Isle of Wight Holiday Tourist Guide

Isle of Wight Tourist Information

The Isle of Wight lies in the English Channel just off the Hampshire coastline across the Solent. It has been subject of several invasions during history from the Romans, then the Saxons who claimed it as part of the Kingdom of Wessex, the Vikings and then the Normans who established grand forts like Carisbrooke Castle near Newport. Henry VIII extended his defences to the Isle of Wight with the construction of Yarmouth Castle as well as forts at East and West Cowes and Sandown. However, it is probably Queen Victoria that is most associated with the Isle of Wight after she bought and rebuilt Osborne House in East Cowes. Initially it was used as a summer retreat for her and Prince Albert but which, after his death, became her favoured residence in the whole country.

The Isle of Wight is much like England in miniature with a diverse range of landscapes from the chalk downland ridge that runs across the island to the soft cliffs and sandy beaches in the south of the island and around Shanklin in East Wight. West Wight is largely rural with the downland ridge ending in a spectacular coastline of chalk cliffs particularly at Alum Bay and The Needles. The north of the island is most famous for being the hub for sailing competitions during the annual Cowes Week. The highest point on the Isle of Wight is St Boniface Down above Ventnor which reaches a height of 241 metres and was a particular favourite of Charles Dickens when he visited the island in1845.

The Isle of Wight has long been a popular holiday centre attracting people from all over the country. Several famous people have visited and made it their home including Alfred Lord Tennyson who bought a cottage overlooking Freshwater Bay in 1858 and is believed to have written 'The Charge of the Light Brigade' on the Island and 'Crossing the Bar' on his journey between his home and the mainland. Jane Austen visited the island in June 1813 and was where one of her brothers lived for some time. She also mentions the Isle of Wight in Mansfield Park.

The following pages include details of attractions in the main towns of the Isle of Wight and you can pick up local maps and guides from tourist information offices on the island. There are plenty of tourist information centres at Cowes, Newport, Ryde, Sandown, Shanklin and Yarmouth. For general information and enquiries contact: 01983 813818. Email: info@islandbreaks.co.uk.

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Ryde Tourist Guide Isle of Wight Portsmouth to Ryde Ferry

Ryde is one of the main gateways into the Isle of Wight with its regular ferry and hovercraft crossings from Portsmouth on the Hampshire mainland. It makes a good start to your exploration of the island with its long sandy beach for relaxing and a whole host of attractions nearby.

Ryde itself has a long sandy beach that is popular with families. Alongside there are plenty of attractions to keep the whole family entertained including ten pin bowling, amusement park and marina. The main events in the town are the carnivals with Ryde being home of the oldest carnival in the country.

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Sandown Tourist Guide Isle of Wight Family Attractions Isle of Wight Zoo Dinosaur Isle

Sandown is the centre for family summer seaside holidays. It's sandy beach means that it's always popular when the sun is shining. When it's not, there's plenty of other attractions such as at Sandown Pier.

Sandown is an excellent location for a family holiday. Alongside all the beach attractions and amusements there are several family friendly large attractions. If you've been a fan of Tiger Island then you'll love visiting the Isle of Wight Zoo. This is where Tiger Island was filmed and includes the Big Cat Sanctuary.

If you want to find out more about prehistoric animals then Dinosaur Isle is the place for you. Not only are there life sized models of dinosaurs but there are also fossils and more information about the geology of the Isle of Wight.

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Shanklin Tourist Guide Isle of Wight Shanklin Chine Tourist Attractions

Shanklin has been at the heart of the Isle of Wight's tourism since the Victorian's popularised the island for holidays. The old village with its thatched cottages is always popular and where you can access Shanklin Chine.

The Chine leads down to the beach at Shanklin. It's a shaded wooded walk with several attractions at the bottom. Shanklin beach is also a big draw. It's popular for both swimming and watersports and there are hotels, cafes and amusements along the Esplanade.

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Central Isle of Wight Tourist Guide Newport Godshill

The central part of the Isle of Wight is dominated by open countryside and traditional villages. Newport, the island's county town, is the main focal point for high street shopping and entertainment. In the past it was a centre for commerce as goods were brought up and stored at Newport Quay and its warehouses. These days the warehouses have been modernised to house arts centres like Quay Arts. The Quay is more often populated by pleasure craft who can sail from the Solent up the River Medina right into the town.

Around Newport there are several attractions notably Carisbrooke Castle which has played an important historic role in the defence of the island. There is also a museum on the site that traces the history of the Isle of Wight. For a different museum attraction head north of Newport to find the Postal Museum, a private collection of post boxes since they were introduced. Around Newport some of the island's biggest music festivals take place like the fancy dress attired dance festival, Bestival or the revived Isle of Wight Festival. For more traditional attraction Godshill is your archetypical English country village with thatched cottages and cosy pubs.

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Ventnor Tourist Guide Isle of Wight Beach Holiday Blackgang Chine Theme Park

Ventnor is the most southerly seaside resort on the Isle of Wight. It's sheltered position beneath the towering St Boniface Downs all around give you a hot and sunny beach below the steeply terraced town. It's got everything within a short distance, countryside walks, family and beach-side attractions, botanic gardens with exotic plants from around the world and the Winter Gardens for shows, comedy and panoramic views of the bay.

Blackgang Chine is one of the most famous places on the Isle of Wight. It conjures up images of smugglers secreting goods under the cover of darkness, spectacular fossil finds and of course the inimitable Blackgang Chine Theme Park - the country's oldest.

West of Ventnor below the village of Blackgang is the fantastically British Blackgang Chine Theme Park that attracts the visitors these days - as it has done since the Victorian era. It's old traditional fun attractions like the funny mirrors still feature as do exciting water rides and the Cliff Hanger roller coaster.

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West Wight Tourist Information The Needles Alum Bay Yarmouth Ferry Isle of Wight

West Wight is much more rural than some other parts of the Isle of Wight. It's a fantastic place for walking along the chalk downs that give you excellent views of the coast. Alum Bay on the far western point of the Isle of Wight draws thousands of visitors every year. The main attraction is The Needles, the iconic chalk rocks that jut out into the sea. If the family don't fancy traipsing along the cliffs then The Needles Park has plenty of attractions to keep everyone happy.

Yarmouth is a pretty harbour town on the north coast. Here you can pick up ferries to Lymington in Hampshire. It's also a very pleasant place to while away a few hours with its castle and pier to visit or just to take in the sea views. Around on the southern coast in West Wight is the popular beach at Freshwater Bay.

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Cowes Tourist Guide Isle of Wight Cowes Week Sailing Competition

Cowes is probably the most famous place on the Isle of Wight renowned for the annual Cowes Week sailing regatta. There are actually two towns that make up Cowes; West Cowes on the western side of the River Medina (although it is more usually just called Cowes)and East Cowes on the east side of the river, naturally. East Cowes is most famous for being the location for Queen Victoria's much loved residence, Osborne House.

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Bembridge Tourist Guide Isle of Wight

Bembridge is on the eastern most point of the Isle of Wight. It's claim to fame is that it's the largest village in the UK. It's a popular sailing centre and an attractive harbour village to stroll round. Bembridge Ledges is a popular beach for rock pooling at low tide.

The National Trust open Bembridge Windmill to visitors - the only remaining windmill on the Isle of Wight. You can take a walk across the Downs above Bembridge right into the centre of the island into Newport.

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