Things to do on the Isle of Wight

Wrap up warm and take a stroll along one of the Island’s many beaches, breathing in the fresh and salty sea air – proven to help reduce stress, boost your mood, clear your airways and improve sleep. Encased in 57 miles of unspoiled coastline, the Isle of Wight is THE place to spend time by the sea. During January, there are no restrictions as to which beach you can take your dog and it’s a wonderful time of year to crunch across the sands in wellies, skimming stones, sipping hot chocolate and watching the white horses dancing on the waves. For sandy beaches with far-reaching wet sands, we recommend Sandown Bay, Shanklin Beach and Appley Beach. For fossil hunting head for Compton Bay, Yaverland, and Brook, or to collect sea glass try Fort Victoria or Cowes Beach.

January is a great time to visit the Island with your four-legged friend, with access to over 24 beaches for digging, swimming and playing, cooler temperatures for exploring over 500 miles of footpaths and less people out and about to contend with. The majority of the Isle of Wight’s many welcoming pubs and cafes are dog friendly, welcoming muddy boots and paws inside to warm up by the fire after a day of adventuring. From rolling countryside and miles of sandy beach, to ancient woodland and marshland, there is so much to explore for you and your dog on a trip you’ll never forget. Travelling to the Island, dog owners can make use of a dedicated pet lounge aboard the Red Funnel vehicle ferry, offering comfortable seating, a quiet lounge area and water bowls for your dog, as well as access to the outside deck so your pooch can stretch their legs and feel the wind in their ears.  

Maybe you’d prefer to curl up with a book in a cosy corner, listening to the weather outside and the crackle of a log burner. With an abundance of charming cottages nestled in the countryside or with spectacular views of the sea, the Island is an idyllic retreat for anyone looking for peace and relaxation. January is the perfect time to make time for you after a busy festive period leaving your social battery drained. From converted barns and coastguards’ cottages, to traditional farmhouses and houseboats on the water, there is a plethora of accommodation on offer to suit your requirements and budget, whether coming along or as a group. Book your accommodation direct with Red Funnel, and you’ll get 25% off your ferry travel too! 

From historic homes to animal sanctuaries, there’s plenty to do and see on the Isle of Wight in January. The beloved summer retreat of Queen Victoria and family, Osborne is a must-visit while discovering the Isle. Open year round, this stunning Italianate palace is full to the brim with original artwork and artefacts, laid out just as it was back then. Wander the long corridors of the grand Victorian house, explore acres of lovingly tended grounds and discover the Queen’s very own private beach. The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary is a great day out whatever your age, with dogs welcome too. Meet the sanctuary’s big-eared residents, learn more about donkeys and their specialist care, and enjoy a bite to eat at the café. The Donkey Sanctuary is free to visit, but please make a donation if you can. 

Get tropical in January at the Ventnor Botanic Gardens. Situated with an “undercliff”, the gardens and Ventnor enjoy their very own microclimate which means it hardly ever frosts, and the temperature remains a couple of degrees warmer than everywhere else. Tropical and Mediterranean flora and fauna grow and survive in the gardens year-round, and it’s well worth a trip to find out more about the microclimate and the fascinating history of the gardens. It was once the site of a hospital, where tuberculosis patients were sent for the healing properties of the warmer climes and fresh sea air, away from the smog of the mainland cities.