Have you been struggling with picking a new destination abroad this year? Why not try staying closer to home! You can enjoy a weekend staycation in the UK on the Isle of Wight!
A weekend staycation gives you a perfect opportunity to explore this beautiful award-winning island, surrounded by breathtaking beaches and delicious restaurants. Find yourself walking in royalty footsteps to the forest paths with red squirrels.
FYI – The Isle of Wight is a very child and dog friendly location, but also perfect for couples wanting a great weekend away.
Your Weekend Staycation On The Isle of Wight
Where To Stay
This really depends on you of course! The Isle of Wight has some unique places to stay at, as well as hotels and B&Bs. If you are visiting the island by car, then no place will be far from anything.
Some places I can recommend are:
- The Caledon Guest House – Cowes
- Woodvale Garden (Airb&B) – Gurnard
- The Crow’s Nest – Ventnor
Where To Eat
If you are looking for something to eat, the island will have it! From cooking your own piece of beef on a hot plate, the tastiest Italian dishes and for the best fish and chips – the Isle of Wight has it all.
- The Cow Restaurant – Tapnell Farm (photo below left)
- Bargemans Rest – Newport
- Tramezzini – Ventnor
- Caffe Isola – Newport (photo below right)
- The Sundial – Sandown
- Ozze’s Plaice – Newport (the BEST fish&chips!)
Where To Have Fun (With & Without Kids!)
Unless you are visiting for 100% relaxation, you may want to check out these fun activities and places to visit. For example, put on some active gear and get cycling around the island, the best way to be out in the island nature with its’ many cycling paths. Or find yourself visiting one of the many animal sanctuaries that the island has to offer.
Here are some active things you should check out for your weekend staycation:
- Rent bikes with Wight Cycle Hire
- Robin Hill Adventure Park
- Take a Needles Pleasure Cruise around the Needles Light House
- Go-karting at Wight Karting
Animal related:
- Amazon World
- Tapnell Farm Park
- Monkey Haven
- Isle of Wight Zoo
Where To Relax
The island has some top beautiful locations to explore in the nature, where you can feel fully relaxed. But if you want that extra special treatment, head to a local spa or one of these locations for relaxation:
- Lakeside Park Hotel Spa
- Steephill cove (find yourself a drink and relax by the water’s edge)
- The Oasis Spa
- Ventnor Botanic Gardens
- Quarr Abbey
Where To Shop Local
The island has numerous places to buy a special gift for loved ones or for yourself during your visit. Plus while you are here, get stuck in to some local produce too. To name a few see below:
For food:
- The Garlic Farm
- Quarr Abbey
- Adgestone Vineyard
- Isle of Wight Distillery
- House of Chilli
- Briddlesford Lodge Farm & Farm Shop
- Calbourne Watermill
For gifts:
- Isle of Wight Pearl
- Oasis
- Holliers Park
- Arreton Barns
Where To See The Stars
If you are big fan of seeing the ISS pass over the Earth, or check out constellations in the sky, then you will be in the perfect place to see the night sky. This is because the Isle of Wight is one of the darkest places in the UK! You can check out the Island Planetarium and the Isle of Wight Observatory as well as visit these top locations with your car for viewing:
- Steephill Cove
- Compton Bay
- Yaverland
- Freshwater Bay
- St. Catherines Lighthouse
Where To Explore For History
History might not be the first reason you choose to visit the island, but while you visit there are some great places to learn more. For example, find yourself inside the once summer home of Queen Victoria or behind the walls of an artillery fortress.
- Carisbrooke Castle
- The Needles Battery
- Osborne House
- Brading Roman Villa
-
Dinosaur Isle
- Wight Military and Heritage Museum
Where To Explore For Nature
The Isle of Wight is well known for its beautiful landscape at natural reserves, award-winning beaches (see next paragraph) and a nature haven for red squirrels! Here are some of the best places (in my opinion) to find yourself lost walking in nature:
- Parkhurst Forest
- Sandown to Ryde above the sea
- Tennyson Down
- Headon Warren
- Bouldnor Forest Nature Reserve
- Newtown National Nature Reserve
and finally… Where To Beach!
You may know the Isle of Wight from some of the award-winning beaches. Depending on what you prefer, many are perfect for those with kids, but also many for water sports or more secluded. Either way, these beaches are just what you need to hear the waves and dip your feet into the cold sea:
- Compton Beach (sandy)
- Ryde/Appley (sandy)
- Sandown Bay (sandy), which won ‘Beach of the Year’ in the BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards 2019
- Bembridge
- Cowes (stoney)
- Colwell Bay
- Ventnor (mixed)
Check out our other Isle of Wight posts here:
Thanks for sharing!