IT’S BEEN a long old winter, with little let up during the chilly, wet spring. You’d be forgiven for wanting to trudge through airport departures to jet off in search of brighter climes.
But with the cold months behind us, have you overlooked the sunny island that’s right on your doorstep?
The Isle of Wight is the UK’s sunniest place, making it the ideal destination for a short break.
“Havenstreet has a restored Victorian steam railway line”
Sail away
There are up to 140 sailings a day across Wightlink’s three routes. Its ships have excellent facilities, including comfy loungers, pet-friendly areas,
sun decks, and food and drink outlets.
For the best prices, always book direct.
Information about routes, prices and times can be found at wightlink.co.uk
Kids go free
ESCAPE TO THE SUN...
in 22 minutes
It’s full of surprises: dinosaur fossils, Roman villas, a medieval castle where Charles I was imprisoned, an upmarket royal Airbnb, a secret rocket site, a steam railway… and that’s barely scratching the chalk surface.
Wightlink operates an award-winning fleet of six vehicle and passenger ferries across the Solent.
Services run between Portsmouth and Fishbourne or Ryde, and from Lymington to Yarmouth.
There are also two FastCats to take you between Portsmouth and Ryde Pier Head in just 22 minutes.
Day-trippers will enjoy checking out Ryde and Yarmouth.
Ryde boasts the oldest pier in the UK, a long sandy beach at Appley and just five miles away in Havenstreet, there’s a lovely restored Victorian railway line with restored steam trains.
Meanwhile, Yarmouth is a quaint market town full of cobbled streets lined with independent shops, galleries, bars and restaurants.
Venture beyond those two ports and you’ll discover why the Isle of Wight is such an interesting county.
East Wight is the busier side and there is plenty to discover, starting with the coastal towns of Sandown, Bembridge, Brading and Shanklin.
Take the youngsters to the Isle of Wight or mainland for free during the school holidays – find out more at wightlink.co.uk/special-offers/kids-go-free
The annual yacht regatta, Cowes Week, which this year will be held in late July into August, is Europe’s biggest.
No trip to the island is complete without a visit to nearby Osborne, Queen Victoria’s palatial seaside holiday home.
Tour the magnificent royal rooms, walled garden and private beach that’s now open to the public.
For a real treat, book an Airbnb room on the estate and stay for a week.
Shanklin Old Village is home to Instagrammable thatched cottages, small art and craft shops, and delectable tearooms.
From here, a track leads down to Shanklin Chine. Considered the island’s oldest, and best, tourist attraction (fees apply), the pretty tree-lined gorge leads down to a quiet sandy beach and thatched pub.
Shanklin was also the location for Pluto – the Second World War Pipeline Under the Ocean that carried petrol to Allied troops in Normandy post-invasion. You can learn more about it at the Chine visitor centre.
Inland from Sandown, Brading Roman Villa is one of the best Roman sites in the UK, with well-preserved mosaic floors and an extensive collection of archaeological finds.
The south of the island is quieter but its main town, Ventnor, is vibrant, with an independent spirit.
Ventnor Botanic Garden capitalises on the island’s warmer climate, which allows subtropical plants to grow outdoors. There, you’ll find 6,000 species of rare and exotic plants.
Meanwhile, Blackgang Chine, just to the west, is the UK’s oldest amusement park, perfect for family days out.
Cruise up west Wight along the old Military Road to enjoy a fabulous coastal route with great views.
Compton Bay and Brook Chine possess the island’s wildest beaches and best surf.
Towards the west tip, near Freshwater, you’ll find Farringford, the former home of the great Victorian poet laureate Alfred, Lord Tennyson.
Teetering on the headland’s most westerly point is The Needles Old Battery, a striking clifftop fort overlooking The Needles, a string of chalk stacks ending at Needles Lighthouse.
The Battery saw service during both world wars and went on to become the UK’s secret rocket testing station during the Cold War.
Hop on the chairlift down to Alum Bay to join a pleasure cruise around The Needles.
Be sure not to miss the centre of the island. Newport, Wight’s capital, is a smart market town and a good base for a visit.
Caption copy here please
The well-preserved Carisbrooke Castle, on its outskirts, was the island’s key defensive fortification for centuries. King Charles I was imprisoned there before his execution.
Beyond it, you’ll find more picture-book villages like Godshill, where, on first glance, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back a century or two.
On the north coast, facing the Solent, Cowes and its neighbour East Cowes are bustling towns full of cool boutiques and independent eateries.
Fossilised finds
Meet a few older residents at Dinosaur Isle and Brading Roman Villa
Rock of ages
Alum Bay is known for its multi-coloured sandy cliffs
Take a walk Ryde is home to the second-longest pier in the country
Setting sail Wightlink runs 140 crossings a day across three routes
Tea party
Pencil Cottage and Bembridge Harbour are peaceful spots
Chalk it up
The Needles and Alum Bay are picturesque
Great and small
Carisbrooke is much bigger than Godshill Model Village
Kids go free
Take the youngsters to the Isle of Wight or mainland for free during the school holidays – find out more at wightlink.co.uk/special-offers/kids-go-free
Sail away
There are up to 140 sailings a day across Wightlink’s three routes. Its ships have excellent facilities, including comfy loungers, pet-friendly areas,
sun decks, and food and drink outlets.
For the best prices, always book direct.
Information about routes, prices and times can be found at wightlink.co.uk
Ryde boasts the oldest pier in the UK, a long sandy beach at Appley and just five miles away in Havenstreet, there's a lovely restored Victorian railway line with restored steam trains.
Meanwhile, Yarmouth is a quaint market town full of cobbled streets lined with independent shops, galleries, bars and restaurants.
Venture beyond those two ports and you’ll discover why the Isle of Wight is such an interesting county.
East Wight is the busier side and there is plenty to discover, starting with the coastal towns of Sandown, Bembridge, Brading and Shanklin.
“Havenstreet has a restored Victorian steam railway line”
It’s full of surprises: dinosaur fossils, Roman villas, a medieval castle where Charles I was imprisoned, an upmarket royal Airbnb, a secret rocket site, a steam railway… and that’s barely scratching the chalk surface.
Wightlink operates an award-winning fleet of six vehicle and passenger ferries across the Solent.
Services run between Portsmouth and Fishbourne or Ryde, and from Lymington to Yarmouth.
There are also two FastCats to take you between Portsmouth and Ryde Pier Head in just 22 minutes.
Day-trippers will enjoy checking out Ryde and Yarmouth.
IT’S BEEN a long old winter, with little let up during the chilly, wet spring. You’d be forgiven for wanting to trudge through airport departures to jet off in search of brighter climes.
But with the cold months behind us, have you overlooked the sunny island that’s right on your doorstep?
The Isle of Wight is the UK’s sunniest place, making it the ideal destination for a short break.
ESCAPE TO THE SUN...
in 22 minutes
