If your stuck for something to do this August Bank Holiday on the Isle of Wight.

Take a tour of the Worst Days Out in History, Scream and boo at the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hill,, dig for dinosaurs, or leapfrog next door to the Zoo.  Why not go wild with the National Trust then let off more steam at the Island Steam Show.
 

The Worst Days Out in History (August 23rd to 25th) Meet the Singing Plague Victims, visit the medieval surgeon and mix up your own plague cure at Carisbrooke Castle.

Be careful though – you may end up with your face painted with the pox! Afterwards explore the castle where Kings Charles I was imprisoned and meet the donkeys who work the 16th century wellhouse wheel. Cost: £16.30/family ticket Contact: 0870 333 1181, www.english-heritage.co.uk

Robin Hood at Robin Hill (August 24 and 25) Scream and boo as the evil Sheriff of Nottingham battles it out with the legendary Robin Hood and his Merry Men at this special Bank Holiday event held at Robin Hill - an 88-acre park offering lots of additional activities for kids including “African Adventure’ a huge new adventure play area.Cost: £31/family ticket Contact: 01983 527352, www.robin-hill.com

Go wild with the National Trust (August 24th) Find out how to encourage wildlife into your garden and make your very own bird/bat box at Wildzone, held at Newtown Nature Reserve on the Isle of Wight. Afterwards sit on the quay watching egrets and curlews stilt-walking through the mudflats, or visit nearby Newtown Old Town Hall (admission: £2 adult, £1 child, £5 family, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/isleofwight) the only remaining evidence of the importance of Newtown – once a bustling and prosperous port. Cost: £5 per person/booking essential Contact: 01983 741020, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/isleofwight

Dig for dinosaurs (August 25th) Search for dinosaurs on a two-hour fossil hunting expedition along Sandown seafront. With over 30 miles of ‘Heritage Coastline’, the Isle of Wight is famous for its amazing fossil discoveries, most recently a two-inch dinosaur tooth belonging to a fish-eating carnivore which roamed the Island 125 million years ago. Book the expedition and see the tooth at Dinosaur Isle on the Isle of Wight. Cost: £12/family ticket. Contact: 01983 404344, www.dinosaurisle.co.uk

Leapfrog next door to the Isle of Wight Zoo (August 25th)

Located just a few yards along the same stretch of coastline as Dinosaur Isle, Isle of Wight Zoo is hosting Amphibian Ark Day. The aim is to raise funds for this world endangered amphibian so expect lots of frog-themed activities for the whole family. Home to ITV’s Tiger Island, the zoo has the UK’s largest collection of tigers amongst other big cats, primates and creepy crawlies. Cost: £19.75/family ticket. Contact: 01983 403883, www.isleofwightzoo.com

Let off steam at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway (August 22nd to 25th)

Unlimited steam train rides, arena displays, traditional fairground rides, vintage cars and more at the 34th annual Isle of Wight Steam Show held at Havenstreet, near Ryde. Inclusive ticketing available including Fastcat passenger service from Portsmouth to Ryde pier head, then by Island Line train to Smallbrook Junction where there is a cross-platform interchange with the steam trains. Cost: From £21/family ticket – train rides extra. Contact: 01983 882204, www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk

Finish the day by listening to the funky sounds of Acker Bilk in the beautiful setting of Appuldurcombe House (August 23, (01983 840188, www.midsummerjazz.co.uk). The Midsummer Jazz and Fireworks event is a spectacular evening for the whole family (advanced tickets: adults £15, children £10). Or dance along to the sounds of the Samba band and enjoy the brilliant displays of the Illuminated Carnival in the famous sailing town of Cowes (Saturday, August 23 from 8.45pm/free).