Every year, we flock in our thousands to visit the beautiful Isle of Wight, affectionately known as the Diamond Isle. And it’s with good reason it has this precious name, not only because it’s shaped like a diamond, it’s the many other features of this popular holiday resort that make it such a gem of an attraction.
The Isle of Wight Weather
The island just off the south coast of England has its own microclimate, enjoying more sunshine on average than the rest of the UK – in fact it’s the sunniest place in the UK with an average of 36.9 hours per week, that’s a 22% average sunshine ratio on a weekly basis, This means that you're likely to see a lot of sunshine if you visit, even in the winter.
The average temperature in the summer is around 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit). However, it can often feel warmer than this due to the sunshine. The island is also relatively sheltered, so it doesn't get as much rain or wind as some other parts of the UK.
Isle of Wight Beaches
All of that sunshine means you have plenty of time to explore the abundance of golden beaches on the island. Every beach is unique, filled with character, offering magical views out over the crystal blue sea. Alum Bay is one particular spot of great beauty with the impressively colourful cliffs, perfectly contrasting the clear turquoise sea. Colwell Bay is a sheltered bay with a sandy beach. It's a popular spot for swimming, sunbathing, and watersports. Compton Bay is a wide, sandy beach that's popular with families. It's also a great place for fossil hunting.
Sandown Bay is a long, sandy beach that's perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and building sandcastles. Shanklin Beach is another popular family beach with a variety of attractions, including a pier, amusement arcades, and a paddling pool. Ventnor Beach is a secluded beach that's known for its stunning scenery. It's a great place to escape the crowds and enjoy some peace and quiet.
The History of the Diamond Isle
The Isle of Wight is a prehistoric place, there is literally hundreds of fossils buried within the cliffs, hidden in the sandy beaches and maybe even washed up ready for you to find. In the last 3 years a whole Brachiosaurus vertebrae was found, with another dinosaur footprint within it! That’s certainly a monster find.
It’s not just dinosaur fossils that you can discover, it’s the rich heritage of the island with Queen Victoria’s former home, Osborne House, proving to be a very popular tourist attraction, especially since the release of TV drama, Victoria.
Carisbrooke Castle, which dates back to the Norman era, brings history alive with its exhibitions in the museum, walks around the grounds and talks about the Royal connections.
The Delicacies of the Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is famous for its production of garlic and tomatoes! They produce some of the most flavoursome garlic, and even have a festival to celebrate it, combining the herb masterfully in exquisite dishes…and even ice cream!
As well as these quirks, the Diamond Isle offers delicious fresh seafood, and boy do the locals know how to cook it! Many of the restaurants offer local fresh seafood to tingle your tastebuds, complimented by locally produced wine from one of the many vineyards on the island, such as Rosemary Vineyard.
The Gardens of the Isle of Wight
The unique microclimate has helped rare, sub-tropical and exotic plants thrive in the Ventnor Botanic Gardens, making them one of the best places to peacefully stroll and admire nature.
If you are a keen gardener, you should also consider visiting Mottistone Manor Gardens, Rylstone Gardens or Robin Hill – stunning walks around beautiful places with plenty of flora to appreciate.
So, if you're looking for a sunny getaway with beautiful beaches, fascinating history, tasty food, and gorgeous gardens, the Isle of Wight, the Diamond Isle, might be the perfect place for your next trip!
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