The Wonders of the Isle of Wight with Jamie & Lisa

 The Wonders of the Isle of Wight 

Our Isle of Wight adventure kicked off at The Model Village in Godshill.

Our main stop was the Model Village, a delightful miniature world that captures the essence of the Isle of Wight in intricate detail. Walking through it was like stepping into a storybook — tiny thatched-roof cottages, winding cobbled streets, and carefully tended gardens recreated the village on a perfect 1:10 scale. Each miniature home and shop was full of character, with little touches that brought the scenes to life: mini laundry hanging on tiny clotheslines, miniature figures enjoying tea in garden chairs, and even a miniature scout camp complete with tiny tents and campfires.

It was on to the Alum Bay and the iconic Needles Landmark Attraction. The viewpoint offered picture-perfect moments with the famous chalk stacks in the background. 

The Sand Shop provided the chance to create colourful keepsakes from Alum Bay’s famous sands. At the Glass Factory, we watched a craftsman transform molten glass into delicate vases, while the Sweet Factory allowed us to see sweets being made and taste them fresh from the production line.

It was off to the archery range where we all had a go at aiming for the targets under the careful guidance of the instructors. Some quickly discovered a hidden talent, hitting bullseye after bullseye, while others enjoyed the challenge of learning a new skill, celebrating even the smallest successes. 

We dedicated a day to wildlife and adventure at the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary in Sandown. We met playful lemurs, marmosets, and delicate birds, before arriving at the tiger enclosure just in time for feeding. Hearing the stories of the rescued tigers and two brown bears once confined in tiny cages was both moving and inspiring, as we watched them roam freely in spacious, natural enclosures.

At Dinosaur Adventure Golf, we challenged each other to a fun 18-hole round surrounded by life-size prehistoric dinosaurs. Some of us expertly navigated the twists, turns, and tricky slopes, while others ended up chasing rogue balls that rolled into “dinosaur territory.” Laughter echoed across the course with every missed putt and clever shot, and in the end, congratulations went to Liz for taking the lowest score

Each evening at Norton Grange was packed with fun and music. The resident band Higher Ground kicked off with lively sets that had everyone clapping, singing, and dancing. The Warner’s Theatre Company treated the group to energetic performances of classic hits, musicals, and show-stopping numbers, creating a truly theatrical experience. Special guests like comedian David Arnold and singer Kirsten Orsborn (“Forces’ Sweetheart”) added variety and plenty of laughter. Nights often ended back on the dance floor with Higher Ground, where everyone joined in for party favourites, line dancing, and light hearted fun

During our free time at Norton Grange, we enjoyed plenty of friendly competition in the games room. Some of us played pool, lining up tricky shots and cheering each other on, while others tried their hand at shuffleboard, sliding pucks across the table with precision—or sometimes hilarious misfires!