There are endless things to do on the Isle of Wight. With chalky white towering stacks stretching out into the English Channel, secluded sandy beaches lapped with clear water and looked over from timeless villages, the Isle of Wight is postcard perfect. As soon as you hop off your Solent ferry crossing from the mainland, you see why. You can follow the royal footsteps of Charles I and Henry VIII to the island castles or travel back two millennia to Roman villa ruins. Visit the private beach of Queen Victoria, who would surely have proclaimed “we are not amused” at the fun-loving island's array of festivals covering pop, jazz and sailing. Top places to visit on the isle of white include Osbourne House, The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary, Shanklin Theatre and Bembridge Lifeboat Station.
Isle of Wight
Isle of Wight
There are endless things to do on the Isle of Wight. With chalky white towering stacks stretching out into the English Channel, secluded sandy beaches lapped with clear water and looked over from timeless villages, the Isle of Wight is postcard perfect. As soon as you hop off your Solent ferry crossing from the mainland, you see why. You can follow the royal footsteps of Charles I and Henry VIII to the island castles or travel back two millennia to Roman villa ruins. Visit the private beach of Queen Victoria, who would surely have proclaimed “we are not amused” at the fun-loving island's array of festivals covering pop, jazz and sailing. Top places to visit on the isle of white include Osbourne House, The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary, Shanklin Theatre and Bembridge Lifeboat Station.
Accommodation and attractions in Isle of Wight
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Discover dinosaur footprints on the beach
Everyone who has been to the beach has seen footprints left in the sand, but have you ever seen ones that have been left by a dinosaur?
Location: Brook, Isle of Wight
See an Island from the air
Enjoy the view that most visitors to the Isle of Wight miss every year by seeing it from the skies on a paragliding trip.
Location: Yarmouth, Isle of Wight
Dinner at the Duver
Looking for a relaxing picnic spot to watch the world go by? Head to the former Victorian golf course at St Helen’s Duver.
Location: St Helens, Isle of Wight
Visit the Diamond Isle
Enjoy a 10 min trip on the Needles Park Chairlift and go dinosaur hunting.
Location: Isle of Wight
Catch some sun on a royal beach
Queen Victoria chose the Isle of Wight as her favourite holiday destination, and now you can see why with a trip to her private beach.
Location: East Cowes, Isle of Wight
Goodleaf Tree Climbing
Take to the trees with Goodleaf and get a different perspective of the Isle of Wight.
Location: Ryde, Isle of Wight
Visit the remains of the grandest house on the Isle of Wight
Take a trip round Appuldurcombe House which was bombed during the Second World War.
Location: Wroxall, Isle of Wight
August events: Isle of Wight Garlic Festival
Did you know garlic is not just useful for scaring off vampires, but can also be used to make beer and popcorn? Find out how at the Isle of Wight Garlic Festival.
Location: Newchurch, Isle of Wight
Holiday in a treehouse
If you are looking for an adventurous escape with no compromise in comfort then it’s time you took to the trees.
Location: Wootton, Isle of Wight
July events: Enjoy music from around the globe at Rhythmtree Festival
Rhythmtree Festival on the Isle of Wight offers hippy food and happy faces, along with top global music stars for festival-goers of all ages.
Location: Shalfleet, Isle of Wight
Learn to sail, windsurf or canoe on the Isle of Wight
Your kids can take to the high seas and windsurf, canoe and sail their way around the 65 miles of the island’s spectacular coastline.
Location: Isle of Wight
Embark on a beginners cycle tour on The Red Squirrel Trail
Looking for your first car free, overnight cycle tour on a beginner’s route? The Red Squirrel Trail is the perfect multi day family cycle adventure, and is mostly on car free rail trail.
Location: Isle Of Wight
Trip-trap along the troll’s trail
This family-friendly cycle and walking path encompasses an exciting trail of artwork, sculpture and trolls under bridges.
Location: Newport, Isle of Wight
Take a trip through an inspiring chine
The leafy gorge of Shanklin Chine is lined with rare plants, wildlife and waterfalls and makes for a magical walk day or night.
Location: Shanklin, Isle of Wight
Explore the former holiday home of Queen Victoria
Spend a summer’s day strolling through the Italianate gardens and exploring the stunning rooms of Osborne House.
Location: Isle of Wight
Lose yourself in England’s hottest garden
Experience the Isle of Wight’s incredible microclimate first hand with a startling subtropical and exotic plant collection at Ventnor Botanic Gardens.
Location: Ventnor, Isle of Wight
Deckchairs, pirates and runaway trains at Shanklin seafront
Shanklin seafront has loads to keep the kids quiet and plenty of places for adults to take it easy.
Location: Shanklin, Isle of Wight
Get writing at The Grange
Are you the next Raymond Carver ready to boil down the minutiae of every day life into the shortest of stories?
Location: Shanklin, Isle of Wight
Step back to the Summer of Love at the Isle of Wight Festival
See some of the biggest names in the business from the past, present and future at this legendary music festival in June.
Location: Newport, Isle of Wight
Enjoy a picnic in the woods that’s by the sea and a fort
Fort Victoria Country Park is a walk and picnic spot with visitor attractions, woods, and a beach thrown in.
Location: Yarmouth, Isle of Wight
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