This page is dedicated to The Isle of Wight.
I live here and I love it. It's magical.
If I was going to talk about the Isle of Wight I'd have to think hard about where to start. It's wonderful, it's beautiful and it's magical. If anyone is considering taking a holiday here, you really, really should.
Think of golden, sandy beaches; little bays and coves, harbours and piers. Wild, unspoilt beauty, and thatched cottages and tearooms. Natural beauty in abundance, and plenty for children to do. If you like animals, look no further. You'll see plenty here at one spot or another. If you're fond of history, we have an interesting abundance of it here.
You can walk for miles along coastlines or inland off the beaten track. There are books you can buy which show several routes of varying distances. By following these routes on foot you'll be able to appreciate the stunning scenery we have. If walking seems too strenuous don't worry because you can easily travel around the island by car or bus and see so very much.
Just listen to this. It's fabulous.
I'm sure you've heard of The Needles. They don't need an introduction, but the scenery around Alum Bay is breathtaking and it's well worth visiting them. You can go on the chair-lift down to the beach if you wish, or maybe you'd like to watch live demonstrations of glass-making. You could browse in the gift shops or have lunch and there's plenty for the children to do.
You can see the hovercraft at Ryde as it arrives from Southsea. The journey only takes ten minutes so you could go shopping for the day in Portsmouth before returning in time for tea. The fast cat leaves from the end of the pier, and the ferry departs from Fishbourne just along the coast. You'll be able to see it passing by if you're standing along the sea front at Ryde. Oh, and watch out for all those luxury liners taking their passengers to holiday distinations afar. Ryde has a beautiful sandy beach and a harbour. There's lots of individual shops and plenty of restaurants and bars.
Ryde Harbour
I can't talk about the island without mentioning Sandown and Shanklin. They both have lovely sandy beaches and you can walk between them along the promanade if you want to. Shanklin old village has delightful thatched shops, restaurants and inns and is really pretty. Shanklin has a beautiful chine through which you can walk down to the beach; you could also use the lift down to the sea front if the hills are a bit steep.
Sandown sea front has hotels and bars overlooking the lovely beach, a pier, and lots of shops to visit. You can have a ride on an open - top bus around the island too. There's a zoo where you can see white tigers and themed parks for children. Everywhere you go you'll see plenty of tea rooms and cafes so you'll be spoilt for choice. Look along to the left of you when looking out to sea and you'll see Culver Cliffs and if you take a drive up to Culver down, you'll be able to see for miles around you and from being so high up, you'll be able to see Sandown and Shanklin laid out below you. Just stunning. Have a look at the website below for more information about the island.
www.isleofwightattractions.co.uk
Sandown Beach Looking Towards Culver Cliffs
Yarmouth is a port on the western side of the island where the ferry arrives from Lymington. It is a quaint town with a pier and individual shops, cafes and inns. It is a very pretty area to visit. Colwell Bay is nearby and is an ideal spot to visit. It is situated between The Needles and Yarmouth and has a lovely sandy beach. Totland is another area close - by. Godshill is a very pretty village with lots of thatched cottages, shops and restaurants. All Saints church is one of the most photographed churches in the UK and is the largest medieval church on the island. For a chocolate box setting, this takes some beating.
Bonchurch is another very pretty village as is Brighstone. The island is full of villages to visit. Why not try Calbourne with its Winkle Street and water mill, or Bembridge with its windmill and harbour. You can visit the waxworks or the Roman Villa at Brading. Or perhaps visit Newport for shopping. Arreton Barns is an experience not to miss with plenty to see. Along the south coast, why not drive through pretty villages such as Shorwell, Niton or Brooke. St. Catherine's lighthouse is not far from there, or perhaps the children would like to visit Blackgang Chine. You can find out more about all these attractions by visiting:
www.isleofwighttouristguide.com
Of course we have many more attractions such as Amazon World or the Flamingo Park. The list of things to do is endless. We also have many events throughout the year such as The Isle of Wight Festival and The Bestival which is held later in the year. We have a Forties Weekend, Scooter Rallies, Classic Car Events and so much more.
Ventnor Seafront
Ventnor is a town along the south of the island and again it has many individual shops and many cafes, bars and restaurants along the sea front. You can walk along to Steephill Cove. Ventnor has the stunning Botannical Gardens which are set on the site of the Royal National Hospital for Diseases which was demolished in 1969 after the elimination of tuberculosis. Another well - known area is Cowes. Everyone has heard of Cowes Week. This is when Cowes really comes alive with all the colourful yachts. It really is worth a visit and the town has lots of individual shops and restaurants.
Sandown Beach
What about some famous names that are associated with the Isle of Wight?
Did you know that Tennyson lived here at Farringford House for forty years. At the moment it is a hotel. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert lived at Osborne House in East Cowes. You can visit the house and grounds and also see the Swiss Cottage which was built in the grounds for the children. Charles Dickens stayed at Bonchurch and wrote much of "David Copperfield" whilst he was living there. Elgar honeymooned here and stayed in Ventnor. John Keates lived in Shanklin and J. B. Priestley lived here too. Julia Margaret Cameron the photographer, lived at Dimbola Lodge in Freshwater and you can visit the museum there.
Anthony Minghella, the late absolutely brilliant director and screenwriter came from Ryde. His career was outstanding and he won many awards including 1997 Academy Award for Best Director For The English Patient. Amongst others, he won awards for directing The Talented Mr Ripley and Best Adapted Screenplay of Cold Mountain. He is very sadly missed.
As you can see the Isle of Wight has provided much inspiration for many talented individuals over the years, and it still does today. Many people have decided to come and live here. As we're positioned in the south, we have an enviable sunshine record. It really does feel like being on holiday all year round. If you do decide to visit, I know you'll enjoy every minute of your holiday and you'll go home with pleasant memories.
Are you fascinated by ghosts? Click here. Do you love reading spooky stories? Well, how about reading true stories about events that actually happened on the island, related by islanders and visitors. Our island is very haunted. We have haunted manor houses, old inns and hotels. Haunted lanes and villages, and spooky gardens. Oh, so many ghosts, and we even have guided ghost walks.
Local author Gay Baldwin has written several brilliant books filled with spooky goings - on around the island, in past and present times. It's fascinating to look at the photographs and to actually know the parts of the island where these things occured. Of course, some of the old houses have long - since gone, but some things remain today. Would you like a taste of all things ghoulish? To find out more about these wonderful books and to discover some island history, click below.
Isle of Wight Zoo
Why not visit the Isle of Wight Zoo which is situated in Sandown? If you love animals it's well worth a visit. You can see tigers, lions, lemurs and monkeys. Not to mention leopards, snakes and lizards. This award - winning zoo has the largest collection of tigers in Britain and provides an educated experience for children and adults alike. It gives children the opportunity to see animals they perhaps have only read about, and to learn something about how they survive in the wild.
You can rest and have refreshments in the Zootique Cafe and maybe look for some gifts to take home in the Zootique Shop. Oh, and before you go home, you'll want to take a peek inside where there's a collection of reptiles, arachnids and insects. Does the word "arachnid" send shivers down your spine? Well, take a look and learn more about these fascinating creatures. Get to understand them a bit more and see them in a different light!
To find out more about the Isle of Wight Zoo, and what a great animal experience it is visit
You're welcome to click on the links below for more details of The Isle of Wight or Isle of Wight related things.
www.isleofwighttouristguide.com
www.isleofwightattractions.co.uk