Discover the Isle of Wight

summers at grand Osborne House in East Cowes and modern visitors can take a tour around its opulent interior and grounds to understand why.

On the west side of the island is the historic port town of Yarmouth, quieter than elsewhere but with a listed pier, a planetarium, a ‘reptilarium’ and a refreshing variety of pubs, shops and eateries. It sits on an estuary which flows down to Freshwater, where Victorian poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson, made his home.

While Newport is the island ‘capital’, Ryde is the largest settlement, with a long, sandy beach and esplanade, cafes, restaurants, bars and clubs. If you want nightlife, you’ll find it here.

Sandown also holds many attractions, including Dinosaur Isle devoted to the giants of the past and Wildheart Animal Sanctuary –formerly Isle of Wight Zoo - with a big focus on rescue animals including ageing lions and tigers. Sandown also houses the National Poo Museum, not to be sniffed at.

Tranquil surroundings, dark skies and plenty of space are just a few of the numerous delights to be enjoyed while glamping with eco-friendly Into the Woods Cumbria. Based in the beautiful Eden Valley – significantly quieter than the nearby Lake District in tourist season – this wonderfully rustic setting has a quirky but luxurious family-friendly tree house complete with its very own football pitch. It also has a separate glampsite with cabins, camping pitches and social space available to hire as a whole for exuberant festivals, parties, weddings and celebrations including hen and stag parties.

Into the Woods is intended as a rustic, close-to-nature off-grid experience for people who want to chillax in idyllic countryside. Guests sometimes cycle into the Pennines or wander down to the River Eden. ‘Must sees’ nearby include Lacy’s Caves, which were carved out of the sandstone cliffs in the 18th century, and Long Meg, an impressive stone circle named for a witch who was reputedly turned to stone for breaking the Sabbath. The tree house, Silva, was craftsmanmade by Grant Rowley, who runs the site with his wife, Lucy and their four children. It overlooks the Blencathra mountain and comes with a hot tub, wood burner, underfloor heating, hammocks … and a ping-pong table. Unusually, it sleeps up to six people in two king-sized beds and one double. Hares, owls, deer and many other wild creatures stop by to enjoy the

Hidden Gem

woodland, wildflower meadow, ponds and hedgerows.

Into the Woods glampsite has three cosy off-grid cabins for two, with shared shower and toilet facilities and cooking space, plus space for 20 tents and campervans. At the heart is The Man Shack, with a bar, stage, DJ booth and outdoor kitchen complete with large pizza oven & BBQ.

Lucy says: “We can accommodate events, festivals and weddings with up to 120 people.”

Into the Woods Cumbria, Maughanby Farm, Little Salkeld, Penrith, Cumbria CA10 1NP

T 07900 213352

E enquiries@intothewoodscumbria.co.uk www.intothewoodscumbria.co.uk