Isle of Wight
Stunning coastlines and the erstwhile home of Queen Victoria
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5 Days from£500
per person
You are viewing the 2018 itinerary
Itineraries and pricing may vary by departure year
A wonderful five-day holiday to the striking Isle of Wight. With half of the island designated an 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty', this tour takes in the very best of its charms.
Meet in Portsmouth and board the catamaran for the short journey to Ryde on the Isle of Wight. Join the rail service down the scenic east coast to Sandown and transfer to the Trouville Hotel for a four-night stay.
Your first visit today is to St Mildred's Church in Whippingham, which had close links to the Royal Family. Continue from here to the fascinating Osborne House, Queen Victoria's private family home. You are at leisure to explore the exquisite state rooms and private royal apartments for a glimpse into Victorian life. Discover its vast manicured gardens or make your way down to the private beach, recently opened to the public.
Please Note : For departure 18IWS02a Days 2 and 4 have swapped around.
Enjoy a panoramic tour around the island today, taking in some of the Isle of Wight's best and most beloved attractions. Begin at the stunning cliffs of Needles Park, where you can admire the lighthouse and ocean vistas. Then continue to Yarmouth to admire the views from its charming harbour. Later visit Carisbrook Castle, enjoying an introductory talk on arrival before ending the day at the charming village of Godshill.
Discover the Isle of Wight's heritage railway this morning. Take the train from Sandown station to Smallbrook Junction, where you board the Isle of Wight Steam Railway for a return journey to Wootton. This historic line traverses a pleasant route through the heart of the island, through scenic woodland, lush meadows and picturesque towns. Along the way, stop at Havenstreet to enjoy a visit to the Carriage and Wagon Workshop.
Take the train to Ryde and board the catamaran back to Portsmouth. Here you are free to depart at your leisure.
Please note that while every departure of this tour features the same excursions, they may not necessarily be in the order listed above.
On many of our UK & Ireland tours, you may check in at the first hotel on your itinerary anytime after 14:00; your Tour Manager will be available between 16:00 and 18:00. However, if you are arriving later, you can meet your Tour Manager before dinner from 19:00.
Not Included
This tour may be suitable for reduced mobility passengers, please call for further information.
of travellers would recommend this tour
Tour Rating
based on 11 verified reviews
I enjoyed the holiday. My disappointment was with the island itself. The Needles are "just" rocks and that area turned into a theme park. For me 10mins would have sufficed! There might have been an opportunity to stop at Alfred Lord Tennyson's house? There might have been an opportunity to visit more English Heritage sites? The above might have come at the expense of not stopping at Godshill.
Good programme & value formoney
A very enjoyable holiday. Hotel was very good made all the better by the nice weather,
Good holiday, excellent manager
We enjoyed our holiday, it was just what we expected
Everything was well organised. The tour manager was efficient, the hotel very good and the excursions well chosen. Completed by pleasant fellow travellers.
excellent hotel and a great guide
The bed mattresses at the hotel were too hard for me.
I hardly ever award full marks.....nothing is perfect! I chose this holiday specifically because I have had a desire to see Osborne House for many years. I am something of a Victoriana nut so wanted a full day there. Rail Discoveries seemed to be the only company which did this. Everything else within your control was satisfactory......the down sides were 1/ the weather....after such a perfect day for the wallow in Victoriana, it was ironic that for the scenic tour it rained incessantly! 2/the fire evacuation....standing on a windy promenade in nothing more than a nighty, cardigan and slippers at 6.30am is not my idea of fun. Even moreso as the following week I developed a severe cold, the remnants of which are still with me. As no fire engines appeared, I presume the most likely cause for the alarm was a selfish, addicted tobacco enthusiast. However, inhindsight, I have to admit the funny side of seeing a line of geriatrics, gingerly making its way down a metal fire escape, not looking at its best!
Great break on Isle of Wight
Stunning coastlines and the erstwhile home of Queen Victoria
Call:
Enquire
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