Isle of Wight. Where to go?

[NOELallie]

It's that time of year when my thoughts turn to summer hols. We're thinking of Isle of Wight because so many people have told us it's good and DS#1 wants to go aboroad, can't afford so hoped that going on a ferry might do . Been to Cornwall many times and love it but it's so crowded in high season. Would love to go back to Scotland but can't face the drive. Isle of Wight is a prefect ditance for us but is it a bit less manic ? Please tell me it is!! Also where's the best area to stay?

TIA

We love IOW and have been twice in teh last two years.

It's easy to get to, the ferry makes it seem like an adventure but only lasts 1/2 an hour, there is lots to do (esp for kids) in a relatively small area, there are some lovely beaches.

However, we went in September and I imagine in peak season it gets very congested on teh roads etc.

We liked Seaview, you can see the all the boats and the big ferries coming in, the hovercraft going across. We found it a good place to be based.

The seaview hotel does great food, they have an aprartment on the top floor or the self catering cottage at the back, which was great because you could go into the hotel for supper, or have them bring it over! They also supplied a great babysitter for when we ate in the restaurant one night.

My parents live in Ventnor and it is gorgeous

Oh, there's a place called the Spyglass Inn or something? In Ventor (or something?) It was lovely.

QP the spyglass is the big pub in ventnor it is lovely in teh evening.Child friendly everywhere and nice beaches

I think LadyTophamHatt went there this summer. Maybe wrong?

Seaview Hotel is lovely, but VERY pricey - the food is excellent though. Seaview itself is a nice village but gets very busy in August - would avoid Regatta week and the week before at all costs!! - usually the weeks leading up to the bank holiday weekend. Late July/early August is much quieter, there are some good beaches (Priory Bay is my most favourite beach ever) and the crabbing/rockpooling at Key Rocks is second to none! Priory Bay Hotel has self catering accomodation and hotel rooms, or there are lots of holiday lets in the village.

Ventnor is also lovely and having a bit of a revival, and there is plenty to do on that side of the island kids wise with some good sandy beaches.

Otherwise there are lots of holiday parks across the island - Puckpool near Seaview has lovely grounds and is on the Ryde beach which has imported sand and is cleaned every day.

I love the Island - there is something for everyone, and good walks, good pubs, noise or quiet, beaches, cliffs and if you feel very brave you can do the chair lift at Alum Bay!

Have fun - it is a fab choice!

Thanks for all your replise. Not knowing IOW at all (apart from one brief trip is someone's dad's boat when I was sick as a very sick dog at the age of 12) I did a search for all self-catering places. Found one right at the bottom of the island near St Catherine's point - seems lovely, very friendly owners, walking distance of light house, beaches, pub and shops (a big deal for us since last year we had to get in the car if we wanted so much as a newspaper!!) and not that expensive (btw on that subject how can people justify nearly 800 a week for a 5-berth caravan???). Also near Blackgang Chine which I seem to remember had dinosaurs????

Bit of a shocker to find that the ferry was going to cost us £155 - Red Funnel turned out cheaper in the end - when a trip from Oban to Mull was less than a hundred.

Thanks again. Any more recommendations for things to do or places to avoid would be most welcome.

We went with my parents last year and stayed in an original holiday camp place (I think dad said it may have been the first ever!)in chalets. Its really cute and traditional. Not atall like Butlins. (Not knocking that though) All the chalets have been joined together to make large family 1,2 or 3 bedroom places. It had a pool and a cafe but thats about it.

Its quite basic but sweet and family friendly. Its right on the beach oh and it had an assult course thingy. From there we drove to Ventnor, Shanklin, The needles (it has some amusements and rides etc) Sandown- I'm sure thats where the Zoo was. We went to Blackgang Chine too. Very strange but the kids love it.

Oh yes , forgot to say, we all had our chalets next to each other. Me, dh and the children in a 3 bed, Mum and Dad next door in a 1 bed and then my sister and her Bf next to them. My Mum asked if they could do that when she booked it. My son loved being able to walk up and down and knock on all the front doors. It was very cute.

Oh forgot to say again that we also could walk to a local town that had a couple of nice pubs and shop etc.