Our News & Blog!

Blackgang Chine gets backing from The Telegraph’s Great British Business Campaign.

30th July 2018 / No Comments

Blackgang Chine, Britain’s oldest and most imaginative theme park has been selected for the Telegraph’s ‘Great British Business Campaign’ and recognised as one of the country’s most exciting growing businesses.

This immersive family amusement park, which turns 175 this year, is a British cultural treasure. Since opening in 1843 when the concept of tourism was in its infancy, Blackgang Chine has captured hearts and minds with exciting attractions that stimulate the senses and transport visitors to an unforgettable land of imagination. The ‘Great British Business Campaign’, organised by the Telegraph Media Group, celebrates small and medium enterprises from around the UK, who make up 99% of the 5.5m businesses in the UK. The campaign aims to showcase UK economic success stories and the diversity of ‘brand Britain’.

Alexander Dabell – current owner and a fifth-generation descendant of the park’s founder, with whom he shares his name – says the park is: “The Land of Imagination” and imagination is as relevant today as it was in 1843.

“Blackgang Chine is a facilitator of people’s creativity, and a place that allows you to let your imagination run wild. We recognise that much of our appeal is that we have preserved our history whilst changing with the times. Our challenge is to maintain the tradition of the park, to conserve what people love about it but to keep making improvements and looking to the future.”

“For 175 years Blackgang has created an environment in which visitors of all ages can create family memories and explore within our Lands of Imagination, from pirate ships and cowboy town to walking with dinosaurs.”

Find out how Blackgang Chine has been inspiring the imagination of children of all ages here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/great-british-business/blackgang-chine/

Top park selfie & photo ops!

21st June 2018 / No Comments

Our pick of the 20 top photo spots!

There’s no denying that Blackgang Chine is one of the most instagramable attractions on the Isle of Wight and we absolutely love seeing all our visitors’ selfies and imaginative photos. So we’ve pulled together a list of the top 20 photo opportunities within the park and created a check list for you to make sure you don’t miss out on that must-have shot! We’ve pulled out our 10 favourites and you can see the full checklist at the end of this post – why not print a copy and check them off during your next visit?

1. The Sizeable Smuggler

He’s arguably the most recognisable part of the park so is certainly deserving of his place at the top of this list! Whether you’re sitting on his giant boot or trying to balance him on your hand, a shot with our smuggler is an absolute must!

2. Terrified by the T-Rex

Our animatronic T-Rex is the largest in the country and his roar really does makes the ground shake beneath your feet! So those terrified faces everyone’s pulling in their selfies are perfectly justified!

3. The Timeless Toadstool

Our beloved toadstool was first installed back in 1974 and every year since, visitors have been posing for a photo with the friendly gnome who calls the toadstool home. It’s the perfect photo to commemorate the year of your visit!

4. Shell Style

A relatively new addition to the park, the Shell Seat in Underwater Kingdom has fast become one of the most popular photo ops in the whole park! Perch on the stylised marble seat and become the underwater goddess of your dreams!

5. Western Wagon Stories

The horse-drawn wagon at the centre of Cowboy Town is a classic favourite photo with kids young and old! Whether you’re perched on horseback or standing atop the wagon about to set off on a journey, you can create your own Cowboy story!

6. The Supreme Steggy

For generations, children (and adults) have been clambering up onto the back of our Stegosaurus to pose for a classic Blackgang Chine photo! We’ve even got a picture of our CEO up there somewhere…

7. Mystical Mirrors

We know that a mirror selfie is nothing new…but here at Blackgang Chine, it’s a selfie with a difference. Super long legs, a giant head and an obscured image are what you’ll get in our ever-popular Hall of Mirrors!

8. Fantastical Fairy Dreams

Who wouldn’t want to feel like a princess atop their very own castle? The balcony on the top floor of Fairy Castle in Fairyland is the perfect opportunity for a Romeo & Juliet moment! Stand down by the Fairy Houses for a great perspective shot!

9. This is the Priest all Shaven and Shorn

Part of the nursery rhyme ‘The House That Jack Built’, our beloved Priest is the perfect selfie companion – he won’t be worried about his hair not quite looking right!

10. The Unbelievable Underwater Whale

The majestic 60ft animatronic whale is the largest inhabitant of Underwater Kingdom and snapping a photo as he swims majestically above your head is a definite must! You’ll be amazed at the sense of scale when you see yourself photographed underneath his belly!

20 Top Photo Opportunities Checklist

Restricted Area Five
1. T-Rex
2. Stegosaurus
3. Dino Eggs

Cowboy Town
4. Wagon / Horseback
5. Coffins
6. In Jail
7. Wanted Poster

Underwater Kingdom
8. Whale
9. Shell Seat
10. Giuseppe the crab

Nurseryland
11. Commemorative Toadstool
12. The Priest

Fairyland
13. The Balcony on Fairy Castle
14. Sad Toadstool
15. Fairy House

General
16. Smuggler
17. Rumpus Donkey Mirror
18. Gnome Bench
19. Hall of Mirrors
20.Mouth of Hell

If you’ve taken an epic photo whilst visiting the park, share it with us on our social channels; Facebook, Twitter & Instagram using #Blackgang175Years!

Here’s a little inspiration from Instagram!

Limited Edition Blackgang Coins!

18th June 2018 / No Comments

There’s just 175 available!

As part of our 175th birthday celebrations, here at Blackgang Chine we’ve produced exclusive, limited edition gold coins!

These coins are a money-can’t-buy opportunity for you to keep a memento of your time at Blackgang Chine during our big birthday year! We’ll be giving them away throughout the year so keep your eyes peeled for in-park games, treasure hunts, competitions and lots of other ways to win!

There are only 175 of these gold coins available and they cannot be bought – so you’ll have to get involved to be in with a chance of bagging your own! However, there are silver versions available to purchase in the shop should you want to make sure you get hold of a souvenir coin. Both gold and silver coins will be provided in a Blackgang 175th presentation boxes.

Keep an eye out for more details soon across our social channels; Facebook, Twitter & Instagram!

19.7.18 – UPDATE

2018 Photo Competition
Capture the imagination of Blackgang Chine during your visit the year and enter our biggest photo competition ever to be in with a chance of winning. You can enter here.

18.7.18 – UPDATE

In-park giveaways!
Throughout our Birthday Bash event days, Monday & Wednesday, there’ll be numerous opportunities to win coins…whether that’s by participating in a cowboy or fairy dance workshop, panning for gold or meeting our characters. Keep your eyes and ears open for a chance to win!

16.7.18 – UPDATE

Character Hunts!
Every Monday & Wednesday throughout the summer, there’ll be one character in the park who has a coin token. We’ll post a clue out each morning across our Facebook & Twitter pages and the first visitor in the park to find the character and state the word ‘Treasure’ will win!

26.6.18 – UPDATE

A Facebook photo memory competition has now launched! This is your first chance to get hold of a coin so head over to our Facebook page and get involved! All you need to do is share a photo memory of your time at the park! THIS COMPETITION HAS NOW CLOSED.

Live-action Cowboy Show

14th May 2018 / No Comments

Expect lost gold, outlaws & explosive action at Wild West Week

With Wild West Week fast approaching, here at Blackgang Chine, we’re gearing up for a more action-packed and explosive live-action Cowboy show than ever before! Here’s a short synopsis of the storyline:

It’s 1850 and the good folk of Cowboy Town have fled to the hills after the arrival of the infamous outlaw Rattlesnake Jake. He’s on the quest to find the Lost Gold of Rockola, a legendary stash of gold hidden by an outlaw called the Rockola Kid. With his trusty sidekick, Sam Shuttlebucket, Jake is racing against time to find the gold before other outlaws arrive in town. Unlucky for him though, Bounty Hunter Buffalo Bob is on her way to collect the bounties on as many outlaws as possible. Can Jake find the gold before he gets caught? And will Theodore Wilberforce Indiana Tucker, the new Sheriff in town be able to bring law and order back to Cowboy Town?

We caught up with the script writer for the show to learn a little more about the writing process and the characters involved:

“The main objective when writing a script like this is to ensure that the focus is correct throughout. It’s so easy for visitors to be distracted in outdoor shows so it’s my job to make sure that audiences are captivated throughout – whether that’s by clever use of script, pyrotechnics, music or lighting.” And there’s plenty of gun shots, explosions and action to keep our audiences entertained this May Half Term!

“I’m a firm believer that the plot should be explained within the first minute of the show and each character introduced quickly and clearly.” For one of our characters, his reputation precedes him! Rattlesnake Jake is the meanest outlaw this side of the Medina and it’s no surprise that the townsfolk have fled after hearing of his arrival! He takes on the classic ‘baddie’ role with sidekick Sam Shuttlebucket close in toe. Sam has a tendency to get things wrong and although he’s not dumb, his innocence and naivety is obvious! Followed up by Bounty Hunter Buffalo Bob who’s fast approaching Cowboy Town on her search for outlaws, there’s bound to be a gun fight! Let’s just hope that the new Sheriff Theodore Wilberforce Indiana Tucker will be able to make the town safe again!

Fight scenes, jeopardy, guest interaction, explosives and a great vein of honest, adult humour make this Cowboy Show our favourite yet!

Catch the show and a whole host of other activities during Wild West Week at Blackgang Chine from 26th May – 3rd June.
Book your tickets online now to save.

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 7th – Sunday 9th 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!

For more information about Eklectica and to book tickets, visit: www.eklectica.live

CUSTOMER ANNOUNCEMENT: 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.

Easter Celebrations

6th March 2018 / No Comments

Visitors to Blackgang Chine, the oldest theme park in the country, are in for a real treat this season as the park celebrates its 175^th anniversary with lots of exciting events and activities planned throughout the year, including a brand new adventure as the story of Blackgang Chine & the Curious Timeboat unfolds.

The celebrations start on Saturday 17 March when Blackgang Chine opens for the season and the first 175 visitors through the door will each receive a special celebration cup cake, each one numbered from 1 – 175!

Easter holidays are packed full of great entertainment, starting on Good Friday when our larger than life Dodos, Lady Penelope & Rafus, celebrate the opening of our NEW interpretation of ‘Lost Valley of the Dodos’ complete with NEW dodo characters for you to discover, including DJ dodos mixing your favourite party tunes. There are also two NEW bouncy net bridges to get you across the Dodo Valley ravine; guaranteed to put a spring in your step!

Plus join in the fun with our Easter Eggsplorers every Tuesday and Wednesday (3^rd, 4^th, 10^th and 11^th April). Become an explorer and see the park through new eyes! Join the quest around Blackgang to discover untold stories with Blackgang characters to help you on your way. Then dust off your magnifying glasses and make archaeological discoveries as you search the sand and uncover hidden critters in our fun Explorer Digs activity.

And if that’s not enough, take part in our new adventure, Blackgang & the Curious Timeboat. Join our 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 are stuck in time at Blackgang and need your help to find the magic crystal which will power their timeboat and send them onto their next destination …..

You can follow the journey of our time travellers using our new online tracker at: http://tracker.blackgangchine.com/

Expect celebrations throughout the year to commemorate Blackgang’s 175^th birthday: join our dinosaurs at a pre-historic dinner party during May Bank Holiday weekend, take part in cowboy hoedowns and shenanigans during May half term, and don’t miss our BIG 175^th birthday parties every Monday and Wednesday evening throughout the summer holidays – PLUS discover what happens next when the final crystal that powers the curious timeboat is found at ‘Blackgang By Night’ in October!

Blackgang Chine opens on Saturday 17^th March, 10am – 5pm, and all tickets include ‘unlimited FREE returns for 7 days! Save money by purchasing 2018 tickets at 2017 prices online. This event is included in Blackgang Chine and Joint Park Frequent Visitor Passes too.

EKLECTICA FRIDAY NIGHT HEADLINERS ANNOUNCED

26th January 2018 / No Comments

FRIDAY NIGHT HEADLINERS ANNOUNCED

Tinchy Stryder and Reggie Yates have now been announced as the Friday night line-up for Eklectica, the boutique music festival @ Robin Hill Country Park taking place on 7^th, 8^th and 9^th September. They join the line-up of Scouting for Girls and The Hoosiers who will be performing on the Saturday night and The Fratellis and Toploader performing on the Sunday night.

Eklectica is also pleased to invite back to Robin Hill, the Disco Shed who will be performing throughout the weekend, including Friday night. More weekend acts still to-be announced.

Tickets for Friday night’s line-up are limited and only available with Weekend Camping tickets (all include Friday night) and the Early Bird Weekend Non-Camping tickets which provide Friday night free, but these are selling out fast!

Weekend Camping tickets are just £75 per adult and £55 for a young person (10-17 years) – and provide a weekend of escapism! Relax in the safe, friendly environment of our two on-site campsites, situated in the most beautiful, scenic locations and with the creature comforts you’d expect from a well-run campsite. Enjoy live music until 1am in the stunning Woodland Ponds …. and for the early risers, a programme of activities to wake up to. What more could you ask for?

One of the most popular British rappers of his generation, Tinchy Stryder has a highly successful career in the entertainment industry, releasing four studio albums and achieving two number one singles to date. Originally a member of grime collective, Ruff Sqwad before working with Roll Deep, alongside the likes of Dizzee Rascal and Wiley, Tinchy launched his solo career in 2006, with the release of his first studio album Star in the Hood which was an instant hit. He followed this up with his second album, Catch 22, which made it to number two in the UK album charts and gained BPI Gold certification as his career went from strength to strength.

In 2009, his track Number 1, featuring N-Dubz, stormed the UK charts going straight in at number one, closely followed by his single, Never Leave You. His music career has seen him go on to become a popular TV personality appearing on the likes of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! and Celebrity Juice. Tinchy continues to release new music and perform at some of the UK’s biggest events and festivals, as well as this he has founded his own independent label Cloud 9 and has several other high-profile business ventures.

Reggie Yates has developed into one of the most versatile broadcasters currently in the UK. He has an impressive body of documentary work, from COMIC RELIEF IN KIBERIA, to AUTISTIC SUPERSTARS and TOURETTES: LET ME ENTERTAIN YOU for BBC Three. His second series of THE INSIDER was split in to three standalone documentaries which premiered on BBC 3 and BBC One – and most recently announced is REGGIE YATES: SEARCHING FOR GRENFELL’S HIDDEN VICTIMS(w/t) for BBC Two, the special documentary will go behind the headlines to explore the lives of some of Grenfell Tower’s residents who have been lost, and whose personal stories and experiences remain little known.

Reggie’s passion for music soon came to fore early in his career cementing his place as a core part of the BBC’s new Black music station, 1Xtra aged just 18. Alongside Dev, he hosted a show for 2 years. It wasn’t long before Reggie was asked to guest on Radio 1 and as if to prove his credentials as a huge music fan, his first specialist show saw some of the very first plays on Radio 1 being Adele and Mr. Hudson. Reunited with Fearne Cotton, the duo took to the air on Weekend Breakfast before heading to the afternoon slot with both the Request Show and the all-important Chart Show. Alongside Fearne Cotton, Reggie hosted Glastonbury, Reading, T in the Park and the Big Weekend for BBC3 in 2010 and 2011 and moved into primetime entertainment presenting The Voice UK alongside Holly Willoughby in 2012/13. Reggie plays a multi genre DJ set including Hip-Hop, House and Pop.

In 2005, Count Skylarkin had a house party. The decks went in the shed, the speakers on the roof and Peepshow Paddy said let’s take it on the road. The rest, as they say, is a mystery … since then, the Disco Shed has become a must-have accessory for any self-respecting festival, from the bigger (Reading, Lattitude) to the middler (Big Chill, Cornbury) to the tiddler (Truck, Festinho). Reknowned for creating a uniquely shedonistic atmosphere, with its kitsch allotment of garden games, vibes and visuals, plus party pummelling sound system playing beats as eclectic as the contents of your average shed. Disco Shed DJs seamlessly spin everything from funk to punk, hip hop to house, rock & roll to reggae, and drum & bass to dubstep, then drink the bar dry and moan about getting splinters!

Tickets cost: Weekend Non-Camping tickets (Saturday & Sunday) are £60 per adult and £50 per young person (10-17 years). A very limited number of early bird Weekend Non-Camping tickets including Friday night are available. Day tickets for Saturday or Sunday are £30 per adult and £25 per young person (10-17 years). Children under 9 are FREE. For details and to purchase tickets visit: www.eklectica.live

Being just 2 hours from London with easy access by road, rail and sea, the Isle of Wight and Eklectica, is a great place to escape to. For cross Solent travel visit : www.redfunnel.co.uk / www.wightlink.co.uk www.hovertravel.co.uk

EKLECTICA 2018 HEADLINERS ANNOUNCED!

14th December 2017 / No Comments

2018 HEADLINERS ANNOUNCED!

The Fratellis, Scouting for Girls, The Hoosiers and Toploader and are among the first bands to be announced as headliners for Eklectica 2018, the boutique music festival @ Robin Hill Country Park taking place on 7^th, 8^th and 9^th September 2018. Scouting for Girls will headline Saturday night supported by The Hoosiers and The Fratellis will headline Sunday supported by Toploader. Friday night’s headliners are yet to be announced.

First release tickets are on sale now! These will include a limited number of Weekend Camping tickets including Friday night at £75 per adult and £55 for a young person (10-17 years).

The first 500 Weekend non-camping tickets sold (£60 per adult and £50 for a young person) will also include exclusive access to Friday night. Day tickets (Saturday or Sunday) are £30 per adult and £25 per young person. Under 9’s are FREE! For details and to purchase tickets visit : www.eklectica.live

James Crofts, Robin Hill Park Manager, said, “We’re really excited about the line-up for Eklectica 2018. Building on our first year’s event, we’ve taken onboard feedback and we’re going bigger with a three day weekend, camping onsite, acclaimed talent, free kids tickets and great early bird offers. More acts will be announced in the New Year.”

Scouting for Girls – throughout their immensely successful career they’ve sold over 1.5 million albums, two million singles, had four Brit Award nominations, an Ivor Novello nomination, had four top ten singles, sold-out Wembley Arena and sold-out The Royal Albert Hall and had a series of hit singles all of which were inescapable radio smashes. Ten years later, Scouting For Girls prove they are unstoppable.

Currently on their 10^th Anniversary tour, Scouting for Girls will be playing their debut platinum album which has sold over 700,000 copies! Their self-titled debut album sat at No. 1 in the UK charts for two weeks and produced a number of hit singles including ‘Elvis Ain’t Dead’ and ‘She’s So Lovely’.

Having sold over a million records and achieved smash hit singles ‘Goodbye Mr. A’, ‘Worried About Ray’, ‘Choices’ and top 10 albums ‘The Trick of Life’ and ‘The Illusion Of Safety’, The Hoosiers will hit the main stage on Saturday night.

As part of their NEW UK and North American tour, The Fratellis will be headlining with a new album ‘In Your Own Sweet Time’ released on 9^th March 2018. The Fratellis had phenomenal success with their debut album ‘Costello Music’, and then went on to win the Best British Breakthrough Act at the Brit Awards in 2007. ‘In Your Own Sweet Time’ will be the band’s fifth studio album and features the brilliant new single ‘Stand Up Tragedy’.

With over two million album sales to their name and a string of top 20 hits both at home and abroad Toploader are set to bring their debut album to the Main stage at Eklectica, including the iconic global hit ‘Dancing in the Moonlight’.

For tickets and more information click here!

We’re nominated!!!

28th November 2017 / No Comments

We are pleased to announce that we have been nominated for a Red Funnel My Isle of Wight award! These are the only visitor-voted awards on the Island, so we’re very proud to have been nominated once again this year.

This is your chance to shout about how much of a great time you’ve had with us this year… whether your highlight was our Underwater Kingdom reveal, exploring the park by night during our illuminations or just meeting your favourite Blackgang Characters, there’s definitely not been a dull moment!

Voting closes on December 31^st, and you can vote here. Why not spread the Blackgang love, and share this exciting news with your friends and family who you made happy memories in the park with this summer. Or if you haven’t already, you can leave us a trip advisor review here to tell us what your highlights of 2017 were!