The Isle of Wight is only minutes from the mainland and so easy to reach - yet it's a world away. This diamond-shaped island has a magic all of its own and is one of the UK's sunniest and warmest places. Measuring 23 miles by 13 miles, the Island lies just off England's South Coast. No passport is needed for the short sea crossing and once you've landed on the Isle of Wight everything is within easy reach.

Boasting award-winning beaches, unspoilt and spectacular scenery and a rich historical heritage, there are attractions, activities and adventures to suit visitors of all ages.. Discover picturesque villages, spectacular cliffs, sandy beaches, rich farmlands, creeks, marshland, river valleys, and a rich diversity of wildlife, flora and fauna.

More than half the Island is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with 500 miles of award-winning public footpaths and almost 30 miles of Heritage Coast shore lines.

Exploring the Isle of Wight

Within an area of just 147 square miles (3,800 hectares) over 500 miles of carefully maintained and well-signposted rights of way can be found. Leafy lanes, footpaths and bridleways wind their way from coast to coast through green valleys, meadows, forests, passing  ancient churches and manor houses.

Cycling holidays on the Isle of Wight

Follow a 62 mile route through some of the Island's best scenery, mainly using quieter lanes, signed with a white bike (clockwise) and a blue bike (anticlockwise), or perhaps tackle a more demanding route using the well signposted bridleways and byways by mountain bike.

Horse riding on the Isle of Wight

There are wonderful opportunities to explore the Island's vast network of bridleways, some of which have been in use since the Stone Age. Enjoy panoramic views from these high tracks used by drovers, horsemen and carters, long before the present roads were built. 

Coastal Wight

Explore cliff top walks, beaches and coastal woodland. The wonderfully varied and unspoilt coastline scenery is probably the Island's finest natural asset, from glistening chalk cliffs to the tranquil estuaries which meander inland. Whatever attracts you to the region, whether it is beachcombing, bird watching, rockpooling, bathing or just watching the world go by, the Island's coast will provide you with endless options . There are two stretches of "Heritage Coast" covering nearly half of the Island's 60 mile (97km) coastline. This designation is only applied to coastlines of the highest quality in England and Wales.

Public Transport

Buses reach all corners of the Island and you often get an interesting perspective of the countryside from the top deck of a bus. Trains connect passenger ferries at Ryde with Sandown and Shanklin. Stops along the way include a connection with the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.