We know there are great attractions on the Isle but now you can bring your dog to these must-see places to visit on the Isle of Wight!

1. Isle of Wight Steam Railway

The award-winning railway, which has been carefully restored, provides the ideal background for your special day out. Admire the stately steam engines, elegantly preserved historical carriages, and lovely rural stations. Our welcoming staff wears vintage Southern Railway uniforms, adding to the charm and sense of being transported to another period. A trip to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway is certain to be entertaining for the whole family and will leave you with lasting memories. Apparently doggies need a ticket however they are still welcome on board the steam train! A lovely day stepping back in time.

2. Ventnor Botanic Garden

The unique microclimate at the heart of the famed ‘Undercliff’ is home to the Ventnor Botanic Garden. Chalk downs shield this one-of-a-kind garden from the chilly northerly winds. Indeed, the warmth from its southerly aspect is retained so effectively that frost is rarely seen, thanks to the moderating impact of the sea. When frost does develop, it is generally just for a brief time and is not very severe. Its climate is more Mediterranean in nature, with an average rainfall of 28 inches. This allows for the cultivation of a wide range of plants that would otherwise be too delicate for much of mainland Britain. A massive garden to explore with plants from around the world thanks to it being a warm and sheltered spot.

3. Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary

The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary is home to 113 donkeys, 1 mule, and 22 ponies, all of which were saved or abandoned.

They are given a “forever home” in the Wroxall valley’s 55 acres of farmland, where they get first-rate care and welfare. Over 50 volunteers help the Sanctuary’s staff ensure that the donkeys have all they need.

The sanctuary’s work consists of four main components:

It is a non-profit organisation that rescues and cares for homeless donkeys.
It functions as a learning and training centre for children, students, apprentices, and volunteers.
It is a tourist attraction where visitors may meet the donkeys, engage with them, groom and walk them, or spend a half-day with them. On a regular basis, there are events, concerts, and Open Days.
The donkeys work with Alzheimer’s patients, stroke victims, and others with a variety of needs in donkey therapy programmes around the Isle of Wight (and occasionally the mainland).

And it’s FREE! The perfect day out meeting sweet little donkeys and made for animal lovers and you may even spot a horse if you look carefully!

5. Goldshill Model Village

The Model Village in Godshill is a family-run business that is extremely happy to be situated in our list of dog-friendly places to visit on the Isle of Wight! In the late 1960s, Robin Thwaites bought the run-down Model Village. His vision and meticulous attention to detail have set the bar for much of what you see today.

The present proprietors have carried on his enthusiasm, which is evident in everything you see here today. Their fantastic crew strives to provide each and every customer with a delightful nostalgic experience. The Model Village in Godshill, set on the grounds of the Old Vicarage, is a timeless haven to escape the hectic world outside.

“If you truly want to luxuriate in a distinctively Fifties Isle of Wight experience replete with bathing huts, vintage buses, and a slower pace of life, then there is only one place for you Godshill Model Village,” Kevin McCloud of Channel 4’s Grand Designs stated.

6. Blackgang Chine

At Blackgang Chine, you may immerse yourself in the Land of Imagination, the UK’s oldest amusement park and has been one of the top family favourite places to visit in the Isle of Wight, where you can escape the mundane and enter a wonderful world where the only limit is your own imagination.

Discover a universe unlike any other, where you may be anyone you choose. As a brave dinosaur keeper in Restricted Area 5, cast spells from your own castle as a magical fairy in Fairyland; choose between being an outlaw or a sheriff as a rootin’ tootin’ cowboy in Cowboy Town; challenge your friends to a duel as a swashbuckling pirate in Pirate Cove, or even face a 60-foot whale as a deep-sea diver in Underwater King. What will you do with your imagination?

Opportunities to ride an adrenaline-pumping roller coaster or race down a waterslide, along with the wholesome nostalgia of Blackgang Chine’s unique attractions, enable you to enjoy the traditional adventure with timeless thrill. Furthermore, you can see the Land of Imagination come to life as Blackgang Chine celebrates a season of major family-friendly and of course dog friendly activities. The park will keep you delighted throughout the year, from an action-packed dino-themed Easter and special visitors in May to the biggest summer celebration for youngsters on the Isle of Wight and a frightening Halloween-themed October.

The perfect day out for the whole family including your furry friend! It’s a quirky theme park however be aware it is a very loud and energetic place with kids running around so may not be best for dogs who get easily stressed.

7. Osborne House

Queen Victoria’s family residence, Osborne House, is one of the most visited tourist sites on the Isle of Wight. ‘It is difficult to imagine a finer place,’ Queen Victoria wrote after her first visit to Osborne.

Among the highlights are:

• Interiors with Victorian grandeur and magnificence

• The Durbar Room’s stunning Indian décor

• The Queen’s bedroom, nursery rooms, and regal baths are all private apartments.

• The Swiss Cottage is a cottage built for the royal children in Switzerland.

• Beautiful views across the Solent from the extensive grounds

• A Victorian Walled Garden (Victorian Walled Garden)

• Exotic plant-filled greenhouses

• A wonderful café and restaurant

A perfect day for the family, dog included!

8. Carisbrooke Castle

Carisbrooke Castle, perched high and proud in the centre of the Isle and is amongst one of the oldest standing places to visit on the Isle of Wight, has served as an artillery fortification, a king’s jail, and a royal summer home. It’s now the classic romantic castle, with much to see and do outside in the fresh air. From the lofty castle walls, take in far-reaching panoramic vistas, or walk the moat to find King Charles I’s bowling green. Before visiting the famed Carisbrooke donkeys, relax in the peaceful Princess Beatrice Garden. The impressive hilltop castle with great views from the highpoint. Dogs aren’t allowed in the museum, although the museum is quite a small part of the whole attraction and it would only appeal to more well-read dogs anyway.

9. Robin Hill Country Park

Robin Hill is definitely a part of the more unique places to visit on the Isle of Wight, a hidden gem. One of the most popular attractions on the island is the park. Beautiful open parkland leads to manicured gardens with sculptures, cascading water features, ponds, bridges, and a vast botanic collection. A peaceful stroll would be incomplete without noticing one of the peacocks’ brightly coloured tails. The park’s numerous visitors, as well as visiting four-legged companions, are no strangers to the birds; dogs are allowed throughout the open season, with the Lower Valley being a particularly popular place for a game of catch. Treetop canopy walkways, adrenaline-pumping Jungle Heights adventure nets, gigantic rides, 4D movies, and many more outdoor play choices for the whole family, including Africa Adventure playground and Hill Billy Slides, are all great ways to burn off some energy. The thrilling quarter-mile downhill toboggan ride is also not to be missed

In addition to the park’s regular falconry shows, Robin Hill has an outstanding programme of activities throughout the year. From cultural nights like the Chinese New Year celebrations, which include beautifully illuminated woods walkthroughs and traditional activities, to high-energy summer events with party vibes to keep the entire family engaged, there’s something for everyone. The park also has an 800-seat Woodland Amphitheatre nestled among towering trees in the centre of the forest!

Robin Hill has so many different experiences to offer that there is something for everyone, and there is always something new to explore. It is sister to the Blackgang Chine with rides, etc however much more on the nature side of things which will be enjoyable for your doggy to play around.

10. Shanklin Chine

Stunning Gorge which is also lit up at night if you fancy a stroll on the beach which I’m sure your dog will very much enjoy.

The gates to this ancient canyon originally opened in 1817, making it the longest-running attraction and the oldest of the places to visit on the Isle of Wight, luring millions of people to walk through and marvel at its natural beauty over the course of two centuries.

Few places on the Isle of Wight, let alone England, can offer such a peaceful and beautiful setting for tourists to enjoy. The beautiful tree-lined Chine, which runs from Shanklin Old Village to the sandy beach and Esplanade below, has long been a draw for renowned painters, photographers, and anyone seeking a break from the contemporary world. Many renowned visitors have paused to paint, draw, and write about the natural splendour that Shanklin Chine has to offer. The timeless and mystical beauty depicted in this magnificent canyon, with its waterfall, shear chasm-like walls covered in lush greenery and towering trees, has captivated everyone from novelist Jane Austen to romanticist landscape painter J.M.W Turner.

During the Chine Lumierè, hundreds of lights illuminate the tiny trails, streams, and waterfalls housed within Shanklin Chine, allowing visitors to marvel at its magical beauty on summer nights. Shanklin Chine features a well-stocked gift store and a popular Victorian-style tea room, which has recently been expanded. One of the pleasures of every visit to the site is having cream tea. The tea room crew also prepares a comprehensive menu of light lunches and dinners to order. A unique memorial honouring the tough 40 Royal Marine Commando who trained in China in preparation for the D-Day landings in World War II can also be seen at the site. Visitors may also learn about Shanklin Chine’s involvement during this time, including the Marine Commandos’ role and the renowned PLUTO (Pipeline Under The Ocean) that transported petrol to Allied forces in France.

Visitors of all ages and forms (shoutout to all the doggys) may take a leisurely stroll around Shanklin Chine, a magnificent secret discovered and adored by so many people throughout its historical reign as the Island’s most unique tourist destination. It makes the perfect picturesque cut through between Shanklin’s major destinations, with entrances at both the Old Village and Esplanade ends, that no tourist should miss.