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. Top places to visit on the Isle of Wight include Osbourne House, The Needles, Shanklin Theatre and Ventnor Botanic Gardens.
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. Top places to visit on the Isle of Wight include Osbourne House, The Needles, Shanklin Theatre and Ventnor Botanic Gardens.
7 things to do in the Isle of Wight this summer
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Just ten minutes from mainland England via hovercraft, it’s never been easier or quicker to escape to the Isle of Wight - now a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Enjoy an action packed weekend on the island with these must-do summer activities.
Take a bargain break with all the trimmings at Totland
On the west coast of the Isle of Wight, YHA Totland has the beach, heaps of countryside walks and great local attractions on its doorstep.
Location: Totland, 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
Vintage escapes on the Isle of Wight
Spend the weekend in a traditional 1960's bungalow, vintage caravan or other relic.
Location: Isle of Wight, Hampshire
Get lost in Blackgang Chine’s world of imagination
With a surprise round every corner, Britain’s oldest theme park will awaken the imaginations of kids and grown-ups alike.
Location: Blackgang, 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
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
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
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
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
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
Go walking with dinosaurs
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to walk alongside the dinosaurs that once roamed the earth? Well now you can…
Location: Sandown, Isle of Wight
August events: See the world’s biggest sailing regatta
With up to 40 races a day and more than 1,000 boats pulling into harbour, Cowes Week is the sailing spectacular event not to be missed.
Location: Cowes, 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
October events: Get lost in words at the Isle of Wight Literary Festival
Visit the Isle of Wight between 10-13 October for the Isle of Wight Literary Festival, and you can help honour the great literature that was inspired by the island.
Location: Cowes, Isle of Wight
July events: Discover local art at Open Studios Isle of Wight
It’s a rare opportunity to be invited into an artist’s creative space, but in the Isle of Wight, they’re happy to fling open their doors every July for you to come and take a look.
Location: Newport, 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
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
Go on the Taste Round the Island Cycle Route
Enjoy a three to four night cycle tour on quiet country lanes right around the Island, whilst stopping at top quality food and drink “taste locations” on route.
Location: 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
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
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