Isle of Wight Winter Breaks

The Isle of Wight is the perfect place to enjoy a cozy winter break. The Island’s stunning scenery is dramatically beautiful during the winter months and visiting the Island out of season ensures you avoid the crowds, with many fantastic attractions open all year round.

If you enjoy walking or cycling, the Island’s scenery is especially beautiful in winter. Walking through the frost-tinged countryside on an early morning promises brilliant views and the Island’s pretty thatched cottages and sleepy villages look even more picturesque if you are lucky enough to visit after a dusting of snow. Traditional pubs are dotted around the Island and there’s no better way to warm up after a long walk or ride on a chilly day than a pub lunch beside a roaring fire.

There are many attractions on the Isle of Wight that remain open during the winter months. Osborne House is the former home of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and exploring the opulent Victorian palace, which is open throughout the year, can be enjoyed rain or shine. Carisbrooke Castle, famous as the castle in which King Charles I was imprisoned, is also open throughout the winter months and is great fun to explore – especially with kids. Amazon World Zoo Park is open 364 days a year and is host to a range of exotic animals from tapirs to ocelots. A particular highlight is the walkthrough Lemur enclosure where visitors can get closer to these famous Madagascan animals.

The Isle of Wight is one of the few places where you can still ride a traditional steam train and a trip through the rolling countryside on one of these lovingly restored locomotives makes a wonderfully nostalgic adventure. The Isle of Wight Steam Railway is open throughout the year and a trip makes a great treat for a father or grandfather.

Isle of Wight Holiday specialist Red Funnel offers a range of accommodation perfect for a winter treat, from cozy cottages to country hotels.