Isle of Wight holidays

When you think of the Isle of Wight, many things probably spring to mind. Rugged coastlines, world-renowned natural landmarks (The Needles, anyone?) and traditional seaside staycations.

Scratch underneath the surface, though, and there’s even more that makes the Island such a charming and memorable place to take a family holiday.

Here are five reasons to hop across the Solent for an IOW stay:

• Beautiful beaches: Whatever a beach holiday means to you – whether it’s a chance to bathe in the sun with a book or it’s buckets and spades with the kids – the Isle of Wight’s plethora of sandy beaches will not disappoint.

• A rich history and culture: A holiday home for Queen Victoria. A prison to an overthrown king. An inspiration to many a great poet. So many stories are intertwined with the Isle of Wight and a holiday on its shores is a great opportunity to uncover them.

• Warm weather: At times, the Isle of Wight resembles a tropical island in the middle of the Med. Turquoise waters sit under a beaming sun, making the Diamond Isle one of the warmest places in the UK.

• Be at one with nature: A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and one of the UK’s only locations to spot the elusive red squirrel, the Island is tailor-made for wildlife-lovers. Take on a walk along one of the many coastal paths and see what you can spot.

• Family-friendly things to do: Need to keep the kids entertained? Have no fear – with amusement parks, bowling alleys, go karting, tree climbing, dinosaurs, crazy golf and SO much ice cream, they’ll be tired out every day!

Finding the perfect accommodation can make the difference between a good holiday and a truly memorable one.

Fortunately, the Island has a huge range of options for you to choose from with luxury hotels, cosy cottages and family-friendly holiday parks aplenty.

Check out our Places to Stay Guides below for the lowdown on where to rest your head during your Isle of Wight holiday.

For a small Island, there’s a lot going on across the Isle of Wight.

From awesome attractions to world-renowned events, there’s something happening around every corner on the Diamond Isle.

If you’re looking for a dose of culture, there are museums and historic landmarks aplenty, including Queen Victoria’s former holiday home, Osborne, and the historic Carisbrooke Castle.

You’ll also find the gloriously tranquil Quarr Abbey only moments from our Fishbourne port, home to a small group of Benedictine monks.

For family-friendly adventures, check out Blackgang Chine, the UK’s oldest amusement park. From pirate adventures to heart-pumping rides, it’s the perfect day out for the kids.

If you time your stay right, you can check out one of the many events that hit the Island’s shores, including one of the biggest music festivals on the summer calendar, Isle of Wight Festival.

And you can’t forget the beaches! Around almost every corner, you’ll find a pristine expanse of sandy beach – perfect for relaxing and unwinding under the sun.

With us, your Isle of Wight holiday starts on the ferry.

We’ve three convenient ferry routes linking the Isle of Wight with Hampshire on the mainland. Travel with your vehicle from Portsmouth or Lymington in the New Forest or, if you’re going on foot, choose our FastCat from Portsmouth Harbour, which will get you across the Solent in just 22 minutes.

Make memories on board, with huge sundecks offering beautiful views out to sea and on board play areas providing the perfect way to tire out the kids.

And don’t forget to sample some Isle of Wight food and drink while your head across the water. Our on board Wight Taste cafés stock sandwiches, wraps and hot drinks from local suppliers so you can get a taste of the Island before you’ve even hit its shores.

You’ll often find that you can book an Isle of Wight holiday that includes your ferry at a discounted rate. Your accommodation provider will let you know if that’s the case.