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Should you’ve at all times dreamt of visiting the UK then that image most likely includes Massive Ben, Buckingham Palace, and London’s different predominant sights.
Nevertheless it’s time for London to step apart.
There’s a brand new UK sizzling spot on the town so as to add to your bucket listing!
![Aerial view of Isle of Wight](https://www.traveloffpath.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Move-Over-London-This-Destination-Was-Just-Named-The-Best-In-The-UK.jpg.webp)
The Isle of Wight has been named the ‘Greatest UK Vacation spot of the Yr’ within the Group Leisure and Travel Awards.
The island beat London, Leicestershire, my hometown of Norwich, Wiltshire, and York to raise the trophy.
Right here’s why this idyllic island is nicely price visiting:
Getting To The Isle Of Wight
As the identical suggests, the Isle of Wight is an island. It lies within the English Channel off the southern coast of England.
The island is separated from the mainland by a strait referred to as The Solent.
However don’t let the truth that it’s an island idiot you into pondering the Isle of Wight is difficult to get to.
![Ventnor harbour Isle of Wight](https://www.traveloffpath.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Ventnor-harbour-Isle-of-Wight-1.jpg)
The Isle of Wight is just round 2 hours door-to-door from London through a mix of automobile or prepare after which ferry or hovercraft.
Touring through ferry is the most affordable technique to get to the island, however the hovercraft is a lot extra enjoyable!
I’ve fond childhood reminiscences of my Grandma taking me to the Isle of Wight from Portsmouth for day journeys through hovercraft. In reality, I keep in mind the thrill of the journey greater than I keep in mind what we did after we acquired there!
An grownup day return hovercraft journey prices £31.50 ($40.35) or if you happen to’re staying for longer then a interval return is £40.40 ($51.70)
![The Portsmouth to Isle of Wight hovercraft crosses the Solent between Ryde on the Isle of Wight and Southsea.](https://www.traveloffpath.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/The-Portsmouth-to-Isle-of-Wight-hovercraft-crosses-the-Solent-between-Ryde-on-the-Isle-of-Wight-1-1024x1024.jpg.webp)
Hovertravel is the world’s solely year-round scheduled passenger hovercraft service, so it’s nicely price paying an additional couple of greenbacks for the expertise!
So what do you do once you get on the island? Regardless of solely being 23 miles lengthy at its widest level, the Isle of Wight is packed stuffed with actions!
Breathtaking Seashores
As you’d count on from an island, the Isle of Wight is packed full of gorgeous sandy seashores, which means you’ll be spoilt for alternative.
Alum Bay is without doubt one of the most picturesque seashores on the Isle of Wight, whereas Steephill Cove is a tucked-away patch of paradise.
Though this seaside is just accessible on foot, it’s well worth the stroll!
![Dramatic chalk cliffs at Freshwater Bay on the Isle Of Wight England UK Europe](https://www.traveloffpath.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Dramatic-chalk-cliffs-at-Freshwater-Bay-on-the-Isle-Of-Wight-England-UK-Europe.jpg.webp)
For one thing just a little completely different, head to Compton Bay and Yaverland Seashore. These seashores are well-known for the dinosaur stays and fossils that may be discovered right here, and fossil searching within the sand is a good (and free!) exercise if you happen to’re touring with children.
One in all my favourite issues to do on the seashores of the Isle of Wight is to sit down on a standard striped deck chair and loosen up.
You’ll discover fishermen nonetheless energetic right here and lobster pots and fishing deal with dotted alongside the shore, which provides to the genuine really feel of the world (and makes you hungry for a seafood supper!)
![Beach Huts and deckchairs at empty Shanklin Seafront, Isle of Wight. UK](https://www.traveloffpath.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Beach-Huts-and-deckchairs-at-empty-Shanklin-Seafront-Isle-of-Wight.-UK.jpg)
The Iconic Needles Landmark Attraction
One of the vital well-known and iconic sights on the Isle of Wight is The Needles.
The Needles are a row of three chalk stacks that tower out of the ocean, reaching heights of round 30 meters.
![The Needles and The Needles Lighthouse, on the Isle of Wight](https://www.traveloffpath.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/The-Needles-and-the-Needles-lighthouse-Isle-of-Wight-1.jpg)
They’ve been changed into a vacationer attraction and point of interest on the island, and taking a ship experience round The Needles is formally the preferred factor to do on the Isle of Wight.
Should you want to remain on dry land, then you’ll be able to take a chairlift experience from the highest of the coloured sands cliffs above the Needles all the way down to the seaside. A return experience will price £8 ($10) or you should purchase a ‘experience all day’ ticket for £12 ($15).
Down by the seaside you’ll discover kids’s rides together with a standard Victorian Carousel, a 4D cinema, and you may watch native candy makers at work within the Isle of Wight Candy manufactory.
It’s all of the enjoyable you’d count on from a standard British seaside expertise and an effective way to spend a day.
Fabulous Isle Of Wight Festivals
One of many issues the Isle of Wight is most well-known for is its epic festivals and if you happen to can, you need to time your journey to coincide with one in all these.
Essentially the most well-known is the Isle of Wight pageant, a music pageant which is held on the island in June every year.
Headliners for 2024 had been The Prodigy, Pet Store Boys and Inexperienced Day, their solely UK pageant for the yr.
![Pink gate ' All the Young Dudes', Isle of Wight Festival](https://www.traveloffpath.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Pink-gate-All-the-Young-Dudes-Isle-of-Wight-Festival.jpg)
From July 11-13 the Massive Seashore Weekender is a pageant of music, dancing and comedy with the byline of ‘distinctive expertise in an distinctive setting’.
However what actually makes the Isle of Wight distinctive is its abundance of lesser-known, and dare I say random, festivals and occasions. Garlic Competition anybody? Held on the third weekend in August yearly you’ll discover stay music, superstar cooks, and loads of garlic!
There’s additionally an annual Worldwide Scooter Competition, The Nice Wight Chew meals pageant, and common bonfires and fireworks all year long too.
![](https://www.traveloffpath.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Premium-Footer-JPG-1024x481.jpg.webp)
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Opinions expressed listed here are the writer’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, resort, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, authorized or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included throughout the submit.