10 great reasons to visit the Isle of Wight in 2022

You can book ahead with confidence – the Standard vehicle tickets are refundable and amendable at the click of a button.

Save up to 20%* on foot and vehicle travel when you book by January 31, with travel throughout 2022. Go to wightlink.co.uk/news

*offer terms and conditions apply, visit wightlink.co.uk/terms

Here’s some inspiration for your trip…

Let your troubles float away

There’s something special about stepping on board a Wightlink ferry from Portsmouth – be it on foot or with your car – as it signals the start of your Isle of Wight adventure.

You might be staying for a few hours or a few nights, but as you wave goodbye to the mainland you can literally feel your troubles lifting from your shoulders. Crossings take from just 22 minutes.

Hop on a steam train

Discover the golden age of travel on an historic steam train while you take in the rolling scenery of the Isle of Wight.

Relax on the 10-mile journey with the Isle of Wight Steam Railway then take time to discover 150 years of railway history, and an impressive collection of locomotives and carriages at the Train Story Discovery Centre.

Connect with nature

Go hunting for red squirrels (although shh! They can be shy and easily disturbed by noise). Try Alverstone Mead Nature Reserve near Sandown, the woodland around Newtown, the Mottistone Estate or in Parkhurst Forest.

Or take a stroll around Newtown Creek, the Island’s own National Trust Reserve, looking out for visiting birds, waders and waterfowl, as well as summer orchids and wildflowers.

Try tree climbing

Try a spot of recreational tree climbing in a beautiful, mature oak tree set back from the golden sands of Appley Beach in Ryde. It’s a chance to experience a unique place that very few people ever get to visit – the canopy of a tree.

The tree is around 15 metres high and you’ll use rope and harness to climb it.

Indulge in local delicacies

With an abundance of seasonal food from the field, farm, and sea you can sample what the Island has to offer at brilliant local restaurants.

The Isle of Wight is famous for its tomatoes and garlic – you can find these on many a menu nationwide – but you’ll also want to try their squash, pumpkin and sweetcorn, as well as local cheese and game.

Have fun at a festival

No matter the time of year, there is always something happening on the Isle of Wight. The Island’s events scene is in full swing during the summer months.

Large-scale music festivals sit alongside country shows and carnivals, local live music is played in most pubs and there are plenty of unique events for the whole family.

Go fossil hunting

The soaring coastline at Compton Bay can be a fossil-finders delight, with dinosaur footprints visible at low tide.

Hailed as ‘the richest source of dinosaur remains in Europe’ means you automatically up your chances of getting lucky with a find.

And, if your young fossil hunters don’t strike lucky, take them to Hanover Point where they can ‘discover’ huge fossilised foot casts preserved in the rocks on the beach.

Marvel at the Needles

Explore the marvels of the Island’s natural coastline and discover The Needles rock formation in all its glory aboard the Needles Pleasure Cruise.

You’ll head out to the Trinity Lighthouse, where you can gaze back at the glorious multicoloured sands of Alum Bay. Or jump on the iconic Needles Chairlift from the top of the Alum Bay cliffs down to the beach below – the views are spectacular.

Visit the UK’s oldest theme park

At Blackgang Chine children can walk the dinosaur trail, search for their favourite characters in Nurseryland, enjoy a cowboy adventure, explore the Crooked House and reflect on life in the Hall of Mirrors.

Blackgang has plenty of great rides and slides too, including the Waterforce and the Cliffhanger rollercoaster.

Enjoy beach days

We’ve got more than our fair share of coast – from sunny, sandy, traditional family beaches to wild cliffs and secluded coves.

Choose the wide sandy beaches of Ryde, Sandown, Shanklin or Yaverland for a traditional British seaside experience – perfect for buckets and spades, paddling and picnics.