The Isle of Wight is a large island and county located just off the southern coast of England, close to the mainland cities of Southampton and Portsmouth. This is an excellent place for an old-fashioned seaside holiday and has a number of beaches and towns that were very popular with the Victorians. Cowes is a famous yachting centre.
There are a number of interesting places to visit. Alum Bay is famous for the many different colours of sand which appear naturally on the beach. A traditional souvenir of the Isle of Wight is a picture or glass paperweight filled with the different colours - there are many stalls where you can make your own if you are so inclined.
Another attration, Blackgang Chine, was formerly a dramatic gorge through which one could walk to the sea. Following a catastrophic collapse, the Chine ceased to exist some decades ago, but the bizarre entertainment park there, with its animated figures, is still worth a visit. Shanklin Chine, a smaller gorge, can still be visited.
Carisbrooke Castle - located in the centre of the island, is also well worth a visit. Charles I was held prisoner here. The castle appears in the popular children's story 'Moonfleet', and the well which appears in the story, with a treadmill driven by a donkey (not worked very hard these days) is a popular tourist feature.