we've got 4 days to spend between ending our trip to London and flying home. Has any body got info about the isle of wight in jan? is anything open? what's the sea and weather like? (also interested in other suggestions we can rent a car if necessary).
i really appreciate previous answers to my questions. you help really help me to plan ahead and avoid the time wasters. Thanks
Within the context of UK weather, the Isle of Wight will be one of the better climates in January, being both one of the most southerly regions and of course the warming influence of the sea. Precise waether though is a lottery you could be blessed with clear blue skies and a frost or it could be miserable, damp and rainy.
The Isle of Wight really is a summer destination, the joke is on the mainland its in a time warp of the 1950's. Very little will be open in terms of entertainment and public transport will be 'winter timetable' much reduced.
I can't really think it being the optimum choice unless you are a walking enthusiast for which the island is outstanding and you come kitted out accordingly for whatever weather is thrown at you.
Apart from the chance of bad weather remember that it gets dark early so trips in the countryside are necessarily curtailed. My general rule of thumb is that winter is the time for visits to cities/towns.
Either stay in London and do day trips to places like Oxford, Cambridge, Canterbury or York. For York you would have to book ahead to get the best train fares.
http://www.nationalexpress.com/trainslanding.aspx
Or perhaps better, stay overnight in York. If the weather is good you could rent a car in York and visit some superb coast and/or countryside.
http://www.visityork.org/seeanddo/
Same goes for somewhere like Canterbury, nearer to London, plenty of countryside and old country houses/castles around there.
I live just across the water from the Isle of Wight. The weather in this area is some of the best in the UK, but as has already been mentioned, that's only within the context of UK weather!
It's an interesting place (depending on what interests you, of course), but definitely in a bit of a time warp.
I'm not sure of the weather, but I spent six days on the IOW in July and absolutely want to go back. You will not need a car as the bus system is fantastic. I covered every bit of the island jumping on and off those big green buses. I only paid 25 for a week pass! You may want to look for a place around Newport since it is centrally located.
James
I wouldnt bother with the Isle of White, its a bit godforsaken, especially in January when the days are very short. There are much nicer places to visit in my opinion.
You might enjoy Poole and the area around Sandbanks, with lovley harbours and plenty of walking.Bath is interesting and a bit more to look at during the wintertime. Weymouth, Dorchester and Bournemouth are also interesting towns and within easy reach of London with a rental car. BTW The area does get better weather than a lot of the UK, so anywhere in that region would be warmer (and possibly drier)
