Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Isle of Wight

Isle of Wight, a rail journey with Great Rail Journeys

Escorted travel with Great Rail Journeys to one of the most beautiful locations in the UK - the Isle of Wight.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Sandown

    Sailing to the Isle of Wight and Sandown's golden coast

    Your holiday begins in Portsmouth, where you meet the Tour Manager and fellow travellers before boarding the catamaran to Ryde. After a short journey over the Solent, we arrive on the picturesque Isle of Wight. From Ryde, we join the local rail service down the scenic east coast to Sandown, our base for five nights. After checking in to our hotel on the seafront in Sandown, there's time to freshen up or take a leisurely stroll before our first dinner as a group this evening.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Sandown

    A royal experience at Osborne House

    After breakfast, we head out by coach to St Mildred's Church in Whippingham (or Quarr Abbey in Ryde on the 28th August departure), an ornate church with close links to the royal family partly designed by Prince Albert. We then continue to Osborne House, Queen Victoria's beloved family retreat, with time to explore the elegant state rooms, family quarters, manicured gardens, Swiss Cottage and Victoria's private beach. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure before dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: Sandown

    Discovering the Isle of Wight's greatest treasures

    Today we tour the isle's most renowned attractions, travelling to the western reaches to view the iconic Needles - striking chalk stacks rising out of the sea with a lighthouse built in 1859. We then head to Yarmouth to soak up the atmosphere of this charming harbour town, before visiting historic Carisbrooke Castle, famous for serving as a royal prison to Charles I. Our final visit is to picturesque Godshill, a quintessentially English village with thatched buildings, a medieval church and its own model village.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Sandown

    A day at leisure on the Isle of Wight

    A free day to enjoy the Isle of Wight at your own pace. Options include a stroll along Sandown's seafront, visiting nearby Shanklin with its old village and Shanklin Chine, exploring scenic walking trails, or heading to quieter corners such as Bembridge or the marshes near Yaverland. Dinner is served at the hotel this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: Sandown

    Riding the Isle of Wight Steam Railway

    This morning we travel by local rail to Smallbrook Junction and board the Isle of Wight Steam Railway for a return journey to Wootton. This line dates from 1862 and winds through unspoilt countryside past scenic woodland, lush meadows and picturesque towns. There's a stop at Havenstreet to visit the Carriage and Wagon Workshop. The afternoon is at leisure - options include the Revetment seawall walk from Sandown to Shanklin, Sandown Pier or relaxing on the beach. Final group dinner this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6rail

    Homeward bound

    Your exploration of the Isle of Wight comes to an end after breakfast. Leaving Sandown, we travel by local rail to Ryde, catching the catamaran back to Portsmouth. Back on the mainland, we say farewell to the Tour Manager and fellow travellers and make our way home.

    Meals: Breakfast

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 5 nights' 3-Star hotel accommodation
  • Standard Class rail travel
  • All rail, coach and ferry travel throughout the tour
  • Breakfast and Dinner each day
  • All tour excursions including heritage rail journeys

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Similar journeys, different answers