One of countless spectacular views on the Isle of Wight (Picture: Sophie-May Williams) You don’t associate azure waters, golden sands, and subtropical microclimates with the UK. Nor do you think of tuning into French radio or spotting dolphins frolicking off the coast. But for the 140,000 residents on the Isle of Wight, a unique diamond-shaped island 12 miles off the coast of Portsmouth, this is reality. It’s also the tiny patch of paradise I’ve called home for the last four years. In 2024, the island was named the sunniest place in the UK, receiving more sun than Italy during winter. But it’s summer when this 147sqm stretch of land comes to life. Alongside rugged coastal paths, chalky cliff tops and shimmering bays, there’s also a thriving creative community dedicated to putting this special place on the map. And, as thousands descend on the Isle of Wight in May to take part in Metro’s Lifeline Challenge, a charity hike around the island, there’s never been a better time to explore this spectacular landscape. A beach lover’s paradise The Isle of Wight is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a protected National Landscape, and there’s a strong focus on respecting the environment. Being an island, the beaches are the main selling point. Trust me when I say, many rival the Caribbean. Priory Bay in the northeast of the island is one of them. Located in the aptly named ‘Seaview,’ you can’t reach the beach by car. Rather, you walk along Seagrove Bay (a perfect spot for paddle boarding or kayaking in summer), climb some rickety wooden steps, and pass through a small area of forest. The Isle of Wight is now my adopted home (Picture: Sophie-May Williams) When the trees part, a horseshoe-shaped bay emerges: white, dusty sands and crystal clear waters are protected by lush, tropical-looking trees. Small boats bob up and down along the coast, and in summer, the smoky scent of barbecue wafts on the breeze. I remember seeing this view for the first time and thinking it looked exactly like the beach from Cast Away, just with more people. While the tranquil ocean at Priory Bay is an ideal place for kayaking, adrenaline junkies should head to Comptom Bay. Towering sandstone cliffs dominate this stretch of coast, and consistent waves make it one of the best spots for surfing. Fossil-hunting is common here, as the rocks on the beach date back 126 million years. Freshwater Bay on the west of the island offers more paradise views (Picture: Sophie-May Williams) If you’re looking for a ‘hidden gem,’ head to Rocken End. This remote beach near the southern tip of the island is only accessible by a steep, winding path. Considered to be an insider Isle of Wight secret, the beach has no amenities and is an adventurer’s dream. Keen to avoid crowds? Rocken End never gets busy, meaning you can often enjoy this wild landscape in solitude. Rocken End Beach is a ‘hidden gem’ on the island (Picture: Sophie-May Williams) The Isle of Wight is an outdoor lover’s paradise (Picture: Sophie-May Williams) A word of warning: Rocken End is a nudist beach, so if you’re not into seeing people sunbathe sans clothes, maybe avoid this one. However, I’ve never actually seen anyone chilling in their birthday suit. Yet. Ironically, just down the road from here is Blackgang Chine, the UK’s oldest theme park. A family-friendly attraction, with rides and Disney-esque castles to boot, standard entry fees are £18.95. Those under one metre go free. An island within an island Venture to the southeast coast and you’ll come across Ventnor, a unique seaside town with its own quirky personality. Visually, Ventnor Bay and its pastel-coloured buildings have been compared to European hotspots across France and Italy. @beefstuey 📍Ventnor, Isle of Wight #ventnor #isleofwight #england #uk #travel #traveltiktok #adventures #reel #vid #iow #daysoutuk #dailylife #traveltiktok #traveltok #adventuretime #islandlife #island #isle #southcoast #southernengland #life #parklife #coastalliving #beach #nature #urban #smalltown #smalltownliving #chilledvibes #travelling #destinations #coolplaces #placestogo #stufftodo #whereyoulive #places #placestiktok #destinationsuk #bestofbritain #gb #uk #smalltownsuk #microclimate #may #sunny #sunday #sundayfunday #loveit #insta ♬ Home – Good Neighbours Coincidentally, it’s here you can pick up French radio and experience the famed microclimate responsible for the growth of Mediterranean plants. For proof of this, head to the Botanic Gardens. Spread across 22 acres, the green space boasts 6000 species of rare and exotic plants and trees, while temperatures average around five degrees warmer than the rest of the UK. Ventnor Botanic Garden is open all year round, and adult tickets cost £11.50. As many countries struggle with the effects of overtourism, the place dubbed as the ‘English Mediterranean’ could be the destination ‘dupe’ you’ve been looking for. You’d be forgiven for thinking you were abroad (Picture: Sophie-May Williams) Up in the town, thrift your days away in one of the many vintage or antique stores. For music lovers, no trip to Ventnor is complete without a visit to Ventnor Exchange, a cosy bar and record store. (Make sure you try the famous cherry beer.) As one of the Island’s leading arts organisations, the venue hosts regular gigs and creative workshops. They’re also the team behind the award-winning Ventnor Fringe Festival, an annual event that showcases emerging and established talent from the Island and beyond. A creative community This year, Ventnor Fringe Festival will run from July 18 to 27. Pick up tickets from the Ventnor Exchange Box Office – they’re sold separately for each event and range in price. If you’re on a budget, there’s a wide range of free areas and performances to check out. The Isle of Wight Festival is also a major event on the Island. In the past, iconic artists like The Strokes, Fleetwood Mac, The Rolling Stones, and David Bowie have taken to the main stage. 2025’s headliners are Sting, Stereophonics and Justin Timberlake. 2024 Mercury prize-winners English Teacher are also performing. A weekend ticket costs £289.95. Down on the beach, it’s more of a relaxing affair. After spending hours soaking up the sun, occasionally rising for a dip in the turquoise waters, grab some lunch from the traditional seafront cafe, Golden Sands. A personal favourite, the cafe was a finalist for ‘Customer Service of the Year’ at the 2025 Isle of Wight Radio Business Awards. Beware: the fish and chips here are not for the faint-hearted. Priced at a reasonable £12.85, the owner, Kyle, dishes out the biggest portions known to man. The cod is light and fluffy, the batter is perfectly crisped, and the chips are the definition of chef’s kiss. Steephill Cove is a secluded area only accessible on foot (Picture: Sophie-May Williams) How to get to the Isle of Wight You can only reach the Isle of Wight by ferry, and there are three routes. For foot passengers: From Portsmouth Harbour, take the Wightlink fast cat to Ryde Pier Head. One-way tickets cost £21.60 and take 20 minutes. You can also take the Hovertravel to Ryde from Southsea. The journey time is 10 minutes; one-way tickets are £24.60. From Southampton, jump on the Red Jet fast cat to West Cowes. A one-way journey costs £22.75 and takes 20 minutes. For vehicles: Wightlink travels from Portsmouth to Fishbourne in 45 minutes. Based on a vehicle up to 5m in length and 2.24m in height, economy tickets start from £42.00. Using the same vehicle measurements, Wightlink travels from Lymington to Yarmouth, with ticket prices starting at £66.50. The journey takes around 40 minutes. Red Funnel runs from Southampton to East Cowes. Prices for a car up to 5.5m in length and up to 2m in height start from £64.50 with a one-hour journey time. Should you have the energy to move after such a feast, take the opportunity to walk from Ventnor Beach to Steephill Cove. The postcard route takes around 25 minutes and has constant sea views. Another ‘hidden gem,’ the tiny cove offers beautiful scenery, clear swimming waters and rock pools to explore. If you’re peckish, The Crab Shed is a local favourite. Try their famous crab pasties or mackerel ciabattas for £7.50 and £9.50. A foodie haven The Isle of Wight isn’t just about seaside staple dishes, it’s home to a full-throated culinary scene. The Garlic Farm in Newchurch is a one-of-a-kind concept focused on garlic-inspired dishes using locally sourced Island ingredients. The restaurant, which is located next to the farm shop (where you can pick up products like garlic ketchup, garlic balsamic vinegar and garlic beer), was crowned a ‘Local Gem’ in the 2024 Good Food Guide. I enjoyed the succulent ‘Garlic beef burger,’ with homemade burger sauce for £19. Though pricey, it was one of the best burgers I’ve ever tasted. @veganexplores Do you like garlic or REALLY like garlic?? 😆 The Garlic Farm – Isle of Wight (vegan-friendly 🌱) #veganfood #veganfoodie #garlic #ukvegan #veganuk #garlicfood #veganlife #veganlifestyle #vegantiktok #vegantok ♬ Vivid Dreams – Valntna True Food Kitchen in Ventnor is run by a group of award-winning chefs. Inside the restaurant, watch them whip up a fusion of Korean, Japanese, and Thai dishes from an open kitchen. I loved the pan-fried catch of the day (monkfish), paired with Asian veg, shisho chimmichuri, and chilli nori fries for £32. For something more casual, try Sandown Boulevard on Sandown seafront. Only open during the seasonal months, sit in the tiki-style terrace surrounded by local street food vendors who serve everything from pizzas, burgers, wings and shawarmas. I remember falling in love with the Isle of Wight as a child, when my family and I would travel down from Yorkshire during the summer. From the Instagrammable beaches, creative communities, and laid-back pace of life, it still has my heart to this day. Everything you need to know about Metro's 2025 Lifeline Challenge Every year, the Metro Lifeline campaign raises money and awareness for a chosen charity and includes an epic and tough fundraising challenge. Our adventure this year is a planned charity hike around the Isle of Wight on 3 May, alongside a couple of thousand other walkers in aid of the charity Missing People. It’s the only UK charity dedicated to reconnecting missing people and their loved ones. The event is organised by trek experts Action Challenge, and our walkers will be doing either 25km, 53km or 106km around the island. Metro’s Deputy Editor Claie Wilson said: ‘We were drawn to the Isle of Wight as we wanted to choose somewhere that we knew would be a beautiful place to explore and had plenty of unforgettable scenery to keep us from getting bored as our team treks between 25 km and 100 km. ‘The fact that our hike takes us through an ever-changing landscape that covers coastal scenery and rolling hills to charming villages and chalk cliffs is also a huge bonus. What better way to get to know somewhere?’