The Isle of Wight is celebrated historically for the world's largest sailing regatta, Cowes Week, Queen Victoria's Osbourne House, great locally farmed produce and the world's largest ever festival, Isle of Wight 1970 (600,000 on the downs).
Today the Island has even more to shout about. All year round the Island plays host to festivals of music, film, sports, food and drink, including The Isle of Wight Festival, Cowes Week, Yarmouth Old Gaffers, The Bestival, The Rhythm Tree Festival, The Minghella Film Festival, The Island Games and The Garlic Festival.
The great thing about being a small island is that you are never far from the coastline, with its many miles of great beaches to discover. Whether you are looking to play, relax, walk, ride, sail, surf, kite or swim there are beaches for you. Our local favorites are Compton and Freshwater Bay.
For food and drink lovers, great pubs, cafes, farm shops, vineyards and tasty restaurants welcome you all over the Island.
Some of the most inspiring 'creative’s' in history once lived on or visited the Isle of Wight, from Tennyson and Shakespeare to Julia Margaret Cameron and Lewis Carroll. It is said that Shakespeare was inspired by Freshwater Bay and started writing 'The Tempest' whilst looking out over the breathtaking coastline.
If it's photography you are into, then what better place to capture. The scenery is so stunning; it almost does the work for you! There are plenty of places that will inspire your creativity - just come and see for yourself.