Isle of Wight Escapades

ISLE OF WIGHT ESCAPADES

 

27 April – 1 May 2026

Monday – Friday

5 Days

From £739

 

Take the time to rediscover the Isle of Wight on this lovely holiday. With a shoreline dotted with sandy beaches, stunning cliffs and unique visitor attractions, it's easy to see why it has been a popular destination since Victorian times.

 

HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

Carisbrooke Castle   |   IOW Donkey Sanctuary   |   Isle of Wight Pearl   |   Two Ports Cruise   |   Osborne House   |   Isle of Wight Steam Railway

 

DAY ONE – Arrival

We depart from your home and travel to Portsmouth for our late afternoon ferry crossing to the Isle of Wight.

 

DAY TWO – Carisbrooke Castle and Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary

This morning we visit Carisbrooke Castle, a great fortress which began life as an Anglo-Saxon earthwork defence against Viking raids. The Normans raised the shell keep on its towering mound, which you can climb up for amazing views. The castle’s most famous resident was Charles I, who was imprisoned here after his Civil War defeat. You’ll find Charles I memorabilia and exhibitions in the Carisbrooke Castle Museum. Later, Princess Beatrice, Queen Victoria’s daughter, made Carisbrooke Castle her summer home. Admire the award-winning Edwardian-style Princess Beatrice Garden, inspired by the princess. The castle’s best-known modern residents are the much-loved Carisbrooke donkeys. They still demonstrate the treadwheel, which once raised water from the castle well. Meet them in their stables and hear their story in a film hosted by Jupiter the cartoon donkey.

Following on we’ll then visit the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary, where wonderful donkeys find a loving and forever home in the Wroxall valley.

 

DAY THREE – ‘Two Ports’ Cruise of Cowes and Portsmouth and Isle of Wight Pearl

Today we cruise through Cowes Harbour, world famous for yachting, out into the Solent with fantastic views of the Island coastline, Osborne House and Norris Castle. We then cruise on across the eastern Solent with views of the Solent Sea forts and into the Portsmouth Naval Base, home of the Royal Navy, past and present.

Later we enjoy a visit to the historic Brighstone venue; home to an unmissable collection of pearl jewellery, you can enjoy spectacular cliff-top views over the English Channel, a butterfly meadow, and a café.

 

DAY FOUR – Osborne House and Isle of Wight Steam Railway

Morning tour to Osborne House, Queen Victoria's island retreat. Highlights include the lavishly furnished State Rooms and glorious grounds and gardens. Later we travel to the award-winning Isle of Wight Steam Railway for a special journey that will take you back in time.

 

DAY FIVE – Departure

After breakfast this morning we leave our hotel and make our way back to the ferry and home, with comfort stops en route.

 

YOUR HOLIDAY INCLUDES

Luxury coach travel

Home pick-up

4 nights accommodation, dinner & breakfast

Return ferry crossings (Portsmouth/Fishbourne)

Porterage on arrival and departure

1 night entertainment

Admission to Carisbrooke Castle

Admission to the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary

‘Two Port’s Cruise

Admission to Isle of Wight Pearl

Admission to Osborne House

Return journey on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.

 

BOURNE HALL HOTEL, SHANKLIN

Bourne Hall, an elegant Country House, set in mature grounds in Shanklin, Isle of Wight. Originally built in the late 1860’s, said to be for one of Queen Victoria’s ladies in waiting and uniquely located on an elevated position at the foot of Luccombe Downs, benefits both countryside and coastal Vistas. The House enjoys exquisite views, by day and night, across Sandown and Shanklin Bay, and onwards to Culver Downs. Situated minutes’ walk south of Shanklin "old village. Each room has a flatscreen TV with Freeview, and complimentary Wi-Fi access. All rooms are generously sized have en-suite bathrooms, with either shower or bath with overhead shower. For your comfort a tea and coffee tray will await you. The hotel does not have a lift, but ground floor rooms may be available on request.

 

GROUP BOOKINGS

Looking to take a group, if you book 20 places or more on this tour the tour organiser will go Free of Charge.

YOUR HOLIDAY INCLUDES

Luxury coach travel

Home pick-up

4 nights accommodation, dinner & breakfast

Return ferry crossings (Portsmouth/Fishbourne)

Porterage on arrival and departure

1 night entertainment

Admission to Carisbrooke Castle

Admission to the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary

‘Two Port’s Cruise

Admission to Isle of Wight Pearl

Admission to Osborne House

Return journey on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.

 

BOURNE HALL HOTEL, SHANKLIN

Bourne Hall, an elegant Country House, set in mature grounds in Shanklin, Isle of Wight. Originally built in the late 1860’s, said to be for one of Queen Victoria’s ladies in waiting and uniquely located on an elevated position at the foot of Luccombe Downs, benefits both countryside and coastal Vistas. The House enjoys exquisite views, by day and night, across Sandown and Shanklin Bay, and onwards to Culver Downs. Situated minutes’ walk south of Shanklin "old village. Each room has a flatscreen TV with Freeview, and complimentary Wi-Fi access. All rooms are generously sized have en-suite bathrooms, with either shower or bath with overhead shower. For your comfort a tea and coffee tray will await you. The hotel does not have a lift, but ground floor rooms may be available on request.

 

HOTEL FACILITIES INCLUDE

General	Rooms	Accessibility
4 star	Tea/coffee making facilities
Bar	Television
Restaurant	Hairdryer
Lounge	Wi-Fi

GROUP BOOKINGS

Looking to take a group, if you book 20 places or more on this tour the tour organiser will go Free of Charge.

 

DAYS	TOUR DATE	DEPARTS	TERMS		SUPPLEMENT
5	27 APR – 1 MAY 2026	MONDAY	£739		NONE
JONES HOLIDAYS INSURANCE				£36

Rooms are allocated on a first come first served basis and are limited. If no single supplement applies this is limited to the tour single room allocation and therefore additional cost may apply.  Prices displayed are per person unless otherwise stated. If door-to-door pick-up is included there may be additional charges for out of area. Itineraries and hotel inclusions may be subject to change. Seat numbers on the coach may be subject to change. Issues whilst on tour must be raised in the first instance with the driver. Covid-19 restrictions may apply. When making bookings you accept on behalf of yourself and your party the terms in our Trading Charter which can be found in our brochure, on our website at http://www.jonesholidays.co.uk/Jones-holidays-trading-charter, or a copy can be requested from our Sales office.  If your holiday is more than 56 days from departure, we offer a 7-day cooling off period where a full refund will be offered from the date of the initial confirmation invoice (with the exception of flight holidays).

Bourne Hall Hotel Isle of Wight Steam Railway Osbourne House Isle of Wight Pearl Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary