10 great ways to get away from it all on the Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight, easily reached with Wightlink, offers you a chance to really get away from it all – from just £49.50* for a day return.

Here we feature Wightlink’s top recommendations on what to do on the Isle of Wight this summer.

With all this and more, you can enjoy the perfect staycation or day out on the Island with Wightlink. Book today at wightlink.co.uk.

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

1. Starting your escape

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.

When you depart from Wightlink’s ferry port in Gunwharf, you’ll arrive in Fishbourne just 45 minutes later.

2. Hop on a steam train

Re-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 a whole compartment, exclusively for your household group at 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.

3. Get on your bike

If you’re into cycling, hop on two wheels and you’ll soon discover why it’s called the Bicycle Island.

One of just seven destinations awarded UNESCO Biosphere Status, the Isle of Wight is recognised for its unspoiled landscape, thriving wildlife and sparkling blue waters.

With around 200 miles of cycle routes, you can take your pick from leisurely paths or challenging tracks to experience it all, at your own pace.

4. Tree-climbing

It’s probably been a fair few years since you climbed a tree. But why let kids have all the fun?

Try a spot of recreational tree climbing in Ryde, ambling into the branches of a magnificent oak tree using rope, a harness and wearing a helmet.

It’s a chance to experience a unique place that very few people ever get to visit – the canopy of a tree.

5. Take the dog

The Isle of Wight is one of the most dog-friendly places in Britain. There are walks galore, sandy beaches for running and swimming, glorious countryside to explore and plenty of pet-friendly pit-stops for when the humans need refuelling.

Dogs travel free on Wightlink – when accompanied by a well-behaved owner. On a clear day, they can amble on the car ferries’ outer decks and when the weather is not so good they can enjoy the short crossing inside the ferries’ dedicated pet areas.

6. 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.

7. Have an on-water adventure

Swap the everyday grind for adventures on the Island. Release your inner surf dude; the Island has some of the UK’s most consistent waves (hello Compton Bay).

A rugged bay lined with cliffs concealing prehistoric treasures, Compton and the west coast of the Island is the perfect place to feel at one with nature, the power of the water and the force of the elements.

Or if you’re looking for a more tranquil way to appreciate our spectacular waters, glide around crystal-clear bays or winding rivers on a stand-up paddleboard.

8. Eat your way around the Island

The superb climate ensures that the Isle of Wight is home to a wealth of local produce; the freshest seafood straight from fishing boats, locally-made beer, wine and spirits, organic fruit and vegetables (you’ve tried Isle of Wight garlic and tomatoes, right?) and delicious locally-made ice creams and desserts.

The Island boasts some exceptional eateries that offer both indoor and alfresco options – all socially-distanced, of course.

9. Explore a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

Not only is around half of the Island’s landscape a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, but a few minutes after your Wightlink ferry departs the mainland, you will enter a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

The whole of the Isle of Wight (including the waters around it) is a reserve. The Island has everything from blustery downs and surf-strewn beaches to secret salt marshes, teeming with life.

The healthy ecosystems with rare species make it so unique; plants that occur nowhere else in the British Isles, rare butterflies hovering over dramatic cliffs and red squirrels hiding in woodland.

10. Enjoy endless walks

If you prefer life on foot, blow off the cobwebs along more than 500 miles of public footpaths – not bad for a place that’s only 23 miles by 13 in size!

Go walking with dinosaurs - the Isle of Wight is one of Europe’s top dinosaur discovery spots - or with gangsters; the Jail Trail takes you to Parkhurst Prison, former home to the notorious Kray Twins, as well as Carisbrooke Castle, in which King Charles 1 was incarcerated before being sentenced to death.