Top image Photographer John Cole
What: Cowes Week
Where: Isle of Wight
When: 1st to 7th August 2026
Why:
With prospects of lengthy delays at airports, wildfires, and excessive temperatures, the Isle of Wight, surrounded by beaches, is more appealing than ever.
August 1 heralds the start of Cowes Week, the UK’s largest sailing Regatta, with lots of activities, a Red Funnel Aerial Display, and a spectacular fireworks display.
Between 1955 and 1996, Prince Philip and the Royal Britannia were regulars at Cowes Week. Commemorating the bicentenary, a pop-up exhibition ‘Sailing through Royal History’ has photographs and a video showcasing the interior of the yacht. At the Commodores House off Cowes High Street, the exhibition runs until 29 August.
Cowes itself is undoubtedly one of ‘the’ places to visit on the Island. Its main street, decorated with coloured flags, has an assortment of unique, individual shops. Check out Coast on a continuation of the high street for freshly cooked mussels, a local delicacy. Cowes is divided into two, linked by a chain bridge. The main shopping area is in West Cowes.
Osborne house
Near Cowes on its east side, Osborne House is the Italianate Summer home of Queen Victoria and her family, now an English Heritage property. The Royal Apartments provide an insight into how the family lived away from the pomp and ceremony, with a section devoted to her connection with India, of which she was Empress. The house is surrounded by acres of ground. A manicured garden near the property leads to the Swiss Cottage, her children’s play area. Not to be missed is the spectacular Rhododendron Walk, a burst of colour, in April or May. A pebbly beach which visitors enjoy, still has Queen Victoria’s bathing machine.
Adgestone Vineyard
Visitors are welcome at Adgestone, where courtesy of a self-guided audio tour, Poppy, my dog and I walked among the vineyards, discovering their history as well as that of English winemaking. The production process, bottling and labelling takes place in their cellars, an area where Poppy wasn’t permitted. However, the best part was sitting in their shaded courtyard where animals including cockatoos and chickens roam freely, enjoying a glass of their unique blue fizzy wine. A lovely place to come for lunch with live music between 1 and 3 pm. Inland at Brading up a steep hill, it is also a great place for enjoying vistas of the island looking out to the coast. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
Ventnor Botanic Gardens
Ventnor Botanic Gardens is promoted as Britain’s hottest gardens; they are spectacular, with over 30,000 rare and exotic plants. Given the present climate, here it’s possible to see how the Ventnor Method works. Used in the increasingly relevant face of climate change, their conservation techniques allow ecosystems to develop above and below ground, encouraging wildlife, saving water and improving plant survival rates.
Freshwater Bay is known as Tennyson country. Grade 1 listed, Farringford, home of Victorian Poet Laureate Alfred Lord Tennyson from 1865 until his death in 1892, is only open to the general public from April to October, Tuesday to Thursday. A recent restoration project restored the gardens to how they were during his lifetime and are open Tuesday to Saturday. Cottages, in the grounds, are available to rent, some dog-friendly. The area has an unspoilt coastline which has been designated an area of outstanding natural beauty.
The Needles, one of the seven natural wonders of the UK, are a row of three chalk stacks that tower out of the water and form the western tip of the island. The Needles lighthouse which is still operational is on the end of the furthermost chalk stack.
A somewhat scary chairlift from the Needles Landmark Attraction or a steep walk takes visitors to Alum Bay, known for its multicoloured cliffs. From there, it’s possible to take a boat to have a closer look at the Needles.
As an island, there is an abundance of choice of beaches varying from the pebbly to those with wide expanses of sand. In the West, known as part of the Jurassic Coast, at Compton Bay visitors can still see fossils and dinosaur footprints when the tide goes out. The island is very dog-friendly, and several even in the summer months, allow dogs. Some, often hidden away, have cafes that specialise in local seafood.
Bembridge is known for the Best Dressed Crab, a floating seafood café and shop, but tucked away, the Beach Hut, virtually on the beach, is a hidden gem.
Getting There
Wightlink have vehicle ferries from Portsmouth to Fishbourne and Lymington to Yarmouth taking 40 – 45 minutes. Passenger ferries from Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde take 22 minutes. All have dedicated pet areas.