The Isle of Wight is full of unique and interesting places and activities.  

Sometimes it can be overwhelming when coming up with ideas of what to do, so here are some of my top five preferred ideas to keep you and your family busy over the holidays...

Scroll through pictures above! 

1. Ventnor Botanic Garden

It's is a beautiful garden park, nestled into the undercliff of Ventnor, with fantastic sea views. It was founded in 1970, by horticulturist Sir Harold Hillier and was formed when the old respiratory hospital was demolished.  Sir Harrold donated many seeds and endangered plants to the garden, to showcase his global and naturalist experiences. The park is said to have its own  ‘microclimate’ and can be enjoyed for relaxation and gentle accessible walks.

On Easter Sunday, there is an Easter egg hunt for £7 per person, or a family ticket for £28, for a family of 5.

2. Visit a church!

The Isle of Wight is filled with architecturally significant and historical churches. St Boniface is said to be the  the oldest, with parts dating back to the seventh century. In the warmer months, it hosts candlelit services.

St Mary is a medieval parish church, located in the picturesque village of Carisbrooke.  The services led by the local vicar, are jovial and uplifting to new and old visitors. If you do not wish to participate in a prayer or service, visiting churches to admire their sheer architectural brilliance and peace and quiet is a welcome reprieve from the business of everyday life. 

3. Visit Mottistone Down

The Isle of Wight has some of the most beautiful and scenic walks in the UK.  My favourite walk is Mottistone Down.  The walk commences at Jubilee car park, above Brighstone, and heads over Mottistone down, with a forest to the right. On a clear day, you can see round the Island and to the mainland. As you reach the peak, you can enjoy stunning views of the shimmering blue sea, with a heather-covered common that's rich in wildlife. If you walk for long enough, you might even find the longstone!

"The Longstone marks the entrance to a Neolithic long barrow. It has now been shown that the stones are what remains of a 6,000-year-old Neolithic communal long barrow, for burying the dead," said the The National Trust. 

4. Home baking

One of my favourite things to do over Easter is baking and an inexpensive thing for your family to make is Easter shortbread. This shortbread has only three ingredients and children can have fun, cutting out Easter shapes and decorating with icing.

The great thing about shortbread  is it's an ‘idiot proof’!

My favourite recipe is a family recipe - tried and tested and delectable in taste! 

Ingrediants:

250g flour
75g caster sugar
175g butter

Method: Heat oven to 160 degrees. Combine and bake until light golden brown.

Put in less sugar if you don't have a sweet tooth, or substitute flour for a gluten-free alternative. 

A little tip would be to sprinkle a teaspoon of sugar when it first comes out of the oven, for a little extra sweetness. It is Easter, after all!

5. Visit Quarr Abbey

Another day out may be spent at  Quarr Abbey - a peaceful Abbey sitting on the north/east coast of the Island.  It was originally founded in 1131, though the current building is newer. It is still home to a small group of Benedictine monks, who are self-sufficient - growing their own produce by nurturing orchards, vegetable patches and beehives.

My favourite part is a visit to the charismatic pig  families to feed them apples.

There is a visitor centre and a gallery, all free of charge. You may enjoy their cafe, filled with delectable cakes. My recommendation is pear and honey cake, with an English breakfast tea. They also sell seasonal vegetables and fruit