With one coast facing the English Channel and Atlantic Ocean and the other facing the Solent and the mainland, the Isle of Wight has a very different atmosphere to the rest of mainland UK.

Its many famous landmarks include The Needles, Osborne House, Tennyson Down, St Catherine's Lighthouse, Fort Victoria, Ryde Pier, Alum Bay Cliffs and Yarmouth Castle. But there are other places like Newtown Creek - an unspoilt haven for wildlife, Hannover Point with it's dinosaur footprints on the rocks and the ancient standing stones at Mottistone and Hulverstone. Add to that beaches ranging from safe and sandy to wild and rocky! The Island is well known for its numerous footpaths and bridleways and has an annual Walking Festival every spring.

And talking of festivals don't forget these:

• Isle of Wight Pop Festival
• The Garlic Festival
• The Bestival
• Cowes Week
• White Air Festival
• Walking Festival
• Cycling Festival

There are also many smaller local festivals and events across the Island . . .

Garden Isle

For gardeners the 'Garden Isle' has many interesting gardens open to the public - the two largest being the Botanic Garden at Ventnor and Osbourne House & Gardens in East Cowes. 

The National Garden Scheme publishes details of the private gardens on the Island open to the public for charity. See the Isle of Wight Gardens page on their website.