Can someone who knows the IOW help me plan a day trip please?

[CormorantStrikesBack]

I’m staying in brockenhurst so guess I can get a train to either lymington or Southampton and take a ferry across. I don’t want to take a car on the ferry due to the expense. I could take a bike but probably would rather not as I’d be worried about it getting stolen if I left it locked up anywhere.

id like to go to Osborne house (I think, is it worth a visit )? Anywhere/anything else you’d recommend?

im thinking Southampton might be better as think the ferry gets into Cowes? Is Osborne house walking distance?

is Cowes nice for a look round? Ventor botanic garden looks nice but I’m worried it would be too far away to get there and back. I’m worried about missing the last ferry?

Osborne is lovely, you can spend hours there - but get the car ferry to East Cowes as a foot passenger. Don’t get the Red Jet to West Cowes - you will need to get a chain link ferry across the river to East Cowes and it’s frequently out of order
. About 30 min flat straight walk to Osborne from E Cowes.
Ventnor is bloody miles away by IOW standards and probably several busses.
Or go to West Cowes on Red Jet passenger ferry and stay in Cowes, very nice for a wander. If the chain link works you could possibly squeeze in Osborne!

PS check ferries on the day of travel- there’s a lot of cancellations.

Thank you, how will you know if the chain link is out of order, is there a website you can check beforehand or is it a case of turn up and see?

Ah it’s ok, I’ve found the chainlink ferry website. Thanks again.

Is it a solo trip? If there's more than one of you, it borders on being cheaper to take the car than getting the Red Jet.

If you do take your bike, it's uphill all the way from Cowes to Osborne. You would be able to do Osborne in the morning then cycle up to Briddlesford Farm for a late lunch or afternoon tea. Luckily it's downhill on the way back!

I would far rather potter around in West Cowes, wandering along the seafront towards Gurnard, then go to Ventor. The Botanical Gardens at Ventor are nice though.

Definitely better off getting the car ferry if you want to go to Osborne, you could always get the floating bridge across to Cowes after as it’s much nicer than east Cowes to look around.
but be warned it’s def not a flat walk from the ferry to Osborne, a fairly easy walk of about half an hour yes but you will need to go up hill at some point.
Ventnor would mean a fair bit of time on at least 2 buses and I don’t think you’d have time for that and Osborne on the same day

If you are just going for a day then Osbourne + (West) Cowes would make a day of it.

Osboune has beautiful grounds and gardens, and a lovely walk down to the private beach + Swiss Cottage.

Ventnor Botanic Gardens has become a bit run down the last few years, I think the new owner in an attempt to save money has let it go a bit wild and locally people don't rate it as much now. Its a big trek across the island if you only have limited time.

Leaving your bike would be fine, there is a undercover cctv'd storage facility next to the Red Jet for sure, and Osbourne House there is a place to lock up bikes right outside the ticket office/gift shop. If you take your bike you could travel via either passenger red jet (w.Cowes) or red funnel car ferry (E.cowes). If you are on foot it you'd be better off on the car ferry to East Cowes.

Yes just me. Think I will leave the bike and get the ferry to east cowes as then if I do get time and the chainlink ferry to cowes I can pop in and out of shops without worrying. It’s quite an expensive bike. I don’t mind a 30 min walk to Osborne house.

It's very easy to get the bus up the hill if the weather is either roasting 😂or pouring down

Ventnor is too far for a day trip without a car. I'd potter around West Cowes, have a meal at Coast, then make your way to Osbourne House (or in reverse so you are near the ferry). There's not much in East Cowes.

Yeah I’m going to miss Ventnor off for sure. Thanks.