5 types of Isle of Wight break: Find the perfect holiday to suit your lifestyle

With so much to do, you might have a hard job choosing an itinerary. So Wightlink’s suggesting five themed trips that you can make this summer.  

Visit wightlink.co.uk for more inspiration.

The active one

If you’re always on the lookout for an authentic new experience, the Isle of Wight is the place to do it. Ever thought about tree climbing? Climb the Great Oak in Appley Park at your own pace, creating memories and relaxing in the soothing surroundings.

You could gallop a horse across a beautiful beach; Sally’s Riding School will take you on Bembridge and St Helen’s beaches. You could take a tandem twirl and witness our stunning scenery from the air with Butterfly Paragliding. You could learn to sail in some of the most challenging waters in the world. Or practice yoga on a stand-up paddleboard on the beautiful river Yar.

The cultural one

Queen Victoria sparked the world’s love affair with the Isle of Wight when she made Osborne her holiday home and the estate gives a poignant glimpse into her life. Tour the opulent state rooms, enjoy the stunning gardens and be amused by Queen Victoria’s bathing machine.

Visit Carisbrooke Castle, the impressive Norman fortress which held the doomed King Charles I. Ramble over the ramparts and visit the castle’s donkeys – whose names all begin with the letter J - turning the enormous waterwheel.

The Grade I Listed Farringford House – the poet Tennyson’s former home – is open to the public during the summer months. The house contains a wealth of fascinating detail on family life in the Tennyson household and explores the setting of some of his best loved poems.

But if you really want a story to tell people back home, then visit The Needles New Battery. It was Britain’s answer to Cape Canaveral – they fired rockets from this tiny scrap of cliff, from the 1950s to 1970s.

The family one

That’s not to say you can’t be active and cultural with a family too, but the Isle of Wight’s speciality is family attractions.  If you like your days packed with fun from sunup to sundown, you’ve come to the right place. Oh, and Kids Go Free during school holidays if you travel on foot with Wightlink.

Spend a full day at Blackgang Chine, where you can walk the dinosaur trail, search for your favourite characters in Nurseryland, enjoy a cowboy adventure, explore the Crooked House and reflect on life in the Hall of Mirrors. Blackgang has plenty of great rides and slides, including Waterforce and the newest ride, Extinction. More adventure play - including a pedal go-kart track, zip-wires, a climbing wall, Jumping Pillows and a three-storey soft play zone – await families at Tapnell Farm.

Or puff along the countryside on a steam train, visit rescued and threatened wildlife at the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, and hunt for dinosaur footprints on the beach.

The relaxing one

Lodge with a hot tub? Check. Spa treatments overlooking the sea? Check. Sauna perched on a clifftop? Check. The Isle of Wight is a hotspot for wellness activities, treatments and relaxation.

But relaxing looks different to everyone. For you it could be walking around manicured gardens, doing a spot of forest bathing, learning a new skill, or reading a book in a cosy coffee shop.

Whatever your vibe, take a slow travel approach to your visit and enjoy unhurried adventures. You’ll fully experience the local way of life and find some hidden gems along the way.

The foodie one

There’s something about the Isle of Wight that results in food and drink of the highest quality – perhaps it’s because we have more hours of sunshine than anywhere else in the UK. Our cheese, tomatoes, garlic and gin are regular award winners.

If you like a touch of exuberance, you’re all set. There’s an abundance of fine dining restaurants dotted across the Island, serving up exquisite cuisine using local ingredients. Even casual pub meals are made with regional fare. Or head to a farm shop to make your own picnic platter to enjoy in the countryside.

Wherever you go you’re bound to find delicious, locally grown produce somewhere on the menu.