17 reasons you must visit the Isle of Wight in 2017

I recently wrote an article for Buzzfeed with the title of '16 reasons you must visit the Isle of Wight this summer'. Within 12 hours it had been deleted and my account removed. 

Initially I assumed there weren't enough cats or LOLs but it turns out it was too much of an advert for the Isle of Wight. To be fair, it was. 

Anyway, here's a very similar guide which I can happily host on my own blog. 

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1. The sun will shine, because the Isle of Wight gets 500 hours a year more sunshine than London.

Good morning! How did you start your day? #Sunrise #Bembridge #IsleofWight #IsleofLight #PureIslandHappiness #OMGB @VisitBritain pic.twitter.com/317Q0P4zYb

— Isle Of Wight (@VisitIOW) 22 September 2016

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2. Arcade Fire are playing here in June...

In case you've been under a rock all day! #IOW2017 Don't forget @arcadefire headline Saturday! pic.twitter.com/uUzwWtpq6d

— Isle of Wight Fest (@IsleOfWightFest) 7 November 2016

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3. ...and so is David Guetta

i'm glad to co-headline the friday party at @IsleOfWightFest !
Tickets + accomodations are available here : https://t.co/kIKSOXaQOd pic.twitter.com/qAwaFEf5IX

— David Guetta (@davidguetta) 22 December 2016

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4. We've also got festivals celebrating our love of garlic...

Yup. pic.twitter.com/TuuQ7m9ejE

— Matt and Cat (@MattandCat) 21 August 2016

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5. ...and campervans...

Hello friends! We're almost ready to share our main Air-Cooled Stage line-up with you! The 2017 acts will be announced tomorrow at 5pm. pic.twitter.com/fP6QejnFJL

— V-Dub Island (@VDubIsland) 9 March 2017

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6. ...and Jason Donovan.

A special message from the wonderful @JDonOfficial who will be performing 12 Aug 2017 @smallbrookstad Merry Christmas everyone! #IsleofWight pic.twitter.com/v9MsKXc9F2

— Jack Up The 80s (@JackUpThe80s) 25 December 2016

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7. If you've got a yacht you can turn up your collar and join the world's largest yachting regatta...

Spinnaker finishes #cowesweek #sailing #spinnaker #summerseason pic.twitter.com/QSbfP4s84z

— Cowes Week (@cowes_week) 20 February 2017

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8. ...or race around the Island with 1500 other yachts...

Enter our stunningly beautiful & challenging race 50nm westabout, starting & finishing in Cowes. 1 July. https://t.co/dSNxUwUxCJ #raceforall pic.twitter.com/ijCe5CtM4Z

— Round the Island (@RoundtheIsland) 23 February 2017

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9. ...or play cricket in the Solent.

Very british... Solent. Cricket match played at low tide on exposed Bramble sandbank... pic.twitter.com/SDdwFbt7f2

— Stories about... (@veruschka1978) 10 April 2016

10. And whilst we don't have Bestival anymore, we do have a fringe festival in a Victorian seaside resort...

We have 'pop-up' venues and spaces of all shapes and sizes at the Ventnor Fringe. APPLY NOW https://t.co/ltevuJBYXA #vfringe17 pic.twitter.com/HHhFJKXnXb

— Ventnor Fringe (@vfringe) 23 February 2017

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11. ...and there's a new festival in September on Bestival's former site.

Introducing @EklecticaFest 9th &10th Sep - A brand NEW boutique music festival with an eclectic twist! Find out more https://t.co/QJxBJebeYj pic.twitter.com/1mnHthFZ9r

— Robin Hill (@RobinHillIW) 28 February 2017

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12. You can learn to surf...

Sunset surfing at Compton. @Wight_AONB @IOWSurfClub @Rapanuiclothing @IsleofWightGuru pic.twitter.com/GAy8GUvioF

— Beautiful Wight (@BeautifulWight) 16 April 2016

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13. ...jump off a cliff...

Jump in and check out the hidden coastlines and caves of the #IsleofWight with our unique #Coasteering adventures! pic.twitter.com/C6ONLJqdCG

— Adventure Activities (@IOW_Activities) 9 August 2016

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14... kayak into smuggler's caves...

Kayaking at Freshwater recently by Isle of Wight Adventure activities @IOW_Activities @FLifeboat @WestWightCott pic.twitter.com/YP0OqJPbIY

— Beautiful Wight (@BeautifulWight) 3 November 2015

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15. ...or just have a cup of tea by the seaside

Lovely sunny day for a cup of tea at Compton on the #IsleofWight ! pic.twitter.com/71Oh75REVr

— Isle of Wight Guru (@IsleofWightGuru) 24 January 2015

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16. There are loads of quirky places to stay...

I think our 1960s Airstream might be the cutest place I've ever stayed! @vintagehelen @VisitIOW @VisitEngland #OMGB pic.twitter.com/dTnIUG08SB

— Chloe Gunning (@WanderlustChloe) 13 July 2016

17. ...and it's only two hours from London

Expect #amazing #sunsets. #isleofwight is beautiful! Only a couple of hours from #london. pic.twitter.com/9TQW9nFI3u

— FortVictoriaCottages (@cottages_iow) 14 January 2017