Isle of Wight, chef's kiss, mwah!

Thanks

Does sound wonderful. I'll keep an eye out if the chance to visit comes in the future.

Not very likely but "hope springs" and all that.

There are many wonderful places in the British Isles that have yet to be discovered by the tourists - and that is part of their charm.

Another time, try the Scilly Isles - they are even better!

... or the Isle of Man

Couldn't agree more, it's a fantastic island, a bit like going back to England 40 years ago. It's got castles, fantastic food, superb beaches, beautiful countryside and renowned for garlic and tomatoes: www.thegarlicfarm.co.uk and https://iowtomatoes.co.uk.

The National Trust has a number of cottages for rental should anyone be interested in spending some time on the island: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/holidays/search?numberOfNights=2&page=2&sleepsCapacity=1&touristRegions=isle-of-wight

Hank, For other ideas for your next cycling trip to the UK this you tube playlist (from someone I follow for his marvellous videos on Manchester, my birth city) might interest you. I was reminded of this as he has a new section of his coastal trip out today- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX6BivhTh3VRD7xbfU13hISbSg57I6VVP

Hank, it was your description of Wight during your on the go trip report that has added the island to my future trips list. Thanks again.

It’s all that plus Queen Victoria. Can’t go wrong with the Isle of Wight.

For hikers/walkers: HF Holidays offers popular guided and self-guided walking holidays on the Isle of Wight.

Walking/hiking is idyllic as far as I could see. A supported walking tour seems like a great call.

Isle of Wight also has quite a good bus system, making it easier than most islands for those who don't want to rent a car. You can pick up the bus-schedule booklet at the ferry terminals on the mainland as well as on the island.

"Isle of Wight also has quite a good bus system..."

Thanks, moves it even further up on my list.

a number of the buses are open top with fabulous views. These are regular service buses, not fancy narrated tourist buses.

This thread is giving me serious ideas about where to go next! Where would be a good base for those without a car? Ryde was mentioned on a thread from way back. Those National Trust properties look amazing. Always wanted to try one of those. Are any placed in an area for good public transportation?

With the huge caveat that I rode my bike around the island in 2 days and then left, I would not stay in Ryde. Nothing particularly wrong with it, but it's a place where the major ferry calls, and had just a little more of an unimaginative holiday locale feel than most other places. If I wanted to stay in more of a maritime town close to a ferry, I think Cowes seemed a better town, and more pretty nature close by.

Shanklin, if you are looking for a low-key seaside resort had its charms, many nice little hotels and some pretty thatched buildings. Ventnor in the same area smaller and also good, on the beach. Farther south and west had more of a rural feel. Yarmouth was pretty nice. And I think there's nothing wrong with being in the middle of the island either (there is that one big town in the middle on an inlet), although it's hard to pass on the coast.

Others will know better :)