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To save you time when you’re planning your visit and so as not to waste your time when you arrive, we have gathered together some information about a selection of just some of the many activities you can take part in on the island. Of course you may just want to sit back and relax; enjoy the fresh air, glorious countryside & beautiful beaches – that’s fine too!
There is immense diversity and contrast in the islands landscape; the rolling hills of the interior contrast the dramatic cliffs of Freshwater Bay and the needles; the lush water meadows of the nature reserve at Newtown Creek striking in a 60 mile coastline rich with secluded coves, stretches of golden sand and pretty bays backed by fossil-rich cliffs and multi-coloured sand.
The Island is the first county in the UK to achieve the UK Countryside’s Commission’s target of having all footpaths and bridleways fully open, mapped and signposted. Over 130 trails are available across the picturesque island with a variety of themes to suit everyone – from ‘forts’ to ‘finest landscapes’ and for the real adventurers ‘ghost walks!’
The pace is noticeably slower here, despite being so close to the mainland and it is a wonderful place to relax. However, if it is action you seek- then this is the place for you too. From sailing to golf, from fishing to kite-surfing, there is something for everyone.. no matter how extreme your sport!
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Horse riding
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The Isle of Wight is the ideal place to head if you enjoy horse riding, on or off road. Off road you can sample the long distance trails boasting magnificent views. On road, we have miles of quiet country lanes and small roads passing through picturesque villages to potter along. There is wealth of fantastic country pubs and cafes along the way for refuelling.
Lake Farm, Rookley - Tel: 01983 840251
Allendale Riding School, Godshill - Tel: 01983 840258
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| Cycling / Mountain Biking |
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There are over 200 miles of cycling routes from coastal paths to quiet country lanes, all across the island. The island boasts some of the best off road routes in the country whether you are looking for challenging pathways or just and enjoyable day in the countryside. Because of the varied terrain and diverse landscape, it is possible to get a tremendous variety of views on a relatively short ride. Serious mountain bikers will head straight for Freshwater to try out the single track challenge known as the Seven Hills Killer.
Here at Nettlecombe Farm we offer lockable storage facilities for you bikes.
IW
Cycling Festival including 7 Hills Killer
Isle
of Wight Cycling
Cycling
on the Isle of Wight
Extremists
IOW MTB Club
The Bike Shed
Wight Off Road will arrange for your bikes to be delivered and ready for you arrival. They are also based in the village of Whitwell. Tel: 01983 730120
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| Walking / Hiking |
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With over 500 miles of footpaths and over half the island designated as and area of outstanding beauty the Isle of Wight is a walkers paradise. The scenery is magnificent and you can vary your walks as the mood takes you, sometimes on the high ground with wonderful views, sometimes the sea shore along the sand or amongst the rocks. Being an island, whichever way the wind is blowing you can select a sheltered walk.
IW CAM
- very useful site with illustrated walks (177 walks and 7966 images/photos)
IOW Ramblers Association
Walk the Wight
IW Walking Festival
Red Funnel Walking Guide |
| Golf |
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There are more golf courses on the island than there are days in the week! All abilities are catered for from the low handicap, weekend golfer to the occasional rusty swinger. You can enjoy exhilarating downland courses with breathtaking views and fresh sea air, a round on a peaceful parkland course or just whack some balls at the floodlit driving range.
There are eight golf courses on the Island where it is necessary to carry more than a wedge and a putter. These are Cowes, Freshwater Bay, Newport, Osborne, Ryde, Shanklin & Sandown, Ventnor and Westridge.
Freshwater Bay and Shanklin & Sandown are 18 hole courses, the remainder are 9 hole courses, with the exception of Ventnor which has 12 greens.
Isle of Wight Golf Guide |
| Sailing / Watersports |
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The island boasts some of the most reliable weather in the UK . This comes hand in hand with decent water temperatures, making the idea of getting wet for fun even more appealing. Even in the winter the devout water sportsman can be seen splashing about in our waters. The winter sea is certainly on the chilly side, but as they’ll all tell you – ‘it takes a lot to stop an extreme sportsman from taking to the waters!’ And where better to learn a watersport, given that even from the most central point of the island you are only ever 15 minutes away from a beach.
The Isle of Wight is home for both Cowes Week the largest sailing regatta in the Uk and Europe ’s largest extreme sport festival Wight Air.
Off Shore Sports – 01983 866269
Wight Waters – 01983 404987
X-Isle – 01983 873111
United Kingdom
Sailing Academy– 01983 294941
Solent
Watersports
Island Youth
Water Activities Centre (IOW) Ltd -
01983 293074
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Flying / Gliding / Paragliding
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What better way to appreciate the diversity of the Islands landscape and coastline than from the air! From Sandown & Bembridge Airport you can take off in anything from a microlights to a helicopter – pleasure flight to one-on-one tuition.
If you fancy being a bit more adventurous you could try your hand at paragliding. Being in the deep south the Isle of Wight escapes the worst of the low pressure, which means there are more flying days here than anywhere else in the UK , this also applies for gliding. There are 12 flying sites on the Island , all which cater for varying wind directions.
Butterfly Paragliding – 01983 731611
Bembridge Airport - 01983 873331
Pleasure Flights, Sandown Airport
- 01983 408374
Specialist
Flying School – 01983 402402
Vectis
Gliding Club
High Adventure (IOW) Ltd - 01983 752322 |
| Sea Fishing |
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Sea fishing can be organised throughout the year with:
Wight Sapphire - Tel: 01983 740554
Catch-a-lot - Tel: 01983 874100
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| Swimming Pools |
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Medina Recreation Centre – 01983 523767
The Heights Health & Leisure Base
- Tel: 01983 405594
Ryde Waterside Pool - Tel: 01983 563656 |
| Groups / Corporate |
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If you need to arrange some corporate hospitality or a team building event, we are happy to recommend a local event management company who know the Island well. They would be pleased to help with all your arrangements and look after you and your guests during your stay:
Wight
Ventures - 01983 761600
Island Activities
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