Wightlink Ferries
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.
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.
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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 their walking section.
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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.
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If you are interested in history on the Isle of Wight then why not view Wightlink's online brochure about the history highlights on the island?
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.
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Gourmet Breaks
Book a two-night midweek break at The Hambrough during October and the second night’s accommodation is free, providing guests dine in the Michelin-starred restaurant on both nights. Two-night breaks cost from £205pp (based on two sharing) including B&B accommodation, three-course dinner on both nights and return Wightlink car ferry crossings from Portsmouth or Lymington.
Stay at Winterbourne – where Charles Dickens stayed in 1849 and wrote the first six chapters of David Copperfield. Book for two nights or more midweek and receive a 20% discount. Three-night ferry-inclusive breaks in October cost from £156pp (based on two sharing).
Green Getaways
Stay in one of the Isle of Wight’s newest self-catering properties during October and get free Wightlink ferry crossings. Four-night midweek breaks at Niton Barns cost from £74pp (based on four sharing) including return Wightlink car ferry crossings from Portsmouth or Lymington. Alternatively, three-night ferry-inclusive weekend breaks cost from £89pp.
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