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WHAT TO DO

AN ISLAND EXPERIENCE

Measuring just 23miles by 13 miles, the Isle of Wight is often referred to as a little slice of England.

What makes the Isle of Wight so different is that there you will find the best of Southern England’s landscape features condensed into an area of just 147 square miles, all easily accessible and unspoilt by the many large developments to be seen elsewhere. Here, you can still find miles and miles of wild and beautiful coastlines, a green heartland of tranquility and a enchanting rural community almost untouched by modern urban pressures, it is little wonder why so many choose to stay in an Isle of Wight Hotel.

Looking at the Isle of Wight from a high vantage point on top of the downs, you will see a patchwork landscape of fields and woodland, stitched together by small country lanes, dotted with villages of stone and thatch, broken only occasionally by the bustling towns, like Shanklin.

The Isle of Wight's ancient landscape can be found on the earliest maps and the Island’s farmers are at the forefront of initiatives which conserve the countryside and its wildlife habitats, while at the same time diversifying to meet modern demands on farming. The weekly farmers’ market in Newport is the perfect opportunity to sample local produce including the Island’s famous garlic. An excellent climate for viticulture, award winning wines have been produced by a number of vineyards, some being chosen for the Queen’s Jubilee Banquet.

Travelling to the Isle of Wight couldn’t be simpler. Between the three cross-Solent operators, they offer up to 350 crossings per day. The Shanklin Hotel’s rates include the return ferry, which we book for you and send you a ticket, all you have to do is turn up and sail away.

A TASTE OF THE ISLAND

The Isle of Wight is the perfect growing area. Its low horizon line and reflected sunlight from the surrounding waters of the Solent are the vital ingredients for some of the most fertile land in the UK, contributing to the abundant crops of tomatoes, garlic and grapes, to name but a few. From millers to bakers, garlic growers to mustard makers, the IOW is blessed with local produce of sensational quality and remarkable diversity. Often featured on the Shanklin Hotel’s menus, it’s a chance to ‘try before you buy’ when you visit the local sellers or the weekly Friday farmers market in Newport, taking home tasty reminder of your Isle of Wight Breaks.

The Garlic Farm in Newchurch is home the IOW’s massive garlic production and has the widest range of garlic in northern Europe. They even export garlic to France! The café a great excuse for a quality lunch on the veranda from an award winning chef and you can buy bulbs to grow at home, fabulous pickles, mustards, relishes and smoked garlic honey (perfect for basting BBQ’ed sweetcorn!) as well as garlic bread made from the Island’s stone-milled wheat at Calbourne Mill, another must see attraction.

If ice cream is your weakness, try the Minghella Centre in Wootton. Though Minghella’s world face and gold award winning ice cream is sold everywhere on the Island (and in Harrods!) you can visit the factory shop, whilst on your Weekend Break Isle of Wight, and ponder over which of more then a hundred flavours you might want to try.

No Island is complete without seafood and for something less formal try The Boathouse in Steephill Cove where you can eat freshly landed seafood while watching the waves wink in the sunlight of the cove. The Crab & Lobster Inn, is the perfect location for freshly caught crustaceans, right on the beach at Bembridge. Accolades include the AA IOW Dining Pub of the Year and it is recommended by The Good Pub Guide and Les Routiers.

Afton Park & the Apple Tree Café near Freshwater, as the name suggests is great for all things ‘appley’, as well as local chutneys and preserves. Fresh apples, bursting with flavour, are available direct from the orchard from mid-August to October, while the home grown fruit, herbs and chemical-free vegetables all go in to the lunchtime meals available everyday. Afton Parks ‘Apple Days’ every September are a really different way to spend a day out and well worth the effort.

Finally no visit to the Isle of Wight is complete without a visit to the Weekly Farmers’ Market held in Newport every Friday throughout the year. All products are reared, grown, pickles, baked, smokes or processed on the Island by the stall holders and it’s great opportunity to stock up on food goodies before you leave the Isle of Wight Accommodation. In addition not only do you increase your green credentials, but by buying local produce you are supporting the local farming community and helping to product the Island’s unique landscape.

This is just a small taste of the ‘tastes of the Isle of Wight’, there is so much just waiting to be discovered, from wines that were selected for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Banquet, edible lavenders (try the Shanklin Hotel's chefs lavender shortbread!). All this is brought together once a year for one weekend every August at the World Famous Garlic Festival, an event not to be missed!

WIGHT WATERS

You are never far from the sea on the Isle of Wight. As England’s largest Island there is over 60 miles of fantastic coastline, half of which is in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and vast tracks are classified a Heritage Coast. The wonderfully varied and unspoilt coastal scenery is probably the Island’s greatest natural asset, from glistening chalk cliffs overlooking clear blue waters to the tranquil estuaries which meander inland.

Safe sandy beaches, ideal for bathing, give way to wild open coastlines of fossil rich sediments culminating in towering chalk cliffs. Walk from the main resort to the gentle wooded coastal slopes, soon you are on a rugged cliff-top with only seagulls and butterflies to keep you company.

The Isle of Wight harbour's provide for a fascinating visit. Providing gateways to the IOW for centuries, a vibrant community has built up around these waterways. The Isle of Wight is one of the best known sailing venues in the world. Separating the Island from the mainland is the Solent, an area of varied coastline and fierce tidal streams which is a breeding ground for world-beating sailors. A visit to Cowes is not complete without a walk along the harbour front, watching the action as the yachts dart around the inshore waters.

On an Island like ours, you are never far from the sea but there is so much more to our coastline than you might imagine. So here are a few treats that you may not have heard of whilst staying in our IOW Accommodation:

BONCHURCH
A secluded sandy beach with rock pools at low tide, an ideal spot for crabbing and shrimping. The beach is on a well trodden route for both serious hikers and gentle strollers alike, under the towering cliffs of Ventnor.

COMPTON BEACH
Huge, deep-red sandy beach, largely off the tourist trail and accessible by steps. A good surfing beach but renown for dinosaur bones and footprints. This uncrowded bay is well worth visiting, particularly for the magnificent views of the sunset it affords.

PRIORY BAY
A secluded and rural bay backed by ancient woodland. Pebbly at one end but at the other you would be forgiven if you thought you were on a tropical island with its white sandy swathes of beach. Well worth the effort.

ST HELEN'S DUVER
A real hideaway, dotted with dunes, the beach is well known for large numbers of birds and wildlife that have made it their home. Pretty beach huts are converted from the Islands's former railway carriages and the Baywatch Cafe serves some of the best seafood on the Island.