Charming island known as the 'English Mediterranean' is the sunniest spot in the UK
- UK Hidden Gems
- Aug 4
- 2 min read
It’s not every day that a UK location gets praised for its weather or compared to sunny parts of Europe.
But the Isle of Wight has topped the sunshine charts and is often called the UK’s sunniest place. Some even call it the "English Mediterranean."
More than 2.4 million people visit the Isle of Wight every year. You can get there easily with over 75 ferry trips each day from Southampton, Portsmouth and Lymington. The island sits in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and has amazing views.
Last year, it was named the sunniest spot in the UK, getting more winter sunshine than even Italy. But it’s in the summer that the island truly shines, with clear blue waters, rocky beaches and towering cliffs.
There’s more to enjoy than just nature. The island also hosts Ventnor Fringe, a popular summer arts festival packed with circus acts, comedy, theatre and music. It’s also a great excuse to explore the beautiful coastline nearby.
The festival runs for 10 days and features over 150 shows. It gives visitors a mini version of the famous Edinburgh Fringe, attracting performers who want a smaller, friendlier stage before heading to Scotland.
One special part of the event is the Circus Trail, held at Ventnor’s Botanic Garden. This fun outdoor show features international circus performers doing incredible tricks among the tropical plants after hours.
One of the biggest reasons people love the Isle of Wight is the beaches. Ryde, Sandown and Shanklin are the most popular, known for their soft golden sand and classic British seaside feel.
The island also hosts the famous Isle of Wight Festival every year. This year’s big acts included Justin Timberlake, Stereophonics and Sting.
Remember - LeaveNoTrace!
As with anywhere outdoors, kindly keep these areas pristine and wild by taking all trash with you. The amount of complaints we have seen since the pandemic is crazy. It's really not that hard to take your rubbish with you!
Litter tends to spread, so if you see any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the hidden gem, it will help keep the area tidy.
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