The Isle of Wight is often called the UK in miniature, but there are things here you can see and do that you really can’t do anywhere else (or at least very few places). Feel like you’re having an exclusive tour of the Island by those who know it best and get to know our Island home a little better. Here’s your Island bucket (and spade) list for your UK staycation.
Wild and Wonderful
For those who love getting back to nature and seeing something a little unexpected the Isle of Wight has a few jewels in its countryside crown:
Red squirrels
A visit to the Island wouldn’t be complete without catching a glimpse of these cute copper-coloured critters. Usually busiest in the mornings, our native squirrels can be seen scurrying around one of our ancient woodlands. Some of the best places to see one of the 3,500 Island inhabitants include Borthwood Copse and Parkhurst Forest.
White-tailed sea eagles
A relatively new introduction to the Island’s ecosystem, these majestic birds have an impressive wingspan of approximately 8 feet! You’d think they’d be easy to spot, but with only around a dozen gracing our skies they’re pretty elusive. If you don’t manage to see a wild one, head to Robin Hill and marvel at the new addition to the falconry team.
Wall lizards
Within the Island’s southernmost town, Ventnor, you’ll find a colony of small lizards. Scampering around places such as Ventnor Botanic Garden, this continental species is considered extremely rare in the UK. Varying in colour from brown (not dissimilar to the common lizard) they also have variations of green and on occasion blue. Found sunbathing in the Garden’s arid section, see how many you can count. While at Ventnor Botanic Garden look out for the Puya, a South American plant that doesn’t grow outdoors anywhere else in the UK except here, thanks to our wonderfully warm microclimate.
Chines
What is a chine anyway? It’s actually a deep, narrow ravine that is formed by water that has cut through the land’s soft sandstone as it makes its way to the sea. From Colwell Bay in the west to Shanklin in the east, the coast of the Island is dotted with various chines, some more accessible than others. The most impressive is at the visitor attraction Shanklin Chine. See a pretty 45-foot waterfall tumbling down from the Old Village to the esplanade. Be in awe when the sun goes down and the lights come as the Chine illuminates in the summer evenings, transforming into an enchanting wonderland that is asking to be explored.
Beautiful butterflies
The pretty orange and brown chequered Glanville Fritillary butterfly is virtually restricted to coastal paths along the southern half of the Isle of Wight. One of the best places to see one of these rare butterflies is along the paths above Compton Bay. During good years they have been found a little more inland from the coastal paths, and even in people’s gardens.
Heritage and History
Everywhere you turn on the Island there is a story to be told, with signs of its history dating all the way back to the Cretaceous period. So while you enjoy your holiday here learn a little more about our Island home.
Dinosaur hunting
Walk in the footsteps – quite literally – where dinosaurs once roamed along Brook beach near Brighstone. As the tide goes out you can see casts of Iguanodon prints and these three-toed formations are often mistaken for rocks. Keep your eyes open for fossils that have washed up on the shoreline too.
UK’s oldest
If you have ever spoken to anyone that holidayed on the Isle of Wight as a child, they would have said they paid a visit to Blackgang Chine. First opening its doors in the 1840s it’s Britain’s oldest amusement park.
Did you know we also have the UK’s oldest pier right here on the Island? If you travel here via the Portsmouth to Ryde FastCat route you will be wandering along it. Built in 1814, Ryde Pier was originally constructed to allow ferries to berth at low tide and at 2,305 feet in length it’s in the UK’s top five longest piers too.
Feel like royalty
Where else can you explore royal holiday homes? Osborne in East Cowes was designed by Prince Albert for his love, Queen Victoria. Built in the style of a Mediterranean villa you will certainly feel like you’re abroad with azure skies above and the sun shining, reflecting off the white stone walls of the house. Queen Victoria’s history is stamped all over the diamond Isle and there’s even a carriage at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway that our previous queen apparently travelled in.
A different point of view
Recently named as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the UK by The Royal Geographical Society, The Needles is probably the most iconic symbol of the Isle of Wight.
The three rocks emerging from the sea and the lighthouse at the end – it’s a postcard-perfect picture. See this Island symbol from another viewpoint by taking the chair lift from Alum Bay to the beach below. It takes around ten minutes to get from top to bottom (and the same back up). Travelling 250 metres horizontally and rising 51 metres from the beach back to the top, you’ll need a head for heights!
Marie Woodward
Featured in Wightlife Magazine, Summer 2021
