Isle of Wight Autumn 2016

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We think the Isle of Wight is a great place to visit, there is nothing better than staying in a self catering holiday accommodation and exploring the Isle of Wight. Whether you are wanting a sunny summer holiday, an autumn break, a winter retreat or a springtime adventure, there is both the holiday accommodation and activities to suit your needs. You can even bring your pet to most of properties within The Wight Holiday Company portfolio as they are pet friendly.

The Isle of Wight really isn’t just a summer destination, it is great all year around. Picturesque unspoilt landscapes, pretty towns and villages means the Isle of Wight will capture the heart of those who take a holiday during the autumn. Now that the summer season is behind us again for another year, the experience of the Isle of Wight in autumn will be quite different as the pace of life slows from the hustle and bustle of the summer months.

However the Isle of Wight is still as enchanting in autumn and winter time with stunning scenery and unequalled outdoor activities. There are a number of attractions that also remain open and there’s a full programme of organised events and activities for visitors to enjoy:

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Robin Hill’s Electric Woods – Festival of Light inspired by Diwali, near Newport
Enjoy the ambience of Robin Hill’s ‘Electric Woods’ with the Festival of Light inspired by Diwali, a stunning spectacle of creatively themed light, colour, sound, and entertainment inspired by India. As darkness falls, experience the lush colours, flavours and magic of the Asian sub-continent set in Robin Hill’s glorious autumnal ancient woodland.
Dates: 1 October to 5 November
Park open evenings: 6pm – 10pm (open till 9pm during half term, 22nd – 30th October 2016). More information: www.electricwoods.co.uk 

Isle of Fright, Islandwide fright-night-2016-collage1jpg
A frightful feast of fun-fuelled events for the whole family, including Spooky Castle at Carisbrooke Castle Wizard Week at the IW Steam Railway ), Awesome Autumn Adventures at the Needles Old Battery where kids can enjoy a swashbuckling adventure and hear stories of the shipwrecks surrounding the Isle of Wight and Trick or Tree-t with Goodleaf tree climbing http://www.goodleaf.co.uk/
Dates: October half-term
More information: http://www.visitisleofwight.co.uk/whats-on/events/isle-of-fright

Isle of Wight Literary Festival, Northwood House, Cowes
Now in its fifth year, the Isle of Wight Literary Festival attracts well known fiction and non-fiction writers, journalists, military men, actors and historians. Some of the speakers confirmed for this year are Michael Portillo, writer, broadcaster and former politician, will be talking about ”Life: A Game of Two Halves”, Michael Billington, the doyen of British theatre critics, will be discussing his book “The 101 Greatest Plays” from antiquity to the present and Rosamund Lupton best-selling author of “Sister” and “The Quality of Silence”.
Dates: 13-16 October
More information: http://www.isleofwightliteraryfestival.com/

Experience the magic of Blackgang’s illuminations this October! blackgang-illums

By day ….  let your imagination run wild as you venture on a journey of discovery and imagination. Then as dusk falls ….  the park re-awakens with the magic of Blackgang’s illuminations.   Enjoy an evening exploring the park, and for those who are brave enough, experience Restricted Area 5 after dark!

Dates: 1st – 29th October,  More Information: http://www.blackgangchine.com/events/october#                                   

Beer, Buses & Walks at the IW Bus & Coach Museum, Ryde
Beer and bus lovers are invited to join the perfect “pub crawl” as the Isle of Wight branch of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) and the IW Bus Museum join forces again to host the annual Classic Buses, Beer and Walks Weekend. Vintage buses will transport visitors to and from pubs located right across the Island, allowing them to “hop-off” and enjoy a walk through the Island’s autumn landscape.
Dates: 15/16 October
More information: http://www.visitisleofwight.co.uk/whats-on/beer-buses-and-walks-at-the-iow-bus-and-coach-museum-p1269771

Winston’s walk
3-priory-bay-churchillWinston’s parents, Randolf and Jenny Jerome, met at a party on a yacht moored off of Cowes. Randolf proposed to her two days later in the garden of an Island cottage on the seafront. Local author Anthony Churchill has written an impressive coffee table book on the connections between the Churchill family and the Isle of Wight and based on that, visitors are now able to follow a new “Churchill Trail” that will take you on an exciting journey to the locations that have a connection to the family across the Island. More Information: http://www.visitisleofwight.co.uk/inspiration/isle-of-wight-trails/the-churchill-trail

Isle of Wight Autumn Walking Festival, Islandwide,
The Autumn Walking Weekend gives you the opportunity to breathe in the beautiful scenery and autumnal colours that the Island has to offer. With over 60 walks to choose from there are walks for all ages and abilities, and led by our friendly and knowledgeable leaders, who will take you on a journey of mystery, intrigue and exploration as you traverse the Island’s countryside, woodland, pastures, meadows and footpaths. 
Dates: 21-23 October
More information: http://www.isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk/

We love a good walk here at The Wight Holiday Company, especially when we take our four legged friends with as we are pet friendly! We have shared our favourite walk with you before but here it is again – Click here if you missed it St Catherine’s Light House walk – St Catherine Light House:  https://www.thewightholidaycompany.co.uk/isle-wight-holiday-st-catherines-walk/

Victorian Christmas at Osbornevictorianchristmas-osborne-cb
Experience the spirit of a Victorian Christmas at beautiful Osborne. Have a go at traditional games, take a ride on the carousel and delight in jovial entertainers. Hear the festive sounds of the season and smell the roasting chestnuts in the snowy courtyard. Marvel at the skillful Victorian falconer and children can make their own traditional toys. Meet Father Christmas and even Queen Victoria as you tour some of the festively dressed rooms. Additional charge applies to see Father Christmas.
Dates: 3rd and 4th Dec
More information: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/whats-on/victorian-christmas-Osb-03-12-2016/

National Trust Seasonal events
Get closer to nature this autumn by joining in a range of seasonal walks organised by the National Trust. There’s ’50 Years of Conservation’, a gentle walk to discover wonderful habitats around a National Nature Reserve (25 September 2-4pm), Wildlife Walk looking at Autumn wildlife including birds (1st October 8-10am) and Discover Culver Down, an interesting circular walk exploring some of the local history and Island heritage with some stunning views along the way (21 October, 10.30am-12.30pm).
Dates:1st October and 21st October
More information: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/days-out/regionlondonsoutheast/isle-of-wight

Dinosaurs Footprint Walk
The majority of dinosaur fossils are found along the south-west coast of the Island and this is your chance to discover the evidence left behind by the dinosaurs, including large natural casts of their footprints and marine title_dinosaursfossils – but only if you know where to look and what to recognize. Children should bring a small plastic bucket for finds, and wrap up warm.
Date: 12 November
More information and to book: Please phone 01983 404344 or www.dinosaurisle.com

Top tastes…even more reasons to stay a while:

Thanks to the Isle of Wight’s mild climate, there is an abundance of superb homegrown produce, including locally caught fish, crab and lobster, award-winning cheeses, free-range meats, and game, when in season. You really will be spoilt for choice

Less than an hour’s sailing on the ferry from Southampton, the Isle of Wight makes an ideal weekend getaway. Just a few miles off the Hampshire coastline, but a world away from the hustle and bustle of the mainland, visitors are transported across the Solent to a twenty-three mile wide slice of sunshine and laid-back charm. With its stunning beaches, legendary music festivals and world-class sailing, it’s no surprise that the Island has been a favourite holiday destination for decades.

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Taste Round the Island Cycle Route

Bicycle Island’s gastronomic food and drink themed ride gives cyclists the chance to discover the Isle of Wight’s culinary delights whilst burning off those extra calories at the same time! The 66-mile, fully waymarked route is a definite challenge, but is designed to be taken at a leisurely pace. Complete the entire course in a few days or sample a section of the Island on a day trip, after encountering some of the places along the way you will want to return to them time and time again.

Often described as ‘England in miniature’ the Isle of Wight boasts such fantastic, varied and stunning scenery and the Taste Round the Island Trail is one of the best ways to see it all. From rolling downs to spectacular picturesque coastal viewpoints the changing scenery really does give a sense of adventure and tranquility.

Some of the culinary highlights include the Garlic Farm, nestled in the fertile Arreton Valley where food hero Colin Boswell’s family have grown garlic since the 1940s, the Dairy Deli farm shop were you can stock up on the freshest Island produce, The New Inn Shalfleet and The Crab and Lobster Inn, Bembridge amongst many others.

Accommodation from The Wight Holiday Company portfolio is dotted along the route, so there are plenty of places for you and your bike to rest in comfort along the way.

It’s recommended to allow 3 to 4 days taking the trail at a leisurely pace, or why not sample a section in a day. Bring you bike over on ferries to Yarmouth, Cowes and Ryde or hire from one of the many providers on the island. New for 2016 electric bikes from Red Squirrel Electric Bikes take the sting out of the tougher climbs and are great fun to ride.

Click the link below to find out more and see the trail map:
http://www.visitisleofwight.co.uk/inspiration/bicycle-island/taste-round-the-island-route

There are some great events on throughout the autumn on the Isle of Wight, so why not book a stay with The Wight Holiday Company and also take advantage of our free ferry crossing offer we are running with Red Funnel Ferries.

Here are a selection of properties available: https://www.thewightholidaycompany.co.uk/properties/