gb tours isle of wight 2023

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You know what it’s like when you go on holiday, there is so much to see and relatively little time to see it in, so get yourselves organised and take a tour of the Isle of Wight.

There are so many off-beat ways of taking in our Isle of delights and we would like to share a few of them with you.

The Isle of Wight is a place of great natural beauty and hidden history, so why not Say Yes to something that will take you to onto the road (or track) less travelled.

Find out on foot

A good walk around the towns and villages of the Island is a great way to explore, but what about something a little more challenging, a bit more interesting and informative.

The Isle of Wight Walking Festival holds two events, one in spring and one in autumn with both offering a wide range of walks for all abilities, including some with fascinating themes. For instance, in 2023 there was a guided walk around the grounds and buildings of Northwood House in Cowes. Look out for the 2024 programme coming soon.

There are lots of great walking trails around the Island. Head to our Walking page to find out more.

If you are looking for a hair-raising tour, then why not join the Isle of Wight Ghost Experience on one of their ghost walks around some of the Island’s most haunted places - Ventnor Botanic Gardens and Carisbrooke Castle to name but two.

Get on your bike

The Isle of Wight has some of the best cycling routes in the UK and is often judged in the top five biking destinations. So, if you like to hit the highways or go off road there are plenty of options.

Bring your own steed or hire a bike from one of the many cycle hire businesses around the Island. These days e-bikes are also available to take the strain out of your legs.

See the Wight from the water

There are many ways to get a totally different perspective on the Isle of Wight from the water. A high-speed rib or more gentle pleasure cruise to the iconic Needles is one popular option, or why not sign up for one of Solent Cruises’ great day trips around the two historic harbours of Cowes and Portsmouth.

Homes and gardens

The Isle of Wight has some fabulous history to explore so why not Say Yes to a tour of these, places such as Carisbrooke Castle , Osborne House and Brading Roman Villa.

At Osborne, the amazing gardens are also worth a visit as are the amazing sub-tropical plants at Ventnor Botanic Garden . Mottistone Manor also has some lovely gardens to visit, particularly at bluebell time in the spring.

How about a guided tour?

Some of us would like a little help and guidance to making the right choices when on holiday. Isle of Wight Guided Tours can take you on anything from a lightning one-day tour of the Island’s best spots to a longer, themed trip.

Number of results:

Number of results: 7

Needles Pleasure Cruises

TOTLAND BAY

Two types of trips, the slow and fast cruise.

Tourism For All

UKSA enjoys a 4-acre, waterfront location in Cowes on the sunny Isle of Wight and is the perfect location for residential and non-residential sailing, watersports and team building for students aged 6 years and over.

Through our multi-activity fun…

Isle of Wight Guided Tours

Special Interest

Isle of Wight Guided Tours is a bespoke tour guiding service.

As well as guiding you, we help you plan your tour. This applies whether you are a lone traveller, a couple, a small independent group or a cruise ship passenger (or company) or a…

Farringford

FRESHWATER BAY

Farringford on the Isle of Wight was home to Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Poet Laureate from 1850 until his death in 1892.

Bembridge Marine Rib Hire

Water Based Activities

Explore the beautiful Solent area with its landmarks, sandy beaches and vibrant ports, in one of our fully equipped self-drive hire RIBs. 

Salty Sailing

Salty Sailing offers a unique opportunity to set sail and explore the beautiful coastline, stunning bays and interesting wildlife of the Isle of Wight.

Solent Cruises

Solent Cruises have been operating boat trips, harbour tours and boat charters for many years. Our flagship trips include harbour and Solent tours around Cowes and into Portsmouth.

The Isle of Wight is a hub of activity all year round. Subscribe to our newsletter here to receive our latest stories, holiday or short break ideas, competitions and interesting events.

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Isle of Wight Pearl

From challenging coastal walks to beautiful short walking routes the Isle of Wight is perfect for relaxing walking holidays!

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Information on all the ferry options available to the Isle of Wight from mainland UK

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Isle of Wight Breaks 2024/2025

Treat yourself to a break away to the Isle of Wight and be prepared for fun and amusements by the bucket (and spade) load! With dramatic white cliffs, pretty resorts and tranquil sand dunes aplenty, the isle received Queen Victoria’s nod of approval in the 19th century and still proves to be one of the UK’s favourite seaside destinations today.

Superb sandy beaches, miles of stunning countryside and coastal walks as well as all the usual holiday entertainments. The Isle of Wight is truly stunning.

Isle of Wight Coach Holidays

Bournemouth & the Isle of Wight by Hovercraft

4 nights at a selected hotel, Bournemouth with dinner & breakfast Excursions to Dorchester Market, Weymouth & the Isle of Wight Return hovercraft journey to Ryde, Isle of Wight

Shanklin (Isle of Wight)

Shanklin boasts a long, safe sandy beach which lies at the foot of the spectacular cliffs on which most of the town is situated. The two are connected by a cliff lift. The traditional seaside part of town blends into the picturesque thatched cottages of Shanklin Old Town at the head of the impressive Shanklin Chine. Although a quieter and more intimate resort than Sandown it nevertheless has its own theatre, lively pubs and entertainments.

Isle of Wight Short Break

Anchored off the south coast, the tiny, chalky gem that is the Isle of Wight boasts 25 miles of sweeping shoreline, spectacular rugged cliffs, traditional English villages, and a host of coastal eateries specialising in fresh-from-the-net seafood. 

Isle of Wight - Royals & Rails

Return coach travel and ferry crossings 4 nights dinner, bed and breakfast at our selected hotel on the Isle of Wight Excursions to Osborne House, Cowes & Ryde Heritage train journey on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway

Sandown (Isle of Wight)

The Isle of Wight has a great deal to offer with many superb sandy beaches, mile upon mile of stunning countryside and coastal walks and all the usual modern holiday facilities in the resorts. Sandown is the island's principal resort, and offers a wealth of entertainments. Sandown Bay is the largest on the island and offers a long, safe, sandy beach framed at either end by stunning white cliffs contrasting with the rich blue sea. 

Isle of Wight

With a wonderful mild climate, shimmering waters and sixty miles of award-winning sandy beaches, the Isle of Wight has been a favourite coach holiday destination for generations.

FANTASTIC LEISUREPLEX HOTELS

The much-loved  Leisureplex Hotels - the Bayshore Hotel and Shanklin Hotel, both provide a comfortable base to explore the area and relax during your free time. At great value prices they are both ideally located for your next adventure with us!

The Bayshore Hotel, Sandown

The Bayshore is a popular choice for visitors to the Isle of Wight as it is situated in a magnificent position on the seafront, opposite the superbly sandy beaches and the traditional pier and close to the high street.

The Shanklin Hotel, Shanklin

One of the best known hotels on the island, the Shanklin is situated in Shanklin town with superb views from its magnificent Starlite Restaurant and many bedrooms. Shanklin Old Village and the beach are just a few minutes walk away.

ISLE OF WIGHT EXPLORER BREAK

Our 5 and 7 day Isle of Wight Explorer Breaks stay at the wonderful Leisureplex Bayshore Hotel in Sandown and include 3 exciting excursions,  plus lots of free time to explore the island.

With dates available for 2022 and 2023 its not to be missed! .

EXCURSION ONE: RYDE & COWES Ryde has the oldest pleasure beach in Britain, whilst Cowes is a vibrant seaport famous for its yachting centre. It's a great place to visit for a spot of shopping in some of its boutique shops, or a bite to eat in one of the many cafes and restaurants.

EXCURSION TWO: OSBORNE HOUSE & WHIPPINGHAM CHURCH We journey to the North of the island to see the famous Whippingham Church of St. Mildred. From here we continue to Queen Victoria's hideaway, spectacular Osborne House, home to beautiful gardens, a private beach and a Swiss Cottage.

EXCURSION THREE: ALUM BAY & YARMOUTH Alum Bay is famous for its coloured sands and the nearby chalk Needles are magnificent. We then return via Yarmouth, located on the North West of the Isle of Wight.

Book Your Isle of Wight Break Online Today

This fantastic holiday destination has a great deal to offer with many superb beaches, mile upon mile of stunning countryside and some lovely coastal walks. Home to two amazing resorts, Sandown and Shanklin, the Isle of Wight is the perfect place for your next holiday.

With many superb sandy beaches, mile upon mile of stunning countryside and coastal walks and all the usual modern holiday facilities. There are plenty of evening entertainments to suit all tastes.

The bustling town of Newport is known as the capital of the Isle of Wight. Discover the historic quayside and admire the elegant Georgian and Victorian architecture.

Alum Bay is known for its multi-coloured sand cliffs set against the stunning backdrop of the Solent. Admire the magnificent views of the legendary Needles, the three towering rocks rising up from the sea to form the postcard picture of the island.

Shanklin is a stunning village renowned for its splendid esplanade, historic attractions and a host of traditional seaside fun. Stroll along the golden blue flag beaches or discover the beauty of Shanklin Chine, filled with rare plants, wildlife and enchanting waterfalls.

Cowes is a pretty Georgian town located at the northern tip of the island and famous for its annual regatta in August. Enjoy the sights of this elegant resort, explore the boutique shops, discover the town’s ornate architecture or meander around the harbour to see the flotilla of yachts and boats in this beautiful setting.

The quaint seaside resort of Ventnor is built on a series of terraces, nestled on the south of the Isle of Wight. From strolling along the picturesque beach to enjoying the sub-tropical paradise at the famous Botanic Gardens, there is plenty to explore here all year round.

The Isle of Wight’s largest town of Ryde is often referred to as the ’Gateway to the Island’. The pretty esplanade is home to a wonderful selection of boutiques, museums and galleries, and there’s also a pretty marina to explore. Take a stroll along the popular 19th-century pier, the oldest in England, and take in the views of shimmering waters and the long stretch of golden sands.

The beautiful village of Godshill has a charming combination of thatched-roofed cottages and quaint tea rooms dotted along the winding streets. There’s also a medieval church standing high on the ‘the Hill of the Gods’, as well as plenty of lovely gift shops – perfect for souvenir shopping!

Discover the incredible range of things to do for all ages and interests, from seaside towns and enchanting villages to fun-packed theme parks and magnificent heritage sites including Queen Victoria’s favourite retreat, Osborne House, with spectacular grounds and sumptuous royal apartments. Or how about climbing aboard the Isle of Wight Steam Railway for great views around the island?

Suede debut new song ‘Antidepressants’ at Isle of Wight 2024 set

The first look into their "experimental" tenth album features jagged post-punk guitars and Brett Anderson in sprechgesang mode

Suede have previewed a new song titled ‘Antidepressants’ at their recent Isle of Wight 2024 set.

• READ MORE: Suede: “I’d love to think that our most daring work is ahead of us”

Last night (June 22), frontman Brett Anderson introduced the song after performing the ‘Coming Up’ cut ‘Filmstar’. “Here’s a song we’ve been working on for our tenth album,” he told the crowd before revealing its name.

‘Antidepressants’ features jagged post-punk guitars with verses delivered by Anderson in sprechgesang mode, before its anthemic chorus blazes through in true Suede fashion. Watch fan footage of the performance below.

Suede headlined the Big Top stage at Isle of Wight 2024 on Saturday. The festival also saw performances by Pet Shop Boys , Keane , Loreen , Blossoms and Jessie J , among others.

‘Antidepressants’ marks the first glimpse of new music by the Britpop band following ‘The Sadness In You, The Sadness In Me’ , a previously-unreleased song that was issued last November alongside the expanded release of 2022 album ‘Autofiction’ . The band have yet to reveal when the song will be issued officially on streaming platforms.

In 2022, NME spoke to Anderson and bassist Mat Osman about their upcoming tenth album, which they had already started writing by then. Anderson stated that the as-yet-untitled album is “much more experimental.”

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“I don’t really know if there’s an arc with [‘Autofiction’]. I’m not seeing it as a selection of albums. You just have to do it one at a time, really. I do think of those three records as [being] together, especially ‘Night Thoughts’ and ‘The Blue Hour’, but the next record will be completely different,” he explained.

Suede’s setlist for their Isle of Wight 2024 set was:

‘Turn Off Your Brain and Yell’ ‘Personality Disorder’ ‘Trash’ ‘Animal Nitrate’ ‘The Drowners’ ‘It Starts and Ends With You’ ‘Sometimes I Feel I’ll Float Away’ ‘Killing of a Flashboy’ ‘Filmstar’ ‘Antidepressants’ (live debut) ‘Pantomime Horse’ ‘She Still Leads Me On’ ‘Shadow Self’ ‘The 2 of Us’ ‘So Young’ ‘Metal Mickey’ ‘Beautiful Ones’ ‘New Generation’

Earlier this year, Anderson teamed up with Nadine Shah to record a cover of Mercury Rev’s ‘Holes’ as part of the Paraorchestra album ‘Death Songbook’.

On August 1, following a co-headlining UK and Ireland tour with Manic Street Preachers , Suede will perform a huge outdoor show in the UK at the Audley End in Saffron Walden, Essex, with special guests Shah and Johnny Marr .

• Related Topics
• Brett Anderson

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Here's when and why the Dual Carriageway is closing

The Isle of Wight's Dual Carriageway - or Medina Way, Newport - is to shut tomorrow morning (Sunday).

The closure is necessary to allow for grass cutting, Island Roads has said.

The southbound side is due to shut between its junctions with Dodnor Lane and the Curry's slip road.

Traffic will be diverted via Dodnor and Riverway, with vehicles re-joining the dual carriageway at the Curry’s slip road.

More roadworks, here:  Road closures around the Island for the week ahead

While the northbound side will close between its junctions with the Lidl slip road and Parkhurst Road.

Northbound traffic will be diverted by the Lidl slip road and roundabout via Hunnycross Way and Hunnyhill.

Medina Way is due to shut at around 5.30am.

The road is expected be reopen by 10am.