Isle of Wight

[Crackle]

What's good, what's bad, must see, avoid, nice pubs etc... We've never been before and we're going next week. Taking bikes but it will be off-road family stuff with accompanying dog, I'm after.

Red Funnel from Southampton are the only ferry I can see with availability at the times I need and we're staying near Bembridge, all very last minute.

All suggestions welcome, they will be sieved and sifted later.


Edit: And tell me about the A34 please

 

[montage]

portsmouth does a regular ferry - checked that out?
Pack some low gearing, the IOW is deceptively hilly in places!

Not sure if you can go into it and look around but there is the Osbourne House on the northern side to look around for the adults, and then if you are prepared to travel down to sandown (sorry in advance if my geography of the IOW is all wrong....not like I can see it out of my window or anything ) then you have an interesting dinosaur museum (well it was interesting to me as we went there on a geology trip and pretended to be special needs, rather convincingly we are told) and also a small zoo! The beach is also better the southern side of the island as well, sometimes good enough to catch a bit of surf.

 

[montage]

avoid the peadophile prison

 

[rich p]

I stayed in Niton down on the southern tip which had a nice pub called the Buggle Inn or somesuch. I think it brewed its own beer too.

Maybe Buddle Inn!


re-edit:
http://mattandcat.co.uk/reviews/index.php/2006/04/24/the_buddle_inn_niton

 

[Crackle]

I stayed in Niton down on the southern tip which had a nice pub called the Buggle Inn or somesuch. I think it brewed its own beer too.

Maybe Buddle Inn!


re-edit:
http://mattandcat.co...uddle_inn_niton

Noted (34 mins away from where I'm staying or 15 miles as the bike wobbles)

 

[BrumJim]

If you are tired of the IoW, you are tired of life.

Well, not quite. IoW is full of tourist attractions. There is nothing earth-shatteringly large, but from a humble honey farm, to Black Gang Chine and Osborne house, it has anything anyone (who isn't a teenager) would want. And as I got older, Robin Hill Countryside Adventure Park became a big attraction, although may be a bit tired now.

Bembridge - we went there several times when I was small. The lifeboat is worth a visit. As is Ryde, watching transfixed as the hovercraft come in. Sandown and Shanklin were a no-no, IIRC. Too busy and popular - big beaches and lots of people, or that is what my Mum used to say. Ventnor was just about acceptable - Ventnor Chine was worth a visit.

Carisbrooke Castle and the donkey in the big wheel drawing a bucket up out of the well was a highlight. Other things may have come and gone.

 

[2PedalsTez]

Lots of places to go and visit on the island...

Alum Bay and the Needles lighthouse is pretty good. Freshwater bay is close where you get the chalk cliffs and some great cycle trails (not near the cliffs!!) Also you may even spot red squirrels near here (one of last places in country where they exist)
Newport is the 'capital' of the island... but that doesn't really make it the buzzing metropolis you might expect!
Ryde gives you a nice long walk along the seafront through to Appley beach with lots of sand (watch the tide... it moves very quick!)
Bembridge is a nice area, but with little to do (especially for kids), but there are some nice eateries there.
Sandown, Dino museum which I am told is very good, plus the beach and usual entertainment associated.
Also Shanklin just down the road is similar.
Blackgang Chine (used to be, not sure now!) a great place for kids to visit.
Amazon world is great for the kids too.
Cowes is ok for sailing based stuff.

Pubs -
Wight mouse inn at Chale was always good, plus others as stated. There are loads of boozers, most of which are pretty good and not your usual mainstream jobs.

Bike rides... LOADS!! on road its brilliant fun with lots of hills and amazing views..
North side of island is better for flat rides with south being the hilly side. There should be lots of bike/forest trails to have a go at too

Ferry - Portsmouth-Fishbourne is closer to you island base and the travel time is a lot quicker too.

A34... South of Newbury is pretty good, not so sure north. You travel time on this makes a huge difference! and if you can make it without swearing at the overtaking lorry drivers going 1 mile and hour faster then you win a prize!

Enjoy your visit and hope the weather improves!

 

[2PedalsTez]

If you are tired of the IoW, you are tired of life.

Well, not quite. IoW is full of tourist attractions. There is nothing earth-shatteringly large, but from a humble honey farm, to Black Gang Chine and Osborne house, it has anything anyone (who isn't a teenager) would want. And as I got older, Robin Hill Countryside Adventure Park became a big attraction, although may be a bit tired now.

Bembridge - we went there several times when I was small. The lifeboat is worth a visit. As is Ryde, watching transfixed as the hovercraft come in. Sandown and Shanklin were a no-no, IIRC. Too busy and popular - big beaches and lots of people, or that is what my Mum used to say. Ventnor was just about acceptable - Ventnor Chine was worth a visit.

Carisbrooke Castle and the donkey in the big wheel drawing a bucket up out of the well was a highlight. Other things may have come and gone.

Robin Hill is supposed to be quite good still and yes to carisbrooke castle.. I don't know whether they still do it, but they used to drop a penny down the well for you to count until you heard the splash to understand how deep the well is!

 

[Crackle]

[QUOTE 1166975"]
Did you get the Camp-let? We're looking at them at the moment, I have a friend selling one and we're currently negotiating a price low enough for me to rip him off without him realising.
[/quote]

Decided against it due to not really having somewhere to store it easily or dry it if it comes back wet. Tent and trailer is looking most likely. Good bit of kit though, I'll be most interested to hear what you think if you get one.

 

[661-Pete]

portsmouth does a regular ferry - checked that out?

Come on then, who's going to be the first to say it?
"What's brown, and smelly, and comes out of-------"
Never mind. IGMC.

 

[Yellow Fang]

Pack some low gearing, the IOW is deceptively hilly in places!

I believe the IOW is the only area in the south of England where you can take part in fell running races. I'd like to go there some time, cycle around it and spot a red squirrel or two.

 

[Crackle]

If you are tired of the IoW, you are tired of life.

Well, not quite. IoW is full of tourist attractions. There is nothing earth-shatteringly large, but from a humble honey farm, to Black Gang Chine and Osborne house, it has anything anyone (who isn't a teenager) would want. And as I got older, Robin Hill Countryside Adventure Park became a big attraction, although may be a bit tired now.

Bembridge - we went there several times when I was small. The lifeboat is worth a visit. As is Ryde, watching transfixed as the hovercraft come in. Sandown and Shanklin were a no-no, IIRC. Too busy and popular - big beaches and lots of people, or that is what my Mum used to say. Ventnor was just about acceptable - Ventnor Chine was worth a visit.

Carisbrooke Castle and the donkey in the big wheel drawing a bucket up out of the well was a highlight. Other things may have come and gone.

All noted and checked, than you.

Lots of places to go and visit on the island...

Alum Bay and the Needles lighthouse is pretty good. Freshwater bay is close where you get the chalk cliffs and some great cycle trails (not near the cliffs!!) Also you may even spot red squirrels near here (one of last places in country where they exist)
Newport is the 'capital' of the island... but that doesn't really make it the buzzing metropolis you might expect!
Ryde gives you a nice long walk along the seafront through to Appley beach with lots of sand (watch the tide... it moves very quick!)
Bembridge is a nice area, but with little to do (especially for kids), but there are some nice eateries there.
Sandown, Dino museum which I am told is very good, plus the beach and usual entertainment associated.
Also Shanklin just down the road is similar.
Blackgang Chine (used to be, not sure now!) a great place for kids to visit.
Amazon world is great for the kids too.
Cowes is ok for sailing based stuff.

Pubs -
Wight mouse inn at Chale was always good, plus others as stated. There are loads of boozers, most of which are pretty good and not your usual mainstream jobs.

Bike rides... LOADS!! on road its brilliant fun with lots of hills and amazing views..
North side of island is better for flat rides with south being the hilly side. There should be lots of bike/forest trails to have a go at too

Ferry - Portsmouth-Fishbourne is closer to you island base and the travel time is a lot quicker too.

A34... South of Newbury is pretty good, not so sure north. You travel time on this makes a huge difference! and if you can make it without swearing at the overtaking lorry drivers going 1 mile and hour faster then you win a prize!

Enjoy your visit and hope the weather improves!

Thanks, all noted, I'll let you know about the lorry swearing

 

[Saddle bum]

Going there with my mate and bikes on 5 Sep.

Despite being old enough to know better, as we raced together when a lot younger, I expect we will try and knock spots off each other - until sense prevails.

Staying at Rookley.

 

[Chickc78]

My Missus is IoW born and bred, whenever we are over we always go to The Chequers Inn - great food (most of their meat is from their own farm), great portion sizes and good value for money

 

[JamesAC]

If you are tired of the IoW, you are tired of life.

Well, not quite. IoW is full of tourist attractions. There is nothing earth-shatteringly large, but from a humble honey farm, to Black Gang Chine and Osborne house, it has anything anyone (who isn't a teenager) would want. And as I got older, Robin Hill Countryside Adventure Park became a big attraction, although may be a bit tired now.

Bembridge - we went there several times when I was small. The lifeboat is worth a visit. As is Ryde, watching transfixed as the hovercraft come in. Sandown and Shanklin were a no-no, IIRC. Too busy and popular - big beaches and lots of people, or that is what my Mum used to say. Ventnor was just about acceptable - Ventnor Chine was worth a visit.

Carisbrooke Castle and the donkey in the big wheel drawing a bucket up out of the well was a highlight. Other things may have come and gone.

Shanklin beach is perfectly fine, if you are prepared to walk a few yards beyond the sea-front car-parking. At the south end, you've got a pub right on the beach (The Fisherman's Cottage), does food, live music in the beer garden some evenings. At the north end (heading towards Sandown) you've got a beach cafe, and loads of beach.

Just leave the car parks behind, and you'll be fine.