Staycation
Isle of Skye
Island escapes in the UK Islands are synonymous with holidays. But did you know that you could get your dream island escape without even needing to leave the UK? It’s time to discover some of our home country’s most beautiful islands. It may surprise you to hear that the UK is home to not hundreds but thousands of islands, big and small. From Scotland’s archipelago of rugged isles to a scattering of sun-soaked islands off the south coast, these hidden gems could be exactly what you need for your next escape. True, you can’t expect guaranteed sunshine and swaying palms. But what you can expect is outstanding scenery, charming seaside towns, beautiful beaches and rare wildlife – all much closer to home. To get you in the holiday mood, here are three island escapes you won’t need your passport for. Isle of Wight The largest island in the UK, the Isle of Wight is one of our country’s most popular holiday destinations – and for good reason. Easily accessible by ferry from Southampton, Lymington and Portsmouth, a mere
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two-hour journey from London, there’s no better place for a British bucket-and-spade break. It may be our biggest island, but at just over 22 miles wide, it’s still small enough to explore in a few days. Start in the west with a walk to the iconic Needles, three stacks of chalk and a lighthouse rising impressively out of the ocean. Soak up the views across Tennyson Down before hopping on an open-top bus to Alum Bay, where you can jump on a speedboat to see the Needles up close. Then there’s the magnificent Osbourne House in the north, Queen Victoria’s family home, and arguably the best beaches – Ventnor and Shanklin – in the south. With zoos, dinosaur trails, museums and adventure parks dotted across the island, there’s loads for families too. You could even time your visit around the annual Isle of Wight festival or Cowes Week, one of the UK’s biggest and longest running regattas. Isle of Skye Scotland has no shortage of beautiful islands, but most visitors will agree on which is the most breathtaking: Skye, of course! Spanning 50 miles
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