Stunning coastlines, scrummy seafood and monkey meetings… 48 hours in the Isle of Wight
Seaside getaways aren’t just for summer, you know... This quintessential British break has plenty to offer come autumn
WITH its stunning coastlines and more scrummy seafood than you can shake a crab stick at, this quintessential British break still has plenty to offer come crisp autumn days.
Plus, it’s just a one-hour drive across the island, so it’s easy to explore.
Get prehistoric
Indulge your inner Ross Geller at the , entry £5, or try to find your own piece of dino history on a guided fossil walks, also £5.
Later, visit the terrifying yet hilarious life-size moving dinosaurs at cliff-top , one of the UK’s oldest amusement parks, from £15. Hurry if you want to visit this year as it closes on October 30.
Climb a tree
Feeling brave? Scale a massive 70ft oak tree in with climbing experts for £39.
Or take it easier – hire an electric bike for £35 a day and try to spot the island’s most famous resident on the aptly named Red Squirrel Trail.
Enjoy R&R
Some of the prettiest beaches are at Shanklin and Ventnor – see the while you’re at the latter, £9.50.
Cowes is packed with fab lifestyle boutiques like and .
And unwind at Liz Earle’s original store with a facial, £45.
Feast on fish
It’s all about seafood. ’s fish pie, £11.95, is delish, while crispy whitebait, £9.45, at and calamari with black garlic aioli, £7, at are must-eats.
Or sample local Bembridge crab on chips, £9.95, at , and don’t miss the free garlic-tasting experience or the lovely farm shop.
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Make furry friends
Meet rescued chimps at award-winning , £10, while the lets you get within snuggling distance of their adorable rescuees in 60 acres of rolling countryside, entry free.
Elsewhere, offers treks with its alpaca herd, from £12.
Afterwards, head to nearby for great burgers, from £10.95.
Sip Mermaids gin
Wight Mermaids Gin is made at the Isle of Wight’s only distillery and is infused with rock samphire hand-picked from the chalk cliffs.
Sip it at some of the island’s best pubs: in Ryde and Shanklin’s – which counts Charles Darwin as a past punter.
Sleep by the sails
The charming sits in a tiny picturesque sailing village and has all bases covered with a Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded restaurant for tasty grub that’s also affordable, as well as a traditional pub. Doubles start from £95 B&B.
from Portsmouth start at £56 a car. Plan your trip at .