ISLE OF WIGHT
Like England in miniature, the island has rolling countryside, woodlands, farmland and quaint villages. There are ancient
churches, castles, historic buildings, stately homes and manor houses with beautiful gardens to visit along the way, and
even a vineyard and craft workshops. Queen Victoria chose the Isle of Wight as her holiday home (Osborne House), a
place to find peace and quiet, and it was here that she died. Since the Victorians followed their Queen's example and fell
in love with this island, there is much Victorian architecture to be seen in the resorts they built.
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ISLE OF WIGHT VILLAGES (CIRCULAR WALKS)
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LOW IMPACT ISLE OF WIGHT (SHORT CIRCULAR WALKS)
Staying at one location on the island, we'll visit a different village each day either to begin a circular walk or to see one
of the island's many interesting visitor attractions. The coastline is a walker's delight, alternately rugged, gentle, sandy
and breathtakingly beautiful with its white cliffs and lovely bays. We drive along almost every road and lane on the island
like the spokes of a wheel. We'll walk over chalk downs, through a picturesque chine (a deep cleft in the cliffs), and walk
along the pebble beach near the chalk stacks of the Needles to see the multi-coloured sands at Alum Bay. The South coast
around Ventnor is known as the Madeira of England and one of our walks takes us through an exotic Botanic garden.
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THE ISLE OF WIGHT COASTAL PATH (LINEAR WALK)
The 60 mile Isle of Wight Coastal Path is a continuous trail around the coast of the island. The coastline is alternately
rugged, gentle, sandy and breathtakingly beautiful with its white cliffs and lovely bays. We walk about 7 miles every day,
completing the circuit on the 9th day. Travelling the short distance each day to and from the coastal path, we will drive
along almost every road and lane on the island - like the spokes of a wheel. We'll have time also to visit many of the
attractions on the island, before or after each day's walk.
These include Carisbrook Castle where King Charles 1st was imprisoned before his execution. From Royal owners to
Royal prisoners, this castle has over 1000 years of history. Osborne House where Queen Victoria lived with Prince Albert
gives a stunning insight into the life and family of our longest reigning monarch.
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for more pictures of the Isle of Wight