The Little Gem In The South

The Isle of Wight is a diamond shaped island just off the south coast of England, reached by ferry or boat from the UK mainland. I always think the Isle of Wight is a magical place and it stole our hearts when we first visited years ago and we’re not alone. It’s been a favourite place for holidaymakers and loved by visitors for many years, including royalty. Queen Victoria and her husband, Prince Albert built a family home on the island during her reign. Osborne House and grounds is open to the public and in my opinion is one of the finest examples of English Heritage’s Country homes.

HOW TO GET THERE

There are 2 car ferry companies serving the island, Wightlink and Red Funnel. It takes approximately 35-50 mins to cross the stretch of water known as The Solent, depending on the route selected. The ferry companies also run passenger only catamaran ferries. Trains connect with the Isle of Wight ports on the UK mainland and include Lymington Pier (for ferries to Yarmouth) Portsmouth (for car ferries to Fishbourne or passenger only ferry to Ryde ), Southampton (for car ferries to East Cowes and there’s a passenger only ferry to Cowes ) . The ferries offer free Isle of Wight magazine guides on board so it’s worth picking one up one of these before disembarking as it’s a great source of what the island has to offer. Visit Isle of Wight is also a great source of information. www.visitisleofwight.co.uk

THE MAGIC OF THE WIGHT

The Magic It’s hard to put your finger on but there’s something special about the island. Surrounded by water, with many walking and cycling trails, country inns, quaint villages and towns, there’s lots to see. It’s great in the summer when the weather is a little kinder and is well known for being the sunniest place in the UK. The island has lots to offer throughout the year, with many events that suit a wide range of tastes, from walking, cycling and dedicated festivals like the renowned Isle of Wight music festival as well as other music events.

THE SEASONS

Although summer is the warmest time to visit, spring is beautiful with wild daffodils growing on the side of roads and it feels like the island is opening up for the spring and summer seasons. Winter can often bring bright days that are great for outdoor adventures. Autumn is a good time for a break and visit a cosy, welcoming pub after a long walk. As an island there are water sports on offer during warmer months from sailing to paddle boarding, kayaking and surfing. Although, there are likely to be rainy days, there’s plenty to lifts spirits even when the weather might not be the best.

TRAVELLING AROUND

As it’s only 36 x 22 kilometres, it’s easy to travel around by car and wheeled transport is recommended to see the best of what the island has to offer. There are plenty of beaches, small towns and pretty villages to visit and great places to stay and inns and restaurants to tempt the taste buds. There’s something for everyone and children will have a great time. When I mention the Isle of Wight, people often say, oh I remember going there when I was young. It’s a destination that offers so much. For children and teenagers there’s Blackgang Chine theme park, The Needles Park , The Wildheart Animal Sanctuary and Robin Hill country park. It’s also a dog friendly island where many places welcome four-legged friends to stay and dogs are very often allowed in pubs and restaurants.

FOOD AND DRINK

For foodies, there are some fantastic choices to suit different tastes. There’s an app called www.dinewight.co.uk that’s helpful. Some of the local produce including tomatoes, local cheeses, garlic from the Isle of Wight Garlic farm are all worth trying. The Isle of Wight Garlic Farm is a popular destination to visit with a restaurant, an educational walk in the fields and a visitor centre where they explain all about garlic and sell chutneys and sauces and various goods to take home. Some of the local towns include Yarmouth, Colwell, Freshwater Bay in the West, Ventnor and Sandown in the South, Cowes and Ryde in the north and Bembridge in the East. The main town on the island is Newport.  

If you‘d like to know more about the Isle of Wight or are looking to holiday here do get in touch and see if we can help you .

angiemee@designertravel.co.uk