Eco-inclined British holidaymakers who want to stay on UK soil this summer - rather than increase their carbon footprint by travelling abroad - can still cross the water for a green break with the launch of Wightlink’s Green Getaways (0871 376 4342/www.wightlink.co.uk/greengetaways), the first dedicated green holidays brochure for the Isle of Wight.  

Green Getaways features 11 individual properties – seaside hotels, rural B&Bs and guest houses, not to mention a camping park – which are actively embracing green tourism.  Each holds a Gold Award for its eco-initiatives, made annually by Green Island Tourism, the ground-breaking Isle of Wight organisation which has spearheaded the move to a more environmentally sensitive tourism industry on the Island.

The featured properties range from stone manor houses like 17th century Northcourt, famous nationally for its 14 acres of exotic and unusual organic gardens, created over 24 years and nurtured by owners Christine and John Harrison, to small rural guest houses.  At one of these, Hobbit House, stressed-out individuals can recharge their batteries by learning a practical skill like hedge laying, hurdle marking and charcoal burning.

Another Green Getaways entry is Southland Camping Park, transformed by owners Viv and Vanessa McGuinness in just five years into one of the UK’s top rated campsites – with eight major awards including the David Bellamy Gold Conservation Award.  A park that is determined to be as green as it is possible to be, campers are encouraged to play their part by collecting and scattering seeds in its two acre conservation area, planted with wildflowers and 1,200 willows.   

The Isle of Wight’s newest hotel – The Enchanted Manor – is also included in the brochure.  Following a magical theme and featuring the fantasy paintings of Josephine Wall throughout the Victorian house, The Enchanted Manor is the brainchild of Ric and Maggie Hilton, who also own the Island’s first five star B&B, Koala Cottage.  

Wightlink Marketing Manager Kerry Jackson is keen to stress that the green initiatives by properties featured in Green Getaways are “very much ‘work in progress”.  We chose our green selection because each one is doing its best to protect the environment with ongoing investment in energy and water saving devices.  For them it’s not a new fad, just a way of life.”

Green Getaways also profiles the Isle of Wight Farm and Country Holiday Group, whose 40 members offer holidaymakers the experience of staying on or close to a working farm or in historic old properties that are surrounded by farmland.  Both B&B and self-catering accommodation is available in all four corners of the Isle of Wight.

Copies of Green Getaways are available free from Wightlink by calling 0871 376 4342 and can also be downloaded from the Wightlink website – www.wightlink.co.uk.  Two night breaks cost from £60pp, including passenger ferry travel, or from £66pp, including car ferry travel (based on two sharing).

ENDS

Editor’s notes: 

Northcourt is located at Shorwell.  Two night breaks including Wightlink passenger ferry travel start from £85pp.  Two night car ferry inclusive breaks cost from £100pp.

Hobbit House is located at Whitwell.  Two night breaks including Wightlink passenger ferry travel start from £70pp.  Two night car ferry inclusive breaks cost from £100pp.

Southland Camping Park is in the heart of Newchurch, overlooking the Arreton Valley.  Two night breaks including Wightlink car ferry travel start from £90pp.  Two night breaks including car and caravan travel cost from £114pp.

The Enchanted Manor is located at Niton.  Three night weekend breaks (Friday-Monday) or four night midweek breaks (Monday-Friday) start from £289pp, including Wightlink car ferry travel, or from £245pp including passenger ferry travel.

All prices quoted above are based on two sharing.  Wightlink car ferries operate from Portsmouth-Fishbourne and Lymington-Yarmouth.  The operator’s FastCat passenger catamarans run between Portsmouth Harbour and Ryde Pier Head.

Issued on behalf of:   WIGHTLINK LTD 

By:                           Christine Ball PR    Tel: 01798 874177 

1st May 2007