Here are listings of recommended sites in a few categories with a brief description.
Wight Coast Holidays is situated in Bembridge and is ran by staff local to the area. Properties in Bembridge, Seaview, West Cowes and Shanklin. We have used W.C.H. this year {2024} and enjoyed the property and the very good communication from Roger.
Landguard Holiday Park is situated on the outskirts of Shanklin and was a family run expanding business and is now part of Park Resorts for 2008. Many facilities and reasonable prices made this our choice for a few years over the larger more commercialised sites available on the Island. Also adjacent and sharing its utilities is Landguard Camping Site. We have stayed here a few times prior to Park Resorts ownership many years ago.
Wightonline.co.uk This site has general information about the Island with some holiday accommodation information and an interesting Naturally Wight section. Many links to other sites and places with local news.
St.Maur Hotel Ventnor. A small hotel with real character and good hospitality and good food thrown in as well. Built in 1876 as a Victorian villa it has been run by the Groocock family since 1966 and more recently is popular with short break offers including car ferry transportation. We have stayed here a few times and had a great time.
Bembridge Coast Hotel offers a breath of fresh sea air at one of the Isle of Wight’s premier hotels, with stunning sea views over the glistening Solent and set in 23 acres of grounds and gardens, including an award-winning walled garden.
The Isle of Wight Guru a website full of useful information and pictures to assist the visitor to The Island, compiled by someone who is very fond of The Island with an occasional twist of light hearted humour.
Upper Chine Cottages Self catering luxury holiday cottages and apartments tastefully situated in nearly 3 acres, with Shanklin Chine running alongside. Perfectly situated in Shanklin Old Village with an easy and pleasant walk to Rhylstone Gardens or Shanklin Beach. We have stayed here a few times in the past - These are adjacent to the accommodation and grounds of Chestnut Mews Holiday Cottages listed later.
Wighthols self catering holiday cottage accommodation in Brighstone.
Oliver's Travels are a provider of luxury self-catered cottages or holiday homes that can include a concierge service in the Isle of Wight. All cottages can hold large groups, perfect for families and friends.
Warner Leisure Hotels Bembridge Coast Hotel offers a breath of fresh sea air at one of the Isle of Wight’s premier hotels, with stunning sea views over the glistening Solent and set in 23 acres of grounds and gardens, including an award-winning walled garden.
Chestnut Mews Chestnut Mews Self Catering Holiday Cottages are situated in the beautiful Old Village of Shanklin. The 3 bedroom cottages offer a very high standard of spacious, fully equipped accommodation. Chestnut Mews is tucked away from the main road and nestled within a delightful setting with half an acre of sheltered, secluded gardens that offer a peaceful and relaxing base with which to explore the Isle of Wight. We have used these for our recent holidays. These are adjacent to the accommodation and grounds of Upper Chine Holiday Cottages listed earlier.
Uk cottages have a selection of holiday cottages on The Isle of Wight, if you haven't decided where to go, then help is at hand to help you choose the best location for your cottage holiday. As well as all the suggestions and advice here on the website, they can offer help if you want further guidance or ideas on holiday destinations.www.isleofwightholidays.com/ website offers information on many types of accommodation available on The Isle of Wight as well as attractions, travel information and guides. Pubs and restaurants are also listed.
Villa-rothsay One of the finest boutique hotels in Cowes and the Isle of Wight. This most exclusive of Cowes hotels, located in the heart of the Yachting world and family run for more than 30 years, offers Cowes quality hotel accommodation distinguished by its Victorian elegance with magnificent views of the Solent.
I know Hampshire website has many types of accommodation on offer on The Isle of Wight including Hotels, Flats and Apartments, Caravan and Holiday Parks, Holiday Cottages, Hostels to name just a few. Speciality searches are a useful features as well and the site has other sources of information tailored for the visitor.
Island Cottage HolidaysIsland Cottage Holidays offer high quality accommodation and levels of service for the visitor to The Isle of Wight. Island Cottage Holidays has been providing holidays since 1992 and brings 10,000 holiday makers to the Isle of Wight each year.
Cottage-Choice short breaks, weekend breaks and self-catering cottages on The Isle of Wight and the mainland.
Classic Cottages handpicked and personally inspected properties across the Isle of Wight.
Independant Cottages provide a plethora of privately owned self-catering holiday cottages on the Isle of Wight including classic cosy smugglers cottages and seaside apartments.
Islandeye Island history, events as well as accommodation are featured here amongst excellent search facilities covering an extensive list of parameters within islandeye. Results are shown on a fully scalable map of the Island with markers and further information so the whereabouts are easily found.
Fortvictoria cottage holiday cottage overlooking the beach on one side and a woodland conservation area on the other, and a short walk away from the pretty harbour town of Yarmouth.
Sykes Cottages a UK based company which specialises in independently owned, self catering holiday cottage accommodation. We currently have over 3000 properties across the UK and Ireland and thirty nine cottages on the Isle of Wight.
Blue chip holidays Isle of Wight holiday accommodation in the most stunning of locations making this a perfect getaway for you if you don’t want to travel too far. Now directed to Cottages.com.
Holiday Cottages are an award winning team that have been successfully letting properties in popular UK holiday destinations for over 30 years. If you're looking for a cottage by the sea, farmhouse on the moors or an apartment in the city, we have something to suit all requirements and budgets.
Cool Camping is a provider of the best campsites and glamping areas on the Isle Of Wight. There is plenty to choose from, whether it be dog-friendly tent pitches, caravan-friendly campsites or waterside camping.
Villa Rothsay One of the finest boutique hotels in Cowes and the Isle of Wight. This most exclusive of Cowes hotels, located in the heart of the Yachting world and family run for more than 30 years, offers Cowes quality hotel accommodation distinguished by its Victorian elegance with magnificent views of the Solent.
Snaptrip website has many types of accommodation on offer on The Isle of Wight including Hotels, Flats and Apartments, Caravan and Holiday Parks, Holiday Cottages, Hostels to name just a few.
Islandholidaycottages island Cottage Holidays offer high quality accommodation and levels of service for the visitor to The Isle of Wight. Island Cottage Holidays has been providing holidays since 1992 and brings 10,000 holiday makers to the Isle of Wight each year.
Brambles Chine Holidays the holiday village has a split-personality depending on time of year. In the school holidays Linstone Chine Holiday village is a great place for children to make new friends, while on the playing field in full view of their parents, and without the danger of meeting cars. Out of season the site becomes a quiet and peaceful spot, ideal for walkers, bird watchers. Kite surfers and hang glider enthusiasts find it an ideal place to stay as its only a few minutes drive away from Compton downs and it's surfing beach.
Coolstays Coolstays provides unusual and unique self-catered rental accommodation on the Isle of Wight. Stay in anything from a fab converted lighthouse with ocean views to a cosy cabin nestled in lush countryside.
Waverley excursions Welcome aboard the Pleasure 'Steamers' Waverley & Balmoral. Sail back in time aboard the wonderful Historic Passenger ships on a day, afternoon or evening cruise. Sailing from over 100 ports & piers around the UK, enjoy this unique chance to relax aboard Waverley - the last sea-going paddle steamer in the world!
Isle of Wight tourist guide The Isle of Wight Tourist Guide wishes to cater for all the requirements of the visitor to this unique island. A wide scope of information can be found here including accommodation, attractions, sports and pubs.
Wightlink This site is constructed by Wightlink Isle Of Wight Ferries and it's main function is obviously booking and sailing times but it also has a wealth of information for visitors contained within as well.
Redfunnel This site is also constructed by Redfunnel Isle of Wight Ferries and it's main function is also booking and sailing times and also has similar information for visitors as it's competitor Wightlink Ferries.
Redfunnel All about The Isle of Wight Steam Railway that runs from Wooton to Smallbrook Junction and is a real treat. Details of train times, fares, special events can be found here.
Invectis Dave Parkers Isle of Wight Nostalgia site is an extensive web site dedicated to many subjects to do with the island and is very interesting and comes highly recommended. Also a favourite are the photo galleries of past and present and lots of interesting information and facts. This website inspired me to create my own many years ago now.
The Royal Hotel has 55 bedrooms and is the only AA 4 Star Isle of Wight Hotel. It is set in the coastal town of Ventnor with outstanding views of the Isle of Wight’s breathtaking coastline.
Wight Squirrel Project The Isle of Wight is a national stronghold for red squirrels as there is no fixed link to the Island. The squirrels are in most woods, at some tousrist attractions such as Rylstone Gardens, parks in Cowes and Shanklin and many people have them in their gardens. The population fluctuates between approximately 2000 and 3500.
Tapnell Farm is a diversified farm situated on the site of the legendary 1970 Isle of Wight festival. Spend the day here with indoor and outdoor animal activities, cycle hire, restaurant and bar, adventure activities, clay and rifle shooting range all amongst fine countryside. Numerous accomodation options as well.
South West trains The Islands small ex-London underground trains are a unique feature and the line starts at Ryde Esplanade finishes at Shanklin Town. Train times and information are featured here.
Wightwash The Official Webpage of the Isle of Wight branch of CAMRA and its all about pubs, beer and breweries on The Isle of Wight and some interesting links on the contacts page.
Island buses Useful web site for those wishing to use bus services around The Island. Bus timetables, day trips and tours as well as town maps can be found here.
Isle of Wight weather All about Isle of Wight weather! View the weather in real time or past data from a handful of weather stations on the Island, live web cam.
Around The Island in 80 stops Around the Island in 80 stops is a whistle stop tour of the Island and it's places of interest and pleasant scenery along the way. The website is no more but the link is to the 45min video on YouTube.
Isle of Wight walking festival Every May The Island hosts The UK's largest walking festival. This site is all about the festival in the month of May and has lots of information with competitions, news, and places to stay.
WightSole walking is a group of individuals of various ages who clearly enjoy walking. Past activities list the walks that they have completed with information and pictures. Group photo's and a list of forthcoming events and social evenings are also featured. The Arial pictures of the walks supplied by Google Earth is an interesting and useful feature.
Wight Walks walking holidays are offered on this site. Accommodation, maps, advice and transportation of luggage between walk destinations are provided by this 'all in' service.
Ghost Island interesting site about ghosts on the Island. All of the featured books by local writer Gay Baldwin I own and have read and they are very good. My particular favourite are the stories, facts, and pictures concerning Knighton Gorges.
These books can be seen for sale at many bookshops and tourist information centres on The Island and are also available from the web site. Ghost maps and stories are featured in this site amongst other things. The Island is rich in ghosts as well as history!
Ventnor Radar a personal site from Don Adams which is dedicated to all those who served at RAF Ventnor, containing plenty of technical as well as autobiographical accounts of time spent manning the radars many years ago. Plenty of pictures within the site including an aerial picture on 'down the Hole' page reached off 'what an underground R1 Hole looks like' link from the home page. I particularly like the page About Girls, beer and Work titled Play and Work, an interesting read.
Back of The Wight named after the famous and highly recommended book by Fred Mew this site gives the locations and details of many shipwrecks that occurred on the West coast. This area was particularly notorious for claiming unfortunate ships. Plenty of pictures as well as details of heroic rescues by man -powered lifeboats whom the volunteers sometimes perished themselves.
Gmwarner Martin Warners personal site showing some great Victorian pictures from his family's collection including those of Ventnor Esplanade, Shanklin & Sandown and some of the old piers of The Island. There are also some old postcards, recent pictures and a bit of his family history.
Available light the site of Isle of Wight photos taken by Steve Gascoigne LRPS. There are some fantastic pictures here where the natural light has been captured perfectly and the quality is outstanding. Ariel pictures also feature here as well as a large selection of landscape pictures amongst several galleries. Free wallpaper pictures are available to download which is a good idea, my particular favourite is the sun setting beyond The Needles.
Chad Powell Photographic gallery and shop within Arreton Barns, high quality images and gifts here and highly recommended.
IOW Historic postcards great local site containing old postcard pictures as well as place information along the way. Also Shalfleet local and history pages to browse through.
Jason Swain is a visual artist / photographer based on the Isle of Wight on England's south coast. Specializing in fine art landscapes and action / lifestyle photography with the common theme of the islands beautiful coastline.
Saucy Seaside Postcards this museum pays homage to Donald McGill, who spent his life creating comic artworks for the then thriving postcard industry. Donald created over 12,000 postcards from 1904 till his death in 1962, the award winning Orrery Café is available to compliment your visit.
Rapuni clothing is an Eco-Fashion company from the Isle of Wight, that makes Organic and Ethical clothing using Renewable Energy with award-winning traceability. Rapanui is about making eco-fashion cool whilst being made a bit differently, they use natural, organic fabrics, and Ethical fair labour.
Billyoh rattan-garden-furniture information and history of Rattan garden furniture When you are looking for new patio or lawn furniture, rattan garden furniture is a stylish, environmentally-friendly, affordable, and durable option to consider. Rattan furniture is made of rattan, a palm plant which is found in parts of Southeast Asia.
Goddards Brewery Goddards Brewery have won many awards since 1993 for their locally produced beer. Their site takes a light hearted look into the history of the brewery, beers they produce in draught and bottles and a list of pubs where you are likely to find them.
Goodleaf they run tree climbing adventures for all ages & abilities; for individuals, groups large & small, for those scared of heights & for those who can't wait to be swinging 50ft above the ground.
Iwsteamrailway all about The Isle of Wight Steam Railway that runs from Wooton to Smallbrook Junction and is a real treat. Details of train times, fares, special events can be found here.
Onthewight previously Ventnor Blog, an interesting community blog site all about Ventnor and other parts of The Island. Excellent pictures as well with nice slideshow options - sit back and enjoy the show! There are some really good images here.
Back of The Wight Martin Warners personal site showing some great Victorian pictures from his family's collection including those of Ventnor Esplanade, Shanklin & Sandown and some of the old piers of The Island. There are also some old postcards, recent pictures and a bit of his family history.
IOW Historic postcards great local site containing old postcard pictures as well as place information along the way. Also Shalfleet local and history pages to browse through.
Jason Swain is a visual artist / photographer based on the Isle of Wight on England's south coast. Specializing in fine art landscapes and action / lifestyle photography with the common theme of the islands beautiful coastline.
Saucy Seaside Postcards this museum pays homage to Donald McGill, who spent his life creating comic artworks for the then thriving postcard industry. Donald created over 12,000 postcards from 1904 till his death in 1962, the award winning Orrery Café is available to compliment your visit.
