The Isle of Wight first became a popular holiday destination due to Queen Victoria. The building of Osborne House suddenly made the island the place to be seen, and the development of Cowes as a playground for international yachtsmen helped foster this image.
Tourism still forms a vital part of the economy, and the island like all parts of the UK has had to re-invent itself as a holiday destination. The island status may add a romantic charm, but traveling the short distance across the water from the mainland inevitably adds to the costs of a holiday. So, is the Isle of Wight worth it?
I guess as I come from a family who have worked in, run and owned holiday flats, camping sites, caravan parks and hotels on the island, I may be slightly biased, but the answer has to be yes.
Whether you are walking, driving or sailing, there is a lot to see and do. The latest Official Pocket Guide lists over 40 visitor attractions within the 147 square miles. OK, some of these attractions may seem somewhat pedestrian, such as the multiplex cinema in Newport, and I’m really not sure that I would circumnavigate the globe to visit a model railway exhibition. But, there are a sufficient number of genuinely interesting places to visit: Osborne House itself, Carisbrooke Castle, Dinosaur Isle and the Wax Works in Brading.
In addition with over half of the island recognised as an area of ‘Outstanding Natural Beauty’ and 500 miles of footpaths, bridleways and cycle paths, the Isle of Wight is a walkers paradise. This year the Isle of Wight Walking Festival takes place between 11-26 May.
At the same time seaside holidays seem to be experiencing something of a revival, and The Seaview Hotel in Seaview, The George in Yarmouth and The Royal in Ventnor regularly receive glowing coverage in the travel sections of the national broadsheets.
Personally I prefer the Isle of Wight in the early summer, and the autumn, when the place is quieter, and the whole pace of life seems to slacken off.
Take with you the waterproof OS Outdoor Leisure map 29 The Isle of Wight and some boots.
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Author: Andrew Steed