7.30am Pick ups start in London Zone 1 - at time of booking please specify your requested pick up location (Your pick up will be between 7.30-8.00am)
We transfer from London to the historic port of Southampton where we catch our ferry across the Solent to the beautiful and picturesque Isle of Wight. Our mini coach remains with us throughout the day as we tour the island described as the “diamond of the south”. Rolling countryside, enchanting villages and a wonderful coastline ensures that whichever way we turn there is a feast for the eyes.
About the Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is situated about five miles off the south coast of the English mainland and resembles a diamond in shape. It measures just 23 miles east to west and 13 miles north to south - an area of 147 square miles and has a population of around 135,000. The Island is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the UK, with around 2.5 million tourists visiting every year. There is over 60 miles of coastline, which ranges from award winning beaches to spectacular chalk cliffs. The island has more sunshine hours than any other UK resort!
Osborne House
We include entrance to Osborne House, the country retreat of Queen Victoria and where she spent a great deal of her later life, now documented in an award winning film starring Dame Judi Dench.
About Osborne House
After Queen Victoria married Prince Albert in 1840, she longed for a family home in the country. The Queen had visited the Isle of Wight as a child, fallen in love with the place and was determined to make the Island her “place of one’s own – quiet and retired”. In 1845, her dream came true when the royal couple purchased Osborne House in East Cowes. She had written, “It is impossible to imagine a prettier spot”, after first visiting the grand property, which included an estate of 342 acres and the neighbouring Barton Manor.
Architect Thomas Cubitt was immediately approached to build a new wing, demolish the old house, and add further wings. When all the work was finished, Osborne House was a remarkable sight, with two beautiful Italianate towers dominating the landscape, featuring wonderful sea views over
the Solent. Marble sculptures, specially made for Victoria and Albert were added to the classically designed Grand Corridor of the house.
Osborne House is now open to the public as one of the main visitor attractions on the Isle of Wight. The current owners, English Heritage have restored the walled garden so it can be enjoyed as much as it was by Victoria and Albert. The grounds also contain a children’s play area, a summerhouse, a museum, a terrace restaurant and a miniature fort and barracks, as well as the Swiss Cottage, which was where the royal children learned their domestic skills.
20:30 - Approximate arrival back in Central London
**Please note details are subject to changes**
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