IOW Ferry Bookings

Southlands is a lovely site but agree walking from it to either the Pointer Inn or getting to the bus stops is rather hazardous....

We even walked up to the Garlic Farm, had a lovely lunch, however on our return a water mains was being repaired & we had to wade through the muddy waters flowing down the road..... fortunately we didn't have the added risk of cars as the road had been closed....

We then realized why we couldn't get a cab back instead of walking with our purchases

The location of Southlands is a bit difficult if you don't have a car. Although the regular bus stop is only about half a mile away it is down a fairly narrow and at times busy road with no footpaths. The IOW has a pretty good bus service island wide. We have used Waverley Park at East Cowes which is a good site but it's a long uphill slog to the site, especially if you have been shopping. I have heard, although no personal experience, that there is a site in Lake which has easier access to buses, might need to explore that option if we get back there.

David

Haven't been to the Isle of Wight since my early teens.  Often thought it would be goid to go...  I did hear that the ferries were very expensive, but I haven't checked...

David

The Orchards has a bus stop right outside the site, that is why we chose to stay there although many years ago when it was an affiliated site we also used it. As DK says the bus service is excellent and if you have a bus pass, it is and excellent and free way to get around the island. Nowhere is more than an hour's ride away.

peedee

In 2021 the Lymington to Yarmouth crossing cost £155 return via the Club which I thought a bit expensive, previous trips via Southampton/East Cowes have been cheaper. Sometimes caravans get better deals than motorhomes as often the caravan goes free so you are only paying for the car. 

David

Those prices are unlikely to tempt us back. We went years ago with the kids and a tent and then for a day trip with car from Black Knowl in 2019, just to visit Osborne and Carisbrooke. We utilised Tesco vouchers, it cost £25 worth on a 3 for 1 offer, which is still available with Whitelink. I think you can use them on any sort of crossing.

You can get a channel crossing for not a lot more and then Europe is your huítre.

In 2020 we cancelled France and visited the IOW. I could not figure out how to get the ferry and site combo through the club then somehow mastered it. At the time the deal was only applicable to certain number of days for the stay, which did not match up with what we wanted.

I contacted the site directly and they had far more flexibility in the crossings. I booked through them for what turned out to be a very good price. Details here if it helps :-

https://www.whitefieldforest.co.uk/offers/

Brading Road, Ryde, Isle of Wight, PO33 1QJ 01983 617069 [Pat] pat&louise@whitefieldforest.co.uk

£145 site for 7 nights, 2 adults, car and van, electric sand  hardstanding + £125 ferry

Sept 1st - Southampton - East Cowes 11:00 - 12:00

Sept 8th - East Cowes - Southampton 12:30 - 13:30

Colin

Colin

That's seems a site worth considering as its even nearer to the buses than  Southlands.

David