HADES OF WIGHT visitisleofwight.co.uk HISTORY ACTIVITY RELAXATION ROMANCE NIGHTLIFE NATURE 1 Isle of Wight he chances are that at some time in the past you’ve visited There are many the Isle of Wight, or you know shades to be explored someone who has. Many people have a distant memory of a and adventures to warm and welcoming island they encountered during childhood be discovered. holidays, somewhere where dinosaurs rubbed shoulders with smugglers, and sandy beaches stretched out into infinity on long summer days. Some of those children grow up and return to the island again and again, whilst others are distracted by new destinations but never forget those magical times they had as a child. But the island is still here, and there are many shades to be explored and adventures to be discovered or rediscovered. Welcome to the UK’s Holiday island. Let your adventure start here... David Thornton CEO of Visit Isle of Wight. 2 The Isle of Wight | Shades of Wight 2014 Become a time traveller 4 Coast & County 6 Wight Nights 8 I love Wight 10 Take a walk on the wild side 12 Get the adrenalin flowing 14 Drive less. See more. 16 Travelling to the island 18 DESIGNED BY: mortonward.co.uk PUBLISHED BY: Visit Isle of Wight Ltd, Osborne House Estate, York Avenue, East Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO32 6JX PHOTOGRAPHY: wightpod.co.uk 3 Become a time traveller GREAT PLACES TO STAY... Arreton Manor Donnose Magna Priory Bay Hotel Arreton Manor is a Jacobean manor Luxuriously appointed Grade II One thousand years of history, house with a fascinating history. Once Listed Victorian thatched cottage unique Tudor and Georgian owned by Edward the Confessor tucked away down a mile of private architecture. Secluded setting and Henry VIII, Arreton offers 5-star driveway. The cottage opens into a in the second oldest site gold award luxury bed and breakfast, magnificent hallway with a vaulted of human habitation in the self-catering and in the summer a ceiling and a wonderful baronial United Kingdom. Magical and yurt, which is hidden away in 5 acres atmosphere. Beautiful landscaped spiritual with its own private of landscaped formal gardens. An gardens surrounded by National beach and 70 acres of grounds. excellent country pub and well-stocked Trust land. Extensive country and Classic old age style, new age farm shop are within walking distance. coastal walks. features and top quality chefs. 4 The Isle of Wight | Shades of Wight 2014 rom Dinosaurs to Rocket Ships. Fantastic castles, such as Carisbrooke, churches and historical houses including the magnificent Formed at the end of the last Ice Osborne House, former royal residence of Queen Age, the Isle of Wight has a rich Victoria, are evidence that the island has been and fascinating history with much enjoyed by Saxons, Jutes, Normans, Vikings and of it wonderfully preserved. From more. the Bronze Age, Iron Age, Romans and beyond, the compact size of the island allows Queen Victoria loved the island and made it her all this history to be observed and experienced in a home for many years. Partly as a result it became very short time. a major holiday resort not just for the masses, but also many members of European royalty. During The wild and beautiful coastline of the south of her reign the world’s first radio station was set up 1. the island offers up astounding remains such as by Marconi on the western tip of the island at the the dinosaur footprints at Brook and shows where Needles battery. This fascinating site later became the many dinosaur fossils and skeletons, which a testing station for the Black Knight rocket engine, are now housed at Dinosaur Isle, were found. the most powerful space missile of its time. Take a walk back in time and join a fossil walks. At least seven Roman villas have been found on the island with Newport and Brading being the A rich and largest ones. Brading Roman Villa, which dates from the 1st century, sits within a designated Area of fascinating history. Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is one of the finest Roman sites in the UK with beautifully preserved 1. Brading Roman Villa mosaic floors and an extensive collection of 2. Osborne House Roman archaeology. 3. Dinosaur footprints at Brook 2. Spitbank Napoleonic Fort Lulled to sleep by the sound of the waves on your own private island... A unique holiday dream – arrive by helicopter or sports car to chilled champagne and canapés. Cocktails in the fire pit as the sun SEE MORE... sets. Simply relax and let your cares float To see more time travel experiences, away in the hot pool with the best view great accommodation, attractions and in the world. If this is your dream then upcoming events go to: you can do it all here at Spitbank Fort. www.visitisleofwight.co.uk/timetravel 3. 5 f you are looking for a relaxing The Victorian resort town of Ventnor is famous If you can tear yourself away from the many break somewhere breathtakingly for its amazing botanical gardens where plants charms of the south of the island, the West beautiful with the best of hotels, from all over the world thrive in the wonderful Wight has some of the island’s most spectacular food and entertainment, then island micro-climate. Ventnor also offers the scenery and the views from Tennyson Down look no further. Just 23 by 13 miles, opportunity to stay in the wonderful 4-star are truly breathtaking. You can understand the Isle of Wight is a small island Royal Hotel, one of the oldest and most elegant why Alfred, Lord Tennyson chose to live and with over half designated an Area on the island. write many of his most famous poems here. of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Sixty miles of Dimbola Lodge nearby houses the Julia Margaret stunning coastline and a remarkably diverse Nearby is the famous area of natural beauty Cameron photographic museum. A friend of 1. landscape all go toward creating the perfect known as the Undercliff, a fascinating semi- Lord Tennyson’s, she was a pioneer in portrait backdrop for a wonderful holiday. tropical environment like no other on the island. photography and often used Tennyson and his However, before you reach this you simply must friends as her subjects. Whatever time of the year you decide to experience the nostalgia and delightful charm visit, the island is bursting with life, from of Steephill Cove where you will be taken international sailing regattas that attract huge back in time, in arguably the quaintest place audiences to intimate literary and arts festivals on the island, to devour some fresh crab and Whatever time of the year that attract such diverse names as Alan Davies, lobster fished daily at The Boathouse. Reluctant Sir Max Hastings, Louis de Bernieres, Penelope to leave this idyll, you may choose to stay in you decide to visit, the Keith and many others. the unique seclusion of Little Tamarisk with a island is bursting with life. chilled bottle of wine as you watch the sun set 2. from your private terrace. 1. The Royal 2. International sailing 3. Tennyson monument GREAT PLACES TO STAY... Seaview Hotel and Signal Point Self-catering cottages Situated in Ventnor Botanic Garden, The Seaview Hotel and self-catering Signal Point is nestled on the banks cottages lie in Seaview, a picturesque of the Arid Garden, with an elevated fishing village with quaint streets, position offering fantastic views charming buildings and dinghies bobbing across Ventnor Botanic Garden and up and down on the Solent. There’s a the sea beyond. Guests also have beguiling atmosphere of yesteryear all exclusive access to the Botanic around – a perfect antidote to the noise Gardens throughout their stay. 3. and clamour of modern life. 6 The Isle of Wight | Shades of Wight 2014 Coast & Country Vintage Vacations Godshill Park Farm Bringing you the UK’s original An organic livestock farm airstream caravan holidays situated in an Outstanding plus other unusual Area of Natural Beauty amidst accommodation on the Isle a network of footpaths and of Wight, including a former bridleways which will take you SEE MORE... scout hall and a restored through farmland onto the To see more Coast & Country experiences, ‘off the grid’ beach hut – all downs and the coast. great accommodation, attractions and upcoming restored and decorated to a events go to: high quality ‘vintage’ finish. www.visitisleofwight.co.uk/coastandcountry 7 Wight Nights 1. 2. 1. White Horse Inn 2. Live music 3. Electric Woods GREAT PLACES TO STAY... Shanklin Villa Apartments The Hambrough A development of 4 and 5-star luxury Sitting high above the fishing harbour holiday apartments, some with private in Ventnor, The Hambrough restaurant hot tubs and balconies, set a short with rooms offers accommodation by walk from the old village of Shanklin the sea on the southern tip of the island, with its cosy pubs and vibrant with a reputation for fabulous locally atmosphere, with an illuminated walk inspired dishes. All but one of the seven through the beautiful Shanklin Chine spacious bedrooms has magnificent to the beach and seafront. views of the sea and The Hambrough has also been awarded with 5 AA Gold Stars 3. several years in a row. 8 The Isle of Wight | Shades of Wight 2014 f you know where to For something a little different come and Enjoy the spectacular Electric Woods. look the island comes alive at enjoy some of the darkest skies in the south. Stunning evening events featuring a spectacle night with vibrant and varied Our island is well known for its wonderful of light, colour and sound set in ancient entertainment: winter carnivals, dark skies, as celebrated each March with the woodland at Robin Hill Adventure Park & ethereal lantern parades, stunning ‘Isle of Wight Star Party’ attended by astronomy Gardens.