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