With the Great British Staycation still a strong feature of the summer break, there are plenty of wonderful nooks and crannies along the UK coastline to investigate. But if you've already frequented the shepherd's huts of Kent, surfed your fair share of Cornish rip tides and pottered along the piers of Brighton, Bournemouth and Hastings, it might be time to venture slightly further afield. Just an hour's ferry journey from Southampton, or a 45 minute crossing from Portsmouth, the Isle of Wight is a quiet jewel of the south.
Why the Isle of Wight
Given that it is the largest island in England's waters, at 147 square miles, there is plenty of land to explore. The beaches around its circumference range from pebbled vistas much like Brighton and Hove, to long sand-stretches of good surf, much like Cornwall, and even tranquil little coves like you might find in Kent. The social centres are equally diverse, with Victorian-era Ventnor sitting in stark contrast to built-up county town Newport. If you want to get to grips with the Isle of Wight's full spread of offerings, driving is essential, especially considering that a trip up Military Road, which runs the length of the West coast, overlooking the white cliffs and the Channel beyond them, is a must.
Where To Stay
It really depends on what you want out of your trip. If you're keen to get back to nature, you might consider one of the excellent camping and caravan sites on the island. If, however, that sounds like hell on a stick, and you prefer to have all of the creature comforts of the big city, even on your staycations, then there's one place in particular that we'd love to recommend.
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Foresters Hall in Cowes has both the rich history (once a meeting place for the Ancient Order of Foresters) and the modern overhaul (redesigned with something of a Soho House aesthetic in mind) to give it a feeling of luxurious formality, and also of being a chic home away from home. Owned by charming husband-and-wife duo Sara Curran and Peter Sussman - both film and TV execs who were decided to veer away from trans-Atlantic show business and settle in one place during the pandemic - the hotel has been injected with some of the flavour and experience that living out of suitcases in a variety of the world's most interesting hotels has given them. Think mismatched but co-ordinated velvet chairs, bold and covetable wallpaper that hints at nautical themes without being at all on the nose, printed lampshades and eye-catching modern art.
A stone's throw from Cowes' petite pedestrianised high street - which houses shops ranging from contemporary lifestyle cafés through, through to traditional souvenirs and beach paraphernalia - Foresters Hall is extremely well placed. The rooms are airy, bright and comfortable, encircling a courtyard with outdoor tables and chairs spilling over from the Brasserie by Smoking Lobster restaurant, a garden with plenty of space for kids to roam around in and a heated outdoor pool with loungers and plush stripy towels. There's even a little vegetable patch where Curran grows her own cucumbers and tomatoes.
Rooms from £295, for more information CLICK HERE
Which Beach To Visit
As we've mentioned, beaches are both in plentiful supply and vary according to taste. For those wanting a stroll along a beachfront promenade, without necessarily pitching up for the day, walking along the Cowes shorefront is pleasant enough, and a chance to peek at some impressive sailing yachts.
If you're in the mood for something brilliantly British, and a little bit off the beaten path, you need to drive down to Ventnor on the south coast and walk down to Steephill cove. As the name suggests, it's a little bit of a trek to get down into and up out of the little cloistered beach, but it's worth it on a sunny day. Sheltered by the curve of the land and the pretty white lighthouse punctuating one corner of the bay, the cove has a selection of beach huts and cafés, as well as cottages with private beach-front gardens.
If you're looking for sand, grandeur and a touch of history, drive up Military road along the west coast and head down to Compton beach, which is a giant stretch with enough room to feel like you're the only ones for miles around. Plus, if you're lucky, you might spot the fossils of a couple of dinosaur footprints which the spot has become legendary for.
On the east coast, Priory Bay is notionally the most beautiful coastal spot on the entire island, but can be tricky to get to, especially if your'e laden with beach bits and prams. In which case, the beach at Seaview is perfectly pleasant, with rock pools and sandy stretches.
What To Eat
If you're visiting Seaview, be sure to grab a portion of Seaview Hotel's beer battered fish and chunky chips. Big portions, tasty and perfect for the surrounds.
If you want something a little more upmarket, The Smoking Lobster franchise is a very good bet. With its original pan-asian venue in Ventnor having been so successful, chef Giancarlo Giancovich, with the help of sister Cinz, opened a series of further venues, each with a different theme.
There's Drunken Lobster, specialising in fine wines and sakes, the Smoking Lobster in Cowes, and The Brasserie by Smoking Lobster, which can be found inside Foresters Hall hotel and takes a more British approach with a fish of the day, lobster dishes, and steak and duck breast mains. Hearty and scrumptious - a great shout day or night.
Don't Miss
As well as the sort of beachwear and sailing boutiques you'd expect of any British seaside town, the Isle of Wight's various village streets also play host to a number of more indie finds.
In Cowes, be sure to check out Sounds + Grounds, a record-shop-come-café which, as it turns out, is something of a local hotspot, with regulars practically queuing to get in as soon as the doors are open. If you love vinyl enough to visit a second record store, try Reggie's Retro in Ventnor too. And while down in Ventnor, there are several respectable antiques markets too, like Burfields Art and Design.
