Island hopping - it's alWight

As one of 6000 British islands (who knew?) the Isle of Wight has become one of our family favourites. Having first visited in summer of 2019 this was our third trip, same ferry, same hotel and same anticipation of a relaxing weekend on the island. And one, of the many, great things about island life is that as the volume of visitors is restricted due to ferry space, the lovely towns and villages, seaside and hills have never felt crowded.

Arriving in East Cowes after the 1 hour ferry journey with Red Funnel (which makes the trip feel like a real holiday), we meandered the 15 miles to our hotel in Ventnor. As this is our 3rd time at The Royal Hotel, it's starting to feel like home from home. How nice when you and your family are recognised from past visits and for good reasons! The kids were desperate to unpack the car and get checked in as they knew what was waiting for them and it was perfect weather whilst we relaxed.

Getting scrubbed up and changed, we sat on the terrace to enjoy a drink before dinner. The wonderful staff treat you like long lost family (move over Davina) and this traditional place is the perfect setting for some nostalgic hotel life. A delicious meal followed before bed and the start of our first day.

The weather was hot and the kids couldn't wait to get in the water (I managed to get my ankles wet). After the last few weeks of end of term school events, a day on the beach was all the kids wanted (in addition to me making 6 trips to the car to get various equipment). Sandwiches handmade in the local shop, MrB's and some cool drinks and we'd had our fill. Top tip - walk a few streets back from the shore and you'll get better food and better prices! Ice cream followed before returning to our base via the coast road in the glorious end of the day sun for another swim and dinner.

For our final day the kids wanted craaaazy golf so off to Shanklin again for a pirate themed adventure, my mum was the referee & score keeper whilst trying not to fall from the various hills and holes (well she is 81...). The deal was I would then drag them to the only windmill left on the island for some culture and, to be fair to them, they loved that too. The Bembridge Windmill was built in 1700 and was finally given to the National Trust in 1961 - and provides both inside intrigue and outside panoramic views across the island.

And that was it, another weekend over. Well, not quite, we did get to enjoy the return sailing to Southampton and then it was a short drive back up the M3 to home. We collapsed, fresh aired, sunned, well fed (and watered), entertained and ready for the next adventure.

If you've travelled to the Isle of Wight, why not write and tell tripr about it? You never know, you might get your story featured too!

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