A traveller's guide to the Isle of Wight

Just off the South Coast of mainland England in the alluring English Channel, you’ll find the stunning Isle of Wight. A top holiday destination since the Victorian period, the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is just as popular today as it ever has been. Only two hours from London, yet providing a feeling of true remoteness amongst the swirling waves of the Channel, the Isle of Wight is perfect for a weekend away or a longer trip where you can explore all the island’s secrets in your van. Check out some of our handy tips for getting the most out of your trip to the island.

Why Wight?

Famous for its majestic landscapes, shipbuilding past and the annual Isle of Wight Festival , there’ll be something for everyone on your road trip across the island. With a population of just over 100,000 in an area almost the size of London, there’s no shortage of space to spread out and feel truly alone amongst the crumbling cliffs and sandy beaches.

More than anything however, the Isle of Wight is truly a van-friendly place to travel. With vehicle ferries crossing regularly to the island from Southampton and Portsmouth , you don’t even need to worry about finding a van on the island. Once you arrive on Wight you’ll be treated to wide roads that make road-tripping easy, a plethora of campsites scattered across the island, and an affordable economy that can often be a fair bit cheaper than the rest of mainland England.

The Isle of Wight also offers a place for campers to get off the beaten path and explore a part of the UK that has a long and oftentimes turbulent history. A rich trove of dinosaur fossils permeate the ground beneath the island, and historic buildings scattered throughout will tell you about the island's frontline position against the Spanish Armada and the Germans during the Battle of Britain.

Relax without the crowds

We all know how suffocatingly busy London can get, not to mention the fabulous yet packed seaside towns across the country. If you’re searching for an English escape without the crowds, the Isle of Wight has you covered, with its huge assortment of deserted beaches, forgotten coves and wide-open spaces for you to feel a million miles away.

Some fascinating attractions you’ll come across on the Isle of Wight include Carisbrooke Castle, the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, Robin Hill Nature Park and Ventnor Botanic Garden. Osborne was Queen Victoria’s final home, and Dinosaur Isle is home to huge deposits of incredible fossils and unique geological features.

A road trip is never complete without finding some incredible scenic drives to soak up the best of the landscape, and the Isle of Wight offers plenty of jaw-dropping journeys that will be hard to beat. Middle Road arrows straight through the centre of the island with stunning countryside falling away to either side, while the Esplanade of East Cowes zig-zags along the mystical coastline and Military Road follows an historic route along the south of the island.

Campervan tips and tricks for the Isle of Wight

Although the island is only a stone's throw away from the South Coast of mainland England, you’ll still need to hop on a ferry with your van to get to the Isle of Wight. Luckily, with the island’s popularity increasing in recent years, there are plenty of services that operate over the water. The route from Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde is the quickest, but ferries also travel between Lymington and Yarmouth , Portsmouth and Fishbourne , and Southampton and Cowes.

Once you’re safely on the island, it’s important to remember that the same rules apply to camping as they do on the mainland. Wild camping is illegal on the Isle of Wight without the express permission of the owner, however it can be worth asking here as there is a strong community feel on the island, and some landowners may let you stay if you respect their property.

Isle of Wight campsites

If you prefer to stay at a campsite with comfort amenities, there are plenty of family-friendly sites on the Isle of Wight. The Orchards Holiday Park in Yarmouth, Ninham Country Holidays in Shanklin and Nodes Point Holiday Park in Ryde have picturesque views and swimming pools.

Grange Farm is home to a working farm with friendly domesticated animals such as ponies and donkeys. If roughing it is more your camping style, but you want to stay connected to modern amenities without breaking any laws, nearly wild camping is available at Park Farm Camping in Calbourne.

Exploring the great outdoors

Of course, no travel guide to the Isle of Wight could possibly be complete without a list of our favourite activities to do amongst the verdant fields, rugged coastline and imperious countryside. With its mild climate and sandy shores, the island is home to a huge number of awesome beaches that hit their stride during the summer months. If you’re planning on a coastal tour, these are our must-see beaches:

• Sandown Beach

• Cowes and Gurnard

• Ryde Beach

• Bembridge Beach

• Brook Beach

• Compton Bay

• Shanklin

• Freshwater Bay

If you want to park up for the day and see the island on foot, the Isle of Wight also offers a number of impressive hikes that will take you from coast to mountaintop. The Coastal Path is your go-to if you want to take in the sea air and meander wistfully along the rocks of the coastline. Ridge Walk begins at the heart of the island and travels along a chalk ridge, where you’ll be able to spot some of the region's unique plant and animal life. The Warrior Trail is great if you want to re-enact the route taken by ancient warriors as they prepared for battle, and the Top of the Wight trail will take experienced hikers to the island’s highest point.

Don’t leave the island without trying your hand at some coastal kayaking, a favourite of locals and tourists alike, giving you the freedom to see the best parts of the island from atop the water. Isle of Wight Adventures in Compton Bay is your best bet, from where you’ll see caves, beaches, stunning rock formations and even try a bit of snorkelling! Keep your eyes peeled for fossilised footprints around the rocks of Compton Bay.

If you’re looking to get off the beaten path on your UK road trip, consider adding the Isle of Wight to your itinerary and spending some quality time on this idyllic island. Warm in summer and milder than the rest of the UK during winter, there’s never a bad time to explore this pastoral wonderland in a campervan or motorhome. Find the perfect van on Camplify and start exploring.