Wightlink

For an island just 23 miles wide and 13 miles deep, the Isle of Wight packs in a surprising variety of attractions. Best known for sandy beaches and a dramatic coastline, it is also famous as the Garden Island, where rare plants, vineyards and natural produce flourish because of the mild climate and remarkably diverse rural landscape. And it boasts a rich cultural heritage stretching from Roman times up to the present day and the annual Isle of Wight Festival.

Wightlink operate the fastest, most frequent and most comfortable ferry fleet every day of the year across the Solent. Portsmouth to Fishbourne and Lymington to Yarmouth car ferries cross in 40 and 30 minutes respectively. The Portsmouth to Ryde passenger catamaran takes only around 22 minutes.

Short breaks have long been popular on an Island that is just a short hop across the Solent from the UK mainland. But, with so much variety on offer, why not make this a themed break – where the focus of your trip coincides with one of your main interests? Wightlink Ferries has compiled a series of trails around the Isle of Wight designed for history enthusiasts, food lovers and people who enjoy outdoor activities.

For more information on visiting the Isle of Wight with Wightlink view the Green Getaways online brochure

Fascinated by the Past?

Osborne House is a world-famous historic house, thanks to Victoria & Albert, for whom it was a family home. But this is just one of many rich heritage attractions on the Isle of Wight and the Island’s history tale is told in the Wight History Trail, on which luminaries like Tennyson, Dickens, Marconi and Jimi Hendrix share equal billing with dinosaurs, medieval knights and rocket men.

Find out more - Isle of Wight History Trail

Heritage Break Offer - Stay at the largest manor house on the Island, Northcourt in Shorwell. Two-night B&B breaks cost from £100pp (based on two sharing) including return Wightlink car ferry crossings.

Fixated by Food?

The Wight Taste Trail provides a tasty route around the Island visiting food producers and dipping into the best of local produce in top restaurant, pubs and cafes. Meet the big cheeses and find out why the Isle of Wight produces some of Europe’s best tomatoes, honey, garlic and even Highland beef.

Find out more - Wight Taste Trail

Gourmet Break Offer - Food lovers can stay at the Isle of Wight’s only Michelin-starred restaurant, The Hambrough (www.thehambrough.com). Two night B&B breaks cost from £200pp (based on two sharing) including return Wightlink car ferry crossings.

Focus on the Great Outdoors

With more than 500 miles of marked footpaths and over half of its landscape designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Isle of Wight is ideal for walkers, cyclists and people who love unusual flora and fauna. Find out more about the Island plant life on the Rare Plant Trail or check out Footloose for things to see and do on foot. Choose from the leisure bike rides in Wightlink's cycling low down or the graded walks catering for both leisure and serious walkers in the walking section.

Find out more - Walking on the Isle of Wight

Find out more - Cycling on the Isle of Wight

Find out more - Rare Plant Trail

Green Getaways

Much of the Isle of Wight landscape is ‘green belt’ and classified as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and many visitors prefer to stay in the heart of the countryside. Wightlink has compiled a list of accommodation on the Isle of Wight that are actively embracing green tourism and striving for eco-efficiency, so visitors can enjoy the beautiful surroundings and help protect the environment at the same time.

Find out more - Green Getaways
View the Green Getaways online brochure

Green Getaway Offer: Stay at Niton Barns in one of seven luxury self-catering properties. Four-night breaks cost from £94pp (based on four sharing) including return Wightlink car ferry crossings.

More about the Isle of Wight

This selection of Isle of Wight holiday and short break ideas has been selected by Wightlink and Tourism South East, the Offical South East England Tourist Board, to appeal to couples and those wishing to spend quality time together.

For more information about the Isle of Wight, visit Wightlink's Isle of Wight Guide. For deals on ferry travel and special offers on accommodation and attractions visit www.wightlink.co.uk.

For more about the Isle of Wight and other destinations across South East England, visit our Official Guide to South East England.