To bloody love the Isle of Wight?

[BarbaraVineFan]

I’m here now with my 86 year old dad and 5 year old DD. We come every year and rent a cottage, and always have the best time! There’s so much to do in all weathers, the scenery is gorgeous and everyone we meet is friendly. But I don’t know, people sometimes seem a bit sniffy about it as a holiday destination, as though it’s old fashioned or unfashionable or something. AIBU to love it and not to understand why it isn’t seen as a ‘naice’ holiday destination like Cornwall or the Lake District?

I did very much love the garlic farm
though!

Absolutely love it.
We go and stay a couple of times a year even though we only live 10 miles away!

I went to Norfolk just after lockdown and was treated the same, it was awful but businesses were in a very hard place back then trying to provide a service within all the rules and regulations. I don't think that was just the IOW.

ETA it's a bit run down these days, I agree, I noticed that last year when I went.

@AutoCorrupt
@KarmenPQZ
I don't drive and one of the reasons I love IoW so much is that it's very easy to get round on public transport.
The Island Line railway goes from Ryde to Shanklin with stops at Sandown. Shanklin has a shuttle bus down to the beach or there is the cliff lift. Sandown beach is a short walk from the railway station
Bus services are very good, normal bus services plus the Island Coasters which stop at most of the attractions.
You can also rent bikes

Yes!!! There is a photo taken by dh (he was in the seat in front of us with ds) of dd and I. It is a close call as to which one of us is looking more terrified....

We envy you having moved there!
It is a serious consideration for us....

Ive never been and DH would love to go ,but is there anything for adults to do besides walks?

I went at Easter for the first time since my teens. We stayed in Shanklin, which I really liked, and seemed to be a lively place with plenty of facilities. However, we took a trip to Ventnor on Easter Monday and it looked like it closed down in 1978 😳 Like a parody or a dying seaside town. Maybe it picks up in high season?

What @Ted27 said about the public transport was bang on. You’d think it was a three buses a day and none on a Sunday type place, but it was really easy to get around.

I was born there and left when I was 18. We were poor so I barely ever left (maybe twice a year at most?) and I despised the place growing up, I found it boring and socially backwards in terms of racism etc.

However I LOVE bring my kids back there for holidays. It feels like I'm finally getting the chance to enjoy it! It's a wonderful place for a visit, especially my hometown Cowes. It's so peaceful.

@BarbaraVineFani love it too it has such a nice calm feel to it. However I would love some bad weather activities suggestions please?

Just don't get ill / need hospital treatment if you do!

The racism is quite astounding,isn't it? I really noticed it visiting as an adult .

ETA I lived in Cowes for a couple of years too 😊

Pretty good weather in August. Best weather in the UK. Maybe avoid October though. We went last during that bad storm and rained every day.

I must admit I've never noticed any racism. But it depends on your bubble I guess, mine is all fairly liberal in the main.

People here are people just like anywhere else.

@DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen

I'm white but my son is black. I can't say that we've ever had and problems and I"m usually very alert to these things.
I haven't seen many black people there to be honest but the last two years I've noticed a big increase in Asian families

@JemimaPiddlepot
Easter this year was still a bit early in the season I think. But I did go to Ventnor last year in August on a Monday and most of the shops were shut, as they were in Shanklin.
We were in Ventnor on Maunday Thursday this year and it was fairly busy. Lovely day and the beach cafes etc were buzzing

Might have been a bank holiday?

I think because it was a late Easter this year, a lot of places in Shanklin that close for the winter had opened early (although there were some exceptions). Maybe Ventnor is more strictly seasonal.

@JemimaPiddlepot

I think a lot of small independent shops just don't open on Mondays, I live in a city and several shops on my local high street are closed on Mondays.

Oh I'm so glad to read the positivity. We are for our summer holiday this year and I've never been.

@Sidebeforeself
Osbourne House
Carisbrooke Castle
Garlic Farm
Quarr Abbey
Lots of nice restaurants and cafes
Ventnor Botanic Gardens
Steam railway
Wildlife Sanctuary, Monkey Haven
Boat trips at Ventnor and out to the Needles
Shanklin Chine in the evening
Model Village
Brading Roman Villa

Ventnor has struggled of late due to the landslip and long diversions meaning a lot of people haven't been going there as much. Many shops probably not opening as much for that reason.

Worst holiday we have ever had, sorry. Costs a fortune and feels cheap. However Robin Hill is an absolutely cracking day out.

We loved it there. Such beautiful beaches, and friendly people. Lots to do. It's quaint and old fashioned and we have really fond memories from the 3 holidays we've had there! But it does seem run down in places.. shanklin had lots of shops closed, and many charity shops. And ventnor seemed faded too. But it obviously is a special place for lots of people.

@Ted27 Thankyou!