A staycation on the Isle of Wight

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This diamond-shaped island makes for a great staycation whether you are with friends, dogs, children, or family as there are lots to see and do on this beautiful island. The Isle of Wight famed for its festival and The Needles, is a mesmerising island full of charm, character, and some of the most stunning views

As it’s just off the south coast of England, it’s so easy to get to as it’s only a short ferry ride over so you can start your holiday off early. You can get a boat from numerous different locations too, so it means no matter where you are coming from you can find the best place to depart for you. 

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How to get there

If you are looking to go for longer and want to take the car with you, then depending on your location you can go from either Portsmouth, Southampton or Lymington in the New Forest. They all can arrive in different locations on the island, so again it is best, to either see where you will be staying or mainly visiting to work out which is the best place for you to depart and arrive. 

The car ferry only takes about 45 minutes, and you can get out of your car, and either sit outside on a sunny day or warm up in the restaurant and grab some food and drink. Dogs are welcome on board, so don’t worry, you do not have to leave them in the car by themselves, and there is even a special dog area on board.

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Depending on the time of year you go, it can cost anything between £40-£200 return, so you may want to book in advance to secure a good price. I would also check with your accommodation and the ferry company what deals they do as some places do discounts when you book it as a package, so this can be a great way to save some money.

If you are just going for the day or not planning to take the car, then you can get a faster pedestrian ferry, which only takes 22 minutes from either Portsmouth Harbour or Lymington. You can get a return from as little as £25 per person on foot too so this may suit you if you are looking for a cheaper option.

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Where to stay

• Into the Woods, Wootton – For an enchanting glamping retreat.
• North Howes, Cowes – Laid-back luxury accommodation.
• Tapnell Farm, Yarmouth – Eco pods, wood cabins, safari tents, modulogs, meadow domes, and farm cottages.
• The Barn at Buddle Place, Ventnor – A beautifully restored barn with a garden that has views of the sea.
• The Granary at Manor Bottom, Old Wroxall- Prepare for a luxurious stay with your very own swimming pool.
• The Royal Hotel, Ventnor – A 4-star award-winning hotel by the sea.

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Where to eat

• Gastronomy, Cowes – Stylish dining in the heart of Cowes
• Richmonds Bakery, Cowes – A dog-friendly bakery!
• The Best Dressed Crab, Bembridge – For the freshest seafood out there, make sure you go here.
• The Bugle Coaching Inn, Yarmouth – For a winters day, head here for a cosy pub lunch.
• The George Hotel, Yarmouth – This is a great spot for a sunny day in their garden where you overlook the sea
• The Hut, Colwell Bay – For a fancy dinner by the sea, it doesn’t get much better than here.
• Wine Therapy, Cowes – Sample some of their wines and treat yourself to a bottle in their courtyard garden

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Where to visit

• Cowes
• Godshill
• Seaview
• Shanklin
• Yarmouth

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What to do

Bike Hire

There are many different companies offering bike hire, so depending on either, where you are staying or where you plan to cycle for the day, you can find the best one for you. There are over 200 miles of cycle paths around the Island, which means you can avoid the roads if cycling with children. Check out Wight Link, for some cycle routes from a big 70-mile route or something a bit smaller.

Blackgang Chine

Set on the cliff tops, with stunning sea-views, and filled with a mix of attractions, you’ll find something for all the family at Blackgang Chine. Known as the ‘Land of Imagination’ this is a great place to let your children’s mind run wild, from fighting pirates, being a fairy in your own castle, or become a sheriff of the town. 

Boat trips

You can take many boat trips around the Island so you may need to do a bit of research on which one you would like to do depending on what you are interested in seeing. Many boat rides offer you a better view of The Needles up close and a chance to see some local wildlife too. 

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Osborne

Step back into history and feel like a royal in the beautiful Osborne House, designed by Prince Albert himself. This was Queen Victoria and Prince Albert summer home and rural retreat (alright for some!) and you can now enjoy it yourself too by exploring the exquisite gardens and incredible interiors inside the house. Head to Queen Victoria’s Beach to see the most magnificent views out to sea, where she taught her children to swim and even where she used to get dressed for the beach. Live like one of the 9 princes and princesses in the Swiss house where you can explore the world of the Victorian royal children and finish off your day wandering through the walled gardens and woodland walk.

Rosemary Vineyard

Wine lovers, rejoice! You don’t need to head to the South of France for a day of wine tasting and walking among the vineyards, simply head to Rosemary Vineyard which is one of the largest producers of English Wine. Check out their tours to learn more about the process but most importantly go and sample some of their quality wines, juices, liqueurs, and cider. Afterward you can go and treat yourself to a bottle or two in their gift shop or relax with lunch in their coffee shop. Dogs are also allowed to join you on your tour but maybe leave the tasting to just the humans!

Shanklin Chine

This tourist attraction in the town of Shanklin is a wooded coastal ravine that has some of the most impressive waterfalls, trees, and lush vegetation waiting for you to explore. With footpaths and walkways allowing you to meander around and a heritage centre explaining its history, you are in for a real treat when visiting here. Shanklin Chine is £6.95 for an adult to enter but you automatically get free entry for the next seven days too and dogs are welcome to join you as well. I would go to the Illuminations in the evenings, which usually run between May and November, to see the area in a different light.

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Tackt-isle

If you are looking for an action-packed adventure then look no further than Tackt-isle. They can provide you with many different water sports like kayaking and paddleboarding or if you want to stay on dry land then why not give segwaying or bubble football a go. It doesn’t matter whether you are new to any of the sports or a seasoned pro, they will make sure you are safe and happy and provide you with all the necessary equipment you need to go and have some fun.

Tapnell Farm Park

I would 100% recommend this place whether you want to stay, eat or play, as it really ticks all the boxes, especially if you are visiting with children. Tapnell Farm offers multiple types of accommodation from eco-lodges to meadow domes and wood cabins to safari tents. They also have an impressive restaurant The Cow, which focused on home-grown and locally sourced produce. There is a fun aqua park where you can spend an hour splashing, sliding, and laughing all the way around a 20 obstacle course. It is made up of giant free-fall slides and many other inflatables; you just need to be over the age of 8 and a confident swimmer to have a go. If that’s not for you then go and check out the farm opposite which is full of animals such as sheep, alpacas, and meerkats and you can get the chance to see the animals up close with the ‘Meet the Animals’ area where there are regular talks. Head to the soft play area and scream down the zip wire or have a go on the pedal karts for a family fun day out.

The Needles

Probably one of the most iconic sights for the Isle of Wight are The Needles. This impressive landmark is a row of three stacks of chalk that rise out of the sea and are a popular tourist attraction. You will need to pay to leave your car there for the day, but it is free to see The Needles if you walk around the cliffside. For a better view, though you may need to pay (unless you are a national trust member) or it is off-peak, and it is around £5 per adult to enter the Old and New Battery for a closeup look.

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The Garlic Farm

If you love garlic (I am 100% a garlic lover, so I was in my element) then the Garlic Farm is the place for you. Ever wondered what black garlic ice cream would taste like? Or garlic beer? Even garlic fudge? Then wonder no more as in the gift shop you can buy any garlic treat you could ever think of. They do also sell normal garlic produce like the bulbs themselves, pastes, chutneys, and infused cloves but they also sell some wonderful kitchen utensils, toys, cards, and ornaments so you are bound to find a little treat to take home. They also have a restaurant where you can try some delicious garlicky meals, a garden you can roam around, and rooms you can stay in for a full garlic experience. Make sure to check out their events before you go, to see what tours, festivals, or learning they have on offer.

Walks

There are so many lovely walks to do on the Isle of Wight but here are a few suggestions of which ones I would recommend. We did the Tapnell trail that starts at the Cow (you can also get a handy map from them) and is a beautiful 6-mile walk around the countryside. For more of a leisurely walk, you can park up at Gurnard and walk along the seaside promenade into Cowes. A great little walk (although quite steep) is to St Catherine’s Oratory, you can park at the bottom of it and walk straight up the hill for some of the most fantastic views. For a longer walk, then head to Shanklin and make your way to Ventnor along the coastal path. It goes through woodlands and down along the sea and offers amazing views out to sea, you can get food and drink at either place so you can freshen up before the walk back. For more walks, check out the National Trust for a lovely selection of walks to do around the Island and you can simply download them. Visit Isle of Wight also provides you with many great walks to do from dog friendly to following the coastal path, so be prepared to see some breathtaking views.