The holiday season is always an exciting time of year, with plenty of different things to do away from the mundane routines of commuting and working. It is the perfect opportunity to spend time with friends and family, tucking into festive feasts and soaking up the merry atmosphere.
For those on the Isle of Wight, there’s plenty of opportunities to enjoy yourself this Christmas and New Year. Even those traveling to the island will be treated to festivities. Here is a selection of what to look out for this year.
Isle of Wight Steam Railway
The Isle of Wight Steam Railway is a heritage line that runs for 5.5 miles of the island’s countryside. Starting at Smallbrook Junction and ending at Wootton Station, it gives guests a glimpse of what it was like to ride a train during the golden age of the railway in Britain.
The railway is open throughout the year but has differing operating hours in different seasons. Between June and September it is open most days, while it is open on selected days and public holidays for the rest of the year.
The Isle of Wight Steam Railway relies on volunteers to operate and maintain the trains and stations, man the stations, and serve customers in the station cafes. Many do it out of a love of seeing the Victorian and Edwardian era trains and carriages restored and in operation.
At Christmas, the railway runs several events. These include a carvery night on the weekend before Christmas, and special days on Boxing Day and New Years Day for those looking for a relaxing change of scenery.
Enjoy Some Games Alone or with Others
Christmas is a great time for losing yourself in entertainment that you don’t have time for during the rest of the year. It doesn’t matter whether you’re playing on a new games console or a classic board game, you can share the gaming experience with friends. Great Christmas games include Monopoly, charades, Mario Kart, and card games like blackjack; a game where you must try to acquire a hand of 21 in order to win, or poker, and try one of its different games.
Enjoy a Movie or Christmas Special
There’s nothing better after a big Christmas meal than lounging in front of the TV to enjoy festive specials of our favourite shows and classic Christmas films. The Radio Times has picked the highlights that will be on TV schedules for this year.
The best TV specials include:
- Gavin & Stacey – BBC One – Christmas Day at 8:30 pm
- Not Going Out – BBC One – Christmas Eve at 10 pm
- Mrs Browns’ Boys – BBC One – Christmas Day & New Year’s Day at 10:30 pm
- The Great Christmas Bake Off – Channel 4 – Christmas Day at 8pm & New Year’s Day at 7:40pm
The best movies include:
- Frozen – BBC One – Christmas Eve at 3 pm
- Elf – ITV1 – Christmas Eve at 5:15 pm
- Home Alone – Channel 4 – Christmas Eve at 5:30 pm
- Finding Dory – BBC One – Christmas Day at 3:10 pm
- The Lion King – Channel 4 – New Year’s Day at 6 pm
Stay Warm at the Amazon World
Tropical animals need warmth year round, so if you want to escape the wintery weather a trip to the Amazon World should be on the cards. A large part of the attraction is indoors, so you can seek shelter as you admire the wide range of South American animals. Guest favourites include the giant anteaters, armadillo, tamandua and marmosets. It is open every day from 10 am and is only closed on Christmas Day, with “Meet the Animals” sessions taking place daily.
Afternoon Tea
Afternoon tea was once reserved for the upper classes of British society, but has been revived recently as it has become a popular way to spend time with loved ones. There’s no need to leave the Isle of Wight to enjoy some tiny sandwiches with their crusts cut off and a scone. You’ll find several hotels offering an afternoon tea service including the Bembridge Coast Hotel and the Royal Hotel Ventnor.
Whatever you’re doing this Christmas, there is plenty to keep you occupied at home and elsewhere. Whether you want to kick back and relax at home with a movie or a game, or you want to get out and about enjoying the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, you won’t need to catch a ferry this festive season in order to enjoy yourself.
