Kidz Island

The ride operators were still setting things up when we arrived at Kidz Island near Ryde, which gave us a proper sense of how small this operation really is. It's a modest theme park - nothing on the scale of Thorpe or Blackpool, but that's rather the point. For families with younger children who want a bit of fun without the crowds or the price tag of a major attraction, this does the job reasonably well.

You'll find the usual suspects: bumper cars, a log flume, various rides aimed squarely at the under-12s, and the kind of arcade games that eat coins faster than you'd expect. The whole place has that slightly worn charm of a seaside park that's been around for a while and doesn't pretend to be anything else. Kids seem to do laps on the same rides without complaint, which tells you something about the appeal.

It's worth knowing upfront that admission details are thin on the ground - you'll need to ring ahead or check their website before heading over, as opening hours and pricing aren't readily available online. Allow a couple of hours maximum, unless your kids are the type to milk every attraction twice.

If you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks - Hayling Island Holiday Park or Mill Rythe Coastal Village are both within five miles - Kidz Island works as a rainy-day option or a half-day activity. It's not a full day's entertainment, but paired with a beach walk around Ryde or a visit elsewhere on the Isle of Wight, it slots in nicely enough.