The Isle of Wight

Travelling to the Isle of Wight Introduction to the Isle of Wight

Isle of Wight map

The Isle of Wight is located just off the south coat of England and is linked to the mainland ports of Lymington, Southampton, Portsmouth and Southsea by vehicle ferries, high speed passenger catamarans and hovercraft.  The Isle of Wight has three major ferry operators and the information about these and links to their web sites can be found below.

The main ferry terminals of Southampton and Portsmouth and both linked to London by fast rail and road services, the journey time taking between one and two hours.  The London terminus is Waterloo Station. Tickets can be purchased straight through to some Island destinations, to include the ferry crossing.

Island ferry operator information

Wightlink

Portsmouth to Fishbourne Car and passenger ferry 45 mins
Portsmouth to Ryde Passenger ferry 15 mins
Lymington to Yarmouth Car and passenger ferry 35 mins

www.wightlink.co.uk  0870 582 7744

Red Funnel

Southampton to E Cowes Car and passenger ferry 55 mins
Southampton to W Cowes Passenger ferry 23 mins

www.redfunnel.co.uk  0870 444 8898

Hovertravel

Southsea to Ryde Passenger hovercraft 10 mins

www.hovertravel.co.uk  01983 811000

Train services to the Isle of Wight

National Rail
www.nationalrail.co.uk   0845 748 4950

Train services on the Isle of Wight

Island Line
01983 812591 or 0845 748 4950

Bus routes to the Isle of Wight

National Express
www.nationalexpress.com  08705 808080

Bus services on the Isle of Wight

Southern Vectis
www.islandbuses.info  01983 827000









 

 

For a walking holiday  you'll always remember, no Island comes close.  Each season has its own special charm.  The Island boasts 60 miles of spectacular coastline, with picturesque coves and beautiful bays of golden sand with safe bathing.

Known as the "Garden Isle", this jewel of England indeed resembles a diamond in shape and is a treasure trove of historic and prehistoric interest.  Di The Needlesnosaurs, ancient tribes, Romans and monarchs throughout the ages have left behind a fascinating trail into the past.  The Island was once a frequent haunt of many eminent and historically important people including Charles Dickens, Lewis Carroll, JMW Turner, Henry VIII and Queen Victoria.

The Isle of Wight is some 23 miles west to east, from the Needles to Bembridge, and 13 miles north to south, from Cowes to St Catherine's Point.  This, the smallest, and perhaps the most geographically diverse, of England's counties covers 147 square miles and is bounded by about 60 miles of coastline an ideal Cycling holiday destination.  1245369809691-4g74ox835kq2-280-75[1].jpgWithin this watery border of the Solent to the north and the English Channel to the south, lies an "England in miniature".  The natural processes of deposition, folding and erosion during the last 120 million years have resulted in the rich variety of the Island's surface geology.  The results are kaleidoscopic contrasts in the Island's scenery encompassing open download, beech woods, conifer forests, grazing land, wide sandy beaches, seer cliffs, rocky coves, creeks and estuaries.

The Island is a haven for wildlife, renowned for its rare flora and fauna such as wild orchids, Glanville fritillary butterflies, little egrets and the majestic buzzards circling above the ro nicky032[1].jpglling farmland and, of course, the rare red squirrel are just a few of the delights you may well see.

     
Interesting Facts   Weather & Climate

John "Earthquake" Milne (1850 - 1913) was the father of seismology.  He invented the horizontal pendulum seismograph and set up the world's first centre for seismology in Shide.

The Isle of Wight only became an island 8,000 years ago at the end of the last Ice Age.

Sir Christopher Cockerell spent 2 years from 1959 inventing the hovercraft in East Cowes.  It was built at Saunders Roe and launched on 31st May 1959.

Guilielmo Marconi moved to the Island in 1896 after the Italian post office refused to test his new wireless equipment.  In 1897 he erected a 40 metre tower at Alum Bay and transmitted to Poole, nearly 20 miles away.

 

The Isle of Wight can be said to have a climate all of its own.  With relatively mild winters and high light intensity, the local climate borders on sub-tropical and allows many Mediterranean-type plants, trees and even vineyards to flourish in the open air.

  Min °C Max °C
Jan 4 5
Feb 3 10
Mar 5 16
Apr 7 18
May 10 19
Jun 13 24
Jul 14 23
Aug 16 27
Sep 12 23
Oct 7 15
Nov 7 13
Dec 5 10
 
Wight Wanders - 1 Sandpit Cottages - St Johns Road - Wroxall - PO38 3AB
Tel: +44 (0) 1983 281662 - Email: info@wight-walks.co.uk
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