Isle of Wight this weekend

Sarahjk21

We are off to the IOW for a wedding on Friday- we will be kid free as the children are staying home with Grandma :T

Any bright ideas for lovely restuarants or things to do that don't cost an arm and a leg on Saturday?

Teresa60

We went to the Isle of Wight in May and we went to a lovely restaurant called The Folly Inn near Cowes. It was right by the water, great in the sun wathching the boats go by.

chairman_miaow

Got back from IOW last week.....personally I found it overpriced (and over-rated ,although i seem to be the only person who has ever thought that !)

Best place we went for a meal and a few beers was Wight Mouse Inn near Chale :beer:

Sarahjk21

Thanks for that- its not personal choice for a weekend away but needs must!

vikingaero

If it rains, then Waltzing Waters in Ryde is a cheap place to escape to for an hour - about £4 ish for entry. There's the Old Smithy at Godshill to wander around and Arreton Barns. Both are shopping type places/mini museums with cafes which are free to wander around. Same with IOW Pearl near Brighstone which has a fantastic location and cafe.

kandyfloss

Isle of White is my favourite place in all the world:j

When you go over on the ferry have a look either in the ticket office or on board the ferry for all the usual leaflets and the Isle of White magazine that will give you lots of info of places to visit on the island and there is usually vouchers that you can cut out and use for money off or discounts.

If you are interested in walking then there are plenty of places where you can walk either up on the downs or down on the beaches.

Ventnor Botanical Gardens is free to visit and well worth spending a few hours going round,but you will have to pay for the parking if you are going by car.

We found that Cowes can get very busy and the shops are usually expensive because of the boating people that all head to Cowes.

I do hope you have a great time and that the weather is good for you.Whenever we go at this time of the year or in July the weather is usually good.

Do let us know how you get on:D

Tarry

I really like the Isle of Wight, although haven't been for quite a while

Diesel44

I agree with Kandyfloss, Isle of wight is my number one and favourite place.
There our many places to visit and you don't have to travel too far to get anywhere. Not to mention the outstanding views

carlislelass

pick up leaflets on the ferry. we`ve just come back, with planning you don`t need to spend much

wombat27

Some good places that are free/cheap to visit are:

Carisbrooke Castle - you need to pay to get inside this, but you can walk round the outside for free and it has lovely views of the Island.

Osborne House - again, you need to pay to get inside, but you can get a really cheap ticket which is just for the grounds, not looking inside the house, and it makes a great day if the weather is good.

The Needles Battery - you need to pay to get in here buit it's quite cheap and it has the most brilliant views ever, right overlooking The Needles,. It has a really quaint cafe inside that has a 1940s wartime theme, it's like going back in time.

The Spyglass Inn at Ventnor - pub with good food and the best view, right over the bay at Ventnor. Gets very busy though.

I'd avoid Sandown/Shanklin - they are a bit kiss me quick candyfloss type places (anyone from there don't beat me up!). Although there is a nice clifftop walk between the two that is great for the energetic, and you can also walk along the cliffs from Shanklin to Ventnor.

GaryS

If you are taking a car over use Red Funnel as they always seem to be a lot cheaper than Wightlink.