The
Isle of Wight is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing
break, at any time of the year. It is a stunning Island
with unspoilt scenery and a wealth of fascinating attractions.
For the energetic, there are plenty of activities to enjoy,
including windsurfing, sailing and paragliding.
Newport,
the capital of the the island. There is no District Council
on the island and the authority is The Isle of Wight Council..
The Isle of Wight and covers an area of 147 square miles
(380 square km). It is approximately 3 miles from the
mainland of the south of England. It is just 23 miles
by 13 miles.It has a population of 132,731 recorded in
the 2001 Census.
Getting
there:
Lymington
to Yarmouth - Car/Passenger ferry
Southampton
to West Cowes (Cowes) - High speed passenger craft
Southampton
to East Cowes - Car/Passenger ferry
Portsmouth
to Ryde - High speed passenger craft
Portsmouth
to Fishbourne - Car/Passenger ferry
Southsea
to Ryde - Hovercraft for foot passengers.
Wight
Link Ferries or Red Funnel Ferries are the main operators
and there are up to 350 crossings a day throughout the
year.
The
main towns are:
Cowes
and East Cowes are
located on the northern tip of the island. Seperated by
the River Medina (there is a "floating bridge"
connecting east and west). Famous for "Cowes week
Regatta" in Augustwith eight days of sailing boat
racing around the island.Cowes has narrow streets and
the sea is never far away a walk through a narrow alley
will take you to the marina, where you can stand and view
the yachts and other boats.
iNewport
is the County town and administrative centre.The town
is situated slightly to the north of the centre of the
island, at the head of the navigable section of the River
Medina, which flows northward to the Solent, and on which
the town has a quay.(see below)
Left:
Tide out on the River Medina at Newport
Ryde
is located on the north east of the islans. Ryde has
many pub's and cafe's as well as the majority of local
banks and clothing stores with supermarket's.... iceland,
somerfields and tesco's. The town has an excellent bus
service as well as the hovercraft and fastcat to the mainland
at regular intervals. The town also offers a bowling alley
and ice skating rink and indoor swimming pool with outdoor
paddling pool and boating lake, there is also a fun fair
and one of the uk's finest beaches with life guards on
watch during peek season. Ryde boasts its own golf coarse
and vineyard and the beautiful country side is only a
few minutes away with bridalways and cycle routes. you
are never very far from peace on one hand and culture,
activities and interests in the other.Ryde is the second
largest town on The Island.
Right:
Holiday rental - Burford House - Click on image for details
Sandown
is the sister resort to Shanklin see below). It sits in
the centre of Sandown bay with Shanklin to the south and
Yaverland and Culver cliff to the north. It offers sandy
beaches, which are gently sloping and are ideal for safe
bathing and is one of the few towns, which has retained
its pier.
Shanklin
The
coastal resort of Shanklin is located at the south east
corner of the Island at the southern most tip of Sandown
Bay. It has the railway that connects to Ryde.
Ventnor
is the southern most resort on The Island. The town
was built up in the Victorian era and sits on the side
of St. Boniface Down. The Down offers shelter to the town,
which takes full advantage of The Gulf Stream, which runs
up The English Channel. Ventnor has a Botanical Gardens,
which is situated to the west of the town centre
Yarmouth
is located on the western side of the Island and the
town has grown up as a result of its natural harbour.
You can take the car/passenger ferry to Lymington on the
mainland from here.
The
above selection only represents a small selection of villages
in towns in the area. Enjoy your visit to The Isle of
Wight, England
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