Brading Heritage Centre

Step through the doors of this former village railway station and you'll find yourself transported back to Brading's heyday as a key Roman settlement. The heritage centre occupies what was once the terminus of the old Bembridge line, which closed in the 1950s, and the building itself tells part of the island's transport story.

Local volunteers have done a proper job here, cramming the compact space with Roman artefacts discovered in and around the village, alongside displays covering the area's agricultural past and wartime memories. The centrepiece is a collection of finds from Brading Roman Villa - coins, pottery shards, and everyday items that bring the distant past surprisingly close. Photography enthusiasts will appreciate the old railway memorabilia scattered throughout.

History buffs and families with older children who can appreciate the displays will get the most from a visit. It's not one for toddlers - there's little hands-on activity and the space is quite small. Budget about an hour, though keen history types might linger longer over the Roman collection.

Ryde sits just a few miles north if you need proper shops or restaurants afterwards. The centre works well as part of a Roman-themed day combined with nearby Brading Roman Villa, and you'll find several holiday parks within easy reach including Whitefield Forest Touring Park and Fairway Holiday Park for those basing themselves on the eastern side of the island.