Excellent campsite - really enjoyed our stay
We arrived with automatic check in which was super. The site is big and well spaced out. The reception and toilet block is pretty central. We were on hard standing and didn't find the 4 minute walk to the shower block a chore at all. There is a great information point at reception and laundry and washing up opposite the shower block. At no point did we have to queue for a loo or a shower and the closing time for cleaning didn't seem to be bothering anybody at the time of our visit, but the site was not full. The showers are hot and water pressure good. We took advantage of booking the ferry through the club site and sailed from Lymington into Yarmouth which is pleasant and forty minutes. About a 35-40 minute to the camp site which is pretty central for most things. The site is well kept, lots of mature hedges and trees but not too shady, plenty of sunshine and lots of space. Pitches were a good size - parking is between two white posts and plenty of room for awning and sitting etc. Wifi isn't great - it's free but buffering any type of TV via Ipad is not particularly great. The area is supposed to have 4G but again we didn't find this that reliable. The site is close to the Red Squirrel Trail which is super for biking and walking. You can head up to Newport (and as far as Cowes) or down to Sandown and along the coast and loop back round - the whole trail is about 32 miles in total and really good for access for all, there was a bit of a muddy section outside of Newport which they should address. Loads of footpaths branch off this trail. The round the island cycling route is great - there are two types of signs, one for clockwise and the other for anticlockwise. Be prepared to slow your pace of life - the Island is very popular with cyclists who are the natural speed control and the roads are small. There are lots of lovely things to see - Tennyson Down and that area is stunning - you can walk from Freshwater to Yarmouth and all round the coast to come back to Freshwater. Lots of lovely beaches and coast paths, plenty for the kids to do but be prepared to pay - donkey sanctuary is free. Car parking is fairly expensive - take cash if you can, there has been some card cloning incidents. Only Waitrose is at East Cowes but plenty of other supermarkets. We ate at the Dairyman's Daughter which also has artisan crafts there - book your table otherwise you won't get in, pub grub and it was good value for money. Newport is sort of the capital and where you will find the main shops and a nice atmospheric High Street. There are tired places on the Island as with everywhere but there are also lots of lovely places too - Seaview is very quaint and Yarmouth very nice. Carisbrook Castle and Osbourne House (English Heritage) are good. Quarr Abbey free - donation if you wish. We had a super time on our bikes and walking. Would recommend this site as a good base for visiting the Island and thank you to the wardens who are lovely.
