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Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Do I need a passport?

We are part of the United Kingdom therefore a passport is not required for travelling over to the Isle of Wight.

Q2. How many visitors does the Isle of Wight receive each year?

2.6 million a year.

Q3. What is the population of the Island?

Approx 132,000 resident population.

Q4. How big is the Isle of Wight?

Approximately - 23 miles x 13 miles, 37 kilometres x 21 kilometres.

Q5. Can I fly to the Isle of Wight?

Yes you can with a private plane, the Isle of Wight has two small airfields, Bembridge and Sandown.
Bembridge 01983 873331
Sandown 01983 408374

Q6. Do I need foreign currency?

We use Pounds Sterling, some establishments also accept Euros.

Q7. Does the Isle of Wight have a Hospital or medical centres?

Yes, St Mary's Hospital is located in Newport (the centre of the Island). There are medical centres serving all main towns and surrounding areas.

Q8. What side of the road do I drive on?

Left

Q9. Do you have a Wheelchair hire service?

Yes we do, Island Mobility Dodnor Lane, Newport. Tel: 01983 530000

Coastal Mobility South 3 Carter Road, Shanklin. Tel: 01983 866431

British Red Cross Hunnycross Way, Newport. Tel: 01983 522718

Q10. Where can I obtain a Radar key (Royal Society for Disability and Rehabilitation) on the Isle of Wight?

Radar Keys are on sale at any of the six Tourist Information Centres, price approx £2.50. There is 64 toilet facilities with easy access throughout the Island, a list of the areas can be obtained at any Tourist Information Centre.

Q11. What can I do?

The Isle of Wight has over 80 attractions and activities with plenty to do come rain or shine! To find out what you can do, pick up a free copy of the Official Pocket Guide, which contains places to visit, town guides, eating out and travel. This publication is available to pick up at any ferry terminal, ferries, supermarkets and any of the six Tourist Information Centres.

Q12. Can I bring my pet?

Yes, during the summer, dogs are not permitted on certain areas of the main resort beaches most frequented by the public. Call IW Tourism for a Dogs on Beaches leaflet on 01983 813818 or pick up a copy from our Tourist Information Centres.

Q13. Where are the Cinemas?

Cineworld, Newport 01983 550800
Commodore, Ryde 01983 565609
Medina Theatre, Newport 01983 527020

Q14. What Theatres do you have?

Apollo, Newport - 01983 527267
Medina Theatre - 01983 527020
Anthony Minghella Theatre, Quay Arts Centre, Newport - 01983 528825
Ryde Theatre - 01983 568099
Shanklin Theatre - 01983 868000
Trinity Theatre, Cowes - 01983 295229
Winter Gardens, Ventnor - 01983 855215

Q15. Do you have any nightclubs on the Isle of Wight?

The Isle of Wight hosts many celebrity's including DJ's appearing at a selection of the nightclubs below, see local press for details.

Chicago Rock, Newport - 01983 537111
Colonel Bogey's, Sandown - 01983 405320
Club K, Newport - 01983 821474
The Balcony, Ryde - 01983 617070
Temptation, Newport - 01983 525235
Holliers, Shanklin - 01983 862764

Q16. What is the name of your local newspaper?

The Isle of Wight County Press which is issued every Friday contact 01983 521333.

Q17. Do you have any Supermarkets on the Isle of Wight and are any open 24-hours a day?

Most major supermarkets have stores on the Isle of Wight, listed below are supermarkets that are open 24hr.
Tesco, Ryde (Mon-Fri inc.)
David's Select & Save, Cowes, (Night Hatch Service)
Sainsbury's Garage, Newport.

Q18. Do you have car/coach parking permits for holiday use?

Yes we do, car tickets can be issued for 2,3,4,7 & 14 days, coach/HGV tickets can be issued for 4 & 7 days. Tickets can be obtained through any of the Tourist Information Centres.

Q19. What is the highest point on the Isle of Wight?

The highest point is St. Boniface Down, at 233 meters, or 764 feet above sea level.

Q20. Where does the name Isle of Wight come from?

The correct spelling is 'Wight' rather than 'Isle of White'. There are several varied explanations as to where the name Isle of Wight originated from, and the two most likely are listed below:

1. Around 1900 BC the Beaker people arrived - so called from their distinctive pottery.

They called the Island "Wiht" (Weight) meaning raised or what rises over the sea. Then the Romans arrived in 43AD and translated "Wiht" into the name Vectis from the Latin veho meaning "lifting". Also a derivative of the Welsh word "Gwaith", also meaning lever.

The name of the island = Wight, together with its Latin form Vectis, it is supposed to be a representative of the British word gywth = a channel, its original name being
"ynys-wyth" the "channel island".
(From Murreys, a handbook for travelers in the Isle of Wight.1898)

2. 400BC - Iron Age Celts from the Continent gave Wight its name, meaning 'place of the division, because it is between the two arms of the Solent. It is one of the Island's few surviving Celtic names.

43AD - The Romans called the Island Vectis and, although they stayed for the next 300 years, no Roman place names survive.

500-1000AD - The Saxons coined most of the Island's place names. The Jutes were the first Germanic tribe to settle, but were conquered by the West Saxons of Wessex in 686. The Anglo-Saxons brought the language of Old English to these shores, replacing the Celtic British of the region (which later grew into Cornish and Welsh).

1066AD - Apart from a few Frencifications (for example the farm at Moor became Lamore), the Domesday Book shows the Normans didn't change many place names.

12th-15th centuries - As new settlements and farmsteads appeared, so did new names. Many topographical features were also given names in this period, like the Needles.

Post-medieval/Modern period - Islanders began naming places, farms, buildings and suburbs after themselves, like Pelhamfield and Rowlands.

If your questions have not been answered or if you need any further assistance please email info@islandbreaks.co.uk