News & Blog - Robin Hill

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The Quest for the Golden Pig launches!

17th January 2019 / No Comments

This February, the park is set to transform into a wonderland of lights and lanterns with the launch of Spirit of the Orient, an award-winning electric woods event, and one of the UK’s biggest festivals celebrating the Chinese New Year.

2019 is the Year of the Pig and to mark the most important date in the Chinese calendar, we’re partnering with Chinese restaurants across the Island to give away hundreds of prizes, including one special ‘Golden Pig’ reward, hidden inside celebratory Spirit of the Orient fortune cookies.

To win the ‘Golden Pig’, or any of the other prizes, simply order a meal (worth more than £20) at one of the participating restaurants between 1^st and 14^th February 2019, and open your fortune cookie to see if you are a winner.

Participating restaurants are:

Hong Kong Express (Newport, Ryde & Freshwater)
New China House (Ventnor)
Kimbos (Lake)
Dragon Pearl (Shanklin)
Royal China (Sandown)

Prizes include a free hot drink during your visit to the Spirit of the Orient event; 10% off admission; free single entry and free family tickets for four people. However, there can only be one recipient of the ultimate Golden Pig prize, which entitles the lucky winner to two Robin Hill Frequent Visitor Passes and VIP entrance to Spirit of the Orient (including food and drink vouchers).

To redeem your prize, simply bring along both the fortune cookie wrapper and the voucher included inside to the Robin Hill admission desk upon entry to the park.

Participants can find out more about the Quest for the Golden Pig and the prizes available across our social media channels and on its website. For full terms and conditions please visit www.electricwoods.co.uk/goldenpig

FVP Hub opens in time for Christmas shopping

16th November 2018 / 2 Comments

We’re opening a pop-up Frequent Visitor Hub at Newport Guildhall this year in time for your Christmas shopping!

Open Monday – Saturday from 21st November – 22nd December, our front of house admissions team will be on hand to answer all your FVP questions so you can purchase and collect your cards all in one place – making it oh so simple to get your hands on a 2019 pass. Find out more about what’s included in the 2019 passes here.

Situated between High Street and Quay Street in Newport, not only will our team be on hand to issue your FVP cards, you’ll also get the chance to meet some of our characters! Every Saturday from 1st December, our characters will be roaming between 11am – 3pm. Keep your eyes peeled for which characters will be visiting very soon!

Give the gift of family time spent together this year with a Blackgang Chine and Robin Hill Frequent Visitor Pass!

Our FVP Hub will be open Monday – Friday from 9:30am – 4pm and Saturdays from 10am – 4pm.

UK’s largest glow show launches at Robin Hill

16th October 2018 / No Comments

The Electro-Light Circus is rolling into town

The Hindu festival of Diwali is getting a futuristic makeover this autumn with the enchanting new Electro-Light Circus as it rolls into town for Festival of Light, Inspired by Diwali every evening at 6.30 & 9pm, Saturday 20^th – Sunday 28^th October.

Bringing the ancient woodlands to life, the eclectic Indian and circus-themed performance choreographed for the park’s Festival of Light is a contemporary tribute to the Hindu tradition and features one-of-a-kind special effects, illuminations, circus acts and acrobatics.

Illuminating the stunning outdoor Woodland Amphitheatre will be our in-house performance team, joined by Brightsparks’ Kris & Josh, a talented duo whose unique street-style comedy and acrobatics regularly entertain VIPs across the world. Spectacular LED-suits and illuminated props including poi, juggling batons, a cyr wheel and cables will bring their incredible talents to life with an array of mesmerising light, all synchronised to Diwali-inspired music. The Electro-Light Circus follows the success of the sell-out ‘Jungle Fever’ shows, which included fire performances, earlier this summer.

Dr DJ will be on hand with his Bollywood dancers to provide some pre-show entertainment and once the show is over, guests can explore several beautiful light exhibits in the park’s 88 acres of woodland and landscaped gardens. Highlights include the brand new Jungle Heights attraction, where visitors can scale the trees in nets at up to six storeys-high, while surrounded by dazzling lights, smoke machines and an energetic soundtrack.

The Isle of Wight’s NEW multi-million indoor waterpark ‘The Springs’

12th September 2018 / 11 Comments

PLANS FOR AN EXCITING AND IMAGINATIVE WATERPARK

Plans for an exciting and imaginative multi-million pound indoor waterpark, ‘The Springs’, at award-winning Isle of Wight attraction, Robin Hill Country Park, have been unveiled.

Plans for ‘The Springs’ will be submitted formally to the Isle of Wight Council as a planning application supported by an environmental statement.

This is an exciting project for a major new attraction that will have Island-wide and sub-regional impacts benefiting tourism, regeneration and job creation.

Alexander Dabell, Managing Director of Vectis Ventures Limited said,
‘After years of considered planning, we are delighted to unveil our proposals for ‘The Springs’, an exhilarating new indoor water park to be situated at Robin Hill Country Park, with the most stunning views across the Isle of Wight.

Tourism is very important for the Island and ‘The Springs’ is a further development of Robin Hill which is designed to extend the tourism season. We’ve had great success with our ‘electric woods’ events, attracting over 90,000 visitors over the last four years, however, the Island needs more innovative, fun all-weather attractions for visitors and residents in the autumn-winter months. ‘The Springs’ ticks that box and at the same time provides opportunities for other local tourism businesses to operate a longer season. ‘The Springs’ development will complement our plans for Nesting, creating a fantastic reason to visit the Isle of Wight.

We are extremely excited to progress with these plans, after all, ‘The Springs’ will be splashing great fun!’

Will Myles, Managing Director of Visit Isle of Wight says,
‘I am extremely proud to work with Vectis Ventures, who continually invest in the Isle of Wight’s tourism offering. ‘The Springs’ is exactly what we need on the island for residents and visitors alike. We are always looking for ways to extend our overall season, and this will certainly have a huge impact.’

Jungle Heights Launch!

17th July 2018 / No Comments

JUNGLE HEIGHTS…LAUNCHING THIS WEEKEND!

Adventure’s been taken to new heights in our stunning woodland as we launch the Isle of Wight’s first adventure net attraction, Jungle Heights.

Launching on 21st July 2018, Jungle Heights combines adventure play at dizzying heights, suspended net mazes, tunnels and a huge net trampoline, providing an exhilarating experience for family adventurers, unlike any other.

Skip, hop and bounce through ‘The Chase’, two dual net bridges, suspended up to 34feet off the ground, then squirrel through a six-story net tower, to climb high up into the treetops. Discover ‘The Cube’… a suspended maze, divided into nine rooms providing a truly towering adventure! Climb tree-to-tree to suspended net tunnels, bouncy rope bridges, and the bounciest adventure of them all, ‘The Big Bounce’ a giant ten metre net trampoline surrounded by net walls of up to three metres!

Suitable for all ages over 4 years old, Jungle Heights provides hours of bouncing-good fun, surrounded by our ancient woodlands and stunning towering oak trees.

And guess what… to celebrate the launch of Jungle Heights, this year, it is included within your Robin Hill entry ticket.

Nestled in the treetop canopy is a new vibrant cafe, Rio’s, open daily from 10am. The licensed bar will serve a range of alcoholic beverages including evening cocktails alongside tropical inspired mocktails, and indulgent seasonal treats. The treetop terrace with outdoor seating captures the sun from 11am – 3pm, it’s a real suntrap and a great place for parents to relax as the kids burn off some energy.

Please note: the minimum height requirement for this attraction is 0.9m and all users must be aged 4 years or older.

Top park photo ops

13th July 2018 / No Comments

From bouncy net bridges to towering trees, there’s no denying that Robin Hill is a social media guru’s heaven. 88 acres of woodland, countryside and landscapes gardens give you plenty of opportunity to up your Insta-game! So, for all you social butterflies out there, we’ve pulled together a list of the top 6 photo opportunities throughout the park! Take a look and see if you can complete the list on your next visit.

Photo Opportunities at Robin Hill, Isle of Wight

Go bananas with the big Gorilla!
Having made his home down in Africa Adventure, the self-proclaimed king of the jungle (we think Lenny, our Jungle Fever lion might disagree), has been a special photo op for years! It’s perfect for all you wild ones out there!
Chill out in The Parting
Greeting you with an awe-inspiring marble archway, The Parting is ideal for the most serene selfie imaginable. Surrounded by calm waters filled with ducks and lily pads, The Parting will transport anyone’s selfies to aesthetic heaven.
Fly high with the falcons
Our friends at South Coast Falconry put on an amazing show that is arguably one of the most exciting elements of visitors’ days. So why not take advantage of this by getting an action-packed selfie? Get up close and personal with our gravity defying friends for a picture that will send your friends soaring with wonder.
Climb high with the Squirrels!
An iconic activity…the Squirrel Tower and Squirrel Run! Snap a quick pic once you reach the top to show everyone your inner wild side.
Grab a smooch with the Trolls
The woodland Troll’s Kissing Seat has seen a few forest romances over the years, so why not jump on the bandwagon and let your love be known to all?
Big Red
Everyone enjoys riding round our 88 acres of beauty on the beloved big red tractor. What better opportunity to grab a family selfie whilst you take in all your surroundings from the comfort of the Big Red?

Thanks to @megi3103, @sarahlouisem93 and @craigotee for sharing the pics on Instagram!

Pixie Lott and the Noisettes confirmed as headline acts of Eklectica festival

29th March 2018 / No Comments

Two of the UK’s most successful music acts, Pixie Lott and the Noisettes are heading to the Isle of Wight this September as the confirmed headline acts for the high-spirited music festival, Eklectica.

Popstar, Pixie Lott, and indie rock band, the Noisettes, are the latest artists to be confirmed for the festival which returns to the Isle of Wight’s enchanting Robin Hill Country Park on Friday 7 – Sunday 9 September.

The multi-award-winning artists will help close the festival over the weekend and perform to the thousands of festivalgoers expected to turn out for the music festival.

Rob Holgate, the Event Director for Eklectica said of Pixie and the Noisettes’ addition to the line-up: “Having these two acts headline this year’s festival is fantastic! They’re young, they’re cool, they’re current and most importantly they have amazing voices and stellar stage presence so both acts will add to the exciting atmosphere that will no doubt be buzzing around the woodlands.”

Pixie Lott and the Noisettes join a line-up of other industry-leading acts set to take to the stage at this year’s Eklectica festival. Friday will see a vibrant set from radio DJ and presenter, Reggie Yates and a bouncing performance from one of the music industry’s most talented rappers, Tinchy Stryder. Pop rock bands, Scouting for Girls and The Hoosiers will be stealing the show on Saturday and then helping to bring the festival to a close on Sunday is Scottish rock band, The Fratellis, and legendary alternative rock band, Toploader.

The go-to festival for an escapist weekend full of chart-topping acts and wellbeing activities, Eklectica is also committed to championing newcomers in the music industry and will welcome artists including dance/electric band, The Wolf Club, 5-piece indie/electro band, who hail from the Isle of Wight, Nakamarra, and blues-rock guitarist, Kris Barrass, who has just released a new album.

Eklectica is also providing an opportunity to showcase the region’s local independent food and retail outlets, from quirky stalls such as hand-made, small-batch gin, Mermaid Gin, to the Isle of Wight Ice Cream Company, who source all their milk from just 2 miles away!

A not-to-be-missed festival, tickets are available from £25 and include day, weekend and weekend camping tickets. With easy access from Southampton and Portsmouth, those that book their tickets through the Eklectica website can now claim 25% discounted ferry travel with Red Funnel ferries and 20% discounted ferry travel with Wightlink ferries!

CUSTOMER NOTICE: Park closed until Saturday 24th March

20th March 2018 / No Comments

For the safety and well-being of both our visitors and our staff, Blackgang Chine and Robin Hill will both remain closed until Saturday 24th March. This is to allow all the snow and ice currently covering the majority of our parks chance to thaw.

If you have bought tickets to visit us within this period, and are now unable to use them, please email info@blackgangchine.com or info@robin-hill.com to arrange a refund.

Visitors with 7 day return ticket will have their returns extended until Friday 30th March, to allow them to enjoy all that the park has to offer, and make the most out of their tickets.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused, however the safety of our team and visitors is paramount.

5 photos you need to take at Spirit of the Orient to brighten up your Instagram!

13th February 2018 / No Comments

With the Festive period now well and truly behind us, and still no glimpses of summer on the horizon yet, it’s more difficult than ever to find something worth posting to Facebook or Instagram. Thankfully, Spirit of the Orient provides the excitement, vibrancy and fun your social media is crying out for! Here are 5 photogenic elements that will give your friend photo envy!

Pop-up lions… Our gorgeous lions create a huge impact, with their bright colours, cheeky personalities and illuminations! Be sure to catch one of their pop-up performances and capture a traditional side of Chinese New Year!

Water Projection… This experimental technique is sure to wow visitors (and your followers!) as it creates the unusual effect of 3D images floating on our woodland ponds. We’re sure it will capture everyone’s imagination.

Triumphal Arch… Another new feature of Spirit of the Orient is our magnificent Chinese Marble arch. Weighing 60,000 kilos and hand carved in beautiful white grey marble, it is definitely making a statement on the parting, and will make a statement in your newsfeed too!

Skeletal Trees… With the usual leafy canopy gone, you can see the ancient trees in all their glory. With entwined and twisted branches of all shapes and sizes, their skeletons, highlighted with lights and the shadows of dark February nights, create some dramatic shots. If you’re looking for something more moody and natural, this is the shot for you… and there is lots to choose from!

Dragon Parade… The trees create the perfect natural backdrop for our dragon procession. Watch as our 12 metre long dragon snakes its way through the woodland, and wait for your perfect shot… and we’re sure you won’t be disappointed!

So with 5 Instagram posts like these just begging to be taken and shared with your friends, it’s time to plan your visit!

P.s, don’t forget to use the hashtag #electricwoods and tag @robinhillcountrypark to share your photos with us!

9th February 2018 / No Comments

Double celebrations this Chinese New Year

Step into a fusion of vibrant colours, illuminations, sound and oriental flavours at Robin Hill’s award-winning electric woods event, Spirit of the Orient, as the park celebrates Chinese New Year, one of the world’s most popular festivals, from Saturday 10^th – Sunday 25^th February 2018, 6pm – 10pm.

Experience stunning oriental themed lighting and cultural entertainment which bring the ancient woodlands to life – including New for 2018, a water projection screen producing magical 3D effects ‘floating’ on the woodland ponds.

Enjoy authentic performances of traditional lion dance in a show choreographed with stunning light and sound effects, and the most dazzling illuminated lions. Meet and greet our beautiful birds of prey and wonder at their majesty as they fly around our beautiful woodland ponds.

Children can also take part in our fun and interactive, story-telling, dragon procession with a 12m long dragon which meanders through the woodland – and be creative in decorating their very own Chinese lantern in celebration of the New Year. Plus, you’re invited to hang your wishes on our wishing tree, a symbol of good luck and fortune. Legend has it, the higher you place your wish on the tree, the more likely it is to come true!

Plus be part of a brand, new adventure as we start the celebrations for (our sister park) Blackgang Chine’s 175^th anniversary with the story of Blackgang Chine & the Curious Timeboat. Join our new characters, the mischievous pirate of the past and eccentric, scatty inventor as they embark on a journey of discovery, soaring through time on a mission to collect magical fuel for their enchanted time travelling vessel. This mis-matched duo and the curious timeboat will appear at key events across both parks throughout 2018, starting their adventure at Spirit of the Orient where they crash-land alongside the ‘Great Wall of China’.

To complete the evening, savour the delights of our authentic oriental menu served in the woodland ponds, and toast marshmallows on the open brazier – there’s something to suit all tastes.

Immerse yourself in a truly amazing Oriental experience for all the family this February. For further details and tickets please visit: www.electricwoods.co.uk