Isle of Wight: 7 amazing spring break ideas for perfect UK holiday

What turns a short break holiday into a perfect getaway? When it involves a ferry, an Island, and a journey that takes minutes, yet makes memories to last a lifetime.

Take a spring break with Wightlink this April, May or June, transporting yourself to another world – there’s more to discover on the Isle of Wight than you can possibly imagine.

Embrace the season

The Isle of Wight has many charms whatever month you visit, but arguably spring is when to see it at its finest, as the flora and fauna bloom again, heralding the end of winter at long last.

Don’t miss the bluebells which adorn many of the paths through Borthwood Copse, Ventnor or St Catherine’s downs or Mottistone Gardens. There’s a myth that bluebells help summon folklore fairies, so keep your eyes peeled! Did you know, over half the world’s bluebells grow in the UK, and they are so loved they are a protected species? Take care not to trample on the tiny petals, and instead keep to the paths and simply soak up the views.

Follow in Queen Victoria’s footsteps

The late queen was arguably the Isle of Wight’s most famous fan, setting her holiday home there. She said of Osborne – which is now an English Heritage site and open to the public – “It is impossible to imagine a prettier spot”. Explore the private apartments used by Victoria and Albert and where they raised their nine children, relishing in the beautiful grounds and beaches. The younger Royals will have splashed about in innocent abandon, but Queen Victoria valued her modesty and had a bathing machine built for her to protect her privacy! It’s on show to this day.

Today’s family visitors will not only enjoy the house, but the marvellous trails and play areas; don’t forget to dine like royalty in the restaurants and cafes on site.

Find your next adventure

Not everyone wants a sedate holiday, and adrenaline junkies will have their fill here. How about a paragliding adventure along the beach, test your legs – and your nerves – on the Chalk Ridge Extreme cycle route, take a rib ride around the Needles, go kayaking or paddle-boarding, learn to sail, zoom around on a Segway or go on a tree climbing adventure that’s rated as a ‘once in a lifetime’ experience on TripAdvisor.

Walk this way

Let’s drop the pace back down a notch and explore this walker’s paradise … this small Island has more than 500 miles of pathways to explore, as you discover your own hidden gems and personal favourites. For something a little more planned, try the Jail Trail – it covers Parkhurst Prison where the Kray twins were locked up and Carisbrooke Castle, the unwelcome home of Charles I.

The beautiful Warrior Trail is a six mile beauty that celebrates the real-life War Horse.

Or see why the Island was the muse of Tennyson, as you follow the trail through landscapes which inspired his poetry.

Go wild in the country

If landscaped grounds and formal gardens, like those at Osborne, are too structured for you, then Newtown Nature Reserve is a wildlife wonder and historical delight all rolled into one. Managed by the National Trust, you will discover the island’s medieval past, while walking through its modern splendour. With a picturesque harbour, hidden creeks, flower-filled meadows and miles of waterways, visitors can see rare butterflies and red squirrels as they explore – the lucky few may even spot a deer.

Lose yourself in a literary classic

Time for some culture; Alfred Lord Tennyson obviously loved the Island, but he was not alone. Follow the Literary Heroes Trail and discover the world of Tennyson and Lewis Carroll, Charles Dickens, Henry Longfellow and John Keats, all of whom give the Isle of Wight credit for shaping their lives and their work in some way, either as visitors or residents. The beautiful, ivy-clad Farringford, Tennyson’s former home, is open to the public.

Your next holiday begins with the journey

Don’t let your journey to or from your next holiday be a chore. Wightlink run ferries across the Solent, and with journey times beginning from just 22 minutes, this is travel as it should be.

Take the car, your caravan, your bike or your dog, all are welcome – your holiday heaven starts here.