Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is readily accessed from London. Portsmouth is just 129 kilometres south-west of London and then the eight kilometres from Portsmouth to the island is easily accomplished via regular ferries. Yet, on the island, you seem a lot further removed from the capital and the scenic landscapes that walkers look for are immediately apparent.
Over half of the Isle of Wight has been designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, due to its varied terrain and unspoilt landscape. Also, notable to holidaymakers of all persuasions, the Isle of Wight boasts more hours of sunshine than anywhere else in the UK. These attributes, together with its less frenetic “island” feel, make it a walker’s paradise.
History buffs are also well-catered for on the island, not least because it was a favourite holiday retreat of Henry VIII, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. The star attraction is the richly decorated Osborne House in East Cowes. This was the country retreat of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and is well worth a visit. Other places of historic note include:
The pretty village port of Yarmouth, home to Yarmouth Castle. This castle was built as an artillery fort by Henry VIII in 1547 to protect the local harbour from French attack.
Carisbrooke Castle, a quintessential romantic castle which has been an Elizabethan artillery fort, a king’s prison and a royal summer residence.
Other highlights include timeless villages, Roman villa ruins, secluded sandy beaches and towering chalk rock stacks stretching out into the English Channel.
The Isle of Wight offers a number of day and multi-day walks and there are several tour operators offering a variety of walking trips.
The most well-known multi-day walk on the Isle of Wight is the Isle of Wight Coast Path, a 112 kilometre walk that circumnavigates the island and showcases all of its natural wonders, historic landmarks and welcoming seaside towns.
However, there are other multi-day walks, including some considerably shorter than the Coast Path. And the walking tour operators have developed walking itineraries suited for all. We can help you choose a walk and an operator that best suits your needs.
The Isle of Wight Coast Path is just one of many walks on the Isle of Wight we can tell you about, and help you to plan and complete.