20 Attractions to Explore Near Newport Minster

The Quay Arts Centre is the Isle of Wight’s leading art gallery and venue for live arts events. It is situated in a converted 19th Century brewery warehouse complex located at the head of the River Medina in the centre of Newport. The complex features three art galleries, a crafts shop, a 134 capacity theatre, conferencing facilities and a cafe and was fully refurbished in 1997 by architect Tony Fretton. The Quay Arts owns and operates Jubilee Stores, also located on Newport Quay.

Carisbrooke Castle Museum is the only public museum in the UK founded by a member of the Royal family and is an accredited local history museum run by an independent Charitable Trust. It was founded as a memorial to Princess Beatrice’s husband, Prince Henry of Battenberg, who had died during the Ashanti campaign in 1896 and it holds many important collections that is connected with the history of the Isle of Wight, including social history, medieval history and so more.

Carisbrooke Castle has been an artillery fortress, king's prison and a royal summer residence. Today it’s the quintessential romantic castle, with lots to see and enjoy. Most famously, Charles I was held prisoner here during the Civil War, shortly before his execution. Since then Carisbrooke Castle has remained a symbolic centre for the island, not least as the residence of its governor.

This Gold award-winning sanctuary is home to a diverse collection of rescued primates and birds of prey. Whooping gibbons, cheeky macaques, cute capuchins and curious owls are just some of the fantastic animals here.

Butterfly World is a butterfly zoo located on the Isle of Wight. It opened on 1 May 1983 as part of the Medina Garden Centre tourist attraction. It includes an indoor sub-tropical garden with free-flying butterflies.

The Wight Military and Heritage Museum is located in Cowes. The museum holds an interesting mix of tanks, artifacts, other vehicles, small arms and a range of uniforms from the 1940's to the present day. One of the iconic attractions in this area and attracts a lot of tourists.

A beautiful 88 acres of natural parkland with stunning woodland, open rolling countryside and curated water gardens for endless exploration. The park has four main rides: A quarter-mile downhill toboggan, 4D Motion Cinema, 'Cows Express' Junior train ride and the 'Colossus' a swinging galleon boat ride. On the site of Robin Hill is the buried farmstead of Combley Roman Villa. This is explained in the 'Romans at Robin Hill' exhibition when at the park.

This is the church used by Queen Victoria when she was in residence at Osborne House. YOu can experience victorian architecture on a free guided tour. The church also has a memorial to the Hessian soldiers who fought under the British flag in the 1790s and were invalided to the Isle of Wight. One of the iconic attractions in this area which paves light to the history of this area.

Red Squirrel Trail is a 32 mile long mostly traffic-free cycling route through the heart of the Isle of Wight’s beautiful countryside. The trail takes in estuaries, woodland, farmland, downland, and a stretch of the Island’s fantastic coastline.

The Isle of Wight Steam Railway is a multi-award-winning heritage railway and museum set in the heart of the Isle of Wight’s countryside. Here you can enjoy a ride on the majestic steam trains, take in the Island’s stunning countryside and explore the four stations along the five and a half miles of line. The railway passes through 5+1⁄2 miles of countryside from Smallbrook Junction to Wootton station, passing through the small village of Havenstreet, where the line has a station, headquarters a

Thorness Bay is an 86.2 hectare Site of special scientific interest which is located on the north-west coast of the Isle of Wight, England, in the western arm of the Solent. The site was notified in 1966 for both its biological and geological features. The bay stretches about 3 km from Salt Mead Ledge in the west to Gurnard Head to the east.

A beautiful former holiday home of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, located on the Isle of Wight. Relax in the open air as you wander rolling acres of the magnificent Osborne estate. The island palace has seen royal weddings, romances and parties grace its rooms and gardens over the last 160 years and now you can write the next chapter in the story of this unique home, and begin your new life together where one of greatest love stories played out.

The Classic Boat Museum has been telling visitors and Islanders its wonderful maritime story since 1996. It has an extensive collection of artifacts, models, photographs, and uniforms. It is located on the Isle of Wight at two separate sites on either side of the River Medina; The Boat Collection in Cowes, and The Gallery in East Cowes.

Quarr Abbey Situated just off the south coast of England, which is home to a small group of Benedictine monks who dedicate their lives to the glory of God. Visit this beautiful church and wander around the grounds to experience the tranquil atmosphere. There was a art gallery where local artists display their artwork or browse the bookshop, where you can buy published works by a member of the community of monks along with other Quarr Abbey souvenirs.

Amazon World Zoo Park is the Isle of Wight's largest exotic animal attraction and a beautiful park in this area. You can walk through the rainforests with colourful rare birds flying above you and crocodiles watching you from the pond. It features a variety of exotic animals from South America, including Giant Anteaters, Ocelots, Armadillos, Sloths, Capybara and Tapirs.

This town hall in the former medieval borough of Newtown was built in c.1699 and has late 18th-century alterations. After many years of neglect the building was repaired in 1933 under the supervision of John Eric Miers Macgregor OBE, a specialist conservation architect who managed to save the derelict structure.

This beautiful Model Village nestles in the grounds of the Old Vicarage. Set in nearly two acres of gorgeous landscaped gardens this is a real retro find - a quintessentially English visitor attraction. There are two pubs: the "Griffin" – featuring a large griffin-shaped maze and children's playground – and "The Taverners".

The only working Water Mill on the Isle of Wight Set in 35 acres of stunning rural landscape, Calbourne Water Mill contains one of the oldest working water mills in the country, dating back to the Domesday Book. The mill is still working and has supplied flour and animal feeds to the people of the Isle of Wight over many years. You will also find museums on site, including Grandmas kitchen containing kitchen equipment through the ages. Granfers shed with tools from the past.

Rosemary’s Vineyard has become One of the most iconic vineyard and has produced some of the most highly regarded Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in California. ll English wine, liqueurs, juices and ciders are made on the estate from grapes/apples grown on the estate. Relax and enjoy a taste of the good life in this peaceful setting.

One of the Isle of Wight’s stunning historic houses, set in five acres of tranquil gardens with a stunning historic view overlooking Natural Parkland, Brading Haven, Bembridge Harbour and across the Solent. The house contains family militaria. It was occupied by the Oglander family from Norman times until 1980. Nunwell House is a Grade II* listed building.