Whether to taste some smoked garlic, experience the worst day out in history or ‘have a go’ for the first time at kitesurfing or 17 other high adrenaline sports, there are plenty of family adventures on the Isle of Wight this summer holidays.  Travelling with Wightlink (0870 582 7744) using days out ferry and attraction tickets or special fares, there are events for all the family every weekend – and on weekdays too – during the school holidays.  Here are eight of the best:

Medieval Spectacular: Sat 28th & Sun 29th July

Travel back in time and enjoy an action-packed day of battles, contests and parades at historic Appuldurcombe House. Falconry displays, costume parades and bow & arrow competitions will keep the whole family entertained before the final battle takes place on the front lawn in the afternoon. A family of four can use a Wightlink attraction and travel-inclusive Days Out ticket to get there on Sunday 29th July for just £51 – or £12.75 each.

A Day Out with ‘Thomas’: Fri 27th–Tues 31st July

Everyone’s favourite steam engine, Thomas, is returning to the Isle of Wight at the end of July for his annual holiday. Kids can enjoy a day out with Thomas and friends, unlimited Steam Train rides, and a range of fun activities – including Punch & Judy, Crazy Clowns, Magic Show, and Bouncy Castle – at Isle of Wight Steam Railway. Travel on foot from Portsmouth on the Wightlink Fast Cat catamaran, take a short electric train journey to Smallbrook Junction where a Steam Train waits to take passengers on a leisurely journey to meet Thomas. This special deal from the mainland costs £18 for adults, £12 for children aged 5+, and £8 for children aged 2–4.

Heroes & Villains, Carisbrooke Castle: Sun 5th & Mon 6th August

Enjoy a family day out at Carisbrooke Castle this August – children will love dressing up as their favourite hero or villain and taking part in plays such as ‘Tales from Robin Hood’, clowning around in the circus workshop, or having a go at archery! Wightlink offer a Days Out package from £51 for a car and up to four passengers including return ferry crossings from either Portsmouth or Lymington and entrance to Carisbrooke Castle.

Garlic Festival: Sat 18th & Sun 19th August

Tired of the regular festivals and looking for something a bit more unusual? Try the Isle of Wight Garlic Festival – taking place in August, in its 23rd year, the festival enables visitors to try a range of garlic products including garlic ice cream! There is entertainment for the whole family, including music by veteran pop groups Mungo Jerry and Brotherhood of Man, demonstrations by Amazon Worlds’ Falconry team, and magic shows. Tickets cost £7.50 for adults and £4 for children aged 5–15 (under 5s free). A family (up to 2 adults and 3 children) can get to the Festival from £34 using a Wightlink Wight Rover day return ticket, which combines foot passenger ferry crossings from Portsmouth or Lymington and unlimited travel for the day on Southern Vectis buses.

Worst Days Out in History, Carisbrooke Castle: Sun 19th & Mon 20th August

Enjoy a delightfully disgusting day out, experiencing the smelliest, goriest and most gruesome aspects of history. See if you can stomach the horrors of Milly Molly Manky and the long-nosed Nostridamus, the singing plague victims and medieval disease. A family of four can get to this family friendly event using a Wightlink attraction and travel-inclusive Days Out ticket from just £51 for a car and up to four passengers including return ferry crossings from either Portsmouth or Lymington and entrance to Carisbrooke Castle.

The Island Steam Show: Fri 24th–Mon 27th August

There will be loads to see and do at this year’s Island Steam Show – steaming monsters, a fairground, amazing shows, and a magical tribute to Harry Potter with look-alikes mingling with the muggles and causing mayhem! Tickets for the show cost £8 for adults, £3.50 for children (aged 5+), or £20 for a family (2 adults & 2 children). Book in advance and a family of four (2 adults & 2 children) pay just £51 for inclusive travel with Wightlink Ferries and Island Line Trains. Alternatively a day return fare for a car and up to four passengers costs from £53.

Harry & the Owls: Sat 25th–Mon 27th August

With the new film and final book, it’s a summer of Harry. Children of all ages can enjoy a range of indoor and outdoor activities during their day out at the historic Appuldurcombe House, and even acquire Harry Potter-style wizarding skills by learning to fly an owl! There is a prize for every child in a wizard costume who takes part in the parade to the haunted house. A family of four can use a Wightlink attraction and travel-inclusive Days Out ticket to get there on Sunday 26th or Monday 27th for just £51 – or £12.75 each.

White Air: Mon 27th August–Mon 3rd September

Watch the world’s top windsurfers in action at Europe’s largest extreme sports event as the World Windsurfing Formula Racing Championships come to Britain for the first time. If you’re not content with watching from the sidelines and are feeling adventurous, why not take part in one of the Wightlink ‘Have a Go’ sessions available – choose from a wide range of high adrenaline sports including kitesurfing, windsurfing, ocean kayaking, and mountain boarding. A three day family pass to White Air costs from £49.50 for 2 adults and 2 children. A family can get to the Festival from only £34 using a Wightlink Wight Rover day return ticket, which combines foot passenger ferry crossings from Portsmouth or Lymington and unlimited travel for the day on Southern Vectis buses.

ENDS

Issued on behalf of:                                                                   By:

WIGHTLINK LTD                                                                        Christine Ball PR

10th July 2007                                                                           Tel: 01798 874177