A little warning to begin, this is quite a photo heavy post, but I think it's worth it...
We are back home after a wonderful few days on the Isle Of Wight. It was just what we needed after 3 months of living on top of each other surrounded by building chaos. Booking for half-term was not deliberate, but nowhere was over-run and we found the whole island reasonably priced, low key and a little old-fashioned. A really pleasant surprise.
Godshill Model village which I have wanted to visit for so many years lived up to expectations. The buildings are copies of the full size ones that surround them in Godshill, including a model of the model village itself. Which means there is a full size church, a 1/10th scale one, a model of the model and a model of the model of the model. It confuses me just writing that.
We stayed at the Priory Bay Hotel in Seaview. We had ajoining rooms and Theo's was decorated beautifully in a nautical theme. It was the first time he'd slept in a proper big bed and he took to it immediately.
The hotel
has a lovely private beach right on the Solent. Although the weather let
us down a bit, it was still a great place to spend time looking for
shells
and climbing on washed up tree trunks. With the greenery coming right
down to the sand, it reminded me very much of the wild parts of
Vancouver
Island.
The food was amazing. You have to try the afternoon tea if you visit...
We visited the garlic farm, where there were chickens, hamsters and some visiting owls to keep Theo entertained. Lunch had come highly recommended and although we couldn't get a table in the main restaurant, we had delicious soup and a roll in front of a log burner in their cafe. Lunch and free entertainment for under a tenner - that's my kind of day!
And then finally we spent a great morning walking (and cycling) the three miles between Shanklin & Sandown on the seafront, past the beach huts at Small Hope Beach.
The sun even shone briefly when we walked along Sandown pier. I do love a proper British seaside town...
Our three days on the island exceeded our expectations. Good food, good activities and easy to get to. The hotel was fab and staffed by lovely people. I hope we'll be back.
Theo loved the whole experience too as you can tell from the tired sulky face on the ferry on the way home. He would have been quite happy to stay for the whole week...
There are more pictures on my Instagram account, you can follow me here.
Beautiful photos so definitely worth it. Looks like a fantastic break x
ReplyDeleteOh that looks wonderful! I've only ever been to the Isle of Wight sailing so I've barely seen any of it. I was becoming increasingly convinced that we needed to go from your pictures, and then I saw the beach huts - definitely sold!!
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful photos and the afternoon tea looks so yummy! Especially love the first photo - so cool :)
ReplyDeletebeautiful photography, never been there ebut I may have to go. looks so pretty :) x
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a fabulous time! I loved all the photos. And you've inspired me to go to Godshill Model village, which is haven't been to in twenty years!
ReplyDeleteOooh, that cream tea looks a bit bloomin' lush! Yum!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous pictures, especially the model village and the very grumpy going home face.
Oh the Isle of White, this brings back some childhood memories and is so on my list of places to revisit, just need to convince my husband the drive down is so completely worth it.
ReplyDeleteYay you've been! Your pictures are gorgeous, it looks like you had a great time. Iv'e not been to Godshill Model Village for years - might have to take the kids there next time we go. xx
ReplyDelete