DEPARTURE DAY
A leisurely drive to the south coast of Hampshire. We set sail for a scenic crossing of the Solent to the Isle of Wight. Our first taste of the Island, as we cross to our hotel in Shanklin.
THE NEEDLES at Alum Bay
A tour along the South Coast to the Needles at Alum Bay. Needles Park has a chairlift to the beach (ticket price not included), from which you can see the famous coloured sands, Needles rocks and lighthouse. We continue on through Freshwater to Yarmouth with its castle built by King Henry VIII (entrance not included).
RYDE
A tour along the coast through Bembridge to Ryde -“ the Gateway to the Island”. Stroll the Esplanade with its marina, beautiful gardens, bowling green, boating lake, outdoor cafés and the Victorian landmark - Appley Tower.
OSBORNE HOUSE
Entrance included to Queen Victoria’s palatial holiday home. Explore Victoria and Albert’s private apartments for an intimate glimpse of royal family life. Ornate furnishings and artefacts from The Royal Collection fill rooms and corridors where Victoria entertained heads of state, inventors, princess and princesses, and ruled the vast British Empire.
NEWPORT and GODSHILL
Off to Newport. Lots to see, including excellent shopping, ancient inns, the harbour, Carrisbrook Village. Returning, we call into the island’s most picturesque village, Godshill, with its thatched cottages and hill-top church - an ideal stop for a cream tea.