Menu Live service status Timetables Book a ferry HomeBlog 12 reasons to plan a visit to the mainland 12 reasons to plan a visit to the mainland Mainland , Wightlink By Wightlink19th November 20217 min read It’s a great time for Islanders to plan a visit to the mainland – whether it be a day out Christmas shopping, a winter trip further afield to visit family or planning your summer break for 2022. 1) Discounted travel The top reason for planning a trip to the mainland is our Black Friday sale. Even if you have no plans at all, it pays to book your travel early. Between 26 and 29 November 2021 we’re offering some special deals – giving you a great excuse to organise your next trip. Find out more on our Black Friday page. 2) Gunwharf Quays Christmas Village For the first time ever, a Christmas Village has come to Gunwharf Quays until 2nd January, 2022. Warm your cockles with spiced mulled wine and celebrate the season while you’re Christmas shopping. There are cosy cabin market stalls to explore, an epic Observation Wheel and carousel to ride, and – to keep you refreshed – an Alpine Lodge Bar and Swing Grill serving German bratwurst. With rows of snow-covered trees and giant decorations, you’ll be spoilt for choice with festive selfie spots. Travel to: Portsmouth Portsmouth On Ice Skating Rink in Guildhall Square Portsmouth - 22/12/2019 - _DF72855 (Picture: Vernon Nash) 3) Portsmouth Ice Rink Get your skates on this festive season with Portsmouth On Ice – a real, 646sq m ice rink in Guildhall Square from 27 November 2021 – 9 January 2022. Enjoy an hour session on the ice under cover with twinkling lights and a festive atmosphere. Make the most of your trip to the ice rink and enjoy some hot food and drink at the nearby bars and restaurants, or by taking a short walk to Commercial Road, where the Christmas Market will return for 2021. Travel to: Portsmouth 4) Panto Season You can’t beat a trip to the panto during the festive season. The Kings Theatre’s Jack & The Beanstalk stars Love Island’s Amy Hart and promises a sprinkling of fairy dust over this classic story from 27 Nov 2021 – 2 Jan 2022. The New Theatre Royal plays host to Cinderella from 15 – 31 December 2021. Will the Fairy Godmother and Buttons get Cinders to the ball? Travel to: Portsmouth 5) Christmas at Paultons Park Paultons Park will be transformed into a winter wonderland with lights, decorations, and illuminations from 4 – 23 December 2021. Start your visit with a magical light show, with giant musical Christmas tree coming to life every 15 minutes. Santa will be appearing daily on stage for storytime and his Magical Christmas Wish shows! Peppa and George Pig will also be doing meet and greets in their festive outfits in Peppa Pig World. Travel to: Lymington 6) Mary Rose Museum, Portsmouth 2022 marks the 40th anniversary of the raising of the Mary Rose – an event watched by a global TV audience of more than 60 million people. Of course, the hull is today housed in its very own state-of-the-art museum at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, alongside the largest collection of Tudor artefacts in the world. The raising actually happened in October but the museum is gearing up for a whole year of big events and celebrations to mark that momentous occasion back in 1982. Travel to: Portsmouth 7) Charles Dickens Birthplace On 7 February 2022 Portsmouth will celebrate arguably its most famous ever resident, Charles Dickens. The great Victorian author was born in Portsea 210 years ago this year, so the Charles Dickens’ Birthplace Museum will host an annual celebration featuring readings from members of the Dickens Fellowship. There will also be a host of Private Booking dates at the museum, where your family or small group can have the run of the place for a whole hour – to avoid any need for social distancing. Travel to: Portsmouth Mixed breed rescue, Max barks at Dogstival, a festival for dogs and dog lovers at Burley Park, in the New Forest, Sunday September 6, 2020. The festival which was cancelled in May due to the Covid-19 pandemic, was allowed to go ahead after a number of health and well being measures were put in place. The even continues Sunday. Photograph : Luke MacGregor luke@lukemacgregor.com +44 79 79 74 50 30 8) Dogstival In a brand-new location for 2022, Dogstival takes place on 4–5 June at Broadlands Park on the outskirts of the New Forest near Romsey. Watch world-class dog displays, get your pooch involved with flyball, agility and scent training, hoopers ring or Gundog Village. There’s even a doggy chapel for dog weddings, in case fido finds ‘the one’. Travel to: Lymington 9) Lymington Seafood Festival Just a short walk from the Wightlink port, the Lymington Seafood Festival is a summer staple and takes place from 15–17 July 2022. Expect live music from UK QUEEN and other bands plus delicious food and drink from the best local producers. Travel to: Lymington 10) New Forest and Hampshire County Show This annual three day celebration of food and farming takes place on 26–28 July 2022 in Brockenhurst. Enjoy the entertainment at this iconic show – which is now more than 100 years old – with displays in the Main Ring, a family fun area, lumberjack display teams, forestry demonstrations and a local food market. Travel to: Lymington Opening of Bond in Motion – No Time To Die, a new exhibition featuring the iconic cars, gadgets and costumes from the latest 007 film. The exhibition is at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, Hampshire Picture: Chris Moorhouse Friday 15th October 2021 11) The National Motor Museum The National Motor Museum at Beaulieu will be celebrating 50 years in 2022, so there’s no better time to visit. From the earliest motor carriages to classic family saloons, the museum has one of the finest collections of cars, motorcycles and motoring memorabilia in the world – including the new Bond in Motion – No Time To Die exhibition. The new exhibition gives you a chance to see many of the original vehicles, gadgets and costumes from No Time To Die, against the backdrop of large screens showing action shots from the recently released film. Travel to: Lymington 12) Victorious Festival Southsea’s annual music festival by the sea takes place over the summer Bank Holiday (26 – 28 August 2022). Expect a host of the biggest names in music alongside great family entertainment. Early bird tickets are now available too. Travel to: Portsmouth Wightlink Get the latest updates on social Subscribe to our email newsletter for offers throughout the year, inspiration for your next trip and the latest Wightlink news Email Address Subscribe Community Environment Charities Sponsorship Company About us Why choose us? Careers Media centre Advertise with us Contact us Policies All policies Terms and conditions Privacy policy Product rules Dangerous goods (ADR) Rate us Tripadvisor Reviews Find us on Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn YouTube Our Apps Voice search with Google Home Voice search with Amazon Alexa © 2021 Wightlink Ferries, all rights reserved. We have a undefined star rating on We're rated undefined stars on This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.