by garybembridge

Towns and villages to visit on the Isle of Wight

Holidays in the Isle of Wight are an increasingly popular choice for people in the UK as the new decade approaches. Aside from saving on poor exchange rates between sterling and the euro caused by the economic downturn, a growing number of people are becoming aware of their carbon footprint – and looking for ways to reduce it.
Even a short-haul flight to Europe adds tonnes and tonnes of CO2, so for many with a green conscious or simply a sensible approach to their wallets, UK holidays are replacing international trips. And though it’s often overlooked, the UK is home to some sites of astonishing natural beauty. Out of all the country’s unspoiled and natural areas though, the Isle of Wight is perhaps the greatest example of the draw of a domestic holiday.
For many people taking holidays in the Isle of Wight, the greatest appeal will come from the Island’s pristine natural features. From award-winning beaches and spectacular cliff side views to the serene landscape of its central marshlands and river valleys, the Isle is British geography at its best. But there’s more to see on a holiday in the Isle of Wight than just what nature has provided; the island also has a rich historical heritage that can be explored throughout its many towns and villages.
One of these towns will be the first stop for many people on holidays in the Isle of Wight – Ryde, otherwise known as ‘The Gateway To The Island’. The largest town on the coastal landmass, there are regular ferries and a hovercraft to the mainland, and a train station which connects you to destinations across the island. It has several miles of golden sand beach and offers a clear view across to the south coast of mainland UK. During summer, the town also plays host to the oldest carnival in the UK, where floats from across the Isle of Wight converge in a final celebration of summer.
Ryde is also close to several of the island’s most attractive coastal villages. Often boasting Victorian architecture and the remnants of the great country houses that once dotted the island, they also offer some of the finest examples of island cuisine. Seaview, a busy sailing centre in the summer, is just a walk away from Ryde and offers a golden opportunity for windsurfing and swimming. If the weather proves unfavourable, entertainment can be found in the village’s golf courses, riding stables or its wildfowl and bird park.
Other villages such as Bembridge, Shanklin or St Helens are also just a short journey from Ryde. These villages offer visitors the chance to see some architecture that has remained unchanged since the 19th century – and to sample some of the Island’s distinctive produce. From preserves to cider and chocolate or cheese, the Isle of Wight is a proud exporter of some of the UK’s finest local produce.
The history of the nation has also made its mark on the tiny, idyllic island. Fortifications like Yarmouth Castle or Fort Victoria demonstrate the once strategic significance of the Isle of Wight, and offer an insight into the lives of people as far back as the days of Henry VIII. Carisbrooke Castle even dates back to the days of the Normans. Beyond its military history, there are the fine manor houses of the country’s historic nobility. Most famous of all of these is the royal residence at Osborne House. Here Queen Victoria and Prince Albert spent many summers, and inspired many other famous Victorians to settle on the island. Lord Tennyson, Lewis Carroll and Charles Dickens are among the notable names who took their holidays in the Isle of Wight in days past.
These are but a few of the attractions on the Isle of Wight, with many more villages dotted along the western coast and many more historic monuments dotted throughout its centre. Its seclusion from the mainland has given the Isle of Wight an unprecedented opportunity to preserve the beauty of the natural English countryside, and to preserve the heritage that was swept away by the industrial revolution on the mainland. Here, like few other places in the UK, the modern comforts and conveniences of today exist alongside buildings that have stood hundreds of years and pristine, unspoiled examples of gardens, parks, beaches and countryside.

A timelapse video of the Red Funnel ferry arriving and unloading at East Cowes on the Isle of Wight on Saturday 5th May 2007. Over 12 minutes of video (filmed on my mobile phone – which I had to keep steady as possible for the whole time!) shrunk down in to a tiny 20 seconds of timelapse film. Original music made in Sony Acid XMC and all edited together in Adobe Premiere Elements 3.0 More videos from my week on the IoW coming soon!

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