Isle of Wight - where to stay?
Discussion
Looking at a short break on the IoW over the August Bank holiday - whats the best town to stay in? I've heard nice things about Shanklin.
Basically we want non-tacky, nice beaches/views, decent pubs/restaurants and tea rooms.
We'll likely travel across from Southampton (heading down from Cambridge way) but again, happy to move that to Portsmouth if people think that's better for any reason.
Also, any recommendations for decent hotels?
Basically we want non-tacky, nice beaches/views, decent pubs/restaurants and tea rooms.
We'll likely travel across from Southampton (heading down from Cambridge way) but again, happy to move that to Portsmouth if people think that's better for any reason.
Also, any recommendations for decent hotels?
Zippee said:
Looking at a short break on the IoW over the August Bank holiday - whats the best town to stay in? I've heard nice things about Shanklin.
Basically we want non-tacky, nice beaches/views, decent pubs/restaurants and tea rooms.
We'll likely travel across from Southampton (heading down from Cambridge way) but again, happy to move that to Portsmouth if people think that's better for any reason.
Also, any recommendations for decent hotels?
We went last September for a mid-week break (Monday - Friday) for the first time. We being my OH, 3 year old daughter and me. Can't comment on hotel, as we went as a last minute thing, so we only got a cheap lodge on a Lower Hyde Holiday Park in Sandown, but for £99 including the ferry crossing with a car couldn't complain! Ferry was from Portsmouth to Fishbourne, but we could have gone to Yarmouth from Lymington if we had chosen. Ferry from Portsmouth was OK, we left Cheshire at 5.30am on the Monday morning and were at Portsmouth waiting for the 12.30pm ferry at 11.30am with a breakfast stop. Basically we want non-tacky, nice beaches/views, decent pubs/restaurants and tea rooms.
We'll likely travel across from Southampton (heading down from Cambridge way) but again, happy to move that to Portsmouth if people think that's better for any reason.
Also, any recommendations for decent hotels?
As above, we stayed in Shanklin, but visited most of the island whilst we were there (The Needles, Yarmouth, Ryde, Shanklin, Ventnor, Cowes). Shanklin was nice enough and was about 15 minutes walk from where we stayed, but we only popped down one evening for some chips and a walk along the pier. The old town part of Shanklin was very quaint. Ventnor was very similar to Shanklin. I should say, where I live in Cheshire, our default seaside day visits are Llandudno or Blackpool. Sandown and Ventnor were definitely nowhere near Blackpool for tackiness! I would put them in the more classic seaside town bracket like Llandudno, but I can only base that on my experience of visiting outside the school holiday season!
Nicest parts we visited were the beach at St Helens/Duver Point, we had one day where the weather was sunny all day and we spent it all on the beach there. Daughter played in the sea whilst I watched the boats coming out of the Solent. Yarmouth was really nice, not sure if there are any hotels that way on, but I would like to stay around that area if we go again. The Zoo at Shanklin was good too, but only big enough to spend 2-3 hours max. Got the train into Ryde one evening from Shanklin. Daughter loved the old tube train and it was nice walking along the prom at Ryde with an ice-cream. Even saw one of the Cunard liners leaving Southampton that night.
Edited by towser44 on Monday 27th June 14:17
Edited by towser44 on Monday 27th June 14:19
The wife and I stayed here rather than a hotel and it was a nice little place - https://www.facebook.com/The-Boathouse-20352190316...
I can highly recommend this B&B if they still have anything available.
http://www.pen-y-bryn.co.uk/
The place is very quiet and a 5 min walk to Freshwater Bay & Tennyson Down.
Ok if you want Shanklin and the standard tourist places then this may not be for you.
http://www.pen-y-bryn.co.uk/
The place is very quiet and a 5 min walk to Freshwater Bay & Tennyson Down.
Ok if you want Shanklin and the standard tourist places then this may not be for you.
mikees said:
On the mainland (this from someone who's been to IOW a lot - not thru choice)
As someone who lived there for 5 years, the above.Shanklin is alright, its nicer than Sandown, but isn't free from tackyness. There are some great beaches on the south-west coast along the Millitary road. However there are little if any facilities there.
Shanklin would be a good base, as you've got the option of using the train line to get around to Ryde and Sandown. Avoid tourist traps like the Needles ammusement park and Blackgang Chine.
Stayed here once
Memorable.
John Illsley of Dire Straits fame is one of the owners
https://www.thegeorge.co.uk
Memorable.
John Illsley of Dire Straits fame is one of the owners
https://www.thegeorge.co.uk
Grew up on the IoW, moved away about 15 years ago; went back for the day today with my little ones - hardly changed at all, the whole place needs a lick of paint!
Anyway, we did consider spending a few days there and this: https://www.darwinescapes.co.uk/parks/woodside-coa... looks great - in a nice quiet location and pretty central between Newport & Ryde. The Lakeside is a decent hotel/restaurant in walking distance.
Anyway, we did consider spending a few days there and this: https://www.darwinescapes.co.uk/parks/woodside-coa... looks great - in a nice quiet location and pretty central between Newport & Ryde. The Lakeside is a decent hotel/restaurant in walking distance.
I've got a place in Seaview between Ryde and Bembridge.
During August it's full of shreiking pretentious types all dressed in pink but it's a pretty little place with a busy waterfront and nice views from the pub. The beaches there are nice and at low tide, the walk from there to Bembridge is lovely.
I think that once you've got your head around 'IOW speed', it's a refreshingly nice place to be and lots to look at if you want as suggested above. Personally, I think on-foot is the best way and just enjoy the coastline. Doesn't matter which ferry you use to get there, Red Funnel from Southampton takes a bit longer and is usually the cheapest way, Wightlink from Portsmouth a tad quicker but you pay for it.
During August it's full of shreiking pretentious types all dressed in pink but it's a pretty little place with a busy waterfront and nice views from the pub. The beaches there are nice and at low tide, the walk from there to Bembridge is lovely.
I think that once you've got your head around 'IOW speed', it's a refreshingly nice place to be and lots to look at if you want as suggested above. Personally, I think on-foot is the best way and just enjoy the coastline. Doesn't matter which ferry you use to get there, Red Funnel from Southampton takes a bit longer and is usually the cheapest way, Wightlink from Portsmouth a tad quicker but you pay for it.
We spend a lot of time on IOW with our boat, so know harbour areas fairly well, we like it so much that we're re-locating to live over there.
As others have said, the Duver at St Helens is lovely. In Bembridge the Best Dressed Crab is good if you like Seafood. In the High St in Bembridge is a bakery and tea shop, Lotties I think, that's nice and good value.
In the West Wight there is a nice tea shop in the Needles Battery, free to enter if National Trust members, best view on IOW. On the way is Warren Farm tea shop, lovely walk up Tennyson Down from there.
Freshwater Bay is a nice spot, find the bench by the steps up to the Dandilion Cafe, lovely little sun trap on the water front.
In Yarmouth, find Off The Rails - its very good and Gossips on the pier.
Nice walk from Yarmouth to Red Lion at Freshwater and back to Yarmouth in a big loop.
Sails cafe on Cowes High Street does a very good eggs royale or benedict.
Check out Matt and Cat foodie blog.
As others have said, the Duver at St Helens is lovely. In Bembridge the Best Dressed Crab is good if you like Seafood. In the High St in Bembridge is a bakery and tea shop, Lotties I think, that's nice and good value.
In the West Wight there is a nice tea shop in the Needles Battery, free to enter if National Trust members, best view on IOW. On the way is Warren Farm tea shop, lovely walk up Tennyson Down from there.
Freshwater Bay is a nice spot, find the bench by the steps up to the Dandilion Cafe, lovely little sun trap on the water front.
In Yarmouth, find Off The Rails - its very good and Gossips on the pier.
Nice walk from Yarmouth to Red Lion at Freshwater and back to Yarmouth in a big loop.
Sails cafe on Cowes High Street does a very good eggs royale or benedict.
Check out Matt and Cat foodie blog.
I stayed here last year - https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g503887... Low expectations which were far surpassed.
The landlord apologised about the noise that would start at 8PM. Turned out that every Tuesday they have a live jaz jamming session. I lasted 30 minutes of working until I was down there listening. Excellent night.
The landlord apologised about the noise that would start at 8PM. Turned out that every Tuesday they have a live jaz jamming session. I lasted 30 minutes of working until I was down there listening. Excellent night.
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