Glamping on the Isle of Wight
Sometimes you'd like a slice of the outdoor life without compromising on your creature comforts. Handily, glamping accommodation is designed for just that.
If you don't fancy the more stripped-back approach to traditional camping, glamping is an excellent way to experience the Isle of Wight with a healthy dose of luxury. Whether you're planning to hike around the chalk cliffs at The Needles, visit historic Osborne or spend days exploring several beaches, the prospect of a cosy shepherd's hut or furnished bell tent to relax in at the end of the day is bound to be an enticing one.
With lively seafront towns, a wild coastline and no shortage of pretty countryside, the Isle of Wight is an excellent glamping destination.
Where you should stay on the Isle of Wight
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On the west coast of the Isle of Wight, Totland is an excellent spot for an Isle of Wight getaway. Home to the chalk cliffs at The Needles and a sandy bay with a seafront pub, it’s especially well suited to family holidays. If you’re visiting with the family, you might want to stay in a yurt, tipi, bell tent, dome or wigwam – these sorts of stays will give kids the excitement of staying in a tent while providing a little extra luxury for the adults.
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Adults, meanwhile, might feel more drawn to Yarmouth’s busy bars and shops. With plenty of sailing activities on-hand at the mouth of the River Yar, fishing available along The Solent and a 16th-century castle to explore, Yarmouth is a good pick for a couple's holiday. A popular choice is to stay in a comfortable lodge or log cabin, which often have full-sized beds and extra comforts.
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Dog owners might want to set themselves down in Brook, just off Whale Chine. With access to a stunning section of the Isle of Wight coastal path and the dog-friendly theme park Blackgang Chine, it’s a very handy choice for a holiday with a dog. Something solid with a raised sleeping area is a good idea for preventing muddy paws from getting onto your mattress; try a shepherd’s hut for size.
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If you’re looking for a traditional seaside getaway with plenty of beach days and watersports, the eastern side of the Isle of Wight has a selection of traditional coastal towns and villages such as Ryde, Shanklin and Shorwell. It’s a smart idea to stay in glamping accommodation with a private shower to rinse off the sand – or perhaps a camping or glamping pod with a porch area where you can dump your beach gear.
What you can do on the Isle of Wight
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The three chalk cliffs at The Needles are dreamy on their own, but the Landmark Attraction has transformed this gorgeous part of the coastline into a full day out. There are cable cars that provide a birds’ eye view of the cliffs, boat trips that will take you close-up to the coastline, and Victorian games and demonstrations on the clifftop.
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To take in some of the Isle of Wight’s history, visit Carisbrooke Castle – this medieval motte-and-bailey castle is also on the island's 50-mile Chalk Ridge Extreme mountain biking path if you fancy taking a challenging route there. Osborne is a former royal house with its own private bathing beach and royal collections, now open to the public.
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For simple, family-friendly amusements, try Blackgang Chine – it's the oldest amusement park in the United Kingdom. Tapnell Farm Park is another great spot; it has go-karts, a petting zoo and slides.
If you’re still weighing up all your different getaway options in the southeast of England, why not check out the glamping accommodation in nearby Hampshire too?
