The Isle of Wight has long been an excellent place for an upmarket but traditional seaside holiday, and has a number of individual beaches and towns that were very popular with the Victorians. However, it is also becoming a must visit destination for young people seeking watersports and outdoor activities generally . Cowes is a famous yachting centre and attracts the 'London set' together with members of the worldwide sailing fraternity during Cowes Week [http://www.skandiacowesweek.co.uk/] in August. The island has a similar atmosphere to Guernsey or Jersey yet is much closer and is three times the size. Despite being only 15 miles across the sea from Southampton or 6 miles from Portsmouth it is a world apart in terms of scenery, culture and pace of life. Known as England In Miniature it offers an incredible amount of variety with the landscape changing dramatically in the space of a few miles and each town and village offering something different. Beaches are fantastic and the water quality is good. Historically the local economy has moved from being dependent on smuggling and farming to tourism with the coming of the railways. There is in addition considerable light engineering and yacht building. The local newspaper is the Isle of Wight County Press, which has an incredible 90% readership, which is published from Newport every Friday. Any event will be advertised here. There are car boot sales nearly every day in the Summer advertised here.
Access to the island is across the Solent, a stretch of sea between the UK mainland and the island, by regular ferry, hovercraft or fast-cat from the mainland. Many of the ferries carry cars, but this can be expensive, the alternative is to travel by foot passenger and use buses and trains on the island but this will limit access to more rural locations and beaches. Car ferry travel tickets are for car plus four passengers and depending on the size of your party, bringing a car may actually work out cheaper than the passenger ferry. Hovercraft and fast cat fares are comparable, but the Hovercraft does not run very late and does not connect as easily with the trains. Crossing time to the island is as follows.
The major ferry routes are:
Whilst on the ferry remember to pick up a free guide of things to do and if possible another of places to eat. These are updated twice a year and give useful information and phone numbers.
Thanks to a southerly latitude and sheltered location, many parts of the Isle of Wight enjoy a very mild and sunny climate. The south-east of the island in particular is known for its high sunshine records and warm air. In winter, frost is rather rare. As at May 2008, the warmest month of the year so far was May with an average high of 20C (68F) and the coolest was January with an average high of 10C (50F) and the warmest day of the year enjoyed a high of 27C (81F). However, June to September are the warmest months. [http://www.isleofwightweather.co.uk/2007_data.htm]
The island has is covered by a wide but expensive bus service (by the standards of a rural area) run by '''Southern Vectis''' [http://www.islandbuses.info], including spectacular open-top services in West Wight and near Ryde. The network is due to be improved further between 2006-8 due to a takeover by the '''Go-Ahead'''[http://www.go-ahead.co.uk/] group.
Additonal buses are run by Wightbus - run by the IoW County Council but do not have actual timetable information on their website as such. Buses run to Ventnor, Havenstreet and Brading. Their timetables can be found at '''Traveline'''[http://www.traveline.org.uk/] (official UK timetabling service) or '''iw-paths.cjb.net'''[http://home.codepad.net/~david/wightbus]. Day & week rover tickets available which also include travel on the Island Line
There is a single public service railway line on the island, with a limited service running from Ryde Pier Head (''connections with Portsmouth ferry'') to Sandown, for local bus service to '''Dinosaur Isle'''[http://www.dinosaurisle.com/], and Shanklin, for connecting buses to Ventnor. It is run by '''Island Line''' [http://www.island-line.co.uk/], and through tickets can be booked from any manned UK station.
Cycling on the Island is a fantastic way to get around and keep green. The Island has over 200 miles of cycle ways much of which can be enjoyed by families off road. Major Trails to note are 'The Sunshine Trail' which incorporates Sandown, Shanklin, Godshill and Wroxhall in a 12 mile circular route. 'The Troll Trail' Which leads from Cowes to Sandown or visa versa (90% off road) approx 13 miles either way and 'Round the Island Cycle Route' which circumnavigates the Island on a reported 62 mile ride (not for the amatuer or faint hearted). Cycles can be brought to the Island by foot passengers on any of the car ferries. Hire cycles are also available[http://www.isleofwighthire.co.uk].
Visit Ventnor Botanic Garden - the South Coast of the Island has a warm micro-climate allowing palms, banana trees and cactus to flourish, even in private gardens. It is regularly used by TV and film makers when locations like the South of France are required, in productions like Lady Chatterley's Lover. Much of the road network in the South passes through the lush flora and fauna of an area called the landslip which offers spectacular sea views between Ventnor and Niton.
The Isle of Wight is- according to National Geographic Magazine- the 4th best location for dinosaurs in the World. Fossil walks can be booked from Dinosaur Isle Museum at Sandown or the Fossil Shop at Blackgang Chine. Walk from Freshwater Bay to the Needles Battery over Tennyson Down. Fantastic views over the west Wight and western Solent.
From May to September the weather is often bright and warm, making a visit to some of the Island's beaches a good idea. Favourites:
The Isle of Wight has over 60 miles of beach to explore throughout the year. The coast by Osborne House and King's Quay is private and around Newtown Ranges is MoD land
In 2007, Blue Flag status was given to the beaches at Ryde East, Sandown and Shanklin for achieving the highest quality in water, facilities, safety, environmental education and management. Some 13 other Isle of Wight beaches were given Seaside Awards for above average water quality. ENCAMS environmental charity recommends the best 73 beaches in England, of which 11 are in the Isle of Wight. Some of these are subjective, such as "best for a nice seaside stroll", and if anything this is an underestimate.
Walking is promoted by an annual Walking Festival. There is an extensive network of footpaths and bridle ways. The Ordnance Survey 50,000 scale Landranger map is half IOW and half in Hampshire, but the 25,000 explorer map is the same price and only covers the Island. Their are a number of "long distance trails" of which the coastal path is the longest at approximately 73 miles. www.wight-cam.co.uk/index.htm gives details and photos of hundreds of walks.
The Isle of Wight has many country pubs selling food and local real ale. Adgestone Vineyard produces white wine which is used in Government state banquets when English wine is required to show off to foreign diplomats etc.
Historically the local breweries were Mews, Langton at Newport and Burts at Ventnor. Most of the ex-Mews pubs were taken over by Whitbread, but local breweries have re-opened as Ventnor Brewery, Goddards and Yates. There are a few Gales pubs such as the Castle in Ryde.
Isle of Wight tap water is generally very good for making tea. Bottled mineral water is produced under the name "Wight Spring" from Whitwell, where it was formerly a holy well.
Country Pubs with Food - The Hare & Hounds near Newport is something of an institution but has become rather oversized by unsightly back extensions. The White Lion at Arreton provides a good alternative. Nearby is The Dairyman's Daughter in the Craft Centre.
The Fighting Cocks on the Newport Road holds a boot sale in the car park in summer
The Crown Inn in Shorwell has fishponds and doves in its garden.
However, if you want a pub with a stunning sea views and freshly cooked seafood try the Crab and Lobster Inn in Bembridge
There is a Travel Lodge at Newport. There are hotels at all budget levels, see [http://www.isle-of-wight-hotels.info]. The Isle of Wight Tourist Board maintains a vacancy list. There are a number of farms that provide accommodation and holiday cottages. Holiday cottages are often quite difficult to book late and relatively expensive compared with the rest of England. Many pubs also provide accommodation. Saturday night in Newport Town Centre is apt to be quite rowdy and not a good place to sleep near.
Budget - "Xoron" is a houseboat converted from a wartime gun-boat. It is moored at Bembridge Harbour.
Top range - Bembridge Coast Hotel, Priory Bay Hotel (St.Helens), Farringford [Totland}.
Farms- Newnham Farm, near Ryde.
Pubs - The Crab and Lobster Inn has 5 B&B rooms, some with wonderful sea views and has a 4 star AA rating
The Meadows is a family run B&B, it is virtually a home from home and is conveniently located close to Newport Town centre. The Meadows offers plentiful extras including a complimentary mini bottle of wine on arrival.