My Top 7 Highlights on the Isle of Wight
I have visited the Isle of Wight over 30 times in the last 40 years, so I like to think I know it fairly well. Summer holidays as a child were spent paddling in the shallow calm waters of Sandown bay, while as an adult I have enjoyed chasing sunsets on the beaches of West Wight, as well as dancing to the Rolling Stones in a dusty field at the annual Isle of Wight music festival.
But it was only back in 2019, when I first walked the coastal path around the entire island, that I fully realised just how much more I had to discover on this compact diamond in the sea. These are my top seven highlights.
1. The food!
The island has its own micro climate, boasting more hours of sunlight than most of the UK. So not only do you stand a good chance of keeping your waterproofs in your bag, but the extra warmth ensures perfect growing conditions for some fabulous local produce. Isle of Wight tomatoes, grown in old glasshouses at the Tomato Stall, are widely known as being incredibly sweet and juicy, recommended by chefs and sold across the UK.
Meanwhile at the Garlic Farm, a third-generation family-owned business, you can get your hands on not only a bulb or two but a range of garlic infused products from mayonnaise, chutneys, black garlic beer and for the especially brave amongst you, garlic ice cream! And of course, being an island, there is an abundance of fresh seafood sold on nearly every menu. Don’t miss the crab pasties from the Crab Shed at Steephill Cove, conveniently located on the coastal path just south of Ventnor. Perfect for an alfresco lunch break by the sea.
2. You can quite literally walk in the footsteps of dinosaurs
The Isle of Wight is one of Europe’s best fossil hunting locations and all along the coast, particularly on the western beaches, it is possible to find remains of dinosaur bone and fragments of teeth, all from the Early Cretaceous Period, approximately 125 million years ago.
In Compton Bay, dinosaur footprints, conserved in situ, can sometimes be seen along the shoreline at low tide when the beach is exposed.
3. Red squirrels
The Isle of Wight is one of the best places in the UK to spot a furry red tail or two, and with a population of around 3000, the odds are largely in your favour. Unlike the rest of mainland UK, which has seen a decline in native red squirrel populations largely due to the invasive grey, the island has been able to protect their habitat and has become a sanctuary for this endangered species. Don’t forget to pack your travel binoculars and look up!
4. The Old Village Shanklin
This row of thatched cottages in the oldest part of Shanklin, is one of the most picturesque and photographed places on the island. A visit here truly feels like stepping back in time with winding lanes, flower filled tearoom gardens and independent shops, including the 80 year old Rock Shop, the perfect place to stock up on sugary candies for that afternoon energy boost.
5. Go for a dip in the sea
The number of holidaymakers to the Isle of Wight grew in the Victorian era as sea bathing increased in popularity. Even the Queen herself spent long summers with her family at her residence Osbourne House, enjoying her own private beach and wooden ‘bathing machine’. This unique contraption on wheels was pushed down rails into the sea, allowing the queen to simply descend a few steps into the water.
Although you will have to take the plunge unassisted, I can thoroughly recommend an invigorating post walk dip in the deep (and colder) waters of Freshwater Bay, or if you are just looking to soak your weary feet, the gently sloping shingle of Totland may hold more appeal.
6. Visit the sand shop at The Needles Landmark Attraction
Visit the sand shop and create a bespoke ornament to take home. The nearby cliffs of Alum Bay are known for their striking 21 shades of sand, and it has been a tradition since the mid-1800s to fill different glass or plastic objects with these to create your own souvenir. The sands are made of three minerals – quartz, felspar and mica – and millions of years of geological movement has pushed the sediment up vertically to form the multicoloured cliffs.
While it is strictly forbidden to collect the sand from the beach yourself, you can still ‘fill you own’ glass canister with sand that has been safely harvested after eroding from natural falls.
7. The Seven Wonders of the Isle of Wight
My seventh and final highlight has to be the Seven Wonders of the Isle of Wight. Appearing on souvenir postcards for as long as anyone can remember – I was around the age of 8 when I first spotted them – these whimsical puns celebrate seven different locations on the island in a quirky way.
From ‘Cowes you cannot milk’ to ‘Freshwater you cannot drink’, you will find these ‘wonders’ adorning everything from thimbles to t-shirts and of course the obligatory souvenir tea towel. You thought you had to travel the world to see the seven wonders, when all you have to do is visit the Isle of Wight.
Ready to explore the Isle of Wight?
We offer 4 itineraries on the Isle of Wight Coastal Path making a complete circuit of the island over 4 to 7 days, beginning in the stunning seaport town of Cowes. Email us at [email protected] or call us on 017687 72335 to start your seaside adventure.
