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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For more comprehensive listings on where to stay, things to do and holiday ideas
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
Kayak around The Needles rocks and lighthouse
How would you like to get up close and personal with one of the Isle of Wight’s most iconic landmarks?
Location: Freshwater, 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
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
Celebrate all things garlic at the 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 Garlic Festival.
Location: Newchurch, 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Join the arts takeover of a seaside town
Inspired by the famous Edinburgh event, the Ventnor Fringe brings all varieties of arts to the Isle of Wight.
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
Celebrate the written & spoken word at the Literary Festival
You can spend a whole weekend in October honouring the great literature that was inspired on the island.
Location: Cowes, 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
Visit the Diamond Isle
Enjoy a 10 min trip on the Needles Park Chairlift and go dinosaur hunting.
Location: Isle of Wight
Head to the Isle of Wight for Festival of the Sea
For nine days, you'll be spoiled for choice as the island serves up a wide range of sea-related activities.
Location: 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
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