Fancy a cheeky break this autumn and winter? With plenty of attractions to visit, countryside and coasts to explore as well as top restaurants and pubs to relax in, there is no better time to enjoy an island escape on the Isle of Wight. You can avoid the usual hussle and bussle of the main season and take it slow as you explore and relax – all from just £280!
We’ve picked out our top tips for staying during this time of year, helping you to make the most of your stay and what the island has to offer:
- Attractions
With a plethora of attractions open through the autumn and winter, you are spoilt for choice on where to go for a day out – with plenty of all weather locations too! You can always get your wildlife fill with the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary in Wroxall, Wildheart Animal Sanctuary in Sandown and Amazon World in Newchurch (who hit the national headlines recently with their cheeky raccoons escaping!) open for visitors – and don’t forget to take in the feeding talks! Swapping from animals to plants, you can take a stroll through Ventnor Botanic Gardens to see the autumn and winter colours – then reward yourself with coffee and cake in their cafe!
Pop to Sandown to step back in time at Dinosaur Isle, exploring the island’s rich jurassic history, or get a bit closer to today with Brading Roman Villa, to find out about the island’s important role in Roman Britain. To look into the island’s royal past, you can head over to Carisbrooke Castle to find out about its role in Charles I’s reign or visit Osborne House, Queen Victoria’s beloved home, both now run by English Heritage.
If you are feeling competitive, there is a wide choice of sporting activities you can take part in. Head over to Ryde and hit the track with go karting at Wight Karting or pop to the seafront for a game of ten pin bowling at Ryde Superbowl. Closer to home, you can also stay in Shanklin and enjoy a competitive game of golf in the indoor Caddyshack adventure golf – with an ice cream or fish and chips on the loser! There is more fun to be had in Summer Arcade next to Caddyshack, as well as amusements, bowling and soft play down the revetment at Sandown Pier.
Other notable visits include Dimbola over in Freshwater, which offers an ever changing selection of exhibitions, the island’s vehicular heritage on show at the Isle of Wight Bus and Coach Museum in Ryde and a historic and peaceful spot for contemplation at Quarr Abbey in Fishbourne (perfect for a visit when getting on or off the ferry at Fishbourne or East Cowes).
- Restaurants and Pubs
You might be self catering – but it doesn’t mean you have to stay in! Enjoy the flexibility to pick where you’ll eat and select one of the local restaurants and pubs. A favourite amongst many of our guests (and us too!) is Pendleton’s in the Old Village. Enjoy the best of the island’s local produce in a peaceful setting and let the team wine and dine you. If you are looking for traditional pub grub, head over to The Crab or Village Inn in the Old Village or down to the seafront for The Steamer or The Waterfront. For lunch, why not pop into Pencil Cottage in the Old Village or further afield, visit one of garden centres, Honnor and Jeffrey in Lake, Thompson’s in Newchurch and Busy Bee in Ryde, or for a refined experience, enjoy afternoon tea at the luxurious Royal Hotel in Ventnor. This is just a selection – there are plenty of locations across the island open for food and drink!
- Events, Performances and Classes
Away from the major attractions, there are lots of events and performances you can take in whilst on the island. Just down the road is historic Shanklin Theatre, run by a top team of volunteers, which boasts a mix of big name celebrities as well as top quality local performances with their traditional pantomime running in December. Further afield, Medina Theatre offers more big performances, as well as the island’s smaller theatres, Apollo Theatre and Trinity Theatre, offering a wide range in intimate settings. For the arts, Quay Arts in Newport offers a range of exhibitions, as well as Ventnor’s plethora of venues, Ventnor Arts Club plus Ventnor Exchange and Ingram’s Yard from the Ventnor Fringe team, providing a varied programme. Newly restored Appley Tower, run by Monkton Arts, is now also offering a range of events too.
Check out our activities guide for more hands on art classes – from painting to pottery to jewellery making!
If you just want to relax and enjoy a movie, we’ve also got Cineworld in Newport or independent cinema Commodore in Ryde – or just snuggle up on the sofas in your apartment and use your Fire TV Stick to pick a movie to watch. Get the popcorn ready!
- Shopping
What’s better than a bit of retail therapy whilst on your holidays? Alongside the high street favourites and local treats, you can also pop to the likes of Arreton Barns, Glory Art Glass and Isle of Wight Pearl to pick out some of the best local arts and crafts from the resident artisans. We’ve got a plethora of farm shops and cafes to pick from too, showcasing the island’s top quality produce from all areas of food and drink. Why not pop into the foodhall at Harvey Brown’s (as well as having a spot of lunch in their cafe), get your garlic fix at The Garlic Farm and take a tour and pick up a tipple from Adgestone Vineyard or Goddards Brewery?
If designer brands are what you are after, head over the water to Gunwharf Quays for outlet shopping. Visit on your way to or from the island or head over by Island Line and Wightlink’s FastCat for a day trip. Treat yourself whilst there with a meal in one of the many restaurants on site – or head up Spinnaker Tower to enjoy the view over Portsmouth.
- Outdoor Activities
With miles and miles of countryside and coast, you can head out and explore the island’s footpath network – or hire a bicycle and pedal your way around! Walk the coastal path, explore the nature reserves, get lost in the woods – there is so much to do! You can always use our extensive bus network from Southern Vectis or Island Line‘s train service to get around – especially if you’ve gone car free for your visit. Check out our website for more details in our car free guide. You can also get active at one of the many golf courses or tennis clubs, as well as the leisure centres and the island’s parkrun in Newport. Our activities guide also includes a selection of other outdoor activities to take part in – from fishing to skydiving!
- Christmas
Last but not least, if you are in the Christmas-y mood, there is plenty of festive fun on the island. Your first port of call has to be Jingle Bell’s Christmas shop, located just down the road in the Old Village – perfect for a special gift or decoration. Next, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert knew how to do Christmas right – and even introduced the Christmas tree! – so head over to the magnificent Osborne House for a right royal Victorian Christmas in their grand former royal residence! For family fun, the Isle of Wight Steam Railway offer their well loved Santa Special on dates through December (as well as specials for Boxing Day and New Year’s Day too!) Take a steam train ride, explore the miniature Winter Wonderland, enjoy the fairground rides and Train Story interactive museum and of course, meet Santa. Booking is essential for these popular days. Tapnell Farm is offering an immersive Christmas experience for all the family in December too. You can also wrap up warm and take Southern Vectis’s popular Christmas Lights Tour to see the best of the island’s Christmas lights – again, booking is essential. There are also Christmas fairs, events and workshops at the likes of Northwood House, Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary and Amazon World.
