Isle of Wight

[filthiestfis]

Is there much to do in Isle of Wight or will a day trip be sufficient to cover it comfortably?

[Buenchico]

You can see a few of the highlights of the IoW on a day trip but you really need several days or, better, a week or so to get the best from it:
http://www.islandbreaks.co.uk/

Chris

[bednobs]

normally i would agree with chris on everything, but in this case i beg to differ. personally i don't thnk there is much to do on the IOW ecept if you are a kid or an old person. i personally think 3 days covers all for a 20 or 30 something. however, this is probably because i come from portsmouth and was forced into enduring week-long holidays there on a regular basis

[Buenchico]

Hi Bednobs.

I happen to know that Ed (filthiestfis) doesn't drive. While the IoW is fairly small, the limited rail system and the (ridiculously expensive) slow buses mean that a visitor without a car can only visit a small number of attractions in a day. If the weather's good, I'm assuming that he'll want to visit some beaches (and their local bars!) as well as visiting some of the key historic sites. You can't really do much in a day. Three or four days might well be enough for some people, but that depends upon how much time is spent on the beaches (or in bars!).

Chris

[VHG]

Any place can be "rushed" round in a day, but if you are a person who likes to discover an area and get to know it then a day is just not enough for any area.

For example Osborne House is on the Isle of Wight, the seaside home of Queen Victoria. You could EASILY spend half a day there (maybe more), exploring the house and grounds

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show /nav.14479

There are also 4 other English Heritage properties on the IOW, including 2 castles

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show /nav.14439

[VHG]

The Isle of Wight is also great for looking for fossils.

Here are a list of the places where you can find fossils on the IOW

http://www.ukfossils.co.uk/iow.htm

You cold easily spend a day on Brighstone Beach looking for fossils.

[VHG]

If you love gardens then Ventnor Botanic gardens are also worth a visit.

22 acres and totally free to get in. One of the best "public" gardens in Britain.

http://www.britainsfinest.co.uk/gardens/garden s.cfm/searchazref/81001193VENA

[VHG]

There is also the Needles (famous white cliffs sticking out of the water) plus the nearby Alum Bay with its multi colored sand

The area around there is owned by National Trust

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-theneed lesoldbattery

There is also an entertaiment area called Needles Park

http://www.theneedles.co.uk/

[VHG]

If you are in to walking or rambling there is the Isle of Wight walking festival each spring (9th to 24th May this year)

http://www.isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk/

[theshedman]

Hi filthiestfis, I have been to the Isle of Wight a couple of times and there are a lot of things to see and do. Too much to do in one day. The only thing I found is with most of the attractions and places to see, such as the Needles, half a day is enough to see everything at each one. It does really help if you have transport as most things are scattered all around the Island.