The Isle of Wight evokes many memories of childhood school holidays exploring its family friendly beaches and amusement centres but as an adult, for many the island had lost out to its staycation Cornish and Devonshire competitors.
Not so anymore. The reintroduction of the Isle of Wight festival, for decades a legendary memory of Woodstock proportions, has injected a deep shot of cool into one of the south coasts most aesthetically pleasing locations which transcends the age barriers of many festivals and which has mainlanders in their thousands flooding back. And you should too.
Yes the Island proudly boasts some of the United Kingdoms most spectacular coastline and blue flag beaches, but in recent years has been at the centre of award winning ecologically sound tourism and a perfect blend of both bijou relaxing accommodation and restful sun soaked afternoons following a more adventurous early start enjoying spectacular panoramic views across the Island’s north coast, Solent and mainland’s distant bustle.
Who would ever have thought the words ‘caravan’ and ‘cool’ would be natural bedfellows but with Vintage vacations the unthinkable has been perfectly established. Located just outside popular resort Ryde it’s hard to believe your eyes when first taking in the sight of a trailer park with a twist, all gleaming silver Americana, rather than tatty white plastic vans. You would be forgiven for feeling as though you were enjoying the Californian sunshine back in the 1960s. Vintage Vacations were amongst the very first businesses offering ‘Glamping’ holidays in the UK … and the original Glamping holiday on the Isle of Wight.
All Airstreams have been restored to great original condition – their owners preferring to restore rather than refurbish – which really helps to keeps the ‘soul’ of the caravan and continues the tradition of many happy holidays past. What this means is that if the original Formica and door handles (for example) are a bit worn but still working perfectly these remain intact, but the cookers, soft furnishings and beds etc have been replaced with sympathetic alternatives. Vintage fabrics and accessories allow your mind to play fantastical tricks upon your sense of time and place as your sleepy afternoon in a striped deckchair plays host to the expanse of your imagination. Pop Mamas & The Papas onto your iPod and you’re away. Well worth a staycation.
Unique to the Island is the tree top adventure with the award winning Goodleaf Tree Climbing. Speaking from personal experience, we were given plenty of time to learn the ropes with a friendly, qualified and experienced instructor before taking to the canopy. Using the latest climbing and safety gear, we had a great time ascending into the branches and trying out our new tree climbing skills, and at the top, time to enjoy the beautiful countryside and sea views from the birds’ nest adjacent tree hammock. The session was fantastic fun, adventurous but safe, eco-friendly to boot and left us with a great sense of achievement. The tree climbing package is a cracking way to spend half a day with friends and even if an active holiday is not your usual bent, the climb is achievable, comfortable, stretches you as much as you want to be stretched (or not if you don’t), and the views from the top are truly breathtaking. If there’s a group of you, you’ll get exclusive use of Good Leaf’s experienced and friendly team and all climbs include light but welcome refreshments upon your descent. Goodleaf also offer a three day course for the more committed climbers details of which are available on their website.
To really take advantage of everything the island has to offer we recommend a diverse stay on the Island that takes in both the charm and action of the vintage vacation and Good Leaf experience, with the relaxation opportunities provided by some of the more exclusive hotels and off the beaten track locations. Adjacent to Ryde and a stones throw from the Good Leaf base is the attractive hamlet of Seaview (the name says it all) and The Seaview Hotel. We much prefer the (slightly) faded glamour but theatrical grandiose surroundings of The Priory Bay Hotel which sits on the edge of both Seaview and the Island itself above its own private and truly beautiful beach. Should you be more than happy, appropriately so, with your week in an Airstream, The Priory Bay is also worth dropping into for a suitably grand afternoon tea or morning coffee in its Victorian drawing room before strolling around its lush grounds (a glass of fizz overlooking The Solent is also recommended).
Longer visits must take in Steep Hill Cove just south of Ventnor, which is only accessible on foot but plays host to excellent sea food eateries thriving on local produce. Even the Islands contribution to the UKs list of ‘faded glory’ seaside towns hold a much more romantic atmosphere than their mainland cousins, and for the more daring amongst you the naturist beaches of Blackgang and Yaverland near Culver, knock the salt aired socks of that rubbish pile of stones in Brighton.
Looking for an Island hop this summer? One hop and you’ll want to stop.
Wight Link sail from Portsmouth and offer short (30minute) crossings to Fishbourne on the Island, although Red Funnel from Southampton is only an hours sail, more financially reasonable and an all round more pleasant start to your visit.
More details including rates and availability are available on the following websites:
Public Health England (PHE) and National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) are reminding UK residents travelling to Israel, or the West Bank and Gaza in Palestine, to make sure they are up-to-date with their routine immunisations and have had a polio containing vaccine in the past 10 years.
Licensing and trading standards officers at Brighton & Hove City Council are working with Sussex Police to develop a voluntary scheme for businesses where they can join together to limit the availability of super-strength alcohol in the city.
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