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| Around The Hambrough Hotel |
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ST BONIFACE CHURCH, Bonchurch (www.bonchurch.info) This 11th century church, apparently founded by Norman monks, seems lost in time in its quiet, pretty little churchyard. Look for the remains of primitive murals on the walls.
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To enjoy the view from VENTNOR DOWN, drive up the zig zag until you find yourself turning left at the top. Almost immediately a badly-signed right hand turn takes you up to the Down. The best place to see goings-on out at sea – and the bluebells in May.
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Rent a beach hut on Ventnor beach: call the Esplanade Office on01983 857186 and book well ahead in summer. A day’s hut hire (including two deckchairs and a windbreak) costs from £7.50 and a week costs from £25.
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| Around The Priory Bay Hotel |
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BRADING ROMAN VILLA (01983 406223, bradingromanvilla.org.uk), dating from the 3rd century, was always interesting, with its famous Medusa head floor, but it’s now doubly so with its fabulous new award winning wooden building, visitor centre, café and shop.
Bembridge is one of the best places from which to examine one of the old defensive forts built around the Island, because it’s so near the shore. In late August each year The Fort Walk raises money for the RNLI and ‘Walk the Fort’ T shirts are on sale for £8 each on the night, or from the Duver Marina Office.
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Nip up the BEMBRIDGE WINDMILL (01983 873945, nationaltrust.org.uk), built in 1700, which has a charming feel and good views from the top. £2 adults, £1 children.
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The Priory Bay Hotel does a nice line in adventurous pursuits to go with your luxury weekend. Ask about gliding, power boating, sailing, fishing and horse riding along the beach.
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| Around The George Hotel |
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Step into 17th century ST JAMES’S CHURCH, which is set back from the main street, turn left inside and walk up the nave. Behind an iron gate is a statue which was meant to be of Louis XIV of France, until it was swiped by a Governor of the Isle of Wight, Sir Richard Holmes, who promptly had his own head put onto the torso.
Rent a bike from WAVELL’S (01983 760738), £10 half day, £15 per day, just off the High Street, and cycle to DIMBOLA LODGE (01983 756814, www.dimbola.co.uk), at Freshwater, home of the Victorian photographer Julia Margaret Cameron, to see displays of her own work, that of contemporary photographers, and the 1960s rock festival.
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It has to be TENNYSON DOWN (a short step from Dimbola Lodge), a great chalk ridge which soars up into the air and makes a fine walk. Look for cowslips and orchids and, over the crest, the feeble remains of our 1950s rocket programme.
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THE WAVERLEY & BALMORAL
(0845 130 4647, www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk), are elegant steamships which chunter around the UK coast every summer, calling at Yarmouth in June & September respectively. Round the Island trips cost £27.95 adults, £13.48 under 18s and other itineraries are available.
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| Around The Seaview Hotel |
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OSBORNE HOUSE (01983 200022, www.english-heritage.org.uk), entry £8.95 adults, £4.50 children.Depending on your point of view, Osborne House is either stunning or ostentatious, but at the very least is an amazing monument to Victorian taste and at best still has a happy, holiday feeling, despite the clutter. Make sure you see the Swiss chalet and eat in the excellent, fairly new Terrace Restaurant.
QUARR ABBEY is a replica of a French abbey, made in the early 20th century in red brick. The services are simple and beautiful and the black-clad monks sing plainsong.
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The coast walk from Seaview to Ryde, along a new path recently reinforced against the sea (very flat, so is also suitable for disabled visitors).
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If you can make it in August, go and watch the shore sports on Seaview beach and watch upper-middle class Brits disporting themselves. Failing that, nip along to Sandown and watch the fastest waiter race (balancing a pint of beer on a tray).
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| Around The Wellington Hotel |
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THE LANDSLIP Landslips are one of the most typical features of the Isle of Wight, where the famous blue slipper clay has lived up to its name and simply slipped down the hillside, taking trees and foliage with it. Those on the south of the island are home to the unique, reddish-orange Glanville Fritillary butterfly.
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BIRNIE AIR SERVICES at Sandown Airport (01983 408374, www.iowflyingclub.co.uk), ten minutes up the road, offers passenger flights over the Isle of Wight. Flights last from 10 minutes (£20 per person) to 20 minutes (£38 per person) and they require a minimum of two adult fares. Under-10s flying with adults are half-price.
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| Around The Royal Hotel |
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Walk off Sunday lunch – take a drive west along the coast road and park at Compton, drop down to the beach for a great walk – and the best place to spot gorgeous surfers!
Alternatively, checkout the circular walk from Godshill taking in APPULDURCUMBE HOUSE. Godshill itself is wonderfully picturesque with a 14th century church which rises above a group of thatched cottages. As well as these sites the walk takes in the extensive garden of ‘The Griffin’ including a maze, fields of bluebells and past converted barns – a wonderful walk into old England!
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Another Island must visit is CARISBROOKE CASTLE, just south west of Newport, another English Heritage gem (www.english-heritage.org.uk). The medieval castle was once the prison of Charles I, and the castle now hosts Grand Medieval Jousts in August.
ST CATHERINE’S LIGHTHOUSE (01983 855069, www.trinityhouse.co.uk), & Oratory (actually a 14th century lighthouse and still a seamark). Both are dramatically set on the southern tip of the island, overlooking a wreck-strewn piece of coast and the wide Atlantic. Lighthouse admission: £2.50 adults and £1.50 children. The oratory is further inland, visible from the road, and makes a nice little stroll.
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