If you are considering booking a hotel on the Isle of Wight for your next break, then it will be worth finding out more about the island. This part of the country is loved by many British holidaymakers, with some returning year after year. Read on to find out what makes Isle of Wight holidays so special and what you can expect from your break there.
The good news for holidaymakers planning a trip to the Isle of Wight is that the island is geared up to meet all preferences. Certainly, Victorian-era resorts, such as Ryde and Ventnor, offer straightforward hotel accommodation options. If you are looking for a traditional hotel on the Isle of Wight, then you will find one in such places. Other good locations for hotels in the Isle of Wight include Sandown and Shanklin, which offer both hotels and guesthouses.
Hotels in Ryde on the Isle of Wight are easily accessible from the Wightlink FastCat ferry terminal. You can walk to them in just a few minutes from the pier terminal. This is just as well since the FastCat only takes foot passengers. Note, though, that most hotels in Ryde on the Isle of Wight are a bit further from the hovercraft terminal. If your ferry docks at Cowes, then there are some great hotels, too. They are pricier, generally speaking, something that is noticeable whenever there's a sailing event being staged in the town.
Away from hotels on the Isle of Wight, there are plenty of other options. Caravan holidays are popular, usually because the parks that have them are close to the coast. Holiday home rentals are another option. These are located all over the island, but they tend to get booked up in advance in the summer months.
If you want to enjoy a foodie holiday, then a visit to Adgestone Vineyard near Brading is a good idea. Here, you will experience some high-quality English wine tastings. Head to Ventnor for some classy dining experiences with an accent on fish and seafood.
Elsewhere, Carisbrooke Castle is a popular sightseeing spot. It is famous for having been the location of Charles I's imprisonment. Hikers will enjoy walking along the Tennyson Trail. It is renowned for its stunning clifftop views and the pleasant villages it passes through. Alternatively, you could simply rent a deck chair and a beach hut somewhere like Ryde and kick back a little.
It is not going too far to say that the Isle of Wight is one of the best places in the UK for a family holiday. Hotels in the Isle of Wight are geared up to meet the needs of families. You can expect cots, high chairs, kids' menus and much more. In the island's south, children will love visiting Black Gang Chine, among the oldest adventure and theme parks in the country. Nearby, Robin Hill has adventure playgrounds, treetop trails and falconry displays.
The Alum Bay area, near the Needles, is also a good place for those with younger kids to explore. You can book a boat trip here or take advantage of the chairlift ride. The Wildheart Animal Sanctuary in Sandown is also often a big hit among family groups. In the very centre of the island is the village of Godshill. It is famed for its model village, a miniaturised version of the village that you can explore for a modest entry fee.
There are no commercial airports on the Isle of Wight. As such, Isle of Wight flights are only practical via Southampton Airport (SOU) and then taking the ferry service to Cowes. Bembridge Airport (EGHJ) is a small airfield. It is possible to fly there, but it is only geared up for light aircraft. Sandown Airport (EGHN) is even smaller and less viable for a holiday.
Family-friendly accommodation gets booked up quickly for the summer high season on the Isle of Wight. You need to consider booking at least six months in advance for the most popular resorts, or you'll face rising prices as availability drops. Travelling to Cowes or Ryde as a foot passenger is considerably cheaper than taking your car across. However, this will mean being reliant on public transport during your stay. Check out prices for the ferry from Lymington. This service isn't used as much as the others from Portsmouth and Southampton at times. It can be a good way to get a bargain round-trip booking. The hovercraft service from Southsea in Portsmouth offers great value, but it is seasonal.
If you want to keep costs down, consider self-catering accommodation. This includes both holiday cottages and caravans. However, if you are set on booking a hotel on the Isle of Wight, the best way to get great value for money is to travel outside of the summer months.
A: All parts of the island are suited to holidays, but resorts on the coast are often best. Ventnor, on the south coast, is popular, while Shanklin and Sandown are both firm family favourites. Ryde is accessible from the mainland and has an easy-going atmosphere.
A: Isle of Wight holidays get most booked up in late July and August. The weather is best, and it coincides with the UK school holidays. If you want to avoid crowds, consider June and September instead when it is still warm.
A: Ventnor and Shanklin, both in the south of the Isle of Wight, have the best climate. Their south-facing aspect and the microclimate caused by the protection of St Boniface Down contribute to this. Caravan holidays on the Isle of Wight, in both locations, are popular thanks to their sunny reputations.
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