24 hours on the Isle of Wight

The lovely Isle of Wight is your chosen ‘Treasure Island’ for the day. You’ve got 24 heavenly hours to fill and need to make the most of it. The moment the ferry drops you off, get busy holidaying!

Where will you go and what will you get up to? From rock pooling to relaxing, exploring to indulging, adventure or escape, make the most of those 1,440 minutes.  

6am - Arrive and meet the sunrise

With ferries departing from Southampton, Portsmouth and Lymington starting in the wee small hours, you can be sure that you won’t miss a moment. Set yourself up for the day with a great breakfast before embarking on your grand tour.

10am - Victorian splendour of Osborne House

Once the summer home and rural retreat of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, this fascinating former royal residence is extravagance personified.  Spend the morning letting the little ones run wild in the playgrounds or marvel at the ornate furnishings and opulent interiors of this palatial property. Take a paddle from the sand and shingle shore of the private beach and indulge in an ice cream or steaming cup of coffee before it’s time to move on.

12pm - Seaside charm by the bucket (and spade-load)

After just an 8-mile drive, take a stroll up Ryde’s traditional pier or a trip down memory lane with a ride on a vintage train which offers not only a touch of nostalgia but also a refreshing way to experience the island’s beautiful coastline. Ryde offers a plethora of eateries to enjoy a meal any time of the day – for stunning views of the beach and Solent why not try The Dell Café which serves artisan sandwiches and locally caught crab. 

3pm - St Catherine’s Lighthouse

For a spot of history on the way, stop off at the island’s southernmost point: the Pepperpot which is the shell of a medieval lighthouse and provides one of the highest points of the isle to experience stunning views.

5pm - The Needles and Tennyson Down

Your penultimate stop and one of the most breathtaking sights you can hope to see – high up on the chalk cliffs observe The Needles: three iconic spikes puncturing the horizon. Cultivate your sense of curiosity by experiencing amazing views of these jagged rocks, the striped sands of Alum Bay streaked with colours of the sun and the beautiful blue waters from the gentle sweep of the chairlift to Alum Bay below.

Observe the Needles: three iconic spikes puncturing the horizon.

If you prefer to stay on terra-firma, the springy rabbit-topped turf makes an enjoyable (but steep) walk and climb to Tennyson’s monument - your four-legged friend will also love this cliff-top escapade.  The plethora of wildflowers, birds and creatures will leave you mesmerised.

9pm - The final curtain

Before heading home on the night ferry under a blanket of stars or cosying up for the night in one of our handpicked Isle of Wight properties, there’s just time to catch a classic 9pm film at Mottistone Manor’s outdoor cinema – 7 miles away. What better way to make the most of the long summer evenings than spreading out a rug and enjoying a picnic and a movie on the grass with family and friends.

All this in just 24 little hours. What a difference a day makes.

For anyone hoping to enjoy a holiday on the Isle of Purbeck and take a day trip like this across to the Isle of Wight, find more Purbeck holiday inspiration here. 

Not sure a day will be enough to discover everything on this fantastic island? Don’t limit yourself to a single day, stay in one of our holiday cottages on the Isle of Wight for a week or two of discovery and relaxation.