Rookley Country Park is surrounded by 22 acres of gorgeous landscaped grounds offering a great base for guests wishing to explore the many delights of the Isle of Wight. The setting on the charming Rookley Island is very peaceful but there are plenty of attractions within easy reach.
The park is a good choice for families with children of all ages and the abundance of flora fauna and wildlife also make the site popular with nature lovers. Facilities onsite include indoor and outdoor pools, two well-stocked fishing lakes, Lakeside restaurant and the Midnight bar where guests can enjoy a varied evening entertainment programme.
Accommodation at Rookley Country Park is in modern caravans or spacious bungalows. All of the caravans are 12ft wide giving them a airy and bright feel with ample space for a family. The Rookley Park Bungalows have one double and one twin bedroom, large family bathroom and private hot tub. The Rookley Park Cottage is a good choice for larger groups and has three bedrooms, double glazing and central heating, well equipped kitchen and patio with garden furniture.
The Premium caravans with hot tubs are the top end option at The Lakes Rookley, newly installed on-site in 2018. These caravans feature a well-equipped kitchen with hob, microwave, kettle, toaster and a breakfast bar with storage dividing it from the open-plan living/dining room. Freestanding furniture, opposite the feature fireplace and HD TV.
The Premium caravans with hot tubs are the top end option at The Lakes Rookley, newly installed on-site in 2018. These caravans feature a well-equipped kitchen with hob, microwave, kettle, toaster and a breakfast bar with storage dividing it from the open-plan living/dining room. Freestanding furniture, opposite the feature fireplace and HD TV.
Spacious two storey cottage. Ground floor: master bedroom with en suite bathroom and shower. Open plan lounge/diner with fully equipped kitchen with microwave.
A 3 bedroom cottage sleeping up to 6. The Premium Cottages were fully-refurbished to a high standard in 2018, with new windows and beautiful fittings and furnishings chosen by our experienced interior designer. The smart, modern kitchen comes equipped with a dishwasher, oven and gas hob, microwave, fridge, kettle and toaster so you can feel at home when preparing a delicious meal.
The Premium Cottages were fully-refurbished to a high standard in 2018, with new windows and beautiful fittings and furnishings. The smart, modern kitchen comes equipped with a dishwasher, oven and gas hob, microwave, fridge, kettle and toaster so you can feel at home when preparing a delicious meal. The open-plan living/kitchen/dining area has a large dining table by the French windows for big family meals and a very spacious lounge with stunning couch and seating, where you can sit back and watch TV, or entertain guests.
Beautifully appointed cottage with one double and one twin. Open plan lounge/kitchen/diner. Fully equipped kitchen with microwave.
Beautifully appointed cottage with one double and one twin. Open plan lounge/kitchen/diner. Fully equipped kitchen with microwave.
32 reviews from guests who stayed at The Lakes Rookley
"This is not luxuryBathroom has mould and needs a deep cleanOverall cottage dirty"
"Really enjoyed our stay, the cottage was charming and cosy indeed."
"We had a lovely stay! The parks facilities are really well maintained, perfect for both kids and grown-ups. The restaurant and bar are great if you fancy a little treat. Would definitely come back!"
"Fabulous FIVE stars for the accommodation park areas and facilities on site a great place for adults and children.Great Restaurant and bar if you feel like treating your selves"
"Our The Lakes Rookley review: Great experience, highly recommend!"
"Really enjoyed the experience, can't wait to do it again!"
"Relaxing stay, friendly staff, just what we needed!"
"Really enjoyed our stay, felt luxurious without the hefty price tag. Will definitely return soon!"
"Comfortable, clean, great!"
"Great experience, will return soon"
"Great stay, would recommend"
"We stayed at the cottage recently and honestly, we loved it! The place itself is really charming and were already booked for next year. That said, a few little things could have made our stay even better. There werent any oven gloves or kitchen scissors, which was a bit of a pain when cooking. Plus, only five plates and bowls for five of us meant lots of washing up. The outside was a bit neglected, with cobwebs around the garden that couldve been cleaned away easily, especially with the hose used for the hot tub. Still, overall, a lovely stay!"
"We really enjoyed exploring the isl and, then coming back to a cosy, relaxing place to unwind. Great stay!"
"We didn't try the restaurant either, so can't really say much about the food or service. Next time, well book directly instead of through a third party. Better chances of a good experience!"
"We stayed here recently and found the location great - right in the heart of the Isle of Wight, with beaches and sights all within half an hours drive. The facilities could do with a bit of love, especially the pools which looked a bit tired and could use a good clean and some fresh paint. Outside, more sunbeds and parasols would be a real bonus. Still, the overall vibe was nice and we enjoyed our stay!"
"Comfortable stay, would recommend."
"Really happy with the purchase"
"Really enjoyed our stay"
"Nice place, would recommend"
"We loved the stunning view of the lake from the cottage. The place was really spacious and well-equipped, especially the washing machine and dishwasher. The upstairs was fantastic, though the stairs are quite steep! It was spotless and felt like home instantly."
"Curtains kept slipping, but overall, the caravan was okay."
"Great place, would return."
"The place was spot on for our family of five, with loads of space and all the bits we needed. Top marks!"
"Great experience, would definitely come back."
"Really enjoyed our stay at Godshill Cottage. Everything was spotlessly clean and super comfy. The hot tub was a real highlight!"
"Really enjoyed our stay, the hot tub was perfect!"
"We found everything we needed for a chilled-out break and were pleased that the cleanliness issues mentioned elsewhere didnt affect us at all. One tip: bring some flip flops if you plan on using the hot tub, as the path behind the cottage is a bit uneven with not enough slabs. The only minor hassle was the dryer on the washer/dryer combo, which didnt work, but honestly, its no big deal. Wed happily stay again!"
"We had a lovely stay at Rookley, we were made to feel very welcome & didn't want to leave.
The welcome pack for our dog was so lovely too.
Thank you."
"We had a lovely holiday and would definitely visit again, highly recommend"
"Although caravan is old & dated and bedrooms are rather small overall the van was perfect for what we needed and we had a nice stay. I would have like the option for Adults only later night swimming but all family we met where very nice.
Only issues we found was if we went put all day we struggled to park by our van. I think Van numbers and parking bays would be a good idea. We where in van 141."
"Our Lakehouse was in a perfect location and contained everything you needed. Maintenance team were extremely helpful on Sunday we stopped 2 gentlemen in their cart to ask about our folding doors sticking, they followed us home and fixed the problem instantly. Fantastic service. The only downside we tried to use the on-site restaurant twice once for breakfast and once evening meal both times it was not open young lady behind bar was very vague about if or when it would actually be open so we didn’t bother again."
"Great little place, a little shop on site would of made it better"
The best-known attractions within an easy drive of The Lakes Rookley, with real driving times.
Sat nav: PO38 2HN
The UK's oldest theme park, with life-sized dinosaurs, pirate ships and clifftop sea views on the Isle of Wight.
Blackgang Chine opened in 1843 and is the UK's oldest theme park. It covers over 40 acres of cliff-top gardens and themed lands, with outdoor rides, walkthrough attractions and heritage exhibitions, all with views over the Isle of Wight coast.
Tip: Leave bikes and scooters behind, as the paths are steep and uneven. Standard tickets include free returns for up to seven days, so you needn't rush.
Sat nav: PO36 8QB
A charity sanctuary for rescued exotic animals, set inside a Victorian fort opposite Sandown's Yaverland beach.
The Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, formerly the Isle of Wight Zoo, is a charity that rescues and protects exotic animals. It sits on Yaverland Road in Sandown, directly opposite the beach, inside the shell of Sandown Fort, which dates from 1864. Visitors walk round the enclosures to see rescued big cats, bears and lemurs, among other animals.
Tip: Pay for parking at the machine just outside the café, as the car park next to the sanctuary is privately run and the sanctuary can't appeal fines.
Sat nav: PO36 0LX
A rainforest-themed zoo on the Isle of Wight with anteaters, sloths and free-flying tropical birds.
Amazon World is a zoo on the Isle of Wight built around the animals of the Amazon rainforest. The collection is mostly South American, with giant anteaters, ocelots, armadillos, sloths, capybara and tapirs. Tropical birds fly freely through the rainforest above your head, there are crocodiles to count in the pond, and the lemurs like to sunbathe and play.
Sat nav: PO32 6LB
Step into Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's private seaside family home on the Isle of Wight.
Osborne House in East Cowes was built between 1845 and 1851 as a summer home and rural retreat for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Albert designed it in the style of an Italian Renaissance palazzo. Inside you can explore the State Rooms, the more homely Family Rooms and the Royal Collection, including the famous Durbar Room, decorated with gifts Victoria received on her jubilees.
Tip: Book early to save up to 15%. Arriving by bus, train or bicycle also gets you 20% off entry when you show your ticket or bike helmet.
Sat nav: PO30 1XY
A Norman fortress on the Isle of Wight where Charles I was held prisoner and donkeys still work the treadwheel.
Carisbrooke Castle is a historic motte-and-bailey fortress near Newport on the Isle of Wight. It began as an Anglo-Saxon earthwork defence against Viking raids, and the Normans later raised the shell keep on its towering mound. You can climb the keep for views, and walk the walls.
Sat nav: PO33 4DS
Ride restored Victorian and Edwardian steam carriages through 5½ miles of Isle of Wight countryside.
The Isle of Wight Steam Railway is a heritage line running through about 5½ miles of countryside from Smallbrook Junction to Wootton, calling at Havenstreet, where the station, headquarters and depot are. It is run largely by volunteers, and the carriages include restored examples built between 1864 and 1924. Several steam locomotives are in use, some well over 100 years old.
Tip: The railway doesn't run every day, so check its calendar before you go. A direct bus serves Havenstreet from Newport and Ryde.
Sat nav: PO40 9TB
A Tudor fortress at the end of a shingle spit, with views across to the Isle of Wight.
Hurst Castle is an artillery fort built by Henry VIII at the seaward end of Hurst Spit, a long strip of shingle in Hampshire. It guarded the narrow western entrance to the Solent, and the setting feels properly remote, with the sea on both sides and the Isle of Wight just across the water.
Tip: Head up the Tudor keep to the roof for the best views over the Needles Passage to the Isle of Wight.
Sat nav: PO1 3QX
Step aboard the world's most powerful warship of 1860, the Royal Navy's first iron-hulled armoured ship.
HMS Warrior is a Victorian warship at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. Built in 1859-1861, she was the Royal Navy's first iron-hulled armoured warship and the most powerful afloat in her day. After years as an oil jetty, she was restored over eight years and has been based in Portsmouth since 1987 as a museum ship.
Tip: Head for the engine room as well as the upper deck, and look out for the Victorian crew's stories on board.
Full guide to days out near The Lakes Rookley »
Drive times are typical times by car with no traffic. Check opening times and book tickets on each attraction's own website before you go.
