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Frequently asked questions about Isle of Wight holidays
Q. How can I get to the Isle of Wight?
A: For advice on how to get to the Isle of Wight, take a look at our guide to discount Isle of Wight ferry travel or the Isle of Wight ferry beginners' guide. Car drivers have the option of travelling to Lymington, Portsmouth or Southampton and then catching a ferry which takes about 40 - 60 minutes.
Foot passengers have the option of travelling to Lymington, Southampton, Portsmouth or Southsea for a crossing which takes between 10 minutes and one hour. As a very broad guide, it costs about £40 - £200 to take a car with passengers or about £10 - £25 for a foot passenger depending on factors such as time of year, length of stay, time of day and how regularly you travel.
Foot passengers have the option of travelling to Lymington, Southampton, Portsmouth or Southsea for a crossing which takes between 10 minutes and one hour. As a very broad guide, it costs about £40 - £200 to take a car with passengers or about £10 - £25 for a foot passenger depending on factors such as time of year, length of stay, time of day and how regularly you travel.
Q. Will I need a passport to visit the Isle of Wight?
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A: Ha ha ha ha ha! Ahem, sorry, I mean no you don't need a passport although obviously you'd need one to get into the UK if you're coming from abroad.
The Isle of Wight is an English county - much like Dorset or Hampshire. It just happens to be surrounded by water. The exception might be if you came by plane to one of the two small airports, but I've never flown into the Isle of Wight to test it out. |
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Q. How can I get cheap ferry travel to the Isle of Wight?
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A: Well, believe it or not, the Office of Fair Trading actually found that it was comparable in price to other stretches of water in Europe but it's hard to deny that it can be expensive at peak times (I've seen car return fares of more than £200 being offered). Having said that, I've also got a return with a car full of people which worked out as less than £10 per person.
Hopefully our guide to cheap Isle of Wight ferry travel will help. There are things such as Wightlink's Tesco Clubcard deal which can make it much cheaper. There are also deals for semi-regular travellers such as Wightlink's Multilink deal. It's also worth looking at the official offers pages for the three ferry companies. |
Check out our guide to cheap ferry travel
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Q. So why hasn't anyone built a bridge to the Isle of Wight?
A: Ah, well, that's a bit of a divisive one. Some Islanders think a bridge or tunnel would be great and would make it cheaper to get to the mainland. Others think that the Island's roads couldn't cope with the influx of cars pouring over from the South East on a sunny day and that it would ruin the relaxed pace of life and beautiful landscape. The BBC wrote a piece on the possibility of an Isle of Wight bridge in 2013. A tunnel was talked about in the 1990s. For at least the next 100 years or so I would recommend our guide to cheap Isle of Wight ferry travel which has things like promotional and discount codes, tip, tricks and loopholes for Wightlink and Red Funnel.
If you want to play a fun game, take a look at any news article about the Isle of Wight and see how far into the comments section you get before someone makes a remark about a fixed link. It's a hoot.
If you want to play a fun game, take a look at any news article about the Isle of Wight and see how far into the comments section you get before someone makes a remark about a fixed link. It's a hoot.
Q. How many people live on the Isle of Wight?
A: All of them! Anyway...the official population is about 140,000 but the Isle of Wight is visited by around 2.5 million holidaymakers each year meaning that the number goes much higher during the summer months.
Q. Which town should I stay in on the Isle of Wight?
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A. It depends what you are after. Peace and quiet? An ice cream and a game of minigolf on the seafront? A romantic break? Beautiful coastal walks?
Take a look at our guide to Which Isle of Wight should I stay in? In summary, for young children or nostalgic adults I would recommend Sandown or Shanklin. If you are looking for somewhere peaceful and romantic for quiet walks then the South Wight or West Wight are perfect (Ventnor, St Lawrence, Yarmouth, Brighstone). If you would rather be a bit closer to civilisation and nightlife then Newport/Cowes/Ryde are your best bet. If you want somewhere accessible but pretty then the East Wight (Bembridge, Seaview) is worth considering. There are lots of lodge parks, caravan parks and posh hotels to choose from, as well as camping, glamping and hot tub holidays on the Isle of Wight. If you want a self catering cottage then try Hoseasons or Airbnb. |
Sandown is popular...but it's not for everyone
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Q. Can you get around the Isle of Wight without a car?
The short answer is yes, you can get around the Isle of Wight without a car.
However, I would say it's a lot easier if you stay in the East Wight (Ryde, Sandown, Shanklin), or possibly in Newport. The East Wight has a trainline which connects Ryde Pierhead (one of the ferry ports) with Ryde Esplanade, Sandown and Shanklin. They're all busy seaside resorts which are good if you like sandy beaches, amusement arcades, playgrounds and ice cream on a sunny day. Ryde has a bus station which connects with much of the Isle of Wight. Meanwhile, Newport is a fairly ordinary market town in the middle of the Isle of Wight but it has the biggest bus station so you can get anywhere quite quickly. In the car, you can get anywhere from Newport in about half an hour but on the bus it will be longer.
I would say that you would find it more difficult to explore the Isle of Wight without a car if you stay in the South Wight (Ventnor, St Lawrence) or the West Wight (Yarmouth, Brighstone, Freshwater). That side of the Island is quieter and (in my view) prettier with some unspoilt beaches and coastline but there are no trains and fewer buses. For example, if you wanted to travel from Freshwater Bay in the West Wight to Ryde in the East Wight it would take you 40 minutes in a car or about 90 minutes on a bus.
Regarding cost, I've found that the buses are good value if you get a week's pass and travel as a group. They are more expensive if you buy individual journeys. See our public transport guide for more waffle on this topic.
Another thing to consider is that during the warmer months there are open top buses which provide a great way to see the Island on a sunny day. From the top deck you get fantastic views on some routes. There's also a pre-recorded commentary. On a cold day it is akin to being locked in a freezer, so I would sit downstairs.
The Isle of Wight Travel Ambassadors provide a useful service, advising people how to avoid using the car.
However, I would say it's a lot easier if you stay in the East Wight (Ryde, Sandown, Shanklin), or possibly in Newport. The East Wight has a trainline which connects Ryde Pierhead (one of the ferry ports) with Ryde Esplanade, Sandown and Shanklin. They're all busy seaside resorts which are good if you like sandy beaches, amusement arcades, playgrounds and ice cream on a sunny day. Ryde has a bus station which connects with much of the Isle of Wight. Meanwhile, Newport is a fairly ordinary market town in the middle of the Isle of Wight but it has the biggest bus station so you can get anywhere quite quickly. In the car, you can get anywhere from Newport in about half an hour but on the bus it will be longer.
I would say that you would find it more difficult to explore the Isle of Wight without a car if you stay in the South Wight (Ventnor, St Lawrence) or the West Wight (Yarmouth, Brighstone, Freshwater). That side of the Island is quieter and (in my view) prettier with some unspoilt beaches and coastline but there are no trains and fewer buses. For example, if you wanted to travel from Freshwater Bay in the West Wight to Ryde in the East Wight it would take you 40 minutes in a car or about 90 minutes on a bus.
Regarding cost, I've found that the buses are good value if you get a week's pass and travel as a group. They are more expensive if you buy individual journeys. See our public transport guide for more waffle on this topic.
Another thing to consider is that during the warmer months there are open top buses which provide a great way to see the Island on a sunny day. From the top deck you get fantastic views on some routes. There's also a pre-recorded commentary. On a cold day it is akin to being locked in a freezer, so I would sit downstairs.
The Isle of Wight Travel Ambassadors provide a useful service, advising people how to avoid using the car.
Q. Does the Isle of Wight have an airport?
A. Yes, it has two...but it's pretty unlikely you will arrive by plane as they are more 'airfields' than 'airports'. They are in Sandown and Bembridge and both are for light aircraft. According to UK General Aviation, Sandown offers 'the best bacon rolls in the world of aviation', has a grass runway and only charges £10 for a plane to land - surely it's only a matter of time before Ryanair catch on and changes the airport's name to 'London Sandown Airport'?
The nearest large airport is Southampton which has flights to various European and UK cities such as Paris, Amsterdam and Edinburgh. Bournemouth is the next nearest airport.
The nearest large airport is Southampton which has flights to various European and UK cities such as Paris, Amsterdam and Edinburgh. Bournemouth is the next nearest airport.
Q. Which are the cleanest Isle of Wight beaches?
A. Way back back in 2014, the Isle of Wight had four Blue Flags to signify clean water and Seaside Awards (which 'ensures visitors are guaranteed to find a clean, safe, attractive and well-managed coastal stretch'). The Blue Flag beaches were Sandown, Ventnor, Yaverland and Colwell. There were also several beaches which had Seaside Awards but not Blue Flags. In 2014 these included Seagrove, Gurnard, Ryde East, St Helens, Totland, Shanklin, Cowes, East Cowes and Springvale. However, in 2015, the Isle of Wight Council decided not to pay for Blue Flags and Seaside Awards, as part of money saving shenanigans.
My advice is to use the Safer Seas Service which is a free map and app provided by a charity called Surfers Against Sewage. It gives regularly updated advice on water quality at beaches on the Isle of Wight.
See our interactive beach map (or the simpler mobile version) for more information and pictures of Isle of Wight beaches. We've also got a guide to 'which is the best beach for...'
My advice is to use the Safer Seas Service which is a free map and app provided by a charity called Surfers Against Sewage. It gives regularly updated advice on water quality at beaches on the Isle of Wight.
See our interactive beach map (or the simpler mobile version) for more information and pictures of Isle of Wight beaches. We've also got a guide to 'which is the best beach for...'
Q. What are people from the Isle of Wight called?
A: Generally, people from the Isle of Wight are called 'caulkheads' or 'Islanders' or according to Wikipedia 'Vectensians or Vectians'. The rule seems to be that you have to be a third generation Islander to call yourself a 'caulkhead'. There are various tales about the etymology of 'caulkheads' but it seems to be either to do with caulking boats or to do with floating in water.
Mainlanders who have moved to the Island are usually called Overners, whilst I've heard tourists referred to as Grockles before.
Common Isle of Wight lexicon includes Nammit (food), Gurt (great/large) and Somewhen (a combination of somewhere and sometime). If you want to fit in, try saying "eh nipper, fancy a gurt plate of nammit somewhen?"
Mainlanders who have moved to the Island are usually called Overners, whilst I've heard tourists referred to as Grockles before.
Common Isle of Wight lexicon includes Nammit (food), Gurt (great/large) and Somewhen (a combination of somewhere and sometime). If you want to fit in, try saying "eh nipper, fancy a gurt plate of nammit somewhen?"
Q. Is it true that the population of the world could fit on the Isle of Wight?
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A: No.
A lot of people seem to think this but according to my calculations it is no longer true.
In our scientific test (photographed) we managed to squeeze 12 people into a metre square - including three small children, zero obese people and plenty of hugging. 18 just isn't achievable with building a human pyramid. However...this claim seems to have been around for years and it is much more plausible if we use population data from 1980.
I did these calculations in 2015. |
12 people in a metre square
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Q. Is it correct to say 'In the Isle of Wight' or 'On the Isle of Wight'?
A: To be honest, no-one has ever actually asked me this question, but it's been irritating me for some time.
I've always been convinced that the correct preposition is 'on the Isle of Wight', as in 'I had a lovely holiday on the Isle of Wight'. From my survey of three people, I'd say that is what Isle of Wight residents say. Generally, you'll see 'in the Isle of Wight' written when the text has been produced automatically, such as searching on accommodation booking websites (for example, 'search for self catering in Isle of Wight').
Grammatically speaking though, 'in' tends to be applied to permanent land masses (in England, in Southampton etc.), whereas you would use 'on' for the surface of an object (on the table, on the boat etc.).
So, if the Isle of Wight was floating then 'on' would be grammatically accurate.
Sorry if you just drifted off whilst reading that last section.
I've always been convinced that the correct preposition is 'on the Isle of Wight', as in 'I had a lovely holiday on the Isle of Wight'. From my survey of three people, I'd say that is what Isle of Wight residents say. Generally, you'll see 'in the Isle of Wight' written when the text has been produced automatically, such as searching on accommodation booking websites (for example, 'search for self catering in Isle of Wight').
Grammatically speaking though, 'in' tends to be applied to permanent land masses (in England, in Southampton etc.), whereas you would use 'on' for the surface of an object (on the table, on the boat etc.).
So, if the Isle of Wight was floating then 'on' would be grammatically accurate.
Sorry if you just drifted off whilst reading that last section.
Q. What is the Isle of Wight postcode?
Post a letter to your neighbour on the Isle of Wight and it gets put on a ferry, sorted in Portsmouth and then transported back across the Solent to your neighbour.
So, the Isle of Wight postcode is PO30 1UD for example (that's Isle of Wight Council County Hall). The prefixes are PO30, PO31, PO32, PO33, PO34, PO35, PO36, PO37, PO38, PO39, PO40 and shockingly - PO41.
I know that's not terribly interesting, but you did search for it so you've only got yourself to blame.
So, the Isle of Wight postcode is PO30 1UD for example (that's Isle of Wight Council County Hall). The prefixes are PO30, PO31, PO32, PO33, PO34, PO35, PO36, PO37, PO38, PO39, PO40 and shockingly - PO41.
I know that's not terribly interesting, but you did search for it so you've only got yourself to blame.
