Take a look at the cherry tomatoes in your local supermarket and you may be surprised to find that, likely as not, they come from the Isle of Wight. Perhaps it shouldn’t come as such a surprise when you consider the mild, sometimes subtropical climate of this sunshine Island, better known for its sandy beaches.

Tomatoes aren’t the only crop to flourish on the Isle of Wight either. The Island is one of Europe’s most prolific producers of garlic, yes garlic, and does pretty well with asparagus, white wines and, of course, seafood to boot.

And all this takes place in its wide tracts of farming land – or in the surrounding seas! – set amongst the spectacular scenery of the Isle of Wight’s varied landscape of chalk cliffs, high downs, river valleys, forests and wildlife-rich wetlands.

Over the past five years our customer research has told us consistently that the Island landscape – much of it officially designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – is one of the main attractions for visitors. That’s why we have plotted a course through some of England’s most scenic countryside to create the Wightlink Taste of Wight Trail.

This trail features 19 contrasting Island producers covering all four corners of the Isle of Wight and ranging from well-known names like Minghella’s Ice Cream to the whimsically-named Best Dressed Crab in Town and the wines of Adgestone Vineyard, set high in the downs and served in top Island gastronomic restaurants like The George, Royal and Seaview Hotels.

Each is dedicated to producing the best quality natural food and drink and you’ll find entries for organic farmers amongst the listings too.
 
Whether you choose to follow the trail right around the Island, plan an excursion to one of its four corners or simply to pop into the local producers closest to your holiday base, we hope that you’ll find a souvenir to take home and remind you of the Isle of Wight’s unique qualities.