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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