The island, which was made popular in the Victorian era, is popular with a range of visitors of all ages. The Isle of Wight is situated five miles off the south coast of England; measuring 23 miles east to west and 13 miles north to south.

Isle of Wight Landscape. Compton Chine, looking east towards Blackgang by Barbara Mürdter

It’s a small island, but one where lots of fun can be enjoyed. You may have never thought about visiting because it’s not far away enough to be considered as a holiday destination. If you want to go somewhere different for your next holiday, continue reading to find out where to stay, where to go and what to do if you visit the Isle of Wight.

Where to stay

If you are planning a trip to the island then you can choose from a selection of places to stay – each suit different tastes and budgets. Isle of Wight accommodation includes seaside hotels, farm/rural self-catering B&Bs, holiday centres and caravan parks.

Osborne House, Isle of Wight, England, UK by Naturenet

Where to go

The Isle of Wight has plenty of beaches, so when it’s summer and the sun is out, what better way to spend it then on one of them? Some are small, some are commercialised and others are very secluded. So if you want to spend time lounging on the beach or you prefer doing water sports you’ll find a perfect beach for you. After a day at the beach you can visit one of the many museums, galleries and historic sites that showcase the island’s history and culture.

Wherever you go, it’s good to know there are great shopping opportunities; if you want some retail therapy, you can get it on the Isle Wight. There are arts and crafts outlets too, which sell all manner of things from handcrafted jewellery to wood carvings.

If galleries and shopping aren’t your idea of a holiday or if you want to do something more extreme, you could try tree climbing, paragliding and sailing.

Gate to Carisbrooke Castle, Isle of Wight, England, UK by Dave Pape

What to do

If you are not an adrenaline junkie though, but still wanting to have an experience of a lifetime; in the month of June, thousands of revellers can be found mucking out at the Isle of Wight festival. Acts such as Coldplay, Bryan Adam, The Police and Labrinth have all preformed at the festival. All ages can attend.

If you like festivals but want to hear something other than rock and pop, you can attend the island’s open-air midsummer jazz festival. Here you will find more of an older crowd, but it can be enjoyed by all members of the family.

If festivals and loud music isn’t your thing, then you might enjoy a cycling or walking holiday on the Isle of Wight. Walking and cycling are popular because there are over 500 miles of footpaths and bridleways. With attractive scenery and almost every town on the island hosting a hotel, pub or B&B, walkers and cyclists have plenty of choice of routes throughout the island whilst visiting.

If you love to explore and have an interest in fossils then you go back in time visiting beaches at Shanklin and Brook Bay, as you can find dinosaur remains in the cliffs and on the beaches. Happy hunting!

Brook Bay, Isle of Wight, England, UK by Jim Champion

Are you planning a visit to the Isle of Wight? If so, where are you going to stay and visit?

Author: Stuart enjoys mountain biking on the south coast of England and writes on behalf of Island View Holidays.

The post Have you thought about visiting the Isle of Wight, UK? appeared first on Best of European Union.

You will save money, be able to cook your own meals if you want and your kids will have a blast. Many caravan holiday parks have activities, kids clubs and entertainment so that your little ones will never be bored. You will also have the choice of many great holiday parks throughout the UK in beautiful locations.

Caravans and Camping, UK by Elias Gayles

If you are planning a caravan park holiday with your family this year, here are some tips that will help you make the most of your trip and have the best family getaway possible!

• Make sure to do some research before you go about the type of caravan that will work best for your family’s needs. Consider how much room your children will require and whether or not they will share a sleeping area or have their own separate spaces.

• If you have babies or young toddlers who sleep in a cot, call ahead and ask if the caravan park offers cots as part of their holiday package. It is good to know in advance, in case you need to pack your own.

• Take with you the essentials for breakfast such as bread, eggs, cereal milk and fruit, so that you can have your breakfast first thing in the morning without having to go anywhere first. You can also take with you some food to cook in the caravan to cut down the cost of eating out at restaurants for every meal.

• To make cooking in your caravan even easier, you can prepare several meals in advance, such as curry, chili or spaghetti Bolognese, so that you can simply keep them frozen and heat them up when needed. This saves you from having to take all of your ingredients with you.

• Make sure you bring along extras of everything, including your cutlery, cups, blankets etc. Even if you have enough for yourself, there might be someone else in the next caravan who has forgotten something and lending it to them is part of the friendly holiday experience of caravanning.

• Most caravan parks will allow you to take your dog along with you on your holiday, but it is always a good idea to check this before you make your booking to make sure everything is fine when you get there.

• Make sure that you bring along plenty of books, magazines, games and toys to entertain your kids on the long drive. Once you are there at the caravan park, there will be plenty of things to do to keep them busy!

• Taking a slow cooker with you can be a brilliant way to cook foods in your caravan. All you need to do is to add the ingredients in the morning and let it cook while you spend the day sightseeing or relaxing on the beach. When you return in the evening, your dinner will be ready for you.

• Give yourself some time to relax. Trying to pack too much into a holiday can leave you feeling stressed and exhausted and not like you have really had a break at all. Make sure that you plan for extra time in your holiday when the kids can make sandcastles on the beach or play on the playground and you can simply relax with a good book and sit in the sunshine for a while.

These are just a few tips to keep in mind to make the most of your trip. Have a great time on your family caravan holiday!

Here are some tips that will enhance your experience on your family caravan holidays in the UK this summer.

The post Tips for Making the Most Out of a Caravan Holiday in the UK appeared first on Best of European Union.