Isle of Wight (or other south coast / new forest must-sees)

[bungle]

Going to Lymington for a week (on Friday), and typically have left it until now to organise what we will do when we're there (we've got a 5 and 2 yr-old).

Was thinking about going across to the IoW, but know nothing about what it's like. Should we just go as passengers on the ferry or is it better to take the car if the port is nowhere near any "attractions" (though I guess car ferry is much more expensive). Any recommendations as to what to do over there?

While I'm at it, any must-see Southern coast attractions? (already got Peppa Pig World sorted (oh joy...)).

Off to research now, but thought I'd ask here for any advice as well, thanks.

[S10GTA]

Paultons Park. Its a hoot hoot.

Longdown dairy farm.

[B Huey]

Isle of Wight is quite a big place, I'd take the car if I where you.

Boat trip? They run them out of Poole Harbour and other places too.

Studland ferry to Purbeck, you've got the Jurassic Coast, Corfe Castle, Swanage etc.

[g3org3y]

B Huey said:

Isle of Wight is quite a big place, I'd take the car if I where you.

This. I think you'd be wasting too much time relying on public transport.

[RosscoPCole]

Beaulieu National Motor Museum.

Sammy Miller motorbike Museum.

Poole Quay bike night on Tuesdays and car night on Fridays, could combine with a day out on Brownsea Island or at Corfe Castle and the Swanage Railway.

Loads of walks and bike trails in the New Forest.

Ferry from Hythe to Southampton, great for cruise ship spotting and a free bus into the city centre.

Isle of Wight is definitely a day out with the car.

Lyndhurst has a Ferrari & Maserati dealership to drool over.

Marwell Zoo near Southampton.

2nd Sunday Mudeford car meet. Can get the ferry to Hengistbudy Head there and Christchurch.

Lots and lots more....,,

[B Huey]

Tank Museum?

www.tankmuseum.org

[blueheron]

You'll be best taking the car over to the IOW. Unless you like spending the day on buses

Shanklin and Sandown are nice. There's Blackgang Chine over that way too.

[Highway Star]

B Huey said:

Tank Museum?

www.tankmuseum.org

If you are going there, check out Monkey World if you have kids.

[VinceFox]

If you like bikes definitely go to poole quay on a tuesday.

[Crafty_]

Come along on Sunday ? http://www.southcoastinternationals.com/

[blueheron]

Just thought of another fairly cheap way to spend a few hours with the kids - Crabbing down at Lymington Quay!

[bungle]

Thanks all, some great ideas. Did Milford on Sea, Lymington quay, Peppa Pig World (!!!, hell on earth, but kids love it, and it rained!), Beaulieu motor museum (great idea that one, thanks, kids enjoyed it too), IoW ferry (took the car), Corfe Castle, Swanage steam railway, and other things I've probably forgotten.

Lots I didn't get time to do, so will be heading back to the South Coast next year

Crafty_ said:

Come along on Sunday ? http://www.southcoastinternationals.com/

Shame, I was back on Saturday, I would have loved to have gone to that

[bungle]

ps. Beaulieu Garage had some great cars in stock http://www.beaulieugarage.co.uk/stocklist.html