Things to do on the Isle of Wight
What to do on the Isle of Wight...
Welcome to our guide of what to do on the Isle of Wight in 2013 including thing's to do for holiday-makers and day trip visitors. For an Island just 13 miles from north to south and 27 miles from east to west, the Isle of Wight offers an incredible range of things to do. With a warmer than average climate, it's not surprising it's been a favourite holiday destination for generations.
Places to Visit
There are attractions galore on the Island for all ages and interests. For families there are blue flag beaches and wildlife attractions including Isle of Wight Zoo. There are theme parks with water slides, toboggan runs and steam train rides for older children. For adults there are historic houses, castles and Roman villas. You can see the Jimi Hendrix statue, climb to the top of a lighthouse and even visit a once secret rocket-testing base. Attractions...
Things to Do
If you seek some real excitement and adventure on your holiday, just see the Isle of Wight activities on offer. There are things to do for young families; families with teenagers, active couples of all ages, nature lovers and adrenalin fanatics, stag & hen parties are catered for too. Complete beginners can book a taster session, advanced courses in extreme sports like paragliding or kitesurfing are also available. Isle of Wight Things to Do...
Events
From international sailing events like Cowes Week or Round the Island Race to the Memorial Ploughing Match held every April, the Isle of Wight offers visitors an amazing number of events throughout the year. Green-fingered visitors can learn from the Head Gardener at Osborne House and artists on the Island open their studios for visitors in July. Isle of Wight Events...
Festivals
Award-winning festivals abound on the Isle of Wight. Don't miss the UK's largest Walking Festival, the legendary Isle of Wight Festival or Bestival. Food fans will love the Garlic Festival; cyclists have their own festival in September whilst Folkstation, the Rhythm Tree Festival, Isle of Arts Festival, V-Dub Island, Minghella Film Festival and the IoW International Film Festival are just a sample of what's on offer. Isle of Wight Festivals...
Towns & Villages
The Island’s population of some 140,000 people live mainly in the Isle of Wight towns of Ryde, Newport and East and West Cowes. Our guide describes their character and history and includes Sandown, Shanklin and Ventnor as well as the many smaller towns like Yarmouth, Bembridge and Niton as well as the smaller villages scattered across the Island like Godshill, Freshwater and Arreton. Isle of Wight Towns & Villages...
Pubs & Inns
As you might expect, the Isle of Wight has a superb range of pubs and inns from tiny thatched free houses with roaring log fires hidden in remote rural hamlets to trendy gastro pubs with great food offerings to fashionable music bars in towns like Ryde and Newport. Many Island pubs and inns serve real local ale from Goddard and Yates' breweries as well as locally sourced wine, cider and juices. Isle of Wight Pubs & Inns...
Places to Eat
Check out the Isle of Wight's best restaurants in our eating out guide. From Michelin star fine dining to locally caught fish and chips the Island has deserved and exciting reputation for great food. Meet the chefs and learn about their passion for locally sourced ingredients, read the independent reviews and browse a comprehensive directory of restaurants, pubs, bistros and cafes. Isle of Wight Eating Out Guide...
Local Produce
With 57 miles of coastline, you would expect the Island to offer the freshest sea food and you won't be disappointed but there a host of Isle of Wight Artisan producing the finest beef, lamb and bacon, free range poultry, vegetables and salads, award winning cheese, garlic and a whole range of chutneys, jams and preserves. To wash it all down, there are prize local ales and highly regarded wines, vintage ciders and juices. Isle of Wight Local Produce...
News & Features
Check-out the latest Isle of Wight news and feature articles from our team of writers. Designed to give greater insight, we will be featuring articles on a wide range of subjects from dinosaurs to boutique shopping! Isle of Wight News & Features...
Walking with Dinosaurs on the Isle of Wight
This summer you will be able to walk with Dinosaurs on the Isle of Wight as part of the Island's exciting partnership with the new 3D film Walking with Dinosaurs whch premiers in December 2013. Check out our fossil hunting video guide and learn more about the Isle of Wight's dinosaurs - click either link to register for news about Walking with Dinosaurs on the Isle of Wight in 2013.
Video & Image Gallery
Coming soon - we are pulling together some of the best Isle of Wight videos and landscape photographs to give your a flavour of Island life through the seasons. Isle of Wight Video & Image Gallery...
Useful Links
150 Reasons to Visit
To celebrate our 150th anniversary, we’ve compiled this guide to share 150 of our favourite reasons to visit the Isle of Wight. Discover a vibrant, exciting Island, perfect for a weekend break or longer holiday, just waiting to be discovered.
Visit the eBrochure...
The Isle of Wight Festival returns from 13 to 16 June 2013. Tickets on sale now...
Latest Features The Great British Strawberry Fair
One of the Isle of Wight’s favourite attractions and café, Chessell Pottery, is going all out this year to celebrate something so very quintessentially British – the summer strawberry harvest. No childhood is complete without the memory of picking your own strawberries with the juice running down your chin – and always more ending up [...]
Five ‘not to be missed’ summer events
Dubbed ‘Festival Island’ in recent years the Isle of Wight now has such a wide selection of events throughout the year, we’ve picked out five of the best lesser known events on the Island that are ‘not to be missed’ this summer. And all that Jazz… Midsummer Jazz First in line is the Midsummer Jazz [...]
Get out on the water with UKSA
UKSA, formerly the UK Sailing Academy, is a leading maritime training provider based in Cowes on the Isle of Wight that takes advantage of having one of the world’s most challenging stretches of water right on its doorstep.From its campus and marina in Cowes, UKSA’s team of experienced and fully-qualified instructors provide a comprehensive range [...]
Top Five Places For A Family Break
If you’re looking for somewhere to stay with the family on the Isle of Wight, here’s a selection that offer lots more than just somewhere to sleep. Check out our top five self-catering options… The West Bay Club offers family accommodation in New England style cottages set in 28 acres of landscaped grounds. Guests have [...]
Holistic Health Spa – Relax at The West Bay Country Club
If it’s fitness, fun and relaxation you’re after, the Island’s Country Club is where you can try it all from yoga and pilates to cardio combat and zumba, or just relax and enjoy the Spa and pool.
Learn to Sail… on the Isle of Wight
There are plenty of ways to learn to sail or to get out on the water and relearn old sailing skills on the Isle of Wight. Then once you are proficient you can hire anything from a dinghy to chartering a large yacht. Or, once you’ve learned the ropes, you can offer to crew on [...]
