Footloose Great Ideas for Visitors on Foot

Think about a traditional British day trip and the picture that most likely springs to mind is of a family heading off to the beach or a fun-packed attraction. But on the Isle of Wight, there’s more to a day out than meets the eye. And, with fast, round-the-clock ferry crossings to the Isle of Wight, it couldn’t be easier to get across to one of the country’s greenest destinations – on foot.

Besides families in search of fun - hikers, cyclists, dog walkers and people of all ages with an interest in history, heritage, scenery and even extreme sports will find a treat in store. There are Wight Hot day trip offers for foot passengers too, combining bus, ferry and train travel at a discount.

Check them out  here!

Of course, a Wight day trip can easily be extended into a short break. There’s a wealth of eco-friendly places to stay and an extensive local transport network for trouble-free trips on foot.

Take the car, if you prefer, but park it on arrival and step out on foot to explore an Island that promises much and delivers plenty. Rolling hills, river estuaries, pastoral countryside, miles of beaches and dramatic cliffs are just some of the Wight delights.

Footloose is a curtain raiser to the many and varied attractions of Wight on foot – whatever your interest. Just turn the pages to pinpoint what’s for you on a trip to the IOW on foot.

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Days Out On Foot

We profile some of the best things that are available to foot passengers stepping out on the Isle of Wight. Small enough to get around without a car, you can enjoy a great day out by organising your travel to include 12 or more hours on the Island – plenty of time for an action packed day away.

There’s a variety of public transport options to get you around including Island Line trains that connect Sandown and Shanklin with the Wightlink Catamaran terminal at Ryde Pier, plus the exceptional Southern Vectis bus network which serves the entire Island.

Relax on one of the Island’s fabulous beaches, explore its stunning countryside, or visit one of the top 60 attractions.

Whatever you decide to do, you’ll find plenty of food for thought, as well as some thoughts for food.

So come over soon and experience some Wight sights...

(Please be aware that Southern Vectis will not be running the Downs Tour bus over the Isle of Wight Festival period (Thursday 21st - Monday 25th June inclusive))

Travel Packages

We have a range of special fares which include  return ferry with unlimited bus or train travel on the Island and mainland.  For details click here.

Getting there and around

From Portsmouth Harbour: Fed by mainland trains and buses, our foot passenger catamarans operate round-the-clock and make the journey to Ryde in around 22 minutes.  The Catamaran service is timed to coincide with London-Portsmouth Harbour trains and links with Island Line trains and the Southern Vectis bus network on the Isle of Wight.

From Lymington: Cross to Yarmouth, West Wight in 35 minutes on Wightlink’s shuttle service, with ferries sailing every half hour in peak periods and linking to the Southern Vectis bus network.

Getting around on the Island…

By train: Island Line trains run from the Wightlink Catamaran Terminal on Ryde Pier Head and is a great way to travel round the Isle of Wight. Island Line Trains serves the Island towns of Ryde, Brading, Sandown, Lake and Shanklin. You can buy your Island Line train tickets online, at your nearest station or simply call 0845 6000 650.

By bus: Get practically anywhere on the Island using Southern Vectis's extensive inter-connecting bus network. Southern Vectis serves all towns and resorts as well as most attractions.