Any suggestions Isle of Wight (1 Viewer)

[Johnny Johnson]

As per title any suggestions would be most grateful

 

[Emmit]

Biased but seek out the Compass wine bar in Cowes where our daughter runs the catering side OR;
On your travels around the Isle, look out for Borneo Pantry's award winning chutney. Made on the island by, you've guessed it, daughter again. Unlike another producer who gets all the publicity and visits by the glitterati, hers is artisan and HAND MADE on the I. O. W.
Minor rant over

 

[David and Sally]

As per title any suggestions would be most grateful

Ferries? Sites? Attractions? Suggestions for what please.

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[phil1946]

Use Red Funnel and book sites through them - feel free to PM me.

 

[TerryL]

We used the Red Funnel package and chose a site about half a mile from Cowes. From then on we used public transport to get about so the van did precisely one mile on the island!

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

best check your van does not have to pay the emissions charge if going from Portsmouth, Southampton Red Funnel avoids this.

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[Emmit]

best check your van does not have to pay the emissions charge if going from Portsmouth, Southampton Red Funnel avoids this.

And also Wightlink from Lymington to Yarmouth.

 

[Spriddler]

I had a week over there last July.
Carisbrooke Castle if you like historical stuff. Ventnor Tropical Gardens if that's your thing. The 'hop on, hop off' open top bus service is great to avoid traffic and parking hassle.
Don't bother with the ghastly touristy theme park/amusement arcade/fast food outlets, tacky souvenir and trendy Chinese tat shops at the Needles.
It seemed to me like Blackpool with a dragging anchor.

 

[robnchris]

I had a week over there last July.
Carisbrooke Castle if you like historical stuff. Ventnor Tropical Gardens if that's your thing. The 'hop on, hop off' open top bus service is great to avoid traffic and parking hassle.
Don't bother with the ghastly touristy theme park/amusement arcade/fast food outlets, tacky souvenir and trendy Chinese tat shops at the Needles.

Or better still stay in The New Forest!!!!!!!

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[POH]

Agree with Robnchris the place has got left behind ,lots of places rundown , we wouldn't go back camc site is OK though.

 

[poppycamper]

Agree with Robnchris the place has got left behind ,lots of places rundown , we wouldn't go back camc site is OK though.

Well only 10 posts and I have went from "Oh never been, heard so much about it, put on to go list, sound great to gosh that sounds horrendous.... forget it, not going"

 

[Tea Bag]

We used the Red Funnel package

Hi.
So have we. I think CAMC do a link up with these as well,worth asking if you are a member.
Tea Bag

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[dash300]

Biased but seek out the Compass wine bar in Cowes where our daughter runs the catering side OR;
On your travels around the Isle, look out for Borneo Pantry's award winning chutney. Made on the island by, you've guessed it, daughter again. Unlike another producer who gets all the publicity and visits by the glitterati, hers is artisan and HAND MADE on the I. O. W.
Minor rant over

Only open 2 days a week and drinks only! No wonder she's making chutney!

 

[Tribute615]

We used the Red Funnel package and chose a site about half a mile from Cowes. From then on we used public transport to get about so the van did precisely one mile on the island!

Been a couple of times and done the same , Red Funnell offer, Waverley Park ,couple of minutes off the ferry and took buses (use bus pass) all round the island . Seen most of the attractions and as someone said it is a bit run down and dated in parts but still a nice place to visit .

 

[BillyKontiki]

Adventures are what they are, you may go and have a great time which no doubt you will.
Get out there and enjoy. .

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[Colino]

The heritage sights are expensive especially for a family, being a member of English heritage Trust helps. Its been said the ferry crossing mile for mile is one of the most expensive crossings in the UK.
Last time we went over to iow festival and squeezed a bit of sightseeing in in the car, but like some others on here have said it felt a bit tired and rundown.
I would go back but only for the festival.

 

[denisejoe]

Don't use the CCC Adgestone site - it's a long way from anywhere without transport - ie all narrow roads with no paths.

 

[westhamman]

The towns are somewhat rundown, there are many nice walks around the island though. Osbourne house and grounds were really nice. Sites were all adequate that I stayed on.

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[Emmit]

Only open 2 days a week and drinks only! No wonder she's making chutney!

Drinks only right now because she's having a well deserved break.
I don't think the OP was asking for suggestions right now.

 

[SSILVO]

The towns are somewhat rundown, there are many nice walks around the island though. Osbourne house and grounds were really nice. Sites were all adequate that I stayed on.

totally agree Osbourne house is amazing .....its like she is still there.

 

[two]

Be aware that many of the roads are restricted to less than 6'6" wide so travelling in a motorhome is difficult if you want to use it for getting around. It's great for walking, and not too bad for cycling (there are hills).

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[Tonks]

Highly recommend a visit to the IOW Steam Railway. The journeys on the trains are enjoyable, the 'Train Story' attraction is very well put together and interesting, and there are often events on including Falconry and small festivals.
There's parking for motorhomes at Havenstreet, although only a few spaces.

I stayed at Parkdean at Lower Hyde. The MH/touring section was nice, with good facilities, once I'd found it through the sea of statics! I personally would look for a much smaller place to stay next time, but Lower Hyde has good facilities for families.

 

[Jewellbags]

I love the island and live the other side of the Solent . It is quirky , set back in the 70s and yes has enough tat to fill Blackpool , Brighton , Great Yarmouth , etc etc . Ventnor is great as is steeple hill grove , the drive along the military road is wonderful so is freshwater and Yarmouth . The garlic farm is great.

 

[dash300]

I love the island and live the other side of the Solent . It is quirky , set back in the 70s and yes has enough tat to fill Blackpool , Brighton , Great Yarmouth , etc etc . Ventnor is great as is steeple hill grove , the drive along the military road is wonderful so is freshwater and Yarmouth . The garlic farm is great.

To be fair I think they are now in the 80's!

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[TinaLes]

I can highly recommend The Crab Lobster Inn....Pub/Restaurant/ Hotel, used to have 4/5 rooms to stay upstairs, which we did many moons back before even thinking about a MH.
Its speciality is of course Sea Food, but you may have to book if you want to get a table inside the restaurant, but they serve meals and great beers from the bar also, sit in or eat on the patio outside in the summer.
Its located at North Foreland point Bembridge, IOW, here's a link below, would love to go back the food was that good.
Have Fun.
LES

The Crab & Lobster Inn

Character Inns – Isle of Wight Pubs

www.characterinns.co.uk

 

[claude et maude]

Mermaid Bar….lovely cocktails, nice pizza and you can stock up on their Mermaid Gin.

 

[Betsy Lamb]

Wight link take tesco clubcard rewards. Stayed at Appledurcombe holiday park which was lovely. Public transport is excellent but driving and parking were easy too. Sea fishing superb

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[Bjwwil]

Highly recommend a visit to the IOW Steam Railway. The journeys on the trains are enjoyable, the 'Train Story' attraction is very well put together and interesting, and there are often events on including Falconry and small festivals.
There's parking for motorhomes at Havenstreet, although only a few spaces.

I stayed at Parkdean at Lower Hyde. The MH/touring section was nice, with good facilities, once I'd found it through the sea of statics! I personally would look for a much smaller place to stay next time, but Lower Hyde has good facilities for families.

Loved the IOW steam railway, fab saying and for our grandchild, blackgang chine was a good day out.
We stayed at southlands which was a good site but, like other posters have said, the roads around the island are narrow so travel in the motor Home is difficult

 

[Zebede4500]

Garlic farm is a must visit. Never knew there were so many varieties.

 

[jim999bob]

We moved here 20 years ago, we like the countryside, friendly people, slow pace of life, hardly any crime. It's a nice place to be! have a good trip.

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