Local area
With the Isle of Wight being a small island of outstanding beauty, 13 miles by 23 miles and attracting in excess of 2.7 million visitors a year, it still retains its charm and unique character. There is so much to do and see for everyone, especially walkers, artists and those who enjoy the outdoors and wildlife.
The Isle of Wight has more than 500 miles of carefully maintained public rights of way, a network providing access to most of the islands 147 square miles of glorious coast and countryside. This offers an excellent environment for walkers.
Over half of the Island has been designated by the Countryside Commission as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and there are almost 30 miles of ' Heritage Coast ' a designation applied to coastlines of only the highest quality in England and Wales . The diversity of this unspoilt landscape makes walking a delight.
West Wight is a haven for those who also enjoy outdoor sports with good beach swimming at Colwell Bay , fishing and snorkelling at Freshwater Bay . At Compton Bay , a short drive away is some of the best surfing, windsurfing and kite surfing.
Mountain biking and horse riding are all possible using the numerous bridleways on the downs without going on a metalled road.
Boats can be launched from the slipway at Freshwater Bay and the yachting centre of Yarmouth is only a 5 minute drive from Romany
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Some interesting ideas
- Visit any of the 11 nature reserves on the Island, most found in West Wight - www.hiwwt.org.uk/wildlife.
- Walk from Ducie Beach off Bembridge to St Helens Fort with up to 2000 people who carefully walk some three-quarters of a mile out to sea to the Fort. The event is held in the first week of August around the lowest summer tide in the evening, when the returning walk ends in a BBQ.
- Watch the famous Brambles Cricket match at Cowes held at the end of August, played on the sand dunes in the middle of the sea and timed to co-incide with the tides .
- Fossil Hunting at Brighstone Bay, but ensure you watch when the tides are due in. For more info contact Fossil specialist - www.dinosaurexpeditions.co.uk.
- Red Squirrels watching at Parkhurst Forest, Rylstone Gardens, near Shanklin. Alverstone Mead Nature Reserve.
- Golf – there are 7 golf courses, two of which have 18 holes and of those one is in Freshwater. Freshwater Bay Golf Club, Afton Down, Freshwater 01983 752955. The other courses are at Ventor, Newport ,Osbourne, Ryde, Shanklin and Westridge.
- Visit Carisbrooke Castle – a full day out at this historic and spectacular site with links to William the Conquer and meet the resident donkeys. www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/carisbrooke-castle.
- Do some Sea Kayaking, for the novice and the experienced based in Freshwater- www.iow-seakayaking.co.uk
- Visit some of the interesting National Trust Houses, Gardens and Windmill including The Needles and Old and New Fort - www.isleofwight.com/nationaltrust
- Take a Steam Boat tours around the island - www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk
- Visit Wight Zoo - www.isleofwightzoo.com
- Walk through Shanklin Chine, in the evening, truly magical - www.shanklinchine.co.uk
- Paint and take home some Chessell Pottery and take a cup of tea in the Tea Shop - www.chessellpotterybarns.co.uk
- Take a train on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway - www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk
- Owl and Monkey Haven, one of Isle of Wight’s Newest Attractions - www.owlandmonkeyhaven.co.uk
- Garlic Farm, taste and take home garlic delights - www.thegarlicfarm.co.uk
- Visit Calbourne Water Mill. The only working Water Mill on the Isle of Wight, set in 10 acres of stunning rural landscape - www.calbournewatermill.co.uk