Where is the Island?

The Needles © IW Tourism

Two hours South of London, lying just off the centre of southern England, the Isle of Wight is known as the Garden Isle. It resembles a diamond in shape, thirteen miles north to south and twenty-three miles east to west.

Within its boundaries, the Isle of Wight contains a wide variety of landscapes from sheltered river valleys to wild, wind swept headlands, from long golden sandy beaches to forests, picturesque villages and market towns.

Both scenically and culturally, the Isle of Wight is a miniature replica of southern England. It has a reasonably balanced diversity of town and country landscapes, of brashness and sophistication, of modernity and tradition, enabling it to cope with a broad range of tastes.

It has a varied, stimulating historical and literary heritage, with enough monuments, curiosities and memorials to satisfy the most enthusiastic professional tourist or the most incurable romantic.

The Island is blessed with a very favourable climate, being consistently warmer and sunnier than the English mainland, with sub-tropical plants growing in sheltered south facing gardens.

Whenever you visit the Island, you're sure to be impressed. Each season has its own special charm. The long, hot says of summer attract hundreds of visitors to the coastal resorts to enjoy sailing or a traditional seaside holiday with miles of golden sand and safe bathing.

The Island's true beauty can also be discovered at other times of the year, when you'll be tempted to explore the countryside, following many paths and trails that reveal the refreshing greens and gold's of spring, the vibrant tints of autumn or the magically frosted pastel hues of winter's morning.