Isle of Wight

Marc

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Well, the sentence marriage will have reached 20 years next month and we've booked a long weekend on the Isle of Wight. Now it's been a long time since I was there (on a school trip so about 35 years - gulp! :eek:) and all I can remember is bringing home the obligatory test tube of coloured sand.

So, anyone recommend places to go/see on the island? We're booked into a hotel & spa so the plan is for a bit of a chill and pamper but we'd also like to see the island as well.

Also, as far as the ferry is concerned, I can find two operators, Wightlink & Red Funnel. Wightlink goes into Fishbourne which is closer to the hotel but will cost £110 return whilst Red Funnel go to East Cowes which is further away but is only £67 return. Now the extra drive is not really an issue so has anyone used these companies and is there any major difference between the two?
 
Depends on what you are looking for Marc ?
There's all sorts over there, must admit I've normally done day trips on the hovercraft with a rover ticket :D
You might find this site useful, it does cover the Isle of Wight
and you can find things by category

http://www.visitsoutheastengland.com/
 
We took a trip back in 2007 and I wrote a trip report on my blog (which I really should start updating again!) here if it helps:

http://fi-inky.blogspot.com/2007/05/iow-bare-bones.html

Edit - forgot to say, we used Red Funnel and had no complaints. They let us get on an earlier ferry than we had actually booked which was a bonus.
 
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Gremlin said:
Depends on what you are looking for Marc ?
There's all sorts over there, must admit I've normally done day trips on the hovercraft with a rover ticket :D
You might find this site useful, it does cover the Isle of Wight
and you can find things by category

http://www.visitsoutheastengland.com/
Click to expand...

Not really looking for anything specific Ingrid, just nice places to visit, maybe some of historic note. Thanks for the link, will have a look.

Daysleeper40 said:
We took a trip back in 2007 and I wrote a trip report on my blog (which I really should start updating again!) here if it helps:

http://fi-inky.blogspot.com/2007/05/iow-bare-bones.html

Edit - forgot to say, we used Red Funnel and had no complaints. They let us get on an earlier ferry than we had actually booked which was a bonus.
Click to expand...

Thanks Fi, some useful info on at blog. he Butterfly place (the link doesn't work btw) looks worth a visit and we will be staying in Wotton. Also Carisbrooke Castle looks good.
 
I always wanted to do light trails at Ventnor. That's there isn't it? :)
 
I've been there most years since 2000 (and a few times in the 50s as a child - yes, I'm ooooold) and my vote is for Red Funnel.

Shanklin is well worth a visit for the old thatched-roof buildings. If you're very much into photography, Dimbola Lodge at Freshwater is well worth a visit; it was once the home of Victorian photographer Julia Margaret Cameron and not only features her photos and a couple of her cameras, they have regular photo exhibitions from other photographers there. East Cowes is great for photography of all things marine - boats, anchors, sails, etc, as is Bembridge in the north-east.

Google for 'Amazon World' for great shots of all kinds of animals. But if you go to Butterfly World, be forewarned that it's stiflingly hot in the butterfly house; I had to leave after 15 minutes and vowed never to go back. Also your lens will steam up and be unusable for about 10 minutes and you risk damaging your camera through condensation.

One place that most photographers go to is Winkle Street (see Google). It's a beautiful row of old houses with a pond. You have to see other people's photos to understand why people like it so much.

If you're into flowers and exotic plants, Ventnor Botanical Garden is worth a visit. You might want to take a macro lens and/or extension tubes. There's also a nice walk from there via Steephill Cove back into Ventnor where the Spyglass Inn does excellent meals.

For some other ideas of locations, you might like to have a look at my Isle of Wight set on Flickr. I've tagged most of the photos with their location: http://www.flickr.com/photos/garryknight/sets/72157606597929994/

Hope all this helps. :)
 
I have been for the last couple of years and used Wightlink, all OK.
When I checked the fares this year (end of May) Wightlink & Red Funnel were about the same price for a return.
You had to add the 2 journeys to get the full Red Funnel fare - £65 each way so £130 total, while the Wightlink was £110 return.

Don't forget the Needles, good photos from the Old Battery searchlight.
If you don't like crowds and like walking then Freshwater Bay is ideal, Dimbola Lodge is nearby.
 
garryknight said:
I've been there most years since 2000 (and a few times in the 50s as a child - yes, I'm ooooold) and my vote is for Red Funnel.

Shanklin is well worth a visit for the old thatched-roof buildings. If you're very much into photography, Dimbola Lodge at Freshwater is well worth a visit; it was once the home of Victorian photographer Julia Margaret Cameron and not only features her photos and a couple of her cameras, they have regular photo exhibitions from other photographers there. East Cowes is great for photography of all things marine - boats, anchors, sails, etc, as is Bembridge in the north-east.

Google for 'Amazon World' for great shots of all kinds of animals. But if you go to Butterfly World, be forewarned that it's stiflingly hot in the butterfly house; I had to leave after 15 minutes and vowed never to go back. Also your lens will steam up and be unusable for about 10 minutes and you risk damaging your camera through condensation.

One place that most photographers go to is Winkle Street (see Google). It's a beautiful row of old houses with a pond. You have to see other people's photos to understand why people like it so much.

If you're into flowers and exotic plants, Ventnor Botanical Garden is worth a visit. You might want to take a macro lens and/or extension tubes. There's also a nice walk from there via Steephill Cove back into Ventnor where the Spyglass Inn does excellent meals.

For some other ideas of locations, you might like to have a look at my Isle of Wight set on Flickr. I've tagged most of the photos with their location: http://www.flickr.com/photos/garryknight/sets/72157606597929994/

Hope all this helps. :)
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Thats's great stuff Garry. Lots there to think about and where SWMBO will enjoy as well (from a non photographer's point of view ;)).

I've been to a few butterfly places so I'm ok with all that.

Suvv said:
I have been for the last couple of years and used Wightlink, all OK.
When I checked the fares this year (end of May) Wightlink & Red Funnel were about the same price for a return.
You had to add the 2 journeys to get the full Red Funnel fare - £65 each way so £130 total, while the Wightlink was £110 return.

Don't forget the Needles, good photos from the Old Battery searchlight.
If you don't like crowds and like walking then Freshwater Bay is ideal, Dimbola Lodge is nearby.
Click to expand...


The Red Funnell fare is £67 after adding the 2 journeys (£29 out, £38 back as far as I can remember).

Will add The Needles to the list. I don't like crowds but, unfortunately, walking doesn't like me very much.
 
fabs said:
Well, the sentence marriage will have reached 20 years next month and we've booked a long weekend on the Isle of Wight. Now it's been a long time since I was there (on a school trip so about 35 years - gulp! :eek:) and all I can remember is bringing home the obligatory test tube of coloured sand.

So, anyone recommend places to go/see on the island? We're booked into a hotel & spa so the plan is for a bit of a chill and pamper but we'd also like to see the island as well.

Also, as far as the ferry is concerned, I can find two operators, Wightlink & Red Funnel. Wightlink goes into Fishbourne which is closer to the hotel but will cost £110 return whilst Red Funnel go to East Cowes which is further away but is only £67 return. Now the extra drive is not really an issue so has anyone used these companies and is there any major difference between the two?
Click to expand...

Marc, White link also sail from Lymington to Yarmouth, I go over for work most months, OK I do a day return during the peak hour travel with car is approx £87 return, a little further drive to Lymington but you also get the added bonus of going through the New Forest. Plus lets be honest the Island isnt that big.:lol:
 
not a lot in the ferries marc ,,,,both ok ( as long as they dont sink the day you use them ) congrats on the sent,,, err marriage mate :clap:
 
Depending on your views on food, I heartliy recommend the 'Folly Inn' you'll have t google it for directions by car, I visit from the water!

It s down river from Cowes, and I say again, the food is awesome!
 
If you have any, you can use Tesco Clubcards vouchers on Wightlink...works out real cheap if you use them.

There is lots to see on IOW, and the beauty of it, is you can get to see pretty much all the places of interest as it's such a small island!
Osbourne House and Appauldurcombe House are pretty places, altho Appuldurcombe is bizarre....go and you will see what I mean!
We enjoyed Amazon World, IOW zoo is nice, but there isn't that much there.
You can get lovely pics on the West coasts...the sunsets are beautiful :)
If you want to go fossil hunting, hit Compton Bay...
If you want to watch boats, Bembridge is a good spot, and if you drive down to the bay, there is parking.

There really is lots to do, so you just need to decide!
 
And a great place to eat is the Spyglass Inn at Shanklin. Beautiful setting, right on the beach, stunning views. Ahhhh, I want to go back!
 
Davec223 said:
Marc, White link also sail from Lymington to Yarmouth, I go over for work most months, OK I do a day return during the peak hour travel with car is approx £87 return, a little further drive to Lymington but you also get the added bonus of going through the New Forest. Plus lets be honest the Island isnt that big.:lol:
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Thanks Dave. I looked at Lymington-Yarmouth and it was still more expensive and I don't think we'd be awake enough to appreciate the drive through the New Forest. :D

donutagain said:
not a lot in the ferries marc ,,,,both ok ( as long as they dont sink the day you use them ) congrats on the sent,,, err marriage mate :clap:
Click to expand...

Cheers Andy.

SK617 said:
Depending on your views on food, I heartliy recommend the 'Folly Inn' you'll have t google it for directions by car, I visit from the water!

It s down river from Cowes, and I say again, the food is awesome!
Click to expand...

Always on the lookout for good food. :thumbs:

Doddy1974 said:
If you have any, you can use Tesco Clubcards vouchers on Wightlink...works out real cheap if you use them.

There is lots to see on IOW, and the beauty of it, is you can get to see pretty much all the places of interest as it's such a small island!
Osbourne House and Appauldurcombe House are pretty places, altho Appuldurcombe is bizarre....go and you will see what I mean!
We enjoyed Amazon World, IOW zoo is nice, but there isn't that much there.
You can get lovely pics on the West coasts...the sunsets are beautiful :)
If you want to go fossil hunting, hit Compton Bay...
If you want to watch boats, Bembridge is a good spot, and if you drive down to the bay, there is parking.

There really is lots to do, so you just need to decide!
Click to expand...

Doddy1974 said:
And a great place to eat is the Spyglass Inn at Shanklin. Beautiful setting, right on the beach, stunning views. Ahhhh, I want to go back!
Click to expand...

Good stuff, thanks Cathy.
 
+1 for Spyglass Inn. The Dairyman's Daughter at Arreton also does excellent food and is on the way to and from lots of interesting places, and Arreton Barns is worth a visit in its own right. The Culver Haven Inn, between Sandown & Bembridge is worth going out of the way for, both for the food and the views. Plus some shots of rabbits if you keep your eyes open.
 
Doddy1974 said:
And a great place to eat is the Spyglass Inn at Shanklin. Beautiful setting, right on the beach, stunning views. Ahhhh, I want to go back!
Click to expand...

Can I just add that this is in Ventnor, not Shanklin as I found to my chagrin on Friday. Should have checked more thoroughly before I set off.:bang:
 
We go via Lymington to Yarmouth on the Wightlink and use Tesco club card vouchers. Also if you go during off peak time it's about half the price ;)
 
Thanks again for all the info folks. Got back this evening and had a lovely time in spite of the weather.

Ate at both the Spyglass and Folly and we weren't disappointed with either. Spend a fair while at Dimbola Lodge, a fascinating visit indeed.

Also, stumbled across the Model Village at Godshill this morning, definitely a visit I'd recommend to anyone going to IOW. Great attention to detail, especially where it features the model village itself which also features the model v.............well, you get the idea. :D

Would certainly like to go back again. :thumbs:
 
fabs said:
Thanks again for all the info folks. Got back this evening and had a lovely time in spite of the weather.

Ate at both the Spyglass and Folly and we weren't disappointed with either. Spend a fair while at Dimbola Lodge, a fascinating visit indeed.

Also, stumbled across the Model Village at Godshill this morning, definitely a visit I'd recommend to anyone going to IOW. Great attention to detail, especially where it features the model village itself which also features the model v.............well, you get the idea. :D

Would certainly like to go back again. :thumbs:
Click to expand...

Were you at the iow zoo this afternoon?
 
Am I guessing you stayed at Lakeside? If so what's it like as we're booked in there in Sept for the IOW car show.
 
Byker28i said:
Am I guessing you stayed at Lakeside? If so what's it like as we're booked in there in Sept for the IOW car show.
Click to expand...

Yes, we did. We thought it was very good, the spa is excellent and well worth a treatment or two and the food and service in the Brasserie are superb including the breakfasts. Rooms are large, as are the beds which are extremely (too) comfortable. Only, very minor, niggle was that the TV only has 4 channels and it would have been nice if there was a news channel.

The gardens are beautiful though. There was actually a weeding there on the day we arrived:

DSC00317-Edit.jpg


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