I have to admit it..I fell in love with the Isle of Wight. In case you are not familiar, the Isle of Wight lies off the south west coast of England. I had so many people tell me a week was too long but in the end, I wish I had scheduled more time there. I will be writing up more detailed posts on the places I visited but here's an overview on my ten favourite things about this delightful island..but there are so many more and these aren't in any kind of order.
1) They use an out of service London Underground train for their train service
I mean really...how cute is that. The service runs from Ryde Pier Head (where I arrived via high speed ferry from Portsmouth) to Shanklin (where I stayed) - a distance of 13.7 km.
2) More thatched cottages than you can shake a stick at
I couldn't get over how many thatched cottages they are...everywhere! A local told me that there are more on the Isle of Wight than everywhere else in Britain. I don't know if this is true but it could be!
3) Beautiful Beaches!
Need I say more?
4) Cream Teas!
I saw more teas on the Isle of Wight than anywhere else...I was there a week and only indulged once. How sad is that. But it was a chocolate one which was a first for me...chocolate chip scones with a chocolate spread instead of jam and a 99 stick in the cream. I was transported to heaven for the few minutes it took me to demolish it! (P.S. you can get it in the village of Godshill.....)
5) Donkeys!!!
Oh how I love donkeys. I don't like horses but oh how I do love donkeys.... So when I heard there was a donkey sanctuary on the IOW (as those who know the island say) I went there...on the first morning! I was almost the only one there and it was hard to leave. SO ADORABLE!!! Don't worry donkey lovers...I will be doing a post on my visit to the Sanctuary!
And we mustn't forget Jack the donkey at Carisbrooke Castle...there is a 16th century well and back in the day donkeys drew the water...so meet Jack who now does the demo once a day for a couple of minutes - if he feels like it! I will be writing about the castle in the future.
6) The bus service
The IOW has a wonderful network of buses that take you all over the island. For 24 pounds I got a 7-day pass and I went all over the place. I love public transport as you get to meet all sorts of people going about their daily lives. Okay a car has its uses too and it can get you to places you can't get to with a bus but when you travel on a budget like I do the bus works just fine. And they have double-decker buses as well!
7) The walks
IOW is a walkers paradise. I wish I had more time to do more walks but there was just so much to see. I did walk along the promenade from Sandown to Shanklin but you need an extra week to go walking on top of a week to sightsee! Only when you are on a trail do you really see the views. Next time I will walk to Ventnor and visit Steephill Cove.
The three photos above were taken on the seaside trail between Sandown and Shanklin.
This was taken from the bus - I had just seen walkers along here and was so jealous. Next time!
8) Osborne House (home of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert)
I loved Osborne House (and yes, a bus stops right outside the main gates) and while I didn't visit it on the best of days weatherwise it was still so beautiful. I would definitely revisit it when I next return just because I loved it so much and hopefully on a sunny day next time. I was so impressed I even bought the guidebook! There will definitely be a post on this place coming up.
9) The Needles and Alum Bay
This is probably the most visited attraction on the island and well worth it. I had visited previously on a day trip from London back in 1986 but of course I had to visit again. Loved the chair lift trip up and back (though you can walk if you choose - I chose NOT to!) and the boat trip out to see The Needles.
These are the Needles - don't worry there will be a post with more info and LOTS of pictures.
These are the gorgeous colours of Alum Bay.
10) The gorgeous Victorian town of Ryde
This is the pier and yes, the train trundles along here as well as cars - and pedestrians. So of course I had to walk out here to get a view back towards town.
I loved the main street with the colourful shops...I arrived fairly late in the day as the shops were closing. Next time!
I spent most of my time in Ryde walking along the sea path - here is the Appley Tower which is a folly. (an ornamental building or tower with no purpose)
And it goes without saying that Ryde has beaches!
It was hard to pick ten things - I just love this place and it is definitely on my "must go back" list - sooner than later hopefully. Next time I hope to do more walking!
I stayed at the Swiss Cottage bed and breakfast in Shanklin and I loved it. Being as I was there in late April/early May I was the only guest most of the time. It is a five minute walk to the sea, five minutes to the main shops and about a ten minute walk to the Railway station. (longer if you get misplaced like I did on the way back to the train station - maybe it was my subconscious mind because I really didn't want to leave but plans in London awaited...)
For more information on the Isle of Wight click here.
1) They use an out of service London Underground train for their train service
I mean really...how cute is that. The service runs from Ryde Pier Head (where I arrived via high speed ferry from Portsmouth) to Shanklin (where I stayed) - a distance of 13.7 km.
2) More thatched cottages than you can shake a stick at
I couldn't get over how many thatched cottages they are...everywhere! A local told me that there are more on the Isle of Wight than everywhere else in Britain. I don't know if this is true but it could be!
Need I say more?
4) Cream Teas!
I saw more teas on the Isle of Wight than anywhere else...I was there a week and only indulged once. How sad is that. But it was a chocolate one which was a first for me...chocolate chip scones with a chocolate spread instead of jam and a 99 stick in the cream. I was transported to heaven for the few minutes it took me to demolish it! (P.S. you can get it in the village of Godshill.....)
5) Donkeys!!!
Oh how I love donkeys. I don't like horses but oh how I do love donkeys.... So when I heard there was a donkey sanctuary on the IOW (as those who know the island say) I went there...on the first morning! I was almost the only one there and it was hard to leave. SO ADORABLE!!! Don't worry donkey lovers...I will be doing a post on my visit to the Sanctuary!
And we mustn't forget Jack the donkey at Carisbrooke Castle...there is a 16th century well and back in the day donkeys drew the water...so meet Jack who now does the demo once a day for a couple of minutes - if he feels like it! I will be writing about the castle in the future.
6) The bus service
The IOW has a wonderful network of buses that take you all over the island. For 24 pounds I got a 7-day pass and I went all over the place. I love public transport as you get to meet all sorts of people going about their daily lives. Okay a car has its uses too and it can get you to places you can't get to with a bus but when you travel on a budget like I do the bus works just fine. And they have double-decker buses as well!
7) The walks
IOW is a walkers paradise. I wish I had more time to do more walks but there was just so much to see. I did walk along the promenade from Sandown to Shanklin but you need an extra week to go walking on top of a week to sightsee! Only when you are on a trail do you really see the views. Next time I will walk to Ventnor and visit Steephill Cove.
The three photos above were taken on the seaside trail between Sandown and Shanklin.
This was taken from the bus - I had just seen walkers along here and was so jealous. Next time!
8) Osborne House (home of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert)
I loved Osborne House (and yes, a bus stops right outside the main gates) and while I didn't visit it on the best of days weatherwise it was still so beautiful. I would definitely revisit it when I next return just because I loved it so much and hopefully on a sunny day next time. I was so impressed I even bought the guidebook! There will definitely be a post on this place coming up.
9) The Needles and Alum Bay
This is probably the most visited attraction on the island and well worth it. I had visited previously on a day trip from London back in 1986 but of course I had to visit again. Loved the chair lift trip up and back (though you can walk if you choose - I chose NOT to!) and the boat trip out to see The Needles.
These are the Needles - don't worry there will be a post with more info and LOTS of pictures.
These are the gorgeous colours of Alum Bay.
10) The gorgeous Victorian town of Ryde
This is the pier and yes, the train trundles along here as well as cars - and pedestrians. So of course I had to walk out here to get a view back towards town.
I loved the main street with the colourful shops...I arrived fairly late in the day as the shops were closing. Next time!
I spent most of my time in Ryde walking along the sea path - here is the Appley Tower which is a folly. (an ornamental building or tower with no purpose)
And it goes without saying that Ryde has beaches!
It was hard to pick ten things - I just love this place and it is definitely on my "must go back" list - sooner than later hopefully. Next time I hope to do more walking!
I stayed at the Swiss Cottage bed and breakfast in Shanklin and I loved it. Being as I was there in late April/early May I was the only guest most of the time. It is a five minute walk to the sea, five minutes to the main shops and about a ten minute walk to the Railway station. (longer if you get misplaced like I did on the way back to the train station - maybe it was my subconscious mind because I really didn't want to leave but plans in London awaited...)
For more information on the Isle of Wight click here.
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