The Isle of Wight is a county and the largest and second most populous island in England. It is located in the English Channel, about 4 mi off the coast of Hampshire, separated from mainland Great Britain by the Solent. Wikipedia
"The Isle of Wight () is a ceremonial county and the largest and second-most populous island in England. It is in the English Channel, between two and five miles off the coast of Hampshire, from which it is separated by the Solent. The island has resorts that have been holiday destinations since Victorian times, and is known for its mild climate, coastal scenery, and verdant landscape of fields, downland and chines. The island is part of the historic county of Hampshire. It is designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
The island has been home to the poets Algernon Charles Swinburne and Alfred, Lord Tennyson and to Queen Victoria, who built her much-loved summer residence and final home Osborne House at East Cowes. It has a maritime and industrial tradition including boat-building, sail-making, the manufacture of flying boats, hovercraft, and Britain's space rockets. The island hosts annual music festivals including the Isle of Wight Festival, which in 1970 was the largest rock music event ever held. It has well-conserved wildlife and some of the richest cliffs and quarries for dinosaur fossils in Europe.
The isle was owned by a Norman family until 1293 and was earlier a kingdom in its own right, Wihtwara. In common with the Crown dependencies, the British Crown was then represented on the island by the Governor of the Isle of Wight until 1995. The island has played an important part in the defence of the ports of Southampton and Portsmouth, and been near the front-line of conflicts through the ages, including the Spanish Armada and the Battle of Britain. Rural for most of its history, its Victorian fashionability and the growing affordability of holidays led to significant urban development during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Historically part of Hampshire, the island became a separate administrative county in 1890. It continued to share the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire until 1974, when it was made its own ceremonial county. Apart from a shared police force and Fire and Rescue Service, and the island's Anglican churches belonging to the Diocese of Portsmouth (originally Winchester), there is now no administrative link with Hampshire; although a combined local authority with Portsmouth and Southampton was considered, this is now unlikely to proceed.The quickest public transport link to the mainland is the hovercraft from Ryde to Southsea; three vehicle ferry and two catamaran services cross the Solent to Southampton, Lymington and Portsmouth." Wikipedia
Latest Reviews
Keyhaven Lake
4.2
Windy and exposed to strong tides with a ledge quickly dropping from 15 to 0m depth at low tide. We anchored briefly for lunch watching the plethora of yachts battling downwind against the tide and others shooting past on close haul.
Yarmouth Marina
4.0
A very very pretty little marina, surrounded by an oldie worldie town. Lots of pretty little streets to wander around. The marina is situated right next to the town and has a friendly vibe. We found it very easy to get in and out. The showers and toilets were fine, all well kept. We had a wonderful evening eating and drinking at The George. We would highly recommend stopping in and enjoying Yarmouth for a night or two. We will be going back, for sure.
Yarmouth Marina
4.9
Efficient and friendly welcome. A little busy but enough space to raft up for a bight next to a wonderful couple on a Hallberg Rassey. Salty’s closed sue to covid :-( but im sure we’ll find somewhere to eat otherwise dinner on boat.
East Cowes Marina
4.9
A well maintained clean busy marina with a great modern pub ‘Lifeboat’ on the eastern side of the river Medina.
Folly Reach Marina
4.9
A pleasant meander up the creek and a friendly welcome to the Folly Inn with taxi service from mooring pontoons.
Cowes Yacht Haven Marina
5.0
I've only been here during Cowes week so this may not be representative of other weeks, but OMG such a busy and packed like sardines marina. Good facilities on shore and a fab little sandwich bar does great early breakfast!
Forecast
Open Windy
Top Marinas, Harbours and Anchorages
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1 . Yarmouth Marina |
2 . Cowes Yacht Haven Marina |
3 . Folly Reach Marina |
4 . East Cowes Marina |
5 . Keyhaven Lake |
6 . Trinity Landing Harbour |
7 . Cowes Roads Swinging Moorings Harbour |
8 . Shepards Wharf Marina |
9 . Town Quay Harbour |
10 . Whitegates Pontoons Harbour |
11 . Island Marina |
12 . Clamerkin Lake |
13 . Alum Bay |
14 . Freshwater Bay |
15 . Newport Harbour |
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17 . Ryde Harbour |
18 . Bembridge Marina |
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Top Towns
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2 . Yarmouth
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3 . East Cowes
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6 . St. Helens, Ryde
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7 . Sandown
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9 . Totland
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