Whether exploring in summer or winter, night or day, the great outdoors or inside a cosy pub, there are so many ways to fit more into your visit to the Isle of Wight. Here are just some of them…
Visit the Isle of Wight and leave the stress of baggage limits, lengthy queues and passport hunts behind. Just over an hour from London is Southampton, your gateway to the Island. Sail here with Red Funnel from just £25.50 each way, for a car packed with up to seven people, kayaks, bikes, paddleboards, tents, the dog… whatever you need to fit more into your holiday. The journey across to East Cowes takes just one hour, but you’ll feel a whole world away. Travelling on foot or with a bike? Take the Hi-Speed Red Jet service into Cowes and arrive in just 28 minutes.
With over half the Island designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, there’s an abundance of year-round scenery and, with that, endless things to do. Plus, there aren’t any motorways here, so you can quite literally go at a slower pace and reconnect with what really matters. Walking and cycling are two of the most popular activities, with 800km of footpaths and well-signposted routes offering countryside and coastal views alike. Hop aboard the majestic 19th-century steam train at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway and trundle through rolling landscapes.
Alternatively, hit the water – whether that be kayaking, swimming or boat tours – to discover another side to the Island. With boutique hotels such as North House in Cowes, quirky self-catering options such as helicopter stays at Windmill Farm in Newport and wild camping at Camp Wight in Yarmouth, you’ll be treated to incredible views from dusk to dawn.
The Isle of Wight is more than just a bucket-and-spade destination. Stay cool during the summer months by kayaking along Alum Bay or pack up the bicycle (or hire one) and whizz along cycling routes sweeping through picturesque villages. Witness the colourful transformation of the seasons at Appuldurcombe House, with rolling grounds designed by Capbaility Brown becoming a riot of colour.
There are some winter strolls worth wrapping up for; a 12.8km route between East Cowes and Ryde sees you take in historic ruins along the way and make sure you end your walk at one of many inviting pubs. Come spring, birdwatchers in Newtown might spot Mediterranean gulls, waders and terns. The Island is one of the few UK destinations that has received UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Status, meaning that human impact hasn’t heavily affected the landscape and the wildlife that lives there.
There’s an abundance of fresh produce to tuck into here. For local-caught fish and seafood expect season-changing menus of lobster, seabass and prawns at the likes of the Best Dressed Crab, Smoking Lobster and The Hut. The Garlic Farm’s shop offers garlic-infused products from ice cream to beer, while Adgestone Vineyard gives visitors the chance to watch (and taste) how their wines are produced on-site. Visit the Isle of Wight Distillery where you can listen to informal talks about the distillery visible behind a glass display, all while sipping gins, rums and vodkas. All of these local products are easily found on menus across the Island but the best way to make the most of them is by packing a picnic of local mushrooms, garlic-infused chutneys, tomatoes, cheese and fresh crab baguettes. Spread out a blanket at a one of many scenic spots on the Isle of Wight and you’re ready to tuck into your fresh and local feast.
Whether you want to go dinosaur fossil hunting on Compton Bay, walk in the footsteps of royalty or discover iconic landmarks steeped in legend and heritage, the Isle of Wight is jam-packed with history. A stroll along West Cowes’ promenade, for example, leads to the Royal Yacht Squadron, one of the oldest and most prestigious sailing clubs in the world. In East Cowes there’s no missing Osborne House, Queen Victoria’s former family holiday home, where you can take a sneak-peak inside the private apartments, state rooms and ornate gardens.
The Island is also renowned for its iconic Isle of Wight Festival; its 1970 instalment saw 600,000 festival-goers flock to the quaint Island to watch the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Joni Mitchell. Today, it still attracts over 60,000 revellers with world famous acts such as Muse, The Killers and Fleetwood Mac all performing. For a nod to this legendary festival, visit the underrated Dimbola Lodge (near Tennyson Down) which not only documents the life of Victorian photographer Julia Margaret Cameron but features a guitar-playing Jimi Hendrix statue out front.
Red Funnel offers the most convenient way to make your Island dreams come true. Pack up your passions and fit more into your Island escape, a unique destination whatever the weather and just an hour from Southampton. Book your accommodation and ferry together through Red Funnel Holidays and you’ll receive a 25% discount, freeing up time and funds for you to focus on what really matters.
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