Your Primary Resource for Travel Information.
February 8th, 2010 Nikki
The Red Squirrel has been decreasing in numbers for years and fewer than 140, 000 individuals are thought to be left. Approximately 85% reside in Scotland but the remainder are scattered across other parts of the UK. A large part of their decrease is due to the introduction of the grey squirrels from North America, these grey squirrels carry a deadly virus for Red Squirrels, Squirrel pox, and as a result it is illegal to bring in a grey squirrel to red squirrel territory.
The Isle of Wight, a firm favourite for holiday makers staying in a bed and breakfast Isle of Wight, is an important strong hold for Red Squirrels as the solent acts as a barrier to keep the grey squirrel out. The woodland on the island can provide habitation for around 3, 500 red squirrels and they now occupy broadleaved woodland across the island.
The Wight Project, is a charity based on the island working to help keep Red Squirrels from extinction. They tackle anything to do with squirrels from contentious planning applications to campaigning for ‘Squirrel road crossings’. From fundraising to sponsorship they also offer Squirrel Events throughout the year for people on Isle of Wight breaks or locals who have an interest in the beautiful red squirrel. It is a sad fact that a large percentage of people, especially the younger generation, have never seen the Red Squirrel, the only squirrel native to the UK. Chances to see them in their native environment through event walks and talks with the likes of The Wight Project should be taken at any given opportunity and if there is a chance you could help to keep charities like the Wight Project going through help with funding and sponsorship then it would be greatly beneficial to the Red Squirrels.
Posted in attractions, isle of wight, walking | No Comments »
January 30th, 2010 Alex
A popular activity among tourists visiting any destination is exploring the history of the place, but some areas can offer a lot more with regards to this than others. For instance, those who are visiting the Isle of Wight for an Isle of Wight holiday in the near future will no doubt be astounded to find out that very recently (the end of December last year) a three thousand year old bronze dagger was found in a field on the western side of the Island.
It’s never been contested knowledge that the Isle of Wight has been inhabited throughout most of the period in which humans have lived in Western Europe, and so this find is not interesting because it brings new evidence to light; it is interesting because the dagger was then donated by the man who found it (using a metal detector) and the owner of the land it was found on to the Isle of Wight Council’s Museum of Island History.
This means that anybody visiting the island can see this spectacular find for themselves, and the amount of people coming to see it should prove a boon to Isle of Wight hotels. Archaeological finds and artefacts have always been a draw to tourists. Think of the pyramids in Egypt or the Great Library of Alexandria. The Isle of Wight may just have found their own big draw to match these two.
Posted in Destinations, attractions, isle of wight | 1 Comment »
January 10th, 2010 Nikki
This January the Isle of Wight is hosting their annual Sandman Snowman spectacular, giving local children and visitors staying in a Isle of Wight Hotel alike an opportunity to build their very own Snowman made of sand. The event, which is organised by the Isle of Wight environmental charity, Island 2000, is one that has been generated so that children aren’t deprived of one of life’s simple pleasures - building snowmen. But with recent weather conditions being as they are, most will have had the opportunity to build their very own snowman in the artic weather conditions that have hit the UK this week.
From Snowmen to igloos, Snow arches to snow benches I think this week has been a chance for people of all ages to have fun in the snow, something many of the younger generation have never experienced. But with the temperatures set to resume to normality in the coming weeks the 24th January could be the perfect opportunity for people to get back into the throes of creativity and make some interesting snowmen and other shapes on Small Hope Beach in Shanklin, Isle of Wight. The event commences at 10.30am on the 24th and is just one of the many attractions visitors to the Island will experience this year whilst they stay in Sandown Hotels and other hotels on the Island.
Around 60 people joined in over a few hours last year, there were carrots and coal and enough hot chocolate to go around. All the necessary ingredients were in place for an excellent day and there were wonderful creations sprouting from the sand. Donations were made to Gift to Nature, a charity which supports the ongoing conservation work across the island and this years fourth Sandman Snowman Spectacular is set to be another great day. This time, there may even be a chance that the snowmen are actually made out of snow.
Posted in Destinations, adventure, attractions, isle of wight | No Comments »
December 29th, 2009 Alex
When visiting anywhere, learning the language used is important. This even applies to visiting different areas of your own country. If you visit Yorkshire and can’t understand the accent when talking to a shop keeper, you’re going to look like an idiot, just as if you visit the South West and don’t know how to react when somebody calls you a “grockle” then you’ll also look like an idiot. When travelling with a friend to the Lake District, I had to translate for him if people had too thick an accent, which was intensely embarrassing.
So, with all that in mind, I’ll turn your attention to the Isle of Wight, which has, throughout the millennia, developed a plethora of words which don’t exist on the mainland, many of which are interesting both linguistically and from a general perspective. They’ll also be useful to you, should you ever want to stay at one of the Isle of Wight hotels.
A lot of the pronunciations are similar to those that you might expect to find in the south west of England, but the words are very different; hardly surprising considering the nature of islands to be cut off from the mainland. Hopefully, the pronunciation should not give you too much trouble, but the words… well, you’ll be wanting a little resource that documents Isle of Wight words.
So, this should have armed you with everything you need to make sense of everything you hear on an Isle of Wight holiday, but even if you do know the lingo, we can’t guarantee that you won’t embarrass yourself in other ways.
Posted in Advice, Destinations, isle of wight | No Comments »
December 17th, 2009 Nikki
A magical day awaits you and your family at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway whilst on your Isle of Wight breaks. What could be more enchanting than a visit to Santa in his magnificently decorated grotto, where each child receives their very own gift? Days that Santa will be there (it is his busiest time of year) are the 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd & 24th December. Not only will you get to see Santa, but you’ll get to stroll through the beautiful Winter Wonderland, take a relaxing ride on the steam trains and enjoy a variety of free entertainment. You’ll also get to do any further Christmas shopping you may have in the fantastically packed gift shop and sample some seasonal delights in the Restaurant and buffet.
The Isle of Wight Steam Railway is actually well worthy of a visit anytime with trains running throughout the year. You’ll get a chance to step back to a bygone era when steam power was the order of the day and certain times of the year will stage a myriad of special events from a ‘Day out with Thomas’ to ‘Wizards Week’, Music Events, Wine and Real Ale Festivals and of course Santa Specials. Whilst on your Bed and breakfast Isle of Wight holiday make sure this is one stop you don’t miss out on as kids and adults alike will enjoy a day at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.
Posted in Destinations, adventure, attractions, fun, isle of wight | No Comments »
December 16th, 2009 Alex
Independent weather analyst Positive Weather Solutions have doubled its predictions of a white Christmas on the South Coast this year, which is good news for anybody planning on spending the festive season in an Isle of Wight hotel.
As a cold spell seems to be about to hit Britain, possibly lasting for the next three weeks, the MET office is being badgered to predict whether there’ll be a white Christmas or not, but they’re keeping schtum. That hasn’t bothered independent analysts though, who are giving a 59% chance of a White Christmas in Scotland and North-East England, 55% on the East Coast, 32% in the rest of the North, Mid-Wales and the Midlands, 10% in the South West and 18% on the South Coast, which includes the Isle of Wight.
Whilst 18% might not seem a lot, it’s a lot higher than it has been for years, and we British are known for our cheery-faced optimism!
Whether it snows on Christmas Day or not, it’s still likely that the island will receive a coating of white at some point in the next month, making for a magical winter wonderland to enjoy with a holiday on the Isle of Wight.
Posted in Destinations, isle of wight | No Comments »
November 20th, 2009 Nikki
Set against some of Britain’s most stunning landscapes, the Isle of Wight really is a diamond in the ‘rough’ sea! Once you’ve booked your Bed and Breakfast Isle of Wight and arrived, you’ll get to experience a magnitude of activities from Llama trekking to Tree climbing (you’d be surprised just how much you can do on Isle of Wight breaks) so lets take you through a few ideas:
On Land:
Walking, of course.
The Isle of Wight is a walkers dream with over 500 miles of well-kept footpaths; you’ll get to meander through fields, forests and spectacular coastlines.
Cycling and Mountain Biking:
The Island offers a diverse terrain for you to choose from single track paths to speedy downhill Trails. Test your skills with undulating countryside and steep downhill sections. Or just have a leisurely ride around the town. No pressure!
Horse Riding:
Great hacks across country, with picnic in tow. Who could argue with that?
Golf
If you like. I’m not so sure you’ll have time on your Isle of Wight short break but some may disagree.
On Water:
Sailing - Cowes - The birthplace of yacht racing. You can’t go to the island and not try a spot of sailing.
Kite Surfing:
Fast, skilful and furious for the adrenalin junkies out there. Any takers?
On Air:
Gliding: 2, 000 feet up experience the thrill of silent flying and all the magnificent views you’ll take in of the island, cliffs and beaches.
Paragliding:
Choose from 12 flying sites on the island that cater for all wind directions and offer a good terrain.
Flying:
Choose either a pleasure flight or take the controls, how brave do you feel? Whether you like microlights, fixed wing aircraft or high tech helicopters there’s a choice for you.
On Second Thoughts:
If you don’t mind, I’ll give the whole activity thing a miss and meet you in the pub, there are plenty of decent ones to try on the island to keep me busy everyday!
Cheers!
Posted in adventure, attractions, fun, isle of wight | No Comments »
November 18th, 2009 Nikki
Measuring just 12 miles from North to South and 23 miles from East to West you’d be forgiven for thinking the Isle of Wight has little to offer but far could be from the truth. I couldn’t possibly list ALL the things to do on the island in one post so I am going to concentrate on the beaches; after all, it is surrounded by coastline! So, for all those who enjoy a good walk or sit or swim or relax or run or cuddle on a beautiful beach, here are six of the best to do it on:
- Sandown Beach: Only metres away from the town’s shops, cafes and pubs, Sandown’s huge gold, sandy beach offers fabulous water sports and is as popular now as it was back in the Victorian era.
- Ryde Beach: The coastline offers a funfair, trampolines, amusements and even an ice rink, making it one of the most popular beaches for tourists. Head south to Appley and you’ll experience a quieter atmosphere and a lovely canoe lake.
- Steephill Cove: With a few cottages, lobster pots and an old donkey this is probably one of the islands best kept secrets, so don’t tell everyone! The Cove is like stepping back in time and has managed to keep its wonderful traditional feel.
- Ventor Beach: This beautiful beach is sheltered by high cliffs and acts as a welcoming sun trap (or wind shield). A backdrop of cafes and restaurants awaits you for the most civilised day out.
- Compton Bay: Between Freshwater Bay and Brook this sandy beach is a definite favourite for surfers, wind surfers and kite surfers alike. Make a visit at low tide and you’ll get to see dinosaur footprints in the rocks.
- Colwell Bay: Offering stunning views of the solvent this wide sweeping bay has lots of sandcastle building opportunities. Clean waters, calm seas and a gentle slope make this a particularly family friendly beach.
This time of year, you can also take advantage of some fabulous deals for holiday accommodation in Shanklin, one of the most desirable places to stay on the island. So, book a Shanklin Hotel while you can and make sure you visit the six must see beaches on the Isle of Wight.
Posted in Destinations, attractions, isle of wight | No Comments »
October 24th, 2009 admin
So you’re visiting Cornwall on your next St Ives Cottage break? Then there is something you don’t want to miss. Of course Cornish ice creams, Cornish pasties and Cider are a great way to get a good feel for the local area, but what other experiences are there I hear you say?
Well, try this for a treat. The Paradise Park is fun for any animal lover. Established in 1973 originally as a tropical bird centre, popularity of the park has gone from strength to strength and seen many new additions come to the park such as the otters, red pandas, red squirrels and the rare Cornish Chough.
The award winning park has proven to be a big hit will all ages of visitors with a ‘Fun Farm’ for the kids and daily events will allow you to get closer to the wildlife than you ever expected. Inside the park you will also find a great range of tropical plants that thrive well in the Cornish climate. 2005 saw the opening of the greatly anticipated Jungle Barn indoor play centre providing a vast amount of entertainment for children no matter what the weather has in store.
For all of you that take a particular shine to the animals there is a opportunity that allows you to adopt an animal for a year. Prices vary depending on the size of the bird but complimentary tickets come as part of the package.
The expansion of the support for the parrots has seen the trust support groups in USA, Africa, Canada, Australia, Benelux, France, Germany, Italy, Scandinavia, and Switzerland. The funds that have been raised have totaled over £1 million and helped 23 different species of parrot.
Red squirrels also reside at the park and are in captivity due to a breeding program that is aimed at increasing their numbers and then releasing them back into the wild.
You will also find a few otters living at the park, as the destruction of their natural habitat has seen numbers fall and the park have committed their work to stabilizing dropping figures and even getting them to incline again.
For a grand day out to see red squirrels, talking birds and a lot of otters, head over to Paradise Park and make your Cornish stay a memorable one.
Posted in Cornwall, attractions, isle of wight | No Comments »
October 21st, 2009 admin
Welcome back to blog two about the wonderful attraction on the Isle of Wight that you might not have heard about. Our last travel blog was all about the Fired Art centre that allowed you to create and design your own works of art.
Now it’s time for a little treat for all of you insect fans reading this blog. The butterfly farm is a treat for anyone who loves these little winged creatures. Butterfly world is your chance to see hundreds of butterflies of all size and colour flying freely around a natural environment.
This is becoming a massively popular attraction and is a great source of information and a chance to see these stunning beauties first hand. This wonderful undercover attraction features some really exotic flying friends as well as a Chinese Painted Quail eating all the uninvited insects.
Information is at every step of the way, with regular talks and leaflets to quench your thirst for information and provide a great insight to the world of the butterfly.
You can also snap up some great gifts for your friends and family in the large gift shop that is on offer and as you can imagine there is a massive butterfly theme.
There is also a wonderful garden centre for all of you green fingered enthusiasts that like to dabble in nature.
For the little ones there is a delightfully themed small world to keep theme entertained and amused at the nicely themed and well presented. This is a well themed dark fairytale setting with complimentary mood lighting and a wonderful array of animals and characters and scenes featuring clowns and pirates.
For a great day out during one of your Isle of Wight breaks make sure you visit Butterfly World.
Posted in Destinations, attractions, isle of wight | No Comments »
