Isle be there
Above: Skandia Cowes Week 2007
Above: Take part in the walking festival
Above: Extreme sports
Hampshire is so full of delights and events we often overlook the treasure we have on our doorstep. This spring and summer, the Isle of Wight offers a myriad of activities and events for the day visitor.
More than 350 ferries a day from Portsmouth, Southampton and Lymington make it accessible for a day or a short break - the only limit is how much time you have to spend!
Whether you enjoy extreme sports, music, walking, sailing, cycling, gardens, good food, history or animals, the Isle of Wight is the place for you this spring and summer.
If you want to get active
The Isle of Wight Walking Festival, from May 3 to 18, is celebrating its 10th birthday and incorporating a second event in October. It is the biggest event of its kind in the UK, and the Isle of Wight, which has more than 500 miles of well-maintained footpaths, is the ideal location. TV’s Ben Fogle will be doing the official launch on Saturday, May 3 and there are about 200 accompanied and themed walks to suit everyone from hardened hikers to families with toddlers.
If you miss walking in May, there’s the chance to catch the Wight Walking Weekend, from October 24 to 27.
More details on all the events from www.isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk.
The Isle of Wight Randonee, the annual fun cycling event with a choice of 100km or 55km clockwise routes, is on May 4. Contact: Rob Hodgkinson, tel 01983 882774.
Now in its 13th year, The Wight Diamond Mountain Bike Festival takes place on May Bank Holiday Weekend, May 24 to 26. It is billed as a ‘three-day party on two wheels’. For more details, visit www.trailbreak.co.uk.
The Isle of Wight Cycling Festival, from September 13 to 21, is a great way to get to know the Island for cyclists of all abilities. Don’t be put off by rides like ‘The Hills Killer’, an orienteering ride set against the clock, or ‘Cycle the Wight’, a 65-mile road route around the coastline, because there are plenty of much gentler rides for the average cyclist. For further details see www.sunseaandcycling.com.
The White Air (Extreme Sports Festival), based on the seafront at Yaverland, Sandown, from September 18 to 21, attracts top sportspeople from 40 countries who compete in 18 action sports and it is a thrilling sight. You can also take part in taster sessions, including paragliding, windsurfing, ocean kayaking and kite surfing. Find out more from www.whiteair.co.uk.
Improve your golf - or learn how to play. Tuition packages for individuals, groups or children are available at the Priory Bay Hotel at St Helen’s, near Ryde. For more details contact Provision Golf on 01983 408000 or visit www.provisiongolf.co.uk.
Learn to paraglide. Freshwater Bay-based High Adventure offer a one or two-day course. Find out more at www.high-adventure.uk.com.
If you’re a seafarer
Ribex, the world’s only boat show dedicated exclusively to Rigid Inflatable Boats, is at Cowes Yacht Haven from May 9 to 11.
Yarmouth Old Gaffers will bring the crowds to Yarmouth’s picturesque harbour from May 30 to June 1 to see more than 100 traditional sailing, motor and steam vessels. Find out about it at www.yarmoutholdgaffersfestival.co.uk.
The JP Morgan Fleming Round the Island Yacht Race is a great sight, and last year a record 1,600 boats completed the 60-mile course. There are several superb vantage points to see this event on June 28, so find out more from www.roundtheisland.org.uk.
Skandia Cowes Week is arguably the most famous sailing regatta in the world. More than 8,000 competitors, outnumbered tenfold by spectators, are expected from August 2 to 9. If you've always wanted to try sailing, now’s your chance to sign up at the Try Sailing booth on Cowes Parade to have an hour on the water to find your sea legs with a professional skipper. There are 800 places available and it is free. More details are available from www.skandiacowesweek.co.uk.
The Powerboat P1 Cowes-Torquay-Cowes Race is a spectacular international event, from August 22 to 24 featuring up to 80 of Europe's finest powerboats. It is free to watch, so see www.powerboatp1.com.
If you love your music
The Isle of Wight International Jazz Festival, from April 11 to 13, has a top line-up planned at Ventnor. See the line-up on www.iowjazzfestival.co.uk.
The Isle of Wight Festival, from June 13 to 16, is headlined on the Sunday night by The Police, and it’s the only festival they’re appearing at this year. Also on the line-up are Kaiser Chiefs and the Sex Pistols. It’s sold out this year. Visit www.isleofwightfestival.com for more details.
Bestival, in the lovely location of Robin Hill Country Park from September 5 to 7, is a three-day boutique music festival, including comedy and chill-out and pampering areas, curated by BBC Radio 1 DJ Rob da Bank. Visit www.bestival.net.
Isle of Wight Folk & Blues Festival, from September 19 to 21, has been described as like Cambridge on a smaller scale, and is based at Ventnor. A family-friendly event with free entry for the under-12s and a children’s craft and mini-circus tent. For more details visit www.iowfolkblues.co.uk.
If you love animals
Visit Tiger Island. ITV Meridian’s first series about the Isle of Wight Zoo's big cats was so successful a second series is going out next month. The Isle of Wight Zoo, at Sandown, is open from 10am every day.
Other animal-themed days could include visits to: Amazon World Zoo Park; Brickfields Horse Country; Colemans Animal Farm; Fakenham Farm; IW Donkey Sanctuary; IW Owl & Falconry Centre; Seaview Wildlife Encounter - Flamingo Park and Wight Llama Treks.
If you enjoy our heritage
Tour Carisbrooke Castle, where English Heritage is investing £1 million. The money has been used to develop the Princess Beatrice Garden, within the castle, to show how the existing Privy Garden would have looked in the early to mid 20th century and in place for this spring they have planned a new film, virtual tour, and hands-on interactive experiences for visitors. The Castle is open daily from 10am and you can find out about it at www.englishheritage.org.uk.
If you enjoy photography
Dimbola Lodge, home of celebrated Victorian photographer Julia Margaret Cameron, is worth visiting at any time, but you can also take part in one-day courses there this year. Visit www.dimbola.co.uk.
If you’re a gardener
The Isle of Wight Spring Garden Show is the place to browse and buy at the Robin Hill Countryside Adventure Park, on April 26 and 27.
If you’re a foodie
The Isle of Wight Garlic Festival celebrates the Island as the UK’s premier garlic-growing region. Founder Colin Boswell even exports garlic to France! As we went to press, the August date for this fragrant event, featuring everything from garlic beer to garlic ice cream, still had to be confirmed, so keep up-to-date by logging on to www.garlic-festival.co.uk.
Learn the culinary tricks of the trade: How to turn raw ingredients into an award-winning dish and match it with appropriate wine is the theme of cookery and wine classes being offered at the Seaview Hotel and Restaurant on May 21.
Find out more on www.seaviewhotel.co.uk.