From gorgeous coastal drives to quaint seaside villages and cute pubs, there are plenty of reasons to visit the Isle of Wight. You may have noticed that the classic British seaside holidays have been making a comeback, but if decaying theme parks and arcades aren’t quite your favourite thing, you need to get to the Isle of Wight.
For Londoners who are time-poor, the Isle of Wight is just a 30 minutes by ferry over the Solent Straight. That means that if you’re leaving London Waterloo, you could be enjoying a cup of tea at a cute beach-side cafe within just three hours.
Here are just a few reasons why you should check out Blue Chip Holidays and visit the Isle of Wight:
Beaches
Let’s face it, most beaches in the UK are somewhat underwhelming. If you’re not dodging pebbles, you’re looking at sludge-coloured sand. This isn’t a problem in the Isle of Wight. You may just think you’re in the Mediterranean. And there’s plenty to do here for the whole family, with Brook Chine perfect for sand castles, Alum Bay for paddling, and pods of dolphins occasionally swimming up the coast.
Restaurants
If you haven’t yet heard of the restaurant in Hambrough Hotel, it’s probably because the locals are trying to keep it under wraps. This was a Michelin-starred restaurant up until 2013, and it’s still widely loved by visitors and locals. If you like the idea of spending the night, check in to one of the boutique bedrooms in the hotel, crack open a bottle of wine, and get stuck into the chef’s signature Ventnor crab.
The Needles
The chalky stacks of this natural attraction are arguably the island’s most recognisable sight. The Needles are named for the fourth rock, which is shaped like a needle and likened to a Bible story where a woman was turned into a pillar of salt. While that rock collapsed in 1764, the name didn’t, and you can visit this attraction by grabbing a scenic boat tour.
Villages
The villages in this area are picture perfect. Check out Shanklin, which looks exactly like a fairytale town. Stroll amongst zig-zag streets, thatched cottages, and tea rooms. Brose craft shops, and grab a drink at the Crab Inn.
Creativity
Fancy yourself as a writer? Tennyson described the fresh sea air on the island as worth “sixpence a pint.” You’ll be able to stroll along his footsteps, and check out his granite monument. If you love ceramics, or would like to make some your own, head to Chessell Pottery where you can paint your own plates and pots. They’ll glaze them for you and you can take home a personalized souvenir.
