Cycle the Isle of Wight (U.K.) and Stay at Fab Hotels

If you are in the midst of planning (or trying to plan) your spring or summer bicycle travel and you’re coming up empty, here’s a suggestion: the Isle of Wight. The island has been called a cycling haven. You can stay in charming hotels, bed and breakfasts, hostels, etc., and spend your days cycling without any other concerns.

The island offers scenic ocean views and endless places to ride that will both challenge your legs or allow you to spend time with your family on exploratory bike rides to various places. And with little to no vehicle traffic, the Isle of Wight is a prime destination for cyclists.

Where Is The Isle of Wight? What Makes It Special?

The Isle of Wight is the largest island in England. It’s two to five miles from the south coast of England in the English Channel. Vacationers can either stay on the island or the mainland where they can hop on a ferry that will deposit them on the island.

Residents refer to the Isle of Wight as “The Island.” It is known, “for its mild climate, coastal scenery, and verdant landscape of fields, downland, and chines.” The Isle of Wight has been used as a holiday destination since the Victorian era, and it was home to Charles Swinburne, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, and Queen Victoria. In 2019, the island received the designation of UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Cycling and Other Activities On The Isle of Wight

Today, the Isle of Wight is always bristling with activity. Many events and festivals are held there throughout the year. Visitors can tour historic sites, rent a car and drive around the 150 mile island, walk, hike, and bicycle. The Isle of Wight is truly a place where people come to unwind, slow down, and breathe in a slower pace of life.

For cyclists (both for hardcore roadies and for more casual riders), there are many choices. The Isle of Wight’s tourism website states it has “around 200 miles of cycle tracks, byways and bridleways for you to explore.”

The “Round the Island Route” offers hardcore roadies a 65 mile ride around the island that can be ridden clockwise or in reverse. It features scenic ocean views, hills, and long stretches in the countryside.

If cycling a long road route happens not to be your thing, or you’re traveling with your family, the island has a 32 mile countryside route called the Red Squirrel Trail as well as other more casual and family friendly rides. Don’t have a bike with you or left yours at home? The island offers the ability to rent a bike.

Accommodations Along the “Round the Island Route”

Cyclists can ride the whole route in one go or stop at the various towns they pass through for a snack and beverage. It is probably the best way to experience the island.

If you choose to stay on the Isle of Wight during your visit, the island has many places to stay in the several small communities along the route, according to The Klub website. You can expect to pay anywhere from $120 a night up to a $180 a night, it just depends on availability and where you choose to stay on the island.

Last Thoughts

Cycling on the Isle of Wight seems like an excellent city break or even a place for a vacation for yourself or your family. It offers lots of activities for cycling, hiking, tourism, festivals, charming restaurants, hotels, and more.

But if cycling is your main reason for visiting the island, its tourism website states many businesses cater to bicyclists and, as a result, have been awarded the island’s “Wheel of Approval.” That means they do their best to serve cyclists with “safe storage for bikes, washing facilities, tool kits for riders to use, or information of the best way to get there by bike!“