Summer holidays on the Isle of Wight offers plenty of choice when it comes to activities, days out, and visits to park and beaches.

Here we have rounded up just a few of the days out you and your family can enjoy this summer.

Fancy a Victorian day out at the races? Osborne House is hosting an All the Queen’s Horses event, running from August 20 to August 22. Spectators will be able to place bets on their favourite horses and marvel at displays of horsemanship. This will run alongside music, storytelling and other performances. 

Osborne will also see the return of the beloved Punch and Judy show on Osborne Beach, running on select days until September 1.

The historic grounds of Carisbrooke Castle will hold an array of events this summer, starting with Pirates! between July 30 and August 1, featuring appearances from historical pirates, sea shanty sessions and pirate school.

The festivities will continue with the Knight’s Tournament from August 6 to 8, where four knights will test their metal, before a grand melee final.

The following week, the Legendary Joust will run from August 13 to 15, where knights will strive to become the day’s champion, each representing a mythical or legendary character.

Explore Fort Victoria Country Park with the Isle of Wight Council’s ranger, who is holding rock pooling and fossil hunting sessions. Participants can explore the past by hunting coastline fossils, before observing marine life including crabs, fish and anemones. Sessions are held throughout the summer, though days and times when sessions run will vary due to tides.

Discover local history in Mottistone Manor’s sheltered valley garden with the story of Warrior, the real War Horse, whose owner Jack Seely lived at the manor house. Activities range from space hopper racing, a horse disco, horseshoe pitching, and an apt game of ‘pin the tail on the horse’. The event runs all summer until September 1.

Put yourself in the shoes of a Victorian gunner this summer at the Needles Old Battery with some Victorian games of skill. Send skittles flying and play traditional quoits in the picturesque setting, with activities running until September 1.

At Newtown National Nature Reserve, take a plunge into Newtown’s rich history with the Randy-O Medieval fair, inspired by the ancient festival that took place in the old port town. Activities range from archery, balancing on the slackline, a hidden mice hunt, and a chance to meet the Pied Piper of Newtown. Activities run until September 1.

Enjoy giant games, sports and crafts at Bembridge Windmill, until September 1. Sack races, giant Jenga and paper windmill making are all there to enjoy, with a new bug hotel and a felted mouse hunt inside the windmill.

The chance to take up grain grinding to make your own flour is on offer, as well as a mud bakery outside. The event runs on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Take advantage of the island’s geology with guided family fossil walks from Wight Coast Fossils, at Compton Bay, one of the best spots on the island for fossil hunting. Learn the fascinating history of the Island’s stretch of the Jurassic Coast and see cold, hard evidence of dinosaur footprints on selected dates throughout the summer.

MAD-Aid DOT in East Cowes will be holding a Games Day on August 17 between 10am and 2pm, featuring retro video games, board games and card games. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own games too. The Big Summer Sale will take place on August 10 between 10am and 2pm, and an all-ages writing workshop will take place on Saturday, August 31.