| The term Isle of Wight Tourism conjures up images of | | | | miles of coastline which ranges from award winning |
| sunny beaches, dramatic coastlines and glorious | | | | beaches to spectacular chalk cliffs. The Island, which is |
| countryside. Isle of Wight tourism brings in an estimated | | | | divided into two boroughs - Medina & South Wight, |
| £350 million plus per year, which is vital to the | | | | was known as "Vectis" by the Romans. Newport is |
| Island's economy. With more people visiting each year, | | | | the county town, although Ryde is the largest town. |
| that figure can only rise. The Isle of Wight is the | | | | The exact centre of the Island is at Shide Corner, on |
| perfect place for a holiday as there are so many | | | | the outskirts of Newport and the highest point is St. |
| things to see and do. Whatever your interests, you will | | | | Boniface Down at Ventnor. |
| be spoiled for choice and will find that one visit to this | | | | Walking on the Isle of Wight is a popular past-time and |
| special place is never enough. Most people that visit | | | | there are over 500 miles of public footpaths including |
| this wonderful island find themselves coming back time | | | | dramatic coastal paths. The climate here is almost |
| and time again which is great for Isle of Wight tourism. | | | | sub-tropical and Sandown, Shanklin and Ventnor are |
| The Isle of Wight is the smallest of England's counties, | | | | regularly at the top of the UK sunshine table. Over |
| with the resident population being around 130,000. To | | | | 50% of the Island has been designated an "Area of |
| the north lies the Solent and to the south is the English | | | | Outstanding Beauty" with about half of the coastline |
| Channel. Known as "The Garden Isle", this jewel of | | | | named as "Heritage Coast" - an honour only awarded |
| England indeed resembles a diamond in shape, | | | | to the finest stretches of coastline in the country. Red |
| measuring 23 miles west to east and 13 miles north to | | | | squirrels have a particular penchant for the |
| south, an area or 147 square miles. The Island is one of | | | | surroundings (due to the lack of grey squirrels) and are |
| the most popular holiday destinations in the UK, with | | | | widely prevalent on the Island - almost the final |
| around one million visitors each year. There is over 60 | | | | stronghold in the south of the country. |