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Accessed from Southampton by ferry, the Isle of Wight can be explored on a day trip but is ideal for an overnight stay, or better still - a complete holiday short break over 3-5 days. It is rapidly gaining in popularity as a sophisticated weekend stay with a plethora of good restaurants, excellent hotels and accommodation choices - and really good beaches.
It is serviced by up to 350 ferry crossings a day, and once you are there, it’s even easier to get around. Only 2 hours from London, ferry routes connect directly with road, rail and coach links to the island, and you can either take a leisurely crossing by
car ferry or catch a high-speed passenger ferry for a swift arrival. If you are not bringing a car with you, once ashore you can take advantage of the Island's comprehensive network of buses, which are especially geared towards visitors.
Popularized from Victorian times as a holiday resort, it is known for its areas of natural beauty and as home to the Royal Yacht Squadron at Cowes, a town that hosts the world famous annual Cowes regatta.
Colloquially, it is known as "The Island" by its residents and it possesses a rich history, and was home to poet Alfred Lord Tennyson and Queen Victoria's much loved summer residence and final home Osborne House.
Its maritime history encompasses boat building and sail making through to the manufacture of flying boats and the world's first hovercraft. It is home to the Isle of Wight Festival which in 1970 was one of the largest Rock music events ever held with estimates reaching 600,000 attendees, overtaking the record set at Woodstock in America a year earlier.
Tourism is the largest industry on the Island as it has a temperate climate, great beaches with all all grades and types of accommodation, and as well as more traditional tourist attractions, the island is also popular with walking or cycling holidays due to its attractive scenery. Almost every town and village on the Island has tourist accommodation with a good choice of hotels, b&b's, inns, beach guest houses, self catering accommodation, hostels and camping sites.
Cowes is the main port and a yachting centre. Cowes Week, one of the world's largest keelboat
(yachting!) regattas, is held here every August, and the Admiral's Cup is raced every two years.
Osborne House, near Cowes, is the mansion built by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert for holidays.
Queen Victoria died there in 1901. Set among 2000 acres it starred in the movie, Mrs Brown and is open
to the public in summer.
Carisbrooke Castle is where King Charles I was detained until his execution in 1649.
The tiny window where he got stuck trying to escape is still there.
Goshill is a very pretty, thatched village south of Newport.
Travel &Transport on the Island
Island roads are well signposted and many have outstanding views. A number of
roads are narrow, so please observe the speed restrictions and look for the
brown signs directing you to attractions. The Island has also has Pay & Display car parking facilities and you can save on these fees by purchasing a Tourist Ticket. These tickets are available for 2,3,4,7 & 14 days are can be purchased from all Tourist Information Centres.
The Island also has a 62 mile cycle-way and 500 miles of walking tracks. Bicycles can be rented at various spots around
the island and cost around10 pounds a day.
Island-wide bus services are operated by Southern Vectis, and great natural views are to be had from the top deck of a double decker bus, which are ideal for for getting about and seeing the Island. Vectis operate a Rover Ticket for 'go-where-you-please unlimited travel for 1 day, 2 days, or 7 days on most Vectis Buses or Island Line Trains.
Island Line trains operate from Ryde Pier to Shanklin, via Ryde Esplanade, Brading, Sandown and Lake. The Isle of Wight Steam Railway connects with Island Line at Smallbrook Station. Rover Tickets can also be used on the Island line trains. Timetable information is available from the National Rail Enquiry line, Tel 08457 484950
Further information is available from the excellent Isle of Wight Tourism Website
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