Isle Of Wight

[ethandron]

Contemplating a brief visit, never been before. Any suggestions for the nicest areas to stay? What's Shanklin like? Thanks.

[JoolsTwo]

I love the IoW - Shanklin, Sandown end of the Island is the busiest and are typical seaside places. Godshill is a beautiful village and more central. Newport in the centre is the main town. It depends on what you like but I think IoW caters for most tastes. When we go we usually have a cottage in Niton, very small village and not a lot there but you can get anywhere on island in about 1 hour.

[dollie65]

i love shanklin as its so olde worldy...

[ethandron]

Thank you both for your quick responses :)

[Bbbananas]

I love the Isli of Wiggetti. We have sailed there many a time, but due to our deep keel we have only moored near certain parts of the island. I can thoroughly recommend Yarmouth and Freshwater Bay. And a visit to Cowes is always interesting, whether you are a yachtie or not.

[AlwaysConfused]

How brief a visit? Shanklin is nice if you fancy a relax. I used to go to Cowes for the evening for a good pub crawl which is great fun if you stay there for the night, not so much fun when you have to face the ferry/hovercraft on a belly full of beer, head spinning!

Have a look at this link, you may finder quieter, less touristy places than Shanklin
http://www.isleofwight.com/isle_of_wight_beaches.html

[Bbbananas]

The photo of Freshwater Bay doesn't do it justice - it really is a lovely spot x

[ethandron]

Just back from an emergency trip to M & S for some posh tops, all sorted, phew :)
Thanks Salla and alwaysconfused, that link is very good, plenty to think about.
We want to stay somewhere that has a good selection of places to eat within walking distance, so much as we both like quiet countryside, I think we're going to be looking at towns. Planning on a four night stay, Monday to Friday.

[theshedman]

A number of the hotels in Sandown do half board and they are good value for money. Many also throw in the ferry crossing for free so that alone saves a fair bit of money. Even if you fancy eating out the amount you could save on the ferry would more or less pay for that.

Take a look at the link below and click on special offers. There are many more hotels that do this type of offer too.

http://www.sandringhamhotel.co.uk/

[stevie m]

We found a great pub in Carisbroke, called the Eight Bells ,good selection of food and plenty of it, The Wight Mouse near Blackgang Chine is always worth a visit. as is the pub at Godshill. Alum bay is a must see tourist visit where all the coloured sand is found. If you have children Robin hill adventure park also Blackgang Chine will entertain them.

[Canary42]

I prefer Cowes to Ryde.