Did you know that if you live in London, you can get to the Isle of Wight in less than 2 hours? That means if you leave after work on a Friday, you could be enjoying a glass of prosecco and some fresh fish overlooking the sea before sunset – the ideal way to start a weekend don’t you think?
In such close proximity to London, with beautiful beaches, fun attractions and lots of landmarks to explore, the Isle of Wight is perfect for a weekend getaway. With the help of Holiday cottage specialists Blue Chip Holidays, we’ve put together some of the top things to see and do on this spectacular island this summer.
Shanklin seafront
Christine Matthews
Shanklin is one of the Isle of Wight’s most famous seaside resorts. It’s a charming place with a traditional seafront promenade vibe – Think Punch and Judy and buckets and spades. The promenade is bustling with amusements including traditional arcade games and bowling. If you’re feeling peckish several cafés and kiosks serve up the usual seaside fare like fish and chips, hotdogs and ice cream. Also, Shanklin’s sandy beach makes it perfect for a spot of swimming and there are a range of beach huts and deckchairs to hire for those who want to take their time with the spectacular views.
P.S New to the Shanklin seafront is the Pirates Cove, a mini theme park that will keep the whole family entertained for hours.
Isle of Wight Festival of the Sea (23rd June – 9th July 2017)
For nine exciting days the Isle of Wight Festival of the Seas takes over the island with an array of sea-related activities held to promote the Island’s seafaring history. There is something for all the family including beach art displays, pirate themed events and scenic cycle rides.
A plethora of cookery displays and food-tasting stands situated throughout the island are sure to fill you up, but if you want to get out on the open sea why not try your hand at sailing a yacht, doing a spot of surfing and wind surfing or even test out your kayaking skills.
One of the more popular events held during the Festival of the Sea is Shipwreck Isle 2017; get your best pirate gear on and party like a pirate by heading down to Appley Beach on the 2nd July. This one day spectacular hosts a range of pirate themed activities including lots of stunts, demonstrations and musical events.
Beachside Restaurants
If you’re a foodie who loves fish, the Isle of Wight is the ideal destination for you. Some of the best sea fishing in the UK can be enjoyed off the Isle of Wight which means some of the freshest fish eating can be done here too. We recommend:
The Crab Shed, Steephill – For a delicious lunch overlooking the sea, this is the place to come. The Crab Shed is famous for its crab pasties and mackerel ciabattas and they also serve up a selection of wines to complement their seafood dishes. Any crab, lobster and mackerel you see on the menu is caught in the sea, right in front of the restaurant – you can’t get fresher than that.
The Hut, Colwell Bay, Freshwater – With a perfect position right on the beachfront, The Hut is a great spot for seaside dining. This is a busy and buzzy place which is popular for evening drinks followed by a candlelit dinner on the deck. Don’t come here expecting your average British fish supper as the menu takes inspiration from all over the world. Think Indonesian Fish Curry, Fish Tacos and Gambas Pil Pil.
Other great restaurants include: Baywatch on the Beach which is known for it’s lobster, plaice and mussel dishes. The Priory Bay Oyster Bar & Grill is also popular, here you can eat barbecued fish in a shack in the woods.
Blackgang Chine
Harold Dilworth Crewdson
If amusement parks are your thing, then you’ll love the Isle of Wight. It’s home to Blackgang Chine – the UK’s oldest amusement park. Whether you want to be a pirate on-board your own ship, be a sheriff of your own cowboy town or come face to face with life sized moving dinosaurs this theme park has it all. When you need to take the weight off you can also sample one of the many restaurants and cafes situated onsite, offering a range of snacks from burgers and hotdogs to ice cream and doughnuts.
Adventure Activities
With sites all across the island, Adventure Activities Isle of Wight offers something for everyone. Whether you want to experience the open sea in a kayak, or try your skills at archery or climbing Adventure Activities has it all. Based at Afton Park in Freshwater, the Adventure Activities Booking Centre and Activity base is open 7 days a week where intrepid adventurers can choose from nearly 30 outdoor activities across the whole island. The company organises and runs activities for any size of group from families to school groups and even stag and hen parties, and is committed to showing its customers what the Isle of Wight has to offer.