Tour to the Isle of Wight and New Forest

Tour 4 – The Isle of Wight and the New Forest

This trip is something special and connects two regions, each of which is worth its own little trip: The “holiday island” Isle of Wight and the beautiful New Forest with its varied characteristics of forest, heathland and grassland and its wild horses.

For this trip you should calculate at least 7 days. 12 days would be better so that you can spend a whole week in one of the wonderful cosy self-catering cottages on the Isle of Wight.

Overview

Key Facts of Tour 4 - The Isle of Wight and the New Forest

Trip duration:

You should plan for 8-10 days for this trip, although a week’s summer holiday on the Isle of Wight is always worthwhile. Since most cottages are only rented by the week, this trip duration is almost automatic.

Destinations to be visited here:

These are primarily Hampshire and the Isle of Wight

Does one arrive at the coast with the particularly nice places?

The Isle of Wight is an island and therefore surrounded by coastline. However, it doesn’t have the same charming fishing villages as Cornwall, but it’s definitely worth a visit!

Is it possible to move around on this tour, e.g., hike?

The Isle of Wight is a hiker’s paradise, and so is the New Forest. Whether short strolls or extended hikes through the hills and along the coast – it’s perfect for active people. And of course, cycling is great too!.

Is this tour suitable for beginners traveling to England for the first time?

We believe not, it’s more of an advanced tour for those who have already seen quite a bit of England and now want to delve deeper.

Do I need a car for this trip?

The Isle of Wight is relatively easy to visit even without a car. Take the train from London to Portsmouth and then continue by ferry to the Isle of Wight. There, you’ll find the Island Line railway and fairly good bus connections. The New Forest, on the other hand, is difficult to explore without a car.

I come from a country where they drive on the right. Is it difficult to drive on the left?

No – the British would say. But seriously, driving on the left does take a little getting used to if you’re visiting from abroad. The good news is that, after leaving the airport, you’ll usually join a motorway almost immediately. Since the carriageways are physically separated, there’s virtually no chance of ending up on the wrong side of the road. That gives you plenty of time to settle in and realise that driving on the left isn’t actually difficult—it’s just unfamiliar. The first roundabout can feel a little daunting, and so can your first turn at a junction in a town or village. But after just a few days, it all starts to feel completely natural.
A practical tip: When booking your rental car, choose an automatic if you can. It saves you from having to get used to changing gears with your left hand, making the whole experience much more relaxed.