The Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is separated from the mainland by a mere half a mile of open water. Yet for all that short distance there is something about the Isle that sets it much further apart from the rest of England. Here you can find yourself walking in the footsteps of dinosaurs as you enjoy time on the beaches. There are plenty of traditional seaside towns to enjoy and being an island there is lots of fun to be had out on the water too. For such a relatively small place the Isle of Wight is incredibly rich in history. Not only are you walking where the dinosaurs once walked over 120 million years ago, you will also find that there is a Roman Villa here too, plus a castle where a King was held prisoner.
Things to See and Do
Take a ride in the Chairlift from Needles Park and marvel at the colour variations in the cliffs as you descend to sea level. At the base of the cliffs you will find that there is a change in the climate as illustrated by the Ventnor Botanic Gardens. The Isle of Wight also has its very own steam railway, a ride on which is a wonderful way to view the island. If you want to take off and explore the Isle of Wight on foot there are in excess of 500 miles of walking routes available – the stunning coasts and beautiful countryside here were just made for rambling. The Isle of Wight was a favourite with Queen Victoria, she loved it here so much she ordered the building of a summer home. The home, Osborne House is located in East Cowes.
Isle of Wight Events
There are a number of events that take here throughout the year including the Isle of Wight Walking Festival which involves lots of differently themed walks from fossil hunting to falconry. The annual international sailing regatta takes place during Cowes Week and marks the pinnacle of the summer activities, rounding off in July with the Ryde Arts Festival complete with its own regatta. Music plays a big part in the events calendar with the Isle of Wight Festival playing host to some of the biggest names in the music industry. Bestival takes place every September and theatres and venues across the island play host to different events across the year.
Family Activities
The Isle of Wight is very much a family destination. The kids will get a kick out of Dinosaur Isle located in Sandown. The beach at Sandown is also family friendly too as it gently slopes down into the sea. Older kids and adrenalin junkies will probably enjoy Blackgang Chine Fantasy Park. Shanklin is a wonderful seaside resort town where you can enjoy time building sandcastles on the beach or take a trip to the Isle of Wight Zoo and meet some of the animals there. Wherever you go you will find that there are lots of activities for the whole family to enjoy and get involved in.
