Where can you go in the British Isles that is close enough to London to not require expensive train journeys, a place which in many ways exists in its own time warp, where you can walk to beautiful scenic and historical places on scenic coastal paths and across hilly grassy down land, through ancient woodlands, past rustic farms? This has to be the Isle Of Wight.

The Isle of Wight is a limited holiday opportunity; you only have about another 4000 years before the island disappears into the sea! Parts are going at rates of 3.5 metres a year….. See it while you can!

Famous for its sailing regattas, for the white chalk cliffs and the stacks called The Needles and for the coloured sands at Alum Bay. The Island may be a bit of a cliché in British tourism, but it exists in its own time. Beyond the big tourist towns of Shanklin and Sandown, and the sophistication of Cowes harbour, everything is on a manageable scale - no huge towns, or big industrial blights, but long chalky downs, sandy beaches and enchanting woodlands. Seaside rock, ice cream and fish ’n’ chips of course, but also great pubs and restaurants, quiet paths, historical churches and gems of villages.

Let’s face it, if it was good enough for Queen Victoria, its good enough for most of us! After all, Queen Vic despite ruling a quarter of the Earth and being Empress of India, elected to spend her holidays on the Isle Of Wight where she had her husband build a little holiday cottage called Osborne House- her little ‘pied de terre’. She painted and sketched the nature, rode horses, went for long walks, went swimming and even spent her last days there.

Explore the Isle of Wight on an unforgettable walking or cycling holiday.