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The Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the UK. Over half of this Wight Isle is a designated Area of Outstanding Beauty.

Author: Martin Ager

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The Isle of Wight is the smallest county in England and resembles a diamond in shape. It measures just 23 miles east to west and 13 miles north to south - an area of 147 square miles and has a population of around 130,000. The Island is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the UK, with around one million tourists visiting every year. There is over 60 miles of coastline, which ranges from award winning beaches to spectacular chalk cliffs. The Island, which is divided into two boroughs - Medina & South Wight, was known as “Vectis” by the Romans. Newport is the county town, although Ryde is the largest town. The exact centre of the Island is at Shide Corner, on the outskirts of Newport and the highest point is St. Boniface Down at Ventnor.

Walking on the Isle of Wight is a popular past time and there are over 500 miles of public footpaths including dramatic coastal paths. The climate here is almost sub-tropical and Sandown, Shanklin and Ventnor are regularly at the top of the UK sunshine table. Over 50% of the Island has been designated an “Area of Outstanding Beauty” with about half of the coastline named as “Heritage Coast” - an honour only awarded to the finest stretches of coastline in the country. Red squirrels have a particular liking for the surroundings (mainly due to the lack of grey squirrels) and are widely prevalent on the Island, which is almost the final stronghold in the south of the country for these endangered creatures.

The visitor to the Isle of Wight will be spoilt for choice when looking for somewhere to stay, as there is a wide range of accommodation to be found here on the Island. Whatever your preference, from luxury hotels to basic campsites, there is a wealth of superb accommodation - with something to suit everyone. Hotels on the Island range from cheap and cheerful to luxurious country house hotels, but all will provide a holiday to remember. There is also a large amount of superb b&bs, guest houses and self-catering properties to choose from that will satisfy every taste and budget, with many boasting superb countryside or sea views.

For the visitor who enjoys eating and drinking, there are many superb pubs and restaurants to be found all over the Island. There is more than one pub for every square mile, so the opportunity to quench your thirst is never far away. Most pubs and restaurants provide mouth-watering locally produced food as well as all your favourite beers, wines, spirits and soft drinks. Many hostelries are in prime locations, offering spectacular sea or countryside views. Locally brewed beers and wines are also on offer at numerous pubs and restaurants on the Island. Many pubs and restaurants offer special lunch deals and most include a childrens' menu and you will find that the vast majority of food available is home cooked.

About Author

Isle of Wight tourist guide caters for all the tourist needs on the Isle of Wight. It is an extensive guide for all tourism and leisure activities. Martin Ager is the author, for further details http://www.isleofwighttouristguide.com .

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