Charming island with 'more sunshine than Italy' is ideal for a budget-friendly staycation

Even though many people head abroad for their holidays, there’s something special about discovering more of your own country.

Instead of always looking at places in the Mediterranean and beyond, you might be missing out on a lovely little UK island called the Isle of Wight.

The Isle of Wight sits just off the south coast of England, around two miles from Portsmouth. You can get there by ferry or even by hovercraft, which makes it great for a staycation.

Photo © Tim Addison (cc-by-sa/2.0)

This diamond-shaped island is famous for its lovely beaches. Ryde, Sandown and Shanklin are the most popular seaside spots, known for their golden sands and classic British charm.

It’s a budget-friendly holiday choice and some people even compare it to the Caribbean because of its clear blue waters, peaceful bays and amazing cliffs.

If you’re after something a bit more hidden, there’s a quiet beach on the island called Rocken End.

Photo © Hugh Venables (cc-by-sa/2.0)

You can only reach this beach by walking along a narrow, twisty path, but the views are amazing once you get there. With no shops or cafés, it’s the perfect place for people who love exploring.

Last year, the Isle of Wight was named the sunniest place in the UK. In fact, it even had more sunshine than Italy during the winter.

But it’s in summer when the island really shines. The sea is beautiful, the cliffs are stunning, and it feels like a little slice of paradise.

The island also hosts the popular Isle of Wight Festival every year. This year, big stars like Justin Timberlake, Stereophonics and Sting performed there.

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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Users will also have acess to over 9,000 parking spots across the UK as well as over 1,600 staycations in the UK.