Service StatusIsland Guide
With over half its land mass designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a warmer climate, the Isle of Wight has been a popular holiday destination since Victorian times. Diamond in shape, the Island is separated from mainland England by the Solent, a stretch of sea famed for top class sailing.
No Island comes this close...
See what the locals say...
The Isle of Wight is steeped in history with a brief spell as an independent kingdom in the 15th century. It was home to the poet Alfred Lord Tennyson, and Queen Victoria built Osborne House, her much loved summer residence at East Cowes. It is also one of the richest locations for dinosaur fossils in Europe and home to many of the UK's last surviving red squirrels. The Island also has its own unique species of snail and butterfly.
The Island's maritime and industrial history encompasses boat building, sail making, the manufacture of flying boats, the world's first hovercraft and the testing and development of Britain's space rockets.
The Isle of Wight is home to Cowes Week, Bestival and the legendary Isle of Wight Festival, which in 1970, was one of the largest rock music events ever held. The Isle of Wight also hosts the UK's largest Walking Festival and even has a Garlic Festival where you can taste garlic ice cream, lovely.
Today, the Island is a haven for extreme sports but if you don't want an adrenalin fuelled holiday check out the host of visitor attractions including Dinosaur Isle, Robin Hill, The Needles Park, the Steam Railway, Carisbrooke Castle, Dimbola Lodge & Amazon World.
