Peter Pan Funfair

The funfair sits right on Ryde seafront, and it's exactly the sort of place that works brilliantly for a rainy afternoon when the beach isn't calling. Peter Pan has been a fixture here for decades - all the usual rides you'd expect: dodgems, a log flume, waltzers, the lot. Nothing revolutionary, but that's rather the point.

It's unapologetically old-school. Kids aged 5 to 12 will have a genuine time of it, especially if this is their first funfair experience. Teenagers and adults? You'll either find it charming in a retro kind of way or skip it entirely. The rides aren't thrilling by modern standards, but there's something to be said for that lack of pretension.

You're looking at a couple of hours here, maximum - unless you're one of those families who milks every penny's worth of tickets. Most attractions charge per ride, so budget accordingly; it's not cheap, but then funfairs never are. Go early in the day if you want smaller queues, or pick an off-season visit if you're after a quieter experience.

Location-wise, it works perfectly alongside a park holiday. Retro Staycations and Whitefield Forest Touring Park are both minutes away, so you've got easy access to the seafront while still being properly based in a caravan park. If the Isle of Wight weather turns - and it will - this is your safety valve. Don't expect anything fancy, but the kids will come away sticky and grinning.