Isle of Wight visitor information

An Introduction to the Isle of Wight

The island has a rich history, including a brief status as an independent kingdom in the 15th century. It was home to the poet Alfred Lord Tennyson, and Queen Victoria built her much loved summer residence and final home Osborne House at East Cowes. The Island's maritime and industrial history encompasses boat building, sail making, the manufacture of flying boats, the world's first hovercraft and the testing and development of Britain's space rockets. It is home to the Isle of Wight International Jazz Festival, Bestival and the recently revived Isle of Wight Festival, which, in 1970, was one of the largest rock music events ever held. 

Things to do on The Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight's most famous landmarks are the Needles. You can see where Charles I was kept in Carisbrooke Castle and visit the Shipwreck Centre and Martime Museum. Also you can visit the Underwater Archaeology Centre and the Blackgang Cine and Robin Hill adventure parks. The isle is small enough that you can also walk round it on many trails as well as sit on its beaches. 

Getting to the Isle of Wight

By Coach and Bus

National Express offers a range of services, including travel around the UK, to and from UK airports and to Europe and Ireland. Wightbus are the council run buses around the Isle.

By Car

To reach the ports you must either use the M27 to reach Southampton, Portsmouth or the A337 to reach Lymington pier. The journey from London will take 2 and a half hours.

By Train

In order to connect with one of the three ferry operators to the Island, you will need to select one of the following mainland stations as your destination: Portsmouth Harbour, Southampton Central, Lymington Pier.

By Boat

There are three service to cross the channel, Hover Travel for passengers, Red Funnel, which runs two routes- passenger only and vehicle ferrys, and WightLink which runs three routes.