rainy-day stop rather than a destination in itself. Your kids might spend thirty minutes browsing the children's section or using the free computers, but don't expect them to be entertained for hours. That said, if you're a reader yourself and fancy a browse whilst the family plays somewhere else, the staff are friendly and the collection is solid.

It's free to use, though you may need to register if you don't have a Hampshire library card. Opening hours are straightforward enough - closed Wednesdays and Sundays, but open mornings and early evenings most other days. Lee-on-the-Solent is just down the road if you want to combine a visit with a coffee or a walk along the seafront.

Honestly? Come here to borrow a book or kill time in bad weather, not because it's on your list of things to do. It's useful, but unremarkable.