These pages are intended to give you, the Visitor, all of the information that you will ever need to know about the fabulous Isle of Wight. Please use the links below to take you to specific information of your interest.
Population figures for Island Towns
The Wonders of the Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is located on the Southern Coast of England and is separated from the mainland by approximately two miles of the Solent.
The main town on the Island is centrally located Newport. Over the last few years, it has attracted a number of leading retailers.
It is considered a Holiday Island and has a number of Tourist Attractions, Hotels and Guest Houses. Osborne House in East Cowes was once the holiday home of Queen Victoria.
The Island has recently become known for the Dinosaur discoveries and subsequently dubbed Dinosaur Island.
At the 1997 Academy Awards, the Island received recognition as the home of Anthony Minghella, the Director of the Oscar Winning 'The English Patient', which won 9 Oscars. See News
The Island is still noted for the Pop Festivals of the Sixties.
There are few major employers on the Island. Many people rely on the seasonal tourist trade. There are a number of specialist companies and craft-based industries.
The population of the Island is approximately 127,000 people, tending towards the older generation, as it is a popular retirement area. Population figures from the 1991 Government Census.
The main crossing routes to the Island are:
| From | To | Ferry Type | Service Provider | |
| 1. | Portsmouth | Ryde | Catamaran | Wightlink Ferries |
| 2. | Portsmouth | Fishbourne | Car / Passenger | Wightlink Ferries |
| 3. | Southsea | Ryde | Hovercraft | Hovertravel |
| 4. | Southampton | Cowes | Catamaran | Red Funnel |
| 5. | Southampton | East Cowes | Car / Passenger | Red Funnel |
| 6. | Lymington | Yarmouth | Car / Passenger | Wightlink Ferries |
The 'Wonders of the Isle of Wight' is a play-on words based on the name of Island Towns or Places.
"Lake" where there is no water.
The "Needles" you cannot thread.
"Ryde" where you walk.
"Cowes" you cannot milk.
"Freshwater" you cannot drink.
"Newport" you cannot bottle.
The Needles (picture) is the name for a series of rock formations off the western point of the Isle of Wight. On the outermost rock is the Needles Lighthouse which was manned until 1997.
The Needles is best viewed from Alum Bay, known for its coloured sands (picture of ornaments) used to make ornaments and pictures. Alum Bay also has a chair lift to the bay.
