SMART TRAVELLER


STAY AT HOME ISLE OF WIGHT


With vintage theme parks, beaches galore and idyllic countryside, there’s no better place to head to for a classic English break


Why go England’s largest island has been a ‘staycation’ destination since the 1800s, with Queen Victoria herself owning a holiday home here, in the shape of palatial Osborne House. She was on to something: just a 45-minute ferry journey across the Solent from the Hampshire coast, the island is an ideal place to spend a long weekend, with fossil hunting and woodland walks, beaches, gentle countryside and vintage theme parks. There’s also plenty for thrill-seekers, with hiking trails, including a 68-mile coastal path, and a host of spots for surfing, paddleboarding and windsurfing. visitisleofwight.co.uk


What to do Families will love the UK’s oldest theme park, Blackgang Chine, near Ventnor. Opened in the 1840s, it’s moved on a bit since its first attraction, a fin whale skeleton (still on display); it now includes rides, animatronic dinosaurs, fairytale lands and a Wild West town. For a gentler day out, take a 10-mile roundtrip on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway from Wootton or Havenstreet stations. At the latter, visit Train Story, a museum where you can board old carriages, dress up as a driver and learn about railway history. blackgangchine.com iwsteamrailway.co.uk


Where to eat The Llama Tree is a cafe that serves excellent Peruvian coffee, as well as pizzas, sandwiches, local cheese and snacks. There’s the added attraction of its setting, at the 23-acre farm West Wight Alpacas and Llamas. There’s even the chance to take one of the curious camelids for a walk. westwightalpacas.co.uk/cafe-bistro


We like Goodleaf Tree Climbing offers tree-climbing courses based around a 70ſt oak tree at Appley Park, near Ryde. Aſter getting to grips with the equipment, you’ll be shimmying up to the top of the tree to enjoy the view. Take in the views from a canopy hammock before you head back down. goodleaf.co.uk


Where to stay Set in a meadow near Newport, Tiny Homes Holidays’ four luxurious hideaways are solar- powered, with composting toilets, wood- burning stoves and water recycling. There’s even an on-site studio offering arts and craſts workshops. The Lakes Rookley, meanwhile, is a stylish base just outside Godshill. Family activities and watersports can be booked on site. tinyhomesholidays.com ariaresorts.co.uk JO FLETCHER-CROSS


DON’T MISS


Head to Osborne House, grand holiday home of Victoria and Albert. Don’t miss Swiss Cottage, built by Prince Albert for his nine children, with its miniature kitchen and dairy, and Queen Victoria’s beachside bathing machine. english-heritage.org.uk


ABOVE FROM LEFT: Clifftop view of Freshwater Bay; Osborne House


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IMAGES: AWL IMAGES; ENGLISH HERITAGE TRUST


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