WightStay

Isle of Wight on Google Street View

noreply@blogger.com (WightStay Team) — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 12:02:00 +0000

Last summer the Google Street View car prowled Island Roads, spotted by keen eyed individuals speculation arose as to how long it'd be before we could see the Island in its full glory on the web. Well, its finally here. Below are a few locations we have found for your enjoyment.

Blackgang Chine

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Fort Victoria

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Needles Park

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Bembridge Harbour

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Military Erosion

noreply@blogger.com (WightStay Team) — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 11:30:00 +0000

This week has seen glorious weather on the Island, perfect for sitting on the beach, for walking and for cycling. Deciding on the latter, and being the WightStay expert on all things cycling on the Isle of Wight, it was time to break away from the lunchtime routine of a 20mile training session and take a more leisurely ride of around 40 or so miles and check out the damage done to the Military Road at Compton after a collapse of the cliff in recent weeks.

There is talk that the Military Road, running along the south-western edge of the Island, may soon become two giant cul-de-sacs after a massive piece of the coastline fell into the sea, leaving the road dangerously close to the edge of the cliff between Compton and Brook. There is a campaign to 'save the Military Road' on facebook for anyone interested. Cliff and coastline erosion isn't unusual on the 'Milly' and the cliff at Freshwater has already had extensive support work done to keep the road open in recent years. For now, the road - after this latest collapse - has been restricted to one lane, but another fall will surely see the road go completely.

This damage (coupled with bad pothole damage after the freeze and snow of January) has already caused the cancellation of the Vectis Cycling Clubs three day Time Trialling event and will surely mean September's Triathlon will have to be re-routed. All three stages of the Vectis event use the Military road, and a single lane, no matter how short, would cause havoc. Shame really, because the 3-day really is a classic event that has been running for many years.

Before checking out the damage though, a quick chill-out on Compton beach was in order. After all, it was beach weather.

Everything's bursting into leaf

noreply@blogger.com (WightStay Team) — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 10:40:00 +0000

This is the time of year that the Isle of Wight really wakes up and loses the last traces of winter. Trees are releasing their buds, with a riot of mottled greens breaking out across the deciduous woodland across the Isle of Wight.

It's only a short time before the Randonee, which we're limbering up for. More details here.

This time of year is also a fantastic time to have a wander through Ventnor Botanic Gardens to enjoy the flowers that are now starting to bloom.

Check out our listings to find somewhere to stay when you come over to enjoy the Isle of Wight in the fine spring weather we're revelling in at the moment.

And remember Wightlink, Red Funnel and Hovertravel are completely unaffected by volcanic ash so there's no question of a volcano disrupting your holiday to the Isle of Wight!

Early morning on the River Medina

noreply@blogger.com (WightStay Team) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 08:57:00 +0000

It was a beautiful early morning, so we had a walk out with the camera. Down to the River Medina, just before The Folly Inn, but on the west bank of the Medina.

A beautiful spring morning on the Isle of Wight.

Travel GBI mentions all Wightstay sites in green update

noreply@blogger.com (WightStay Team) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:35:00 +0000

Hurrah!

All of the destinations mentioned in this months Travel GBI magazine are in Wightstay!

The Really Green Holiday Company, Gotten Manor and Orchard Lee. All great places for holidays on the Isle of Wight!

The Randonnee is getting ready for May!

noreply@blogger.com (WightStay Team) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:40:00 +0000

We have a guest blog post this week, from Alan Rowe who is part of the Randonee organising committee. The Randonee is the very well established round the Island bike ride. The word Randonnee is French for excursion and is used in the UK in cycling circles to describe circular rides. The round the Island bike ride probably being the best example!

The Randonee takes place on 2nd May this year.

It's that time of year when Snowdrops peep out from the warming soil, likewise the Randonnee committee are beginning to 'awake' and set about the business of finalising this year’s event.

26 years since its debut, the Isle of Wight Randonee now attracts over 2,000 entrants from all over the country. The ride has become a 'classic' due to its free entry and informal nature, not to mention the pretty and varied scenery of the Island. This year we are streamlining the signing on process as we are expecting around 2,500 riders!

One of the joys of being on checkpoint duty is witnessing people’s personal achievements. For some, 100k is a mere morning’s ride. Others finish with an exhilarated air clutching their hard won badges, knowing they have conquered their own Everest and vowing to return next year.

In the grey winter evenings, toiling over the nuts and bolts of putting the event together it is the thought of those happy faces that keeps you going. All we need on the 2nd of May 2010 is a bit of sunshine and a host of keen riders! We’re looking forward to seeing you there.

Al

For complete information about the event, visit the website at www.cycleisland.co.uk

Enchanted Manor wins big with TripAdvisor reviewers

noreply@blogger.com (WightStay Team) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:22:00 +0000

Congratulations to the Enchanted Manor, which has been voted the 6th best B&B in Europe in TripAdvisor’s 2010 Travellers' Choice Awards. It was described by one enthusiastic guest reviewing online as being ‘the most wonderfully enchanting escape from everyday stress’. See the full set of TripAdvisor reviews here.

Other guests commented on the ‘beautiful suite, stunning location and very warm welcome.’ On making the hot list, Maggie Hilton, owner of the Enchanted Manor said, ‘we are so pleased to get such fantastic reviews on Tripadvisor. We always endeavour to provide our guests with a unique personal service and a magical experience that they will treasure forever. Our satisfaction is knowing that we have made our guests dreams come true and when they are happy we are happy.’

Find other B&Bs on the Isle of Wight on Wightstay here.

What are dark skies?

noreply@blogger.com (WightStay Team) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:08:00 +0000

The Isle of Wight has the most fantastic, inky black skies. This is because of the low light pollution over our Island. Find out more about Dark Skies here. See the Campaign for Rural England's light pollution map here.

The Vectis Astronomical Society are holding their annual Star Party at Brighstone from March 11-15th.

Why not check Wightstay for self-catering accommodation in the West Wight for the event here. Or you could look for camping and touring parks in the West Wight here. If you fancy something a bit more luxurious we have a great list of hotels and B&Bs here.

Come and join the star gazing at the Isle of Wight Star Party this March!

Welcome to Coast & Country self-catering accommodation

noreply@blogger.com (WightStay Team) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:19:00 +0000

Welcome to Jill and Steve Cowley, who offer premium self-catering accommodation in stunning rural Wellow. All of the properties are within two miles of the harbour at Yarmouth, which has a great range of pubs and restaurants.

Their properties are Orchard Lee which sleeps up to 10, or can be divided into two units, sleeping six and four in either end.of the property.

Tudor Lee is a self-contained wing of the listed farmhouse, recently sensitively renovated. It's a great hideaway for couples.

Their latest property Eastern Lee is a detatched chalet bungalow with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, with some aspects revealing as far as Yarmouth harbour

For information on these properties catch up at http://coastandcountry.eu/

Love walking the Wight? Vote now!

noreply@blogger.com (WightStay Team) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 16:39:00 +0000

We love the trails on the Isle of Wight. Walking across West Wight downland is one of our very favourite things to do on the Island. The Walking Festival is a great event, too. We'll be on Walk the Wight for sure in 2010.

We spotted this poll and hoped you might join us in voting for the walk over Tennyson Down as your favourite walk in the South of England. Get voting now here!

Spin across the Solent, as recommend by the Sunday Times

noreply@blogger.com (WightStay Team) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:08:00 +0000

The Isle of Wight has been featured by the Sunday Times Travel Section as one of the top 100 holiday destinations for 2010!

Not only is the Island in the top 100, it's at Number 5 in the top 10.

Well, of course we knew how great it was, but it's always nice when a broadsheet reminds us.

Full article here

It's also great to see one of Wightstay's accommodation providers get a mention, too so seeing Mersley Farm in the recommendation was good. Full details about Mersley Farm on their site here.

Of course we don't just cycle on the Island in the summer. Wightstay employees are still cycling to work every day even now. Even in the winter the cycle rides outlined in the Isle of Wight Cycle Routes guidebook are great fun

A couple of jolly reviews of the Isle of Wight

noreply@blogger.com (WightStay Team) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:02:00 +0000

We think the Isle of Wight is so great we live here. Don't just take our word for it though. We keep falling over reviews of the Island singing it's praises on various blogs.

A review of a short break coming over on Red Funnel - whose car ferry docks an iPhone's throw from the Wightstay offices - have a look at the A Modern Mother blog.

If you're more interested in walking, why not check Gareth's Walk and Travel Blog? He recounts a great bank holiday weekend in the West Wight. Good food, great views and wonderful fresh air.

What more could you ask for from a Staycation?!

The Isle of Wight rakes in tourism awards!

noreply@blogger.com (WightStay Team) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:10:00 +0000

Wightstay offer their huge congratulations to businesses and events on the Isle of Wight, following their success at the Tourism South East ExSELlence Awards 2009!

The awards ceremony took place at the Wentworth Club in Surrey, and the Isle of Wight was without a doubt the winner, with nominations in nearly every category!!

The results are as follows...

Silver Award Winners

Tourism Event of the Year - Isle of Wight Walking Festival
Best Tourism Experience Award - Seaview Wildlife Encounter
Caravan/Holiday Park of the Year - Old Mill Holiday Park
Self Catering Holiday of the Year - Mersley Farm

Highly Commended Award Winners

Access for All - Sunny Bay Apartments
Caravan/Holiday Park of the Year - The Orchards Holiday Park
Flavour of the South East - The Garlic Farm
Sustainable Tourism Award - Bedford Lodge

Proof positive that the Isle of Wight is tops when it comes to places to visit in the UK - and for places to stay on the Isle of Wight, take a look at the rest of the Wightstay - with hotels, bed and breakfasts, camping, touring and holiday parks, great attractions, the Isle of Wight really is the best place to visit - especially this half term!

Catch the tail-end of an indian summer on the Isle of Wight this half-term

noreply@blogger.com (WightStay Team) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:49:00 +0000

Occasionally the Isle of Wight feels just like the rest of the UK, but on so many days it feels genuinely special.

This morning was one of those days, despite the clocks having done their thing on Sunday. First day of half-term and walking to the office was warm enough without a jacket - it's shirt-sleeves for us! We have a light wind, very little cloud and beautiful sun.

Given the weather, we just couldn't resist a couple of photos on the way in to the office. Here's the view across Cowes Harbour:

With the Solent pretty much flat calm and the Red Funnel boats coming and going.

Here's the view up-river, past the Cowes Ferry (or Floating Bridge), the listed Hammerhead crane, towards UKSA:

If you're still thinking about taking the kids somewhere this week then you might be able to pick up a last minute deal on self-catering from our friends at Wight Farm Holidays. Or maybe one of the hotels on Wightstay, such as Luccumbe Manor Country House Hotel or Melville Hall Hotel would suit your needs better?

Not only is the weather good, but the sea is still warm enough to enjoy a bracing dip from one of the Blue-Flag approved beaches on the south coast. Sandown, Shanklin and Ventnor all hold the Blue Flag for cleanliness - that's three out of a total of only 40 beaches across the whole of the south and south-west England which reach the Blue Flag standard. All of the Island's beaches are also currently testing above the higher recommended water quality standards, as well as getting 10/10 from us for the stunning views from them!

If you have any photos of the Island's beaches you'd like to share, do mail them in to us here at Wightstay and we'll be sure to show the best ones in a future post!

Another busy weekend on the Isle of Wight, OR Something for the kids to do over half-term!

noreply@blogger.com (WightStay Team) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:40:00 +0000

It' such a busy weekend on the Isle of Wight I'm not sure I know where to begin!

There's Isle of Wight Walking Festival Weekend - I said about that a couple of days ago - and of course on Saturday there is the Friendship Walk supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month - expect to see a whole host of people dressed up at the Western Yar on Saturday 24 October. This four mile walk around the estuary offers a wealth of heritage and wildlife sights and ends in a pink party with tea and cake, so remember to bring your party hats and pink outfits. Wightlink are also offering mainland participants free foot passenger travel from Lymington to Yarmouth making it the perfect event to invite all your family and friends along to. day, as we try to turn the entire place into the Isle of Pink!

There are plenty of Isle of Pink events taking place over the half-term holidays too! Pink fundraising activities will be taking place at Havenstreet Steam Railway during their wizard week, Blackgang Chine will become Pinkgang Chine as everyone is invited to dress up in pink witches and wizards outifts to take part in ther fancy dress competition and pink tresaure hunt on 29th Ocotober and Isle of Wight Zoo at Sandown will be holding a pink Halloween event on saturday 31st October. All the money raised from the Isle of Pink will help Breast Cancer Campaign get a step closer to beating breast cancer!

This weekend also see the V-Bay Festival - and if you haven't heard of it before, let me explain!

Dubbed the hippest resort, Ventnor is a vibrant place, filled with cultural history, great bars, stunning coastal views - I could go on, but the best way to find out is to visit yourself!

The V-Bay Festival hass been called the finale to a great Isle of Wight summer - and they're right! WIth so much going on, the town is filled with sights and sounds - from the Speakeasy Night with cabaret, jazz, casino and cocktails, a celebration of 50 years of Motown, pirate fancy dress parties, real ale festival and seafood festival, fun for kids and adults!

So much going on this week-end and through into half term week! The Island is a great place to visit for a week-end or even the whole week - so stop the kids getting bored this half-term and bring them to the Isle of Wight - with so many great hotels, guesthouses and B&B's, camping and touring sites to choose from, WightStay is the best place to look for your fun on the Isle of Wight!

Isle of Wight Walking Festival Weekend!

noreply@blogger.com (WightStay Team) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 10:09:00 +0000

It may be not be the tropical sunshine of the summer, but the Isle of Wight is still a great place to visit at this time of year - and with plenty to do (especially with the schools half-term coming up), make the Isle of Wight your place to stay this weekend and beyond.

More later this week about what to do over half term, but first this weekend!

You can join in with the special Weekend Isle of Wight Walking Festival - an extra event to the already massive 16 day festival Isle of Wight Walking Festival (the largest of its kind in Europe), it is an opportunity to take part in all sorts of walks - wild food walks, twilight walks, friendship walks (part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month), Nordic Walk, a treasure hunt - and of course, at this time of year - spooky ghost walks!

Come to the Isle of Wight this weekend and find somewhere to stay with WightStay. We have just what you're looking for, be it a hotel in Shanklin, a bed and breakfast in Freshwater, and farmhouse cottage in Newchurch, WightStay is the best place to start your search!

The Isle of Wight on the BBC Inside Out South!

noreply@blogger.com (WightStay Team) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:38:00 +0000

Just a quick one - if you don't live in the southern region, then you may have missed the brilliant Inside Out South programme from the BBC. This weeks' feature included an report from Ben Southall, the man who landed what was billed the best job in the world, by looking after a tropical island off the coast of Australia. He visited the Isle of Wight with a camera crew to get a taste of what his job could cover - and left amazed by the amount that this small island off the south coast of Britain can offer - especially weather wise!

You can see what Ben thinks of the Isle of Wight by clicking here - Ben's piece on the Island starts approximately 20 minutes in and is available on the BBC iplayer until at least 19th Ocotber... He may think he has the best job in the world - but compared to living here, that's nothing!

Ben was particularly taken by Vintage Vacations - take a look at what they have to offer, maybe you fancy being part of the frontier spirit!

If that isn't your cup of tea (or plate of beans!) then have a look at some of the camping and touring parks on the Isle of Wight, our lovely hotels in Newport, Sandown and Freshwater, our self catering farmhouse cottages and chalets - all here on WightStay - the guide to the Isle of Wight!

Come and see the Isle of Wight in all its Autumn Glory

noreply@blogger.com (WightStay Team) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:36:00 +0000

It is definitely Autumn now on the Island - the pretty kind though - the sun is still shining, the air is brisk - step outside and take deep lungfuls of fresh air - sea air, if you are right by the coast!

It is a photographers paradise here - country lanes where the leaves are turning golden, clear pathways across rolling hills with views to the mainland, or away across the English Channel, beaches where the waves roll in against the cliffs, shooting spray high and wide...

Now is an ideal time to visit the Isle of Wight, and at WightStay, we have all kinds of accommodation to tempt you to stay on the Isle of Wight. Have a look at our new list of camping and touring sites on the Isle of Wight, our hotels in Sandown and Freshwater, and our self catering cottages and chalets - farm and country holidays to suit you! One great example is Gurnard Pines, set within 55 acres of woodland and just a short stroll from the beach, it is a beautiful place to stay - and you'll see exactly what I mean about Autumn colours there.

Many of our hotels, B&B's and self catering locations also carry special offers - give them a call, or check out the website to see who has the best deals!

photo courtesy of the Isle of Wight Bus Museum

This Sunday on the Isle of Wight sees the Vintage Bus Museum in Newport open their (big) garage doors for their Annual Autumn Running Day. Vintage buses of all description will be running to a special timetable, as well as a Grand Vintage Display at the museum itself - ideal for touring the Isle of Wight and seeing this beautiful Island - just don't forget to bring a camera!

Two Bristol K Buses will celebrate their 70th anniversary by running on the Island. Photo courtesy of Grahame Bowler.

Go Yellow Day for the EarlMountbatten Hospice with Netguides and WightStay

noreply@blogger.com (WightStay Team) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:38:00 +0000

What a day! The WightStay team have been out and about with our tame gorilla collecting money for the Earl Mountbatten Hospice on Go Yellow Day.

Take a look at the photos, as people queued to get on to the Red Funnel car ferry from East Cowes, they were treated to the sight of our gorilla and his handlers giving away bananas - nearly 500 of them!

Those waiting dug deep and put money in the collection tins, which filled very quickly!

With lots of great monkey music blasting out from our speakers, we hope that everyone had fun - the smiles on the faces of children in particular was brilliant.

We can't thank enough Lynn and Sandra at That's Service Party Shop for helping us out with the gorilla suit and Darren, Alexa and the team at Red Funnel for letting us take over the car park, and collect money for this great charity.

And of course - a huge thank you to everyone who gave so generously!

If you weren't on the Island, then you missed out on your free banana - why not take a look at WightStay and our selection of great hotels on the Isle of Wight, our list of lovely self catering cottages and apartments on the Isle of Wight, or our bed and breakfast choices, or the camping and touring sites on the Isle of Wight!

Once again, thank you to everyone who gave money - we hope you enjoyed the bananas!

One day left to Go Yellow Day

noreply@blogger.com (WightStay Team) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:55:00 +0000

Thursday and the sun is shining bright on the Isle of Wight!

Here at WightStay, we're getting ready for tomorrow - Go Yellow Day is taking place tomorrow - people across the Isle of Wight are getting ready to take part in all sorts of yellow related tom-foolery, all in aid of the Earl Mountbatten Hospice!

Now, we're a bit concerned that the boss may go ape, but we're not afraid to use some gorilla tatics, as we go bananas and monkey around...

Enough puns - on Go Yellow Day, the normally very quiet and serious team at WightStay and Netguides will be donning their favourite gorilla suit courtesy of the very kind people at That's Service Party Shop and giving away bananas - supplied by Manor Farm Produce, whilst collecting money for the Earl Mountbatten Hospice, who need every penny to continue their great work in providing the Islands' centre of excellence in caring for people with life-shortening illnesses - and their families and carers.

So, if you see us in the car park at Red Funnel car ferry terminal at East Cowes (thank you Red Funnel for letting us do this!), acting like the 'Jungle VIP', then stop and give some money to this great cause - we look forward to seeing you! And at some point the team from the Hospice and Isle of Wight Radio will be making an appearance to help out! Don't worry - pictures to follow...

As for business as normal - if you are coming to the Island for a short break, maybe a self catering cottage holiday on the Isle of Wight, a weekend stay at a hotel in Sandown, or self-catering apartment in Freshwater, then look no further than WightStay!

The Isle of Wight - or Pink - or Red - and now even Yellow!

noreply@blogger.com (WightStay Team) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:43:00 +0000

Autumn on the Isle of Wight is all about the colours - the sky goes from bright blue to a range of dramatic shades; the leaves on the trees take on their autumn hues - from green to red, to yellow, to brown; the scarves come out around the necks of schoolchildren, dazzling in their array of colours...

All very poetic - but the Isle of Wight itself? We know that it is National RED Squirrel week, and there are plenty of opportunities to see these cute and increasingly rare creatures; and that this month the Isle of Wight aims to become the Isle of PINK to help raise awareness and support for the Breast Cancer Campaign; but did you know that this Friday it is Go YELLOW Day here on the Isle of Wight?

Go Yellow Day is in support of the Earl Mounbatten Hospice - and anybody who has come to visit the Isle of Wight during the Isle of Wight Festival or Bestival will have seen the Earl Mountbatten Hospice collecting money by selling huge sunflowers (now the must-have addition for any festival-goer of style and taste)

Across the Island, people are wearing yellow, selling yellow cakes, even climbing the equivalent height of Mount Everest - all to support the Island's only hospice which needs every penny of support it can generate to provide hospice care to the patients with life-limiting conditions and their families on the Isle of Wight.

If you are coming to the Isle of Wight this week, perhaps you might like to take part in the fun and raise money for this worthwhile cause!

Come and stay at one of our many hotels on the Isle of Wight, our camping and touring sites on the Isle of Wight, or our bed and breakfasts in Shanklin, Sandown, Freshwater, Cowes - everywhere on the Isle of Wight!

What are WightStay doing on Go Yellow Day? I'll let you know later in the week!
(Notice I resisted the urge to mis-spell the Isle of Wight to Isle of WHITE...)

National Red Squirrel Week on the Isle of Wight

noreply@blogger.com (WightStay Team) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:19:00 +0000

What a beautiful day on the Isle of Wight! The sun is shining, people are still walking around in shorts and t-shirts - Indian summer? No - on Isle of Wight the summer just lasts longer!

This month, the name is changing to the Isle of Pink - but this week coming on the Isle of Wight is a chance to see something that very few places in the UK can boast... The Island is a desingated grey squirrel free area - we only have the red squirrel here and this week is the Wildlife Trusts' National Red Squirrel Week.

If you are interested in the red squirrel - perhaps you've never seen one - then visit the Isle of Wight this week! The red squirrel is the only squirrel native to the UK - contact Helen Butler who runs the Wight Squirrel Project to book on one of her walks, or take part in the workshop which shows you how to spot the signs of these shy creatures - and you may even see one yourself! Give her a call on 01983 611003 or email wightsquirrels@hotmail.com .

If you need somewhere to stay whilst out spotting squirrels, then WightStay is here to help - we have many hotels, camping sites, guesthouses and bed and breakfasts to choose from Shanklin to Totland, Ryde to Ventnor and all points between!

Come and see these rare and beuatiful creatures, whose numbers have been declining on the UK mainland for many years, but thrive on the Isle of Wight - we look forward to seeing you soon!

Visit the Isle of Wight - or even the Isle of Pink!

noreply@blogger.com (WightStay Team) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 11:23:00 +0000

Pinch, punch first of the month! October has rolled around on the Isle of Wight, the air has the clean crisp feeling to it, and the sun is still shining!

There is plenty to do on the Isle of Wight - or this month as it is known - the Isle of Pink!

The Guildhall in Newport turns pink with the help of the people from Happy Daze!

As part of the Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Island will see a series of events to raise awareness and funds for the campaign. This month, the aim is to raise £40 000 for the Breast Cancer Campaign on the Isle of Wight and £3.5 million nationally, and there will be many opportunities to do it - so if you want to help out, visit the Isle of Wight (I mean Pink!) and join in the many fun events - or even organise your own Pink event!

If you visit the Botanic Gardens in Ventnor, you can place a pink ribbon around a tree - or at the Isle of Wight Zoo in Sandown you can celebrate Halloween in style - as long as your style is Pink! More details to come over the next few days and weeks...

With plenty of places to stay on the Isle of Wight, you won't be short of great hotels in Sandown, camping in the countryside or self catering cottages in Freshwater.

The sea's still lovely and warm after a great summer and the beaches are deserted. What are you waiting for?

Come and stay on the Isle of Wight - and paint the town PINK!

The Isle of Wight - for all your cycling, sweetcorn and wine needs...

noreply@blogger.com (WightStay Team) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 11:23:00 +0000

Happy Arthur's Day! (Guinness drinkers will know what I mean!)

What a beautiful day it is on the Isle of Wight - the sun is shining, and it's heading to be a lovely 21 degrees! Today is not a day to be stuck in the office, I should be out enjoying the weather - plenty of rides to enjoy today as the Isle of Wight Cycling Festival continues, especially the Chale Pub Trail - let's see what I can do to get out of work early today...

Where does the week go? I'm not too fussed though, I can see the end of the working week in the distance - which means it's time to start kicking back and relaxing on the Isle of Wight!

Although looking at our events diary for this week and weekend, I'm going to have to pick and choose where I relax...

The Isle of Wight Cycling Festival is reaches it's climax this weekend with many events taking place. On Saturday, the Great Island Challenge is on - teams learn to crew a yacht and take it around the Isle of Wight, and then if that wasn't enough, they then cycle around the Island!

The Hills Killer Challenge is on Sunday - take your pick of 3 Hills, 7 Hills or the massive 14 Hills challenge - not one for the faint-hearted! Sunday also sees the Recycle The Island event - with two routes to choose from, it's an ideal way to support the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance service.

Along with a variety of other cycle related events, it brings this year's Isle of Wight Cycling Festival to a close - but that isn't all on the Isle of Wight this weekend!

As part of British Food Fortnight, Arreton Barns are holding their annual Sweetcorn Fayre, including an attempt at the record for the world's largest sweetcorn fritter! Alongside other sweetcorn recipes and a host of food stuffs, including local ales (I know where I'm off to this weekend!), the Sweetcorn Fayre will also be holding the Farmer Jacks' Sausage competition to decide the Isle of Wights' best sausage... It all happens this weekend at Arreton Barns!

The Isle of Wight Steam Railway are holding their annual Wine Festival this weekend too - whether you have a nose for fine wine, or just enjoy the grape, then this is for you - wines from around the world and closer to home are on offer - all set in the ambience of a genuine steam railway station!

WightStay is the ideal way to search for your place to stay on the Isle of Wight - with many great hotels, bed and breakfasts, camping or caravan sites - stop to take a look at what we have to offer - and start enjoying your holiday on the Isle of Wight!

Now then, which first, sweetcorn or sausages, the beer or wine?

pictures courtesy of Isle of Wight Council

Catch up on the Isle of Wight Cycling Festival with WightStay

noreply@blogger.com (WightStay Team) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:19:00 +0000

Mid-week on the Isle of Wight and the Isle of Wight Cycling Festival is on track to be a huge success as year after year more people come to the Isle of Wight to take part in 9 days of cycling fun!

So far this week there have been plenty of routes on offer, and some of the most popular rides have been for charity - the Pedal 4 Parkinsons and Cycle The Wight for the British Heart Foundation, raising money and awareness for these two organisations. Of course, the hilarious Sink Or Swim also took place on Sunday - we'll have pictures of that soon, but in the meantime this is last years' winner...

The fun doesn't end there – over the next few days there are story telling rides, a picnic on wheels, a dinosaur ride and for those that really prefer their routes to have a more liquid angle, there is a pub trail to follow too!
This weekend is the finale, with the Hills Killer Challenge and the ReCyle The Island route, raising money and awareness for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance – more on that later this week.
And cycling isn't all the Island has to offer either – more news on a wine tasting festival and a huge bowls tournament in our next blog!
So, if you're looking to take part in these events and need somewhere to stay on the Isle of Wight, then look no further than our own guide - with plenty of lovely hotels, bed and breakfasts, self catering or camping and touring park, WightStay has it covered!
With plenty to offer, the Isle of Wight is the ideal place to take that end of summer break!