- UK Information
- UK Holiday Cottages
- Regional Guides
- Isle of Wight Holiday Cottages
Isle of Wight Holiday Cottages
A holiday cottage holiday on the Isle of Wight can cater for all ages and requirements. Whether you want to take part in the many walks on the Isle of Wight, through some of the most diverse countryside in the UK, or whether you want to just relax, a holiday cottage on the Isle of Wight is a perfect holiday for you. Half of the Isle of Wight is recognised as 'an area of outstanding natural beauty'. The climate is lovely and mild - snow is rarely seen.
There are many walks, on which you can take in thatched cottages, historic farms, pretty lanes, coastal trails and woodland. You can either walk along the paths, cycle, or even bird watch. There are 500 miles of footpaths, and 30 miles of coastline, all within easy reach of your holiday cottage on the Isle of Wight.
The Isle of Wight is only 23 miles by 13 miles, with 57 miles of coastline, but is packed with things to do from your holiday cottage. You can visit adventure parks, sanctuaries for wildlife, take part in the various carnivals, festivals and events, of which there are over 1,000 local, national or international held annually, or look into the Isle of Wight's rich history. There are various museums dedicated to prehistoric times, with fossils and models, and various maritime museums, with displays of pirate treasure and many artefacts recovered from shipwrecks. From your holiday cottage in the Isle of Wight, you must see Queen Victoria's favourite home, Osborne House, which was given to the UK by King Edward VII. Many famous authors and poets have connections with the Isle of Wight, including Tennyson who lived in Freshwater, Enid Blyton who took her holidays here and was said to have found a lot of her inspiration here, and Charles Dickens, Keats, Swinburne and Longfellow who are also said to have received inspiration from the Isle of Wight. When you take your break in a holiday cottage on the Isle of Wight, you will no doubt see and understand their inspiration.
Famous Events
Every May, there is the UK's largest walking festival, where you choose a walk that has been worked out by someone who imparts their knowledge about the area and wildlife during the walk. Each walk has its own theme, from pubs, dinosaurs, ghost walks, lantern processions, wildlife trails to coastal hikes. Even if you don't want to go far from your holiday cottage in the Isle of Wight, you will be able to find a walk that suits you.
The Nokia Isle of Wight Festival in June boasts top music artists for a weekend of great live music.
Also in June, there is the Round The Island Race, one of the largest yacht races in the world, which attracts 1,500 competitors, including professional crews, amateurs and corporate teams. It has been taking place since 1931 with the Gold Roman Bowl as the prize.
Every July/August there is the world famous Skandia Cowes Week, which is the largest and oldest annual sailing regatta in the world, which has been running since 1826. This has been part of Britain's social calendar for all that time, with the event taking place after Goodward and before the grouse-shooting season. If you are planning on staying at a holiday cottage in the Isle of Wight during this week, you need to book early to avoid disappointment, as there are 8,000 competitors and 80,000 spectators! The 8 days are filled with coastline fun and entertainment, and on the Friday, there will be the Grand Fireworks Display, where 10,000 fireworks are set off, with special effects and music. Whether you are a sailor or not, there is plenty to do, day and night, with street entertainers, theatre, food stalls, live music, parties and of course you can watch the sailing going on.
In September there is the Wolverton Manor Country Garden Fair, featuring exhibitions of local and mainland arts, crafts and traditional skills, a farmers' market, demonstrations, ferret racing, pony and trap rides, a bouncy castle, military vehicles and live music. You will be able to find a holiday cottage near here if you want to incorporate this on your holiday cottage break.
Also in September there is the Classic Car Rally in Ryde and Newport and The Isle of Wight Cycling Festival.
Other September events include:
The Bestival, which is a live dance festival, the last music festival of the year in the Isle of Wight, held in Robin Hill Country Park in Newport. This is hosted by the Radio 1 DJ Rob da Bank!, and there is music from the 1960s to the 21st.century, presented by DJs from around the world, and you may also see impromptu Morris dancing or a brass band trooping across the field. Again, if you want to book a holiday cottage near the Bestival, early booking is recommended.
The Little Britain Challenge Cup is the second only to the Skandia Cowes Week, and is the Construction Industry regatta which has taken place since 1988. It is the largest corporate sailing regatta in Europe, with 200 yachts and 2,000 crew, and, like the Skandia Cowes Week, there are many activities and entertainment to be enjoyed even if you are not sailing, such as parties, music and a huge gala dinner on the Saturday.
The West Wight Triathlon, where competitors undertake a 600 metre swim, a 35km cycle and a 7.5km run.
In October there is the White Air Extreme Sports Festival, where you can participate in activities such as surfing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, mountain boarding, skate boarding, street luge, gravity bike riding and BMX riding. There are 11 professional championships throughout the festival, where about 500 competitors take part. To take part in this from your holiday cottage in the Isle of Wight, you need to go to the 'White Air' village on the seafront in Yaverland, near Sandown on the east coast.
In December and the 1st.January, there is the Santa, Mince Pie and Hangover special, where you travel on a steam train and get free mince pies and drink for the adults, and a goodie bag for the children, plus a quality present from Santa.
So, for a fun filled holiday on the Isle of Wight, whatever time of year takes your fancy, and whatever age and fitness you are, a holiday cottage on the Isle of Wight would be ideal.