Isle of Wight - Rail & Royals
Monday 28 March 2022 to Friday 01 April 2022
£540pp
- Destination
- Itinerary
- Full inclusions
- Hotel
- Booking request
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Queen Victoria and Prince Albert fell in love with the Isle of Wight so much that they built their very own palatial holiday home here. Today’s visitors love the island for its timeless charm, picture postcard views and quintessentially English thatched cottages. More than half the island is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and it’s a wildlife haven for many species, including the elusive red squirrel.
This tour is based in the coastal resort of Ryde - loved for its long stretch of sandy beach, traditional seaside fun, Victorian architecture and an eclectic mix of shops, cafés, restaurants and bars.
Tour code: A3349
Monday
Savour panoramic views across The Solent as we sail on the Portsmouth-Fishbourne ferry to the island. Receive a warm welcome from the hotel with tea/coffee on arrival.
Tuesday
Our round-the-island tour takes in the coastal charm of Shanklin Olde Village with an array of colourful fronted shops and tea rooms to choose from. Continue through the rolling green hills of The Downs to the famous coloured sands at Alum Bay, with views of The Needles in the distance. Finally, to the ancient port of Yarmouth, where you might finish the day with a walk along the pier or in a quaint café around the towns traditional main square.
Wednesday
After a quiet morning, spend the afternoon at Queen Victoria’s lavish ‘holiday home’, Osborne House, where the sumptuous furnishings and immaculate gardens give you a glimpse into their extravagant lifestyle. Gain a sense of colonial history in The State Rooms, imagine the family splashing at the water’s edge on the private beach and wander amongst a rainbow of spring tulips in the ornate Italianate gardens (renovated in 2017 when plants as old as the building itself were uncovered!).
Thursday
Spend the morning at leisure before experiencing the golden age of travel as we take a nostalgic ride on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. Pass through unspoilt countryside and ancient woodland in beautifully restored Victorian and Edwardian carriages – complete with a cream tea on board, of course.
Friday
Across The Solent to home.
- 4 nights' dinner, bed & breakfast
- Entry to Osborne Estate (EH)
- IOW steam train journey with cream tea
- A round-the-island tour
- Free time in Ryde, Shanklin Olde Village, Alum Bay and Yarmouth
- Welcome tea/coffee at the hotel
- Tea/coffee after dinner each evening
- Two nights live entertainment
- Porterage
- Return ferry crossing between Portsmouth & Fishbourne
- Door2Door travel (save £10pp by meeting the coach)
- Free holiday insurance
- Free BCH/ABTOT Financial Protection
- Pre allocated seat
- £40pp deposit (balance due 8 weeks prior)
- £5pp discount for EH Members
- Executive touring coach featuring a refreshment station, reclining seats, reading lights, curtains, foot and arm rests, toilet, safety belts, air suspension and individual air-flow controls
- An experienced, friendly, highly-rated and professional tour driver
The Royal Esplanade Hotel, Ryde, Isle of Wight 
- Winners of a 2024 Travellers' Choice Award from Tripadvisor (ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor!)
- Situated at the foot of the Victorian Pier in the harbour town of Ryde
- Grade II Listed
- Within walking distance of sandy beaches, Ryde's pretty little harbour and boutique shops
- Shaws customers rated this hotel 4.3/5 stars in 2023 based on its food & drink, customer service, bedroom comfort and public areas
- Ensuite rooms with TV, radio, phone and hospitality tray
- Restaurant, bar and lounge
- Outdoor terrace
- Lift (unsuitable for mobility scooters)
ACCESS: There are 8 unavoidable steps leading to the hotel entrance and walk-in showers are available on request only. Please let us know if space for a wheelchair is required as there is limited capacity on ferry crossings
