Your Local Guide to Food and Drink on the Isle of Wight
Last Modified: 24 December 2025 12:09 pm
The 12 Days of Christmas, also fondly known as Twixmas on the Isle of Wight, traditionally start on the 25th December and last until the 5th January, and are earmarked for spending time with family.
It’s a time to have fun and enjoy the festivities; however, most of the time, we find ourselves struggling to know what day it is and what to do. So we’ve pulled together a handy guide to enjoying the 12 days of Christmas on the Isle of Wight.
Pop the prosecco (Bucks Fizz for breakfast, right?), get the bird out of the oven, pull a cracker, sit down together as a family and toast to a Merry Christmas. Look forward to spending the rest of the day playing board games, charades and falling asleep in front of the TV – Miracle on 34th Street, Elf and of course, Home Alone are guaranteed family faves.
Visit the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, one of the only attractions open on this day. Board the train for a relaxed winter steam train ride through the Isle of Wight countryside. Take in the woodland walk, explore Train Story and top off the day with a warming drink and a mince pie.
Get the kids out on their new shiny backs, strap on some walking boots and get the dogs lead, a family stroll through the countryside will blow the cobwebs away. Visit one of the Isle of Wight’s pubs – preferably one with a roaring fire. Get comfortable, enjoy a drink and something delicious made from Isle of Wight produce.
Getting crafty with the kids. Get into the kitchen and whip up some unicorn bark… It’s literally melted chocolate with a variety of toppings from marshmallows, Smarties, popping candy, fruit, pretzels… whatever takes your fancy. If the little ones have been given something crafty at Christmas, get settled and spend some quality time together.
Please find our unicorn bark recipe here.
Just because it’s Christmas, go ahead and enjoy another cheese and wine board. You deserve it… The Isle of Wight Cheese Co. and Briddlesford Farm offerings are worth checking out.
We imagine a lot of people will be heading out for New Year’s Eve this year, but if you aren’t why not get creative at home? Prepare canapes for your New Year’s Eve soiree and maybe chuck in a pamper session – it’s the perfect excuse.
Be your own mixologist and channel your inner Tom Cruise with at home cocktails. Whether you’re an espresso martini kind of person or full on fizz bellini you’ll have so much fun discovering this new world. Isle of Wight Distillery are never short of handy cocktail hints.
Starting to think about those resolutions. Maybe not a new year, new you (as you’re pretty amazing already). How about a refreshing you and a little detox from the wine and treats? Clear out those cupboards and stock up on lots of fresh fruit and veg from your local farm shop, such as Farmhouse Fayre, Harvey Browns or The Farm Shop & No. 8 Café. Explore the beautiful Isle of Wight with lots of amazing walks.
Oh put off the diet until you’re back at work. Warm up the January blues with a cup of piping hot chocolate, topped with marshmallows and sprinkles! For a grown-up version, maybe add a shot of something. Why not try one of Chocolate Apothecary’s hot chocolate bags?
Looking to get a bit more exercise? There are plenty of bracing walking routes to explore around the Island. If you’re more of an indoor person, the Isle of Wight has a few gyms or YouTube it in your living room with one of the many free classes on offer.
January blues? Brighten up your day with a tasty breakfast, try scrambled eggs, spinach and fresh tomato or a smoked tomato tortilla from Isle of Wight Tomatoes. Sunshine on a blue January day.
If you haven’t hit the January sales yet, grab a bargain at some of our lovely independent stores across the Isle of Wight. Head to Arreton Barns and explore the shops, artisans and craftspeople. Also, traditionally time to take the decorations down and do the obligatory house cleaning blitz!
