Isle of Wight
Journey back in time: so near, yet so different

Isle of Wight - getting there
Sail from Lymington to Yarmouth with Wightlink, or Southampton to East Cowes or West Cowes with Red Funnel. (Hovertravel also provide a service from Portsmouth (Southsea) to Ryde).
Distance from Lyndhurst:
Lymington ferry - 9 miles (15 kilometres) Southampton ferry - 8½ miles (14 kilometres)

Journey times
Lymington to Yarmouth car ferry - 35 minutes.
Southampton to East Cowes car ferry - 60 minutes.
Southampton to West Cowes high speed passenger only service - 23 minutes.
Southsea to Ryde - 10 minutes.

Take the car and have the freedom to tour, or travel as a foot passenger and explore Yarmouth, Cowes or Ryde; use public footpaths to enjoy the wider countryside; or take the Southern Vectis buses to explore further afield.

Isle of Wight highlights
Charming country towns - such as Yarmouth, Freshwater and Bembridge - with traditional shopping facilities, local crafts, galleries, antique shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants.

Delightful villages - such as Godshill, Bonchurch and Shorwell - with thatched cottages and glimpses of England as it was in days gone by.

Seaside resorts - such as Shanklin, Sandown and Ventnor - with pleasant beaches, safe bathing, promenades and, in the case of Sandown, a Victorian pier.

Extensive, unspoilt countryside - farmland, chalk downs, rivers and creeks and woodlands - with many public footpaths

National Trust properties - Bembridge Windmill, Brighstone Shop and Museum, Mottistone Manor, Newtown Old Town Hall and the Needles Old Battery and New Battery

English Heritage properties - Carisbrook Castle, Osborne House - home of Queen Victoria - and Yarmouth Castle

The Needles - chalk stacks and lighthouse

Alum Bay - and its famous multi-coloured sands

Newtown Creek National Nature Reserve - said to be the best example of an undisturbed natural harbour on the south coast.

Isle of Wight Railway - a restored steam railway running along five miles of track from Smallbrook Junction through Ashey and Havenstreet to Wootton

And there is much, much more.