Indulge your passion for all things bright and beautiful
Liz Kavanagh finds out more
Escaping to the Isle of Wight gives you the perfect opportunity to enjoy a bit of vintage style! There are several options for your accommodation, from Airstream trailers to vintage VW Campers, plus plenty of options for indulging in a bit of vintage shopping at various spots around the Island.
Stay with Vintage Vacations
Offering holiday lets with a difference, Vintage Vacations was set up in 2004 by husband-and-wife team Frazer and Helen Cunningham.
The company offers breaks in great locations across the Island in restored Airstream trailers, a seaside ‘shack’, a terraced cottage, a classic tin tabernacle and a 1960s holiday chalet. All the accommodation is decorated in vintage style, with the authentic detail extending right down to board games and music.
Tel. 07802 758113
www.vintagevacations.com
Vintage Shopping
Suzes Room, Ventnor
A tiny little jewel of a shop, Suzes Room is packed full of vintage wares from the 1930s to the 1990s. Home wares include surreal prints from the 1980s, 1970s G Plan furniture and embroidered tablecloths and delicate bone china tea sets from the 1950s. Pick up a vintage picnic hamper, a hand-crocheted throw and a Wombles annual and head off to the beach in style!
Suzes Room, 10a Pier Street, Ventnor.
Tel. 01983 857007.
Cameo of Cowes
Set up in 1985, Cameo of Cowes started life as a dress agency and now specialises in unclaimed lost property. The shop has an eclectic mix of new and old fashion and accessories including designer ball dresses, men’s suits, vintage handbags and shoes and of course umbrellas.
Cameo of Cowes, 16 Bath Road, Cowes.
Tel. 01983 297907.
Oh So Vintage, Newport
This vintage clothes emporium stocks ladies’ and men’s fashion and wonderful home accessories dating from the 1920s to the 1980s. Ladies’ fashion gems include minis, maxis and evening dresses, gorgeous gloves and scarves and Mary Quant tights. Men can snap up funky 1970s shirts, suits from the 1950s and 60s and elegant evening suits. Vintage accessories include china and tableware fabrics and knitting and sewing patterns.
Oh So Vintage, 51 Carisbrooke High Street, Newport. Tel. 07896 008220.
Masqueryde, Ryde
A fancy-dress shop with a difference, Masqueryde is a treasure trove of vintage clothes and accessories from Victorian day dresses to 1980s glitz. Snap up vintage patterns and fabrics if you’re handy with a needle. If you can’t find what you’re looking for on the rails the shop’s talented seamstresses will even make it for you.
Masqueryde, 1 The Collonade, Lind Street, Ryde. Tel. 01983 566333.
Great Ventnor Flea Market, Ventnor
Visit this flourishing indoor flea market and pick up collectables, bric-a-brac, new and vintage jewellery and clothes at a snip. The market runs most Saturdays from 9am.
Great Ventnor Flea Market, Winter Gardens, Ventnor. Tel. 01983 856319.
Hit the Road with Isle of Wight Campers
Enjoy the freedom of touring the island in your very own VW camper van. Isle of Wight Camper Van Holidays has a fleet of 10 original vans equipped with cookers, fridges, sinks, double beds and pop-top bunks perfect for children.
All rentals come with a hamper of Isle of Wight goodies including a Victoria sponge to enjoy along the way. The company will collect foot passengers from the Red Funnel terminal and offers free parking for the duration of a rental at its Shanklin base.
Tel. 01983 852089
www.isleofwightcampers.co.uk
