In case you’ve at all times dreamt of visiting the UK then that image in all probability includes Massive Ben, Buckingham Palace, and London’s different essential points of interest.
Nevertheless it’s time for London to step apart.
There’s a brand new UK scorching spot on the town so as to add to your bucket listing!
The Isle of Wight has been named the ‘Greatest UK Vacation spot of the 12 months’ within the Group Leisure and Journey Awards.
The island beat London, Leicestershire, my hometown of Norwich, Wiltshire, and York to raise the trophy.
Right here’s why this idyllic island is nicely price visiting:
Getting To The Isle Of Wight
As the identical suggests, the Isle of Wight is an island. It lies within the English Channel off the southern coast of England.
The island is separated from the mainland by a strait known as The Solent.
However don’t let the truth that it’s an island idiot you into pondering the Isle of Wight is difficult to get to.
The Isle of Wight is simply round 2 hours door-to-door from London by way of a mix of automotive or prepare after which ferry or hovercraft.
Touring by way of ferry is the most cost effective solution to get to the island, however the hovercraft is a lot extra enjoyable!
I’ve fond childhood reminiscences of my Grandma taking me to the Isle of Wight from Portsmouth for day journeys by way of hovercraft. In truth, I keep in mind the thrill of the journey greater than I keep in mind what we did after we acquired there!
An grownup day return hovercraft journey prices £31.50 ($40.35) or in case you’re staying for longer then a interval return is £40.40 ($51.70)
Hovertravel is the world’s solely year-round scheduled passenger hovercraft service, so it’s nicely price paying an additional couple of greenbacks for the expertise!
So what do you do if you get on the island? Regardless of solely being 23 miles lengthy at its widest level, the Isle of Wight is packed stuffed with actions!
Breathtaking Seashores
As you’ll count on from an island, the Isle of Wight is packed full of gorgeous sandy seashores, that means you’ll be spoilt for alternative.
Alum Bay is among the most picturesque seashores on the Isle of Wight, whereas Steephill Cove is a tucked-away patch of paradise.
Though this seashore is simply accessible on foot, it’s well worth the stroll!
For one thing a bit of completely different, head to Compton Bay and Yaverland Seashore. These seashores are well-known for the dinosaur stays and fossils that may be discovered right here, and fossil looking within the sand is a superb (and free!) exercise in case you’re touring with youngsters.
One in every of my favourite issues to do on the seashores of the Isle of Wight is to take a seat on a conventional striped deck chair and calm down.
You’ll discover fishermen nonetheless lively right here and lobster pots and fishing sort out dotted alongside the shore, which provides to the genuine really feel of the realm (and makes you hungry for a seafood supper!)
The Iconic Needles Landmark Attraction
One of the vital well-known and iconic points of interest on the Isle of Wight is The Needles.
The Needles are a row of three chalk stacks that tower out of the ocean, reaching heights of round 30 meters.
They’ve been became a vacationer attraction and point of interest on the island, and taking a ship journey round The Needles is formally the most well-liked factor to do on the Isle of Wight.
In case you favor to remain on dry land, then you may take a chairlift journey from the highest of the coloured sands cliffs above the Needles right down to the seashore. A return journey will value £8 ($10) or you should buy a ‘journey all day’ ticket for £12 ($15).
Down by the seashore you’ll discover youngsters’s rides together with a conventional Victorian Carousel, a 4D cinema, and you’ll watch native candy makers at work within the Isle of Wight Candy manufactory.
It’s all of the enjoyable you’d count on from a conventional British seaside expertise and a good way to spend a day.
Fabulous Isle Of Wight Festivals
One of many issues the Isle of Wight is most well-known for is its epic festivals and in case you can, it’s best to time your journey to coincide with one in all these.
Essentially the most well-known is the Isle of Wight competition, a music competition which is held on the island in June annually.
Headliners for 2024 had been The Prodigy, Pet Store Boys and Inexperienced Day, their solely UK competition for the yr.
From July 11-13 the Massive Seashore Weekender is a competition of music, dancing and comedy with the byline of ‘distinctive expertise in an distinctive setting’.
However what actually makes the Isle of Wight distinctive is its abundance of lesser-known, and dare I say random, festivals and occasions. Garlic Competition anybody? Held on the third weekend in August yearly you’ll discover stay music, movie star cooks, and loads of garlic!
There’s additionally an annual Worldwide Scooter Competition, The Nice Wight Chew meals competition, and common bonfires and fireworks all year long too.