Isle of Wight is a county and the largest island of England located in the English channel off the south coast. In the past it was part of Hampshire.
Newport is the county town, which has a quay. The towns suburb of Parkhurst is home to three prisons which make up the largest prison in the UK. They were amongst the first top security prisons in the country. The river Medina runs through Newport.
Ryde is the largest town on the island. The resort is noted for its expansive sands. Ryde Pier is one of the oldest and a listed structure.
Shanklin is a popular seaside resort located on Sandownn Bay. Shanklin chine is a wooded coastal pathway with trees and waterfalls. There is a heritage centre here explaining the history.
The Needles is a row of three stacks of chalk that rise out of the sea. The Needles lighthouse stands at the end of the formation. There used to be a fourth needle shaped pillar called Lot's Wife, but it collapsed in a storm in the 1700's. The rocks and lighthouse have been featured on souvenirs and sold throughout the island.
Alun Bay is the westernmost point of the island and within sight of the Needles. The Bay is noted for its multi-coloured sand cliffs.
Osborne house in East Cowes was built as a summer home and retreat for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Following her death, the house was given to the state and is open to the public.
Cowes is a seaport. It has been the home for international yacht racing since the 1800's. The town gives its name to the world's oldest regatta, Cowes week, which is held every year in August. The population of the town increases dramatically during Cowes week and it becomes the busiest time of year for local businesses.
Brading Roman villa was a Roman courtyard villa which has been excavated and put on public display.
Things to do in Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is a beautiful island located off of the coast of England. This gorgeous landmass is bursting full of history and has 60 miles of lush scenery and many attractions that tourists can visit.
Many of the island's attractions focus on the nature on and in the surrounding areas. The Isle of Wight is one of the hottest and sunniest places in Great Britain, so many people come here to have a fun, outdoor vacation. One of the places to visit while at the Isle of Wight is Aldermoor Earthworks. Aldermoor Earthworks was once a farm, but hasn't been a working farm in over twenty-five years. Today, the farm works with animal conservation and rehabilitation, and tries to teach the public about these topics. It is a wonderful place to take a family because they offer a wide variety of educational workshops that range from how to start your own bee-keeping business to how to live frugally in an economically unstable world. Aldermoor Earthworks is a popular place for nature lovers and families.
Don't miss visiting one of the many parks and beaches on the island. The parks are full of green grass and blooming flowers, and are kept extraordinarily clean and neat. They are also home to 11 sports grounds and many parks have won awards for their beautiful gardens and wonderful landscapes. The beaches on the island are also top-notch. The Isle of Wight has 11 award winning beaches that are maintained at the absolute highest standards possible and are incredibly clean and safe. The Isle of Wight prides itself in its beautiful parks and beaches.
If you are more of a history buff, then you'll fall in love with the historical monuments scattered throughout the island. St. Lawrence is home to four historical monuments: Afton Down Obelisk, Grays Monument, Hoy Monument, and St. Catherine's Oratory. All four of these monuments can easily be seen in one day. There are also many museums, theatres, and zoos on the island. The Amazon World Zoo is a sight to see for all ages. It has the Isle of Wight's largest group of exotic animals and is a great place to go to spend a day of fun.
People who enjoy more traditional vacations will enjoy this island as well. You could visit some of the theme parks and other recreation events around the island. The Blackgang Chine is a theme park located in Nr Ventnor that sits atop 40 acres of cliffs and includes roller coaster water slides, and it even has a cowboy town. You could also participate in many of the recreational events on the island that are offered year around. Many of the beaches offer paragliding during the hotter months and often parks have areas where they hold horseback riding classes for all ages during all seasons.
The Isle of Wight is a beautiful island that is full of history and is a bustling little, family oriented community. It is made up of only 15 main towns and offers a wide range of tourist attractions and nature reserves. It is a wonderful place to take a family, but also a wonderful place to have a nature vacation, and to get away from the bustle of a big city.
Use the map below to find a campsite in Isle of Wight- simply zoom into the relevant area and you will find all the campsites indicated by markers. Click on any marker for more information. Alternatively, you can browse campsites by region/county using the links below.
East England
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