Nodes Point - Fun Days Out

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.

Alongside the animals there is some history to spot. A restored pump from Operation Pluto, from the Second World War, stands in its original place in the grounds. The sanctuary also has a café with sea views and a gift shop, and offers animal encounters and experiences if you want to get closer to the wildlife.

It suits families, animal lovers and anyone who likes their days out to support a good cause. Because it is just across the road from the beach, it also combines easily with a seaside stroll.

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.

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.

Head into Restricted Area 5 to meet life-sized animatronic dinosaurs that move and roar as you approach. Other lands include Pirate Cove, Fairyland and Cowboy Town. Younger children can enjoy Nurseryland, Dodo Valley and the Pirate Barrels ride, while older ones can try the 360-degree pendulum swing, Extinction, and the Waterforce waterslides. There's also a 19-metre fin whale skeleton in the exhibitions.

It suits families with children of all ages, and grandparents can relax with a coffee and the sea views. Dogs on short leads are welcome, and you can bring your own picnic or eat at the park's outlets.

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.

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. Some of the animals can't be seen anywhere else in the UK.

Keepers give talks and displays where you can ask questions and see the animals up close. Kids can burn off energy in the Jurassic-themed adventure playground, and there's a cafe and gift shop on site. The zoo is a breeder of sloths and tamandua and supports conservation work, so it suits animal lovers of all ages. The site is wheelchair friendly.

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.

Outside, the grounds are vast. Follow the interactive tree trail, head to the Swiss Cottage where the royal children played, gardened and cooked, or relax on Queen Victoria's Beach. There are picnic spots, a play area and four food and drink outlets, including the Victoria Hall Restaurant. It suits history fans, families and anyone who likes a good garden walk. In winter the Swiss Cottage is closed and only the ground floor of the house is open.

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.

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.

Besides the train ride, Havenstreet has a railway cafe and a carriage shed where you can see stock stored undercover. The Train Story museum is there too, and it displays the Class 483 electric train nicknamed "Jess Harper". Railway fans will enjoy the old locomotives and carriages, and the line is popular with tourists generally. Special events, including the Island Steam Show over the August Bank Holiday weekend and a Santa Special in December, add to the usual train days.

Tip: The railway doesn't run every day, so check its calendar before you go. A direct bus serves Havenstreet from Newport and Ryde.

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.

Charles I was imprisoned here after his Civil War defeat, and the castle museum has memorabilia and changing exhibitions. Princess Beatrice, Queen Victoria's daughter, later made it her summer home, and the Edwardian-style Princess Beatrice Garden was inspired by her.

The much-loved Carisbrooke donkeys still demonstrate the treadwheel that once raised water from the castle well. Meet them in their stables and watch a short film about them. There is also a tearoom for a break.

The Spinnaker Tower is a 170-metre landmark on Portsmouth Harbour, and one of the tallest accessible structures in the UK outside London. Two huge, sweeping white arcs give it the look of a sail billowing in the wind, a nod to Portsmouth's maritime history. Local people chose the design in a public poll.

Three viewing platforms sit one above the other at 100 m, 105 m and 110 m, with 360-degree views over the city and both Langstone and Portsmouth harbours. On a clear day you can see for around 37 kilometres. The first deck has a glass floor, and the top Sky Deck has only a wire mesh roof, so you feel the weather. The windows extend above head height, so most views are through glass.

Tip: Head for the glass floor on the first deck, and wrap up if you go up to the open-roofed Sky Deck.