Shanklin & The Diamond Isle

Itinerary

Highlights

• Hotel for 4 or 6 nights with dinner & breakfast
• Porterage
• Entertainment in hotel on some evenings
• Isle of Wight Steam Railway
• Entrance to Mottistone Gardens (7 day tour only)
• Entrance to Godshill Model Village
• Visits to Ryde & Cowes 
• Visit to Alum Bay (7 day tour only)

Your Itinerary

Day 1 - After joining your holiday coach, head to Portsmouth with a refreshment stop en-route to join the ferry to the Isle of Wight and then continue to your resort hotel to check in for your 4 or 6 night stay. DBB.

Day 2 - 4 (or 6) -  At leisure in Shanklin with two or three included excursions.
Shanklin is located at the southernmost tip of Sandown Bay, sheltered by Dunnose Point, which offers a stunning backdrop of the tall cliffs of Luccombe and St Boniface Downs beyond. The Old Village of Shanklin is extremely pretty with plenty of quaint shops and old-fashioned tea rooms.

INCLUDED EXCURSIONS
GODSHILL MODEL VILLAGE & COWES (all tours)
Drop into the beautiful Godshill Model Village, nestled in the grounds of the Old Vicarage. Set in nearly two acres of gorgeous landscaped gardens this is a real retro find - a quintessentially English attraction. You will find scale models of Shanklin and Godshill villages as they were in the 1920's. The cottages, pubs and churches are faithfully reproduced versions of the real buildings in 1/10th scale. The garden railway is a must see - a snapshot of the Island Line of yesteryear! Then enjoy a stroll through the picturesque old village of Godshill itself with its delightful thatched cottages, gift shops, tea rooms, ice cream parlours, pubs and a church up on the hill.

Next stop is Cowes, the maritime gateway to the Isle of Wight, known for both its rich royal heritage as well as its yachting pedigree. Take a stroll along the High Street, Parade and Esplanade for wonderful views of the bustling harbour and across The Solent. There are plenty of independent stores that fill the High Street, with numerous quality pubs, restaurants and cafes mingled in. Cowes' sister town, East Cowes is just across the River Medina (accessible by floating bridge (£1 pp per crossing in 2025). 

IOW STEAM RAILWAY & RYDE (all tours)
Enjoy an included ride on the delightful Isle of Wight Steam Railway. Hauled by a vintage steam locomotive, enjoy the special 10-mile round trip of a bygone age with the evocative sounds and smells of puffing and hissing steam and a unique view of the island's unspoilt countryside from restored Victorian and Edwardian carriages. There will be time to explore the quaint and lovingly restored station and depot at Havenstreet where you will the Train Story Discovery Centre as well as refreshment and toilet facilities. In the afternoon there will be some free time in Ryde with its quirky mix of traditional seaside fun, Victorian architecture, thriving independent shopping scene and lovely sandy Appley Beach (20 minute flat walk from the pier).

MOTTISTONE GARDENS, THE NEEDLES & ALUM BAY (7 days tours only)
Located on the west side of the island, enchanting Mottistone Gardens and Estate, created from an abandoned farmyard, are set in a sheltered valley and surrounded by rolling downland. It is one of the most peaceful and magical gardens on the island with colourful herbaceous borders, shrub filled banks and grassy terraces which surround an Elizabethan manor house. Taking advantage of the warm, southerly location, the head gardener has been experimenting with plants from the Mediterranean including an olive grove, exotic plants and an organic kitchen garden. NB there is an incline and several wide steps down from the parking area. There are gravel paths throughout and steps to access some areas making Mottistone less suitable for wheelchair / buggy users. The courtyard is flat with seating available. There is a tea garden

Head back along the old coastal Military Road passing Freshwater Bay en-route to Alum Bay. The mainly shingle beach situated at the most westerly tip of the island is framed by the iconic chalk stacks known as The Needles with the world famous coloured sands with 21 different shades creating a dramatic and natural shelter for the beach.

Return Day - After breakfast, join the mid-morning ferry back to the mainland and onwards to interchange.

Accommodation

Channel View Hotel, Shanklin

This popular 3* hotel boasts the most amazing and picturesque views of the English Channel,

The Channel View Hotel is sat atop the cliffs of Shanklin Bay in an idyllic location. It always gives visitors a warm welcome, good service and excellent food. Hotel facilities include restaurant, bar, lift to most floors and entertainment on some evenings.

There is also an indoor heated swimming pool and sauna. All bedrooms are en-suite with TV, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities.

Seaview rooms are on request and subject to availability and supplement