Top ten things to do Isle of Wight

TEN top reasons to visit the island retreat that Benedict Cumberbatch chose as the venue for his wedding

Sovereign’s GatePH

Sovereign’s Gate

1. Go trekking with llamas... or alpacas on a 2½ hour trek from the farm at Wellow, up Mottistone Down. Starting on March 18, treks for groups of six, plus three alpacas cost £120 (minimum age 12). Or, for children over 10 - 20-minute treks around the farm for (£12 per person). Tel: 01983 760900 or e-mail enquiries@westwightalpacas.co.uk http://www.westwightalpacas.co.uk/treks

2. Take a glimpse into the life of the royal family and explore Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s private home. There’s plenty to explore at Osborne House, (or ‘Osborne’ as it’s known these days), including the beach. And, you can even stay there at new accommodation Sovereign’s Gate. http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/osborne/.

3.  Hit the right note and see your favourite band. The Isle of Wight boasts two great music festivals. Fleetwood Mac, The Black Keys and Pharrell Williams are signed up for this summer’s Isle of Wight festival in June while the theme for September’s ‘Bestival’ is ‘summer of love! The Isle of Wight Festival Bestival 

4. Put your best foot forward. This year it’s the 25th anniversary of the annual Walk the Wight - a spectacular 26.5 mile sponsored walk across the breadth of the Isle of Wight from Bembridge on Sunday, May 10, right in the middle of the annual Isle of Wight Walking Festival, which takes place from May 2-17.. www.isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk/

5. Sample the Isle of Wight's 'National Dish'. TV’s the Hairy Bikers loved it. Tuck into crab on chips - the brainchild of Haven Fried Fish, on the Esplanade at Ventnor. Just 100% freshly caught crab meat on hot chips for £7.50. Or, opt for Lobster On Chips (£12.50) if you fancy ‘going posh’. www.crabonchips.com/about.html

6. Anchors Aweigh! Look out for cookery demonstrations and everything ‘fishy’ during The Isle of Wight's Festival of the Sea from June 22-29. In the middle of all the fun, the main event – the Round Island Yacht Race brings added excitement on June 27. Festival of the Sea Round Island Yacht Race

7. Discover photography pioneer Julia Margaret Cameron who was born in 1815 and whose home and workplace, Dimbola Lodge is now a mecca for anyone wanting to discover how she developed her craft. Her portraits include pictures of Tennyson, Lewis Carroll and Darwin. Dimbola Lodge 

8. Explore the UK’s oldest theme park – created in 1843 when the skeleton of a whale was put on display here. This year there’s a re-vamped Cowboy Village at Blackgang Chine

9. Find your very own dinosaurs on two of the most popular beaches – Compton Bay and Yaverland, both hotspots for finding fossils. Or, join a guided fossil walk with one of the Isle of Wight's dinosaur experts. 

10. Visit Quarr Abbey, home to the Benedictine monks near Ryde. Now promoting itself as a visitor attraction, it’s one of the most unusual places to stay on the Island. Quarr Abbey

Chris Packham on Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust

Would you like to receive news notifications from Daily Express?