Holiday rentals in Isle of Wight

Located off the south coast of England, the Isle of Wight is world famous for its sailing, but has much more to offer. Measuring 23 by 13 miles, the isle is perhaps best described as a miniature version of England, with its picturesque traditional towns and villages, rolling green hills, dramatic white cliffs, and endless beaches.

The Isle of Wight has attracted visitors, including royalty, since the 19th century, and boasts a number of established seaside resorts.

Due to its 200 miles of cycle routes, the island is a highly-regarded cycling destination, while walkers can take advantage of 500 miles of footpaths. For any music lovers, the island hosts a number of festivals, the biggest being the Isle of Wight Festival in Newport in June. If sailing is your thing, head toward Cowes in the north and marvel at the sailing boats dotted throughout the Solent.

If you’re coming for the sun and the beaches, the spring and the summer are the best times to stay in accommodation on the island, when the seaside resorts spring back to life after the winter. This is also when the island is at its busiest, featuring sailing regattas, such as a big one at the beginning of August. The Isle of Wight Music Festival takes place over a few days in June, attracting big names to the island. If you want to visit during the quieter months, some of the shops and attractions might be closed, but the captivating scenery of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which covers half the island, is accessible year-round. You can follow the myriad walking and cycling trails during the day, while the darker nights make for prime stargazing in this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Carisbrooke Castle

At the heart of the island is Carisbrooke Castle, a historic keep dating from circa 1100. The castle’s colourful history includes the imprisonment of a King of England in the 17th century. You can walk around the whole of the battlements for sweeping, panoramic views of the Isle of Wight. The grounds are also home to the charming Princess Beatrice Garden and the beloved Carisbrooke donkeys.

The Needles

A trip to the Isle of Wight would not be complete without heading to the far west of the island and one of its most photographed places, the Needles. These are three gleaming, white limestone stacks, ending with the Needles Lighthouse. Take the chairlift for an impressive view of the Needles jutting out from the white cliffs.

Dinosaur Isle

The Isle of Wight has been called “Dinosaur Isle” because of the vast amount of fossil remains that have been discovered here. You can go to the first purpose-built dinosaur attraction in the country in a building designed to look like a Pterosaur. As well as fossils, the island is dotted with life-size models of the dinosaurs found on the island and a robotic dinosaur.