What's on in Isle Of Wight

The Isle of Wight is the must see destination for all those people hoping to recapture the beach holidays of their childhood. Seemingly stuck in the seventies it offers a wonderfully kitsch seaside resort throwback, as well as a charming quaintness that harks even further back to the Victorian Era. That is not to say it’s not worth going. The Isle of Wight is s charming and lovely island off the Hampshire coast (the largest island in England in fact), packed with resort towns, and offering splendid beaches, manicured gardens and lush green hills to the thousands of holidaymakers who head there every year. Separated from the mainland by the Solent it is known for its stunning natural beauty and for the sailing out of the town of Cowes.

The Isle has been attracting visitors since pre-Roman times and is mentioned in much Roman literature. After the Romans left it became a Jutish kingdom before reverting to paganism. For a while it formed part of the Kingdom of Wessex before joining England and everting to Christianity in 686. There are numerous historic sites worth visiting, from the Norman Carisbrooke Castle (fortified in the 16th century) and the forts at Sandown, East Cowes, Cowes and Yarmouth. It has been home to the poet Tennyson and to Queen Victoria who built the famous Osborne House there. It is also home to some of the finest dinosaur fossil sites in all of Europe. Best of all however is the wildlife. With over half of the island an Area of Outstanding Natural beauty it is a wonderful landscape, from dramatic coastlines and chalk downs to the famous Needle stacks, as well as soft cliffs and sea ledges and inland, miles and miles of fertile farmland. The wildlife is also flourishing with red squirrels, dormouse, rare bats and even rarer butterflies.

Despite the bucket and spade resorts it now has some wonderful restaurants and bars and some quality nightlife. From fun nights to natural delights, the Isle of Wight is the perfect weekend holiday destination.