Having achieved county status after years of being lumped in with Hampshire, the Isle of Wight still has difficulty in shaking off its image as a mere adjunct of rural southern England - comfortably off, scrupulously tidy and desperately unadventurous. Yet the island, which measures less than 23 miles at its widest point, packs a surprising variety of landscapes and coastal scenery within its bounds. North of the chalk ridge that runs across its centre, the terrain is low-lying woodland and pasture, deeply cut by meandering rivers, while southwards is open chalky downland fringed by high cliffs. Two Heritage Coast paths follow the best of the shoreline, while several historic buildings and a splendid array of well-preserved Victoriana provide added interest. Chief of these is Osborne House, near Cowes, originally designed as a summer retreat for Victoria and the royal family, later the queen's permanent home after Albert died. The Isle of Wight is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing break, at any time of year. For the energetic, there are plenty of sports facilities, including windsurfing, sailing and paragliding. And for those who prefer to unwind & explore, there's much to discover.
By Car: : Island roads are well signposted and many have outstanding views. A number of roads are narrow, so please observe the speed restrictions. If you’re heading for attractions, follow the brown signs.
By Bus: : The island has an excellent (by the standards of a rural area) bus service run by Southern Vectis.
By Rail: : There is a single public service railway line on the island, running from Ryde Pier Head (connections with Portsmouth ferry) to Shanklin and Sandown. It is run by Island Line.
By Ferry: : With up to 350 crossings a day, it’s simple to get to the Isle of Wight by ferry. Services run from Portsmouth, Southampton and Lymington. If you’re travelling on foot, the Portsmouth to Ryde passenger only service offers the best option.
For a place that measures only 23 miles by 13 miles, there’s no arguing that the Isle of Wight is blessed with an amazing number of interesting places. The Isle of Wight has over 60 attractions with plenty to do come rain or shine! There are fun parks with thrilling rides, animal and bird sanctuaries, carnivals and festivals to delight visitors of all ages. Wherever you go on the Isle of Wight you will see evidence of a fascinating past, going back to the time of the dinosaurs. Roman villas, medieval castles, historic houses and exhibitions reflect life in a bygone age. No holiday is complete without a visit to Queen Victoria’s favourite seaside home, the magnificent Osborne House, given to the nation by King Edward V11. The Isle of Wight has a number of lively festivals and events which take place throughout the year, in and around the centre of the Island. The residents of the Isle of Wight like to party and the extensive calendar of festivals and events include lively street fairs, carnivals, parades and numerous sporting events throughout the Island.
Main Attractions
Cowes Week (annually, first week of August)
The 8 day regatta of sailing and yacht racing is one of the world's largest and most famous and over 8,000 sailors competing day-in day-out.
Isle of Wight Festivals
Lively festivals and events take place throughout the year, in and around the centre of the Island.
Isle of Wight Beaches
With 25 miles of clean and unspoilt beaches, these have always been one of the major tourist attractions on the Isle of Wight.
Osborne House (East Cowes)
The Palace where Queen Victoria spent most of her holidays (as featured in the film Mrs Brown).
Isle of Wight Needles (near Alum Bay, West Wight)
One of the island's most spectacular natural landmarks and consist of three huge towers of chalky rock jutting out from the sea.
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