The Isle of Wight has been hailed as the ‘most underrated’ holiday spot in the UK, and its charm and attractions have captured the attention of social media influencers.
Travel enthusiast @the.wanderlust. blonde took to Instagram to share her top tips for a weekend getaway on this picturesque island.
In her video, she enthused: “It’s located only two hours away from London, and it’s full of beautiful beaches. You can get there by ferry or by hovercraft in 10 minutes.”
She recommended visitors kick off their trip with the Needles boat tour and chairlift before exploring the quaint Shanklin Old Village and Godshill. Jenny also highlighted the beauty of Shanklin chine, a scenic gorge complete with a waterfall.
For beach lovers, the Isle of Wight doesn’t disappoint, boasting several stunning stretches of sand.
Ryde Beach comes highly recommended on Tripadvisor, where one visitor remarked: “Had a lovely afternoon in the sunshine at Ryde Beach. Lovely destination, not too busy and very relaxing. The beachfront cafes were lovely, clean and welcoming. Will definitely come back again.”
Another first-time visitor shared: “Visited for the first time! Lovely clean beach with a lot of seashells for kids to collect! There were rentable beach equipment, chairs, umbrellas, wind breakers etc! Also an arcade, Superbowl, several icecream shops and cafe’s!”
While a third added: “The beach has lovely soft sand and when the tide is out, you can walk very far out. The beach is right next to where the ferry and train station are, so easily accessible. There are lots of restaurants, pubs, shops and public toilets. It was nice to sit and relax and watch the boats and hovercraft.”
Another must-see spot is Osborne House, a beloved retreat for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. The Royal pair purchased and constructed Osborne House to satisfy the queen’s wish for a “place of one’s own – quiet and retired” away from the prying eyes of the public.
History enthusiasts should also make a trip to Carisbrooke Castle, which started as an Anglo-Saxon fortress to protect against Viking invasions. It later gained fame as the place where King Charles I was held captive after his defeat in the English Civil War.