Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight is only 23 miles x 13 miles but offers over 60 places to visit, and is just a short ferry journey from Lymington. You can travel as a foot passenger or take your car with you. There are also day trips to Yarmouth from Keyhaven during the holiday season.

Heritage

The Island has a wealth of religious buildings dating from Saxon times to the present day. Its fortifications offer a fascinating insight into the vital strategic role once played by the Island: Carisbrooke Castle, Yarmouth Castle, the Needles Old Battery and Fort Victoria bring history alive for visitors.

For walkers, hilltop monuments such as the Yarborough Monument on Culver Down and the monument to Tennyson on Tennyson Down await discovery. On St Catherine's Down, you will find the imposing Russian-style Hoy Monument and St Catherines Oratory, the original 14th century lighthouse known locally as the ‘Pepperpot’.

A number of manor houses with fine furniture and beautiful artefacts are open to the public. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert established a favourite residence at Osborne, and you can see the rooms at Osborne House left much as they were when Queen Victoria died there in 1901.

Entertainment and Culture

The Island hosts a number of popular music festivals throughout the year. As well as classical concerts there are a number of other music events such as the International Jazz (Divas) Festival,  the Bestival – one of the biggest ‘hippy happenings’ of the year –  and the Folk and Blues Festival.

Shopping

Well known high street stores, individual boutiques, antique and craft markets… there is something to please everyone on the Island. There are individual craft outlets and galleries selling everything from handcrafted jewellery and pottery to sculptured glass and contemporary art. Most of the famous high street stores, bars and restaurants can be found in Newport, the main town, which is in the centre of the Island.

For more information contact:

Isle of Wight Tourism
Westridge Centre
Brading Road
Ryde
Isle of Wight
PO33 1QS

Tel: 01983 813800
E-mail: info@islandbreaks.co.uk