Most Popular Isle of Wight School Trip Group Activities in Ryde

Beach Visit: Appley

Beautiful Golden Sandy Beach

Appley offers a wide golden sandy beach on one hand, but also offers lush parkland with play areas, cafes, an intriguing gothic tower folly and evidence of wartime defences in Puckpool Park nearby.

The tide at Appley goes out for over half a mile. The water is gentle at Appley making it the perfect spot for splashing about in the water.

Bembridge Lifeboat (RNLI)

Behind The Scenes...

Bembridge is a 'Discover' RNLI station welcoming tour groups to educate them on the role of the RNLI in this behind-the-scenes opportunity.

Students will learn about the types of situations the local lifeboat crews face on a regular basis, and pick up some great water safety tips.

No charge is made for tours, which take around an hour, although donations are very welcome and a small fund-raising gift shop is available.

Bembridge Windmill

Only Surviving Island Windmill

Built around 1700 this is the only surviving windmill on the Island and has most of its original machinery intact on four floors which are accessed by steep steps. It was in operation throughout the Victorian period and only closed in 1913.

Discover how the windmill once worked with a short film about milling and a sectional model of the actual windmill.

Goodleaf Tree Climbing

Reach For The Sky!

Students will learn how to (safely!) climb a huge oak tree giving far-reaching views across the Solent back to the mainland.

Sessions are delivered by mature instructors who encourage independent learning, foster a sense of self-belief and teach responsible risk management in a fun and safe environment.

All safety equipment is provided, along with expert instruction. We love the fact that it's not always the children that are usually best at sports that achieve the most during this activity...

Hovertravel Ltd

The Fastest Ferry Service

Fly over to the Isle of Wight in around 10 minutes!

Hovercraft is the fastest way to reach the Isle of Wight, transporting you from Southsea (near Portsmouth) to Ryde in no time at all, using Europe's only commercial service of its type. The usually-calm waters of the Solent make this an exciting but safe ride and a great alternative to the car ferry if you are here on a day trip or just want to spend more time on the island.

Isle Of Wight Steam Railway

Step Back in Time

A living, working museum with a heritage steam railway passing through 5.5 miles of unspoilt countryside.

Step back in time to a bygone age. The Train Story interpretative museum has lots of hands-on exhibits for the group to try before their train ride.

All groups are assigned an experienced tour guide for the duration of the visit.

Quarr Abbey

Catholic Benedictine Monastery

Quarr is home to a small group of Benedictine monks who dedicate their lives to the glory of God. We welcome you to join us here and discover the peace, beauty and tranquility of Quarr.

An abbey is an unusual and perhaps rather puzzling place for you to visit. Quarr Abbey Visitors Centre has been designed with this in mind. It will show you what the abbey is, what the monks who live here do, and some things for you to see and enjoy on the abbey estate.

Ryde

Victorian Seaside Town

Ryde is a Victorian seaside town and transport interchange - where ferries and hovercraft meet trains and buses for onward distribution of the Island's tourist visitors.

Noted for its expansive sands which are revealed at low tide, as well as its listed Victorian pier - the fourth longest in the UK - which houses a ferry terminal, car park and railway terminus.

Ryde Superbowl

Ten Pin Bowling & Laser Tag

A popular evening activity with many of our groups, this indoor facility offers ten pin bowling and laser tag all under one roof!

Daytime sessions can also be arranged on certain days.

Seaview

Edwardian Seaside Resort

Seaview is a small Edwardian seaside resort which now boasts significant sea defences.

Several of the Palmerston Forts, such as No Mans Land Fort are clearly visible from Seaview, as is the entrance to Portsmouth harbour across the Solent.

Speedway with Wight Warriors

Motorcycle Racing Madness

Fancy something completely different on your next school trip?!

How does a thrilling evening of Speedway (motorbike dirt track racing) grab you? We were dubious too until we started to take groups along to the Wight Warriors stadium and realised that every single group was having an amazing time!

As special guests of the Warriors, the student cohort will get backstage passes to meet the riders and their machines before the event. Then it's indoors for a burger and drink before cheering on the racers as they undertake a series of events against a mainland team. Surprisingly good fun!

St Helens & Bembridge

Large Natural Harbour

St Helens and Bembridge are adjacent small towns across a large natural harbour to the east of the Isle of Wight with a unique coastal ecosystem.

Learning opportunities are around the physical geography of St Helens Duver - what sand dunes are, how they develop and what they are like. Also the human geography of the natural area and the interactions between the two.

Tackt-Isle Adventures

The Island is our Playground!

Whether you’re a seasoned pro, or you’re new to outdoor adventures and fancy giving something a go, Tackt-Isle have all the kit, skills and experience to help you make the Island your playground. We offer watersports such as sailing, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding and windsurfing, or if you prefer land activities, join us for Bubble Football, Bushcraft and more!

The Falconry Experience

The Ultimate Falconry Experience

Our Falconry displays will include various birds of prey, Owls, Harris Hawks, Eagles, Falcons and our Vultures Sully or Ringo. Once you have taken your seats at the Woodland Stage or show field an enjoyable experience awaits you as the knowledgeable falconers provide you with a wealth of insight into the birds and their habits.

Waterside Pool

Private Pool Hire Swim Sessions

A lido-style 25m swimming pool with retractable roof which can be used in good weather. The pool is adjacent to Ryde beach.

Westbrook Centre Activities

A range of outdoor activities

Urban Saints' Westbook Centre offers a range of group outdoor activities to Education Destination's visiting groups.

From a good sized indoor heated pool (with lifeguard cover) through to a large outside frisbee golf course, there's plenty here for all ages and abilities. Some activities are instructor led, including Tree Climbing, Archery, Low Ropes and Bushcraft, whilst others are self-led, such as use of football and tennis courts and orienteering in the extensive grounds.

From a single activity through to a whole day of fun, talk to us about planning some time at Westbrook. The site is also handy for the beautiful beaches of Ryde as well as Puckpool Park, so is easy to combine with other activities on the same day nearby.

Wight Karting

Unrivalled Fun & Excitement

Wight Karting offers the Isle of Wight's only all-weather outdoor karting track.

This 520m floodlit facility offers unrivalled fun, excitement and safety for all ages 8+ in 4-stroke petrol karts.

Wightlink Ferries

The Most Frequent Ferry Service

Each year Wightlink transports around 5 million passengers on two routes to the Isle of Wight leaving from Portsmouth and Lymington making them one of the UK's largest domestic ferry operators.

The 40 minute crossing from Portsmouth affords the opportunity to study the coastal defences and harbour, whilst the slightly shorter crossing from Lymington passes through salt marshes and other natural resources - both ideal study topics as depicted in the available resources.