AUTUMN ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT

Lace up your walking boots and pull on those chunky knits ready to discover some of the best breathtaking beaches, unspoiled countryside and unique landmarks the south-coast has to offer. Take advantage of our pet-friendly ferries and bring your four-legged friend along for a paw-some adventures, heading out on muddy walks and beach strolls together as the white horses gallop atop the waves. Join in with the Island’s own Autumn Walking Festival and take your pick from over 95 guided walks and tours, each led by experts on local history, geography and wildlife. With routes ranging in difficulty and incline, you’ll find something for all ages and abilities. As part of the Walking Festival you’ll meet likeminded people, reconnect with nature and it’s a great way to learn more about the Isle of Wight’s landscape and heritage. The Island is also a superb spot for taking in the ethereal beauty of the cosmos, with significantly lower levels of light pollution than the rest of the UK. Crisp, clear autumnal nights are ideal for observing the annual Orionid meteor shower, taking place between 2 October and 7 November - with an average of 40 meteors an hour at its peak on 21 & 22 October!

Boasting rich soils and more sunlight per day than anywhere else in the UK, the Isle of Wight serves up a fine range of local produce – available to buy from farm shops or to sample at an abundance of welcoming eateries. Whether you opt for a full-on foodie tour of the Island, or are looking for a memorable meal out for a special occasion, you’ll be spoilt for choice with pubs, restaurants, and farm shops galore. Think fresh seafood pulled from Island waters, mouthwatering Sunday roasts using locally-reared meats, or brilliant bakeries offering artisan bread and sweet treats. The Island is also home to several small batch distilleries and craft breweries, perfect for those who enjoy a tipple and are always on the lookout for a new favourite. Discover the perfect picnic ingredients to feast on from the warmth of your cosy accommodation, and what better setting than an idyllic cottage?

The Island’s busy event calendar extends right into the autumn, with some fabulous events on offer to suit a range of ages and tastes. Sample Island flavours at food festival The Great Wight Bite, held at Northwood House in Cowes each September. The annual Isle of Wight Literary Festival then takes over Cowes in October, bringing fresh and familiar faces speaking about their new or proudest works, spanning genres such as crime, cookery and current affairs amongst many others. Film, TV and game fanatics will love Fan TC Con, the Isle of Wight’s answer to Comic Con, featuring star appearances, a Doctor Who zone, a cosplay competition and lots more! Featured in Channel 5’s Isle of Wight: Jewel of the South, the Isle of Wight Bus & Coach Museum will be offering a unique way to see the Island – via a network of beautifully maintained vintage buses at their Wightrider weekend event, perfect for families and transport aficionados.  

For some frighteningly good fun over October half-term, check out the family-friendly Fiesta of the Dead at Blackgang Chine – the Island’s most extensive Halloween event with Mexican-inspired food and entertainment. Alternatively, pick the perfect pumpkin at Tapnell Farm’s Pumpkin Festival before soaking up the party atmosphere with live music and an illuminated trail, or head to Arreton Barns for their Pumpkin Halloween Hunt, with whimsical shops and crafts also onsite. If that's not enough, you'll find a Halloween adventure trail and escape room at Wildheart Animal Sanctuary.

Discover the UK’s most haunted Island and embark of a ghoulish adventure of your own! Centuries of civilisation have led to the Isle of Wight being shrouded in myths and legends, with a wealth of historic homes and famous former residents. Allegedly one of the most haunted spots in the whole of the UK, the Island has been the subject of non-fiction titles such as the Ghost Island series by internationally acclaimed paranormal author and investigator Gay Baldwin. If you’d prefer to have a ghosty guide, check out W.I.S.H. Paranormal Encounters for their latest events, or try the Isle of Wight Ghost Experience, voted Bronze for Best Small Attraction in the 2023 Red Funnel Isle of Wight Awards, with walks at intriguing venues such as Ventnor Botanical Gardens. If you’re more about Samhain than Halloween, you’ll find shops such as Dragonfly in Newport, Reflections in Yarmouth, and The Holistic Emporium in Sandown selling all manner of crafts, crystals and curiosities.

Make the most of the late summer sun and escape to the Island, when the kids are back to school and the crowds a little lighter.  Early autumn is a great time to book a Camping & Touring break, with prices starting at just £152 in September and £124 in October. Prices include return ferry travel, a choice of four picturesque parks, plus your pitch and electric hook up as part of the package. Bring up to four people and two dogs with your car and tent, campervan, motorhome, or car with towed caravan/trailer tent for a great-value late season break, and discover the Island at this beautiful time of year. 

Autumn is also a great time for dog owners to visit the Island, with restrictions on beaches lifted on 30th September, meaning your pooch can run, play, and dig in the sand until their heart is content. The majority of places to stay and eat across the Island are dog friendly, with many attractions permitting dogs too, meaning no member of the family has to miss out. 

As the nights draw in and the temperature cools, the Isle of Wight remains an idyllic location to visit in autumn, with so much to choose from to fill your day, and plenty of cosy boltholes to return to – from hotels to holiday parks, cottages to campsites, unique retreats and so much more. Plus, you can save 25% on your ferry travel when you book your accommodation through us!