Isle of Wight (Slow Travel)

Written by expert travel journalist Mark Rowe, who has visited the island over 30 times since childhood, it combines practical information with intimate details, anecdotes, and insider tips to help you discover what makes this English island truly special. Despite covering just 25 by 13 miles, the Isle of Wight is astonishingly rich in wildlife, natural beauty, history, and archaeology. You'll find remarkable variety in its landscapes—from downland and estuaries to hills, saltmarshes, and beaches—along with over 50 independent food producers. The island has a distinctive culture celebrating the independent and idiosyncratic, with urban highlights including world-class museums, Victorian charm, and Cowes, a town famous for sailing but also treasured for its medieval streets and unique local shops. Discover where to spot red squirrels and recently reintroduced white-tailed eagles, find the best spots for e-biking and foraging, explore family-friendly attractions, and access the new round-island walk. This guide covers fascinating quirks and curiosities too: Jimi Hendrix's love affair with the island, tree-climbing adventures, World War II history, the famous low-tide walk beneath Ryde's Victorian pier to spot marine creatures, award-winning local wines, and dinosaur fossil-rich beaches unmatched anywhere else in Britain. With twenty detailed maps to guide your way, Isle of Wight (Slow Travel) helps you plan a visit you'll remember.