Of the 9 campsites within 3.1 miles of Fort Victoria, 8 are good for families.
Fort Victoria costs nothing to get into and has plenty of small things children like: crabbing from the sea wall, rock pooling and fossil hunting on the shingle, where turtle shell and crocodile bone turn up. In peak season the rangers lead beach walks for a small fee. The toilets have baby changing. Inside the fort, the Island Planetarium was listed at £4 a child and £6 an adult in 2026, with walk-in shows on Wednesdays; call ahead.
Two warnings. Do not let children swim here: the council says the currents between the fort and Hurst Castle are very dangerous, and Colwell Bay, 1.5km south, is the calmer beach. And the attractions run their own seasons, so some are shut outside summer.
Linstone Chine is right next to the park, and Tapnell Farm Park's indoor play, about 3 miles away, is the rainy-day fallback. See camping with kids.
Holiday park · Colwell Bay · 0.9 miles
Play area · The Cliff End bungalows are next to the park, with free crazy golf, pitch and putt and a play park on site.
Chalets
from £90/night
ViewTouring park · Freshwater · 1.2 miles
Big family tent pitches and a playing field; 25 to 30 minutes' walk to the fort.
Tents, caravans, motorhomes
from £28/night
ViewGlamping site · Freshwater · 1.3 miles
Farm animals · Family safari lodges by the River Yar with a cot and highchair; walk to the fort in 25 to 30 minutes.
Safari tents
from £342.50/night
ViewHoliday park · Colwell Bay · 1.5 miles
Play area · indoor pool · entertainment · Cottages with soft play and pop-up summer holiday activities, about 1.5 miles away.
Cottages, lodges
from £45/night
ViewCampsite · Freshwater · 1.9 miles
For organised youth groups; the trust sends its groups to the Fort Victoria barbecues.
Pre-pitched tents
from £112.50/night
ViewCampsite · Totland · 2.4 miles
Tents, caravans, motorhomes, cottages
from £24.50/night
ViewSmall certificated site · Yarmouth · 2.8 miles
Just east of Yarmouth at Bouldnor; drive or take the bus into Yarmouth and walk the coast path west to the fort.
Members only · join the Camping and Caravanning Club to stay
Tents, caravans, motorhomes
from £27/night
ViewGlamping site · Yarmouth · 2.9 miles
Play area · farm animals · Glamping guests get free entry to Tapnell Farm Park.
Safari tents, cabins, pods, chalets, lodges
from £125/night
ViewNo campsites match all of those.
Yes. Entry and parking are free, and children can go crabbing from the sea wall, rock pooling and fossil hunting. There are toilets with baby changing, a cafe and free barbecues, but swimming is not safe here.
The attractions inside the fort, including the Island Planetarium, a marine aquarium, a reptilarium and a model railway. Each has its own hours and prices, and some only open in summer.
Linstone Chine Holiday Village (Brambles Chine and Cliff End), about 0.9 miles away as the crow flies.
Stoats Farm Caravan and Camping, from £24.50 a night for two adults, is the lowest price we can find over the next year. Prices change with the season and the day of the week, so put your dates into the calculator on this page.
5 of the 8: Heathfield Farm Camping, The Bay Colwell, Stoats Farm Caravan and Camping, Lucketts Farm Campsite and Tapnell Farm Glamping (Tom's Eco Lodge & Camp Tapnell).
Yes: Tapnell Farm Glamping (Tom's Eco Lodge & Camp Tapnell).
Yes, at Glamping The Wight Way, Stoats Farm Caravan and Camping, Lucketts Farm Campsite and Tapnell Farm Glamping (Tom's Eco Lodge & Camp Tapnell). Most want fires in a raised pit, not on the ground.
