Real Isle of Wight : Information & entertainment about the sunniest place in the UK. Including all the best things to do and events throughout the year. – Details, episodes & analysis

Cowes week 2016 has started with a BANG! The longest running  (and one of the biggest) regattas in the world has set up in Cowes for this years fun.

• Whats on during Cowes Week
• The different areas in the Town
• What bands will be headlining the main stages
• When you can see the Red Arrows
• What is the best way to view the Fireworks, the culmination of Cowes Week

Tony tells us about Hollywood moving to the Island to film a new blockbuster, and Ali discusses the recent comments made by David Hoare.

In this weeks food and drink with enjoy a sandwich and chips (well sort of chips) at the Astoria resturant in Sandown

Cowes Week

Astoria Cafe

David Hoare

Film at Osbourne House

The Wight Choice is a local loyalty card scheme for the Isle of Wight that rewards you for shopping locally. Show your Wight Choice card when using one of the 50 participating businesses on the Island and receive a discount.

Like us the guys at The Wight Choice believe in supporting local, independent businesses.

The way it works is that you purchase your card online and you will receive a card in the post. Then you show it at one of the participating businesses and you’ll receive discounts from 10 to 50%.

No vouchers, no hassle, and only one yearly fee. If you use our affiliate link to purchase your Card you will get an additional 10% off making the card even better value at £13.50. Considering you could save hundreds of pounds on your day-to-day living cost, we think that’s great value for money.

It’s easy! Simply click here, follow the 2 or 3 steps and you’ll soon have your personalised Wight Choice card pop through your letterbox!

*Please note we will receive a commission for any cards that are purchased using the link in our website. It will not cost you any extra, in fact it actually costs you less if you use our links.

Don't worry we will not send you any spam nor will we pass your details on.

Is available to listen online on this website now click here o

We are back after our holidays, and super excited!! August (in Tonys opinion) is the the best month of the year for spending time on the Isle of Wight, with tnnes of events scheduled throughout the month. In this weeks episode we look at the very best of what is happening during the summer holidays.

• Whats on during the month of August
• What not to miss
• Our favourite events on the Island
• All the dates for the key festivals and events
• Top tips in where and how to get the best vantage point.

Due to it being our returning episode the New is a bit of a cheat and we discuss the wedding of the year which took place on the Island in July.

In this weeks food and drink with enjoy a coffee and cake with some unusual creatures at West Wight Alpacas

West Wight Alpacas 

Cowes Week

Garlic Festival

Chale Show

V-Dub Festival

Ventnor Fringe

Jack up the80's

Classic Isle Festival

IOW Scooter Rally

Island Steam Show

Shanklin Carnival

Sandown Carnival

Ryde Carnival

Ventnor Carnival

Healing Festival

Yaverland Sandcastle Competition

The Wight Choice is a local loyalty card scheme for the Isle of Wight that rewards you for shopping locally. Show your Wight Choice card when using one of the 50 participating businesses on the Island and receive a discount.

Like us the guys at The Wight Choice believe in supporting local, independent businesses.

The way it works is that you purchase your card online and you will receive a card in the post. Then you show it at one of the participating businesses and you’ll receive discounts from 10 to 50%.

No vouchers, no hassle, and only one yearly fee. If you use our affiliate link to purchase your Card you will get an additional 10% off making the card even better value at £13.50. Considering you could save hundreds of pounds on your day-to-day living cost, we think that’s great value for money.

It’s easy! Simply click here, follow the 2 or 3 steps and you’ll soon have your personalised Wight Choice card pop through your letterbox!

*Please note we will receive a commission for any cards that are purchased using the link in our website. It will not cost you any extra, in fact it actually costs you less if you use our links.

Don't worry we will not send you any spam nor will we pass your details on.

Is available to listen online on this website now click here or on iTunes click here.

If you are looking for something to do during the Easter Holidays in 2016 then this is the episode for you.

• Really Wild Photography Session at the Isle of Wight Zoo
• Fun Dog Show at the Donkey Sanctuary 10th April 2016
• Trail Centre Opening Weekend 2nd & 3rd April 2016
• Royal Solent Jazz Weekend 2nd & 3rd April 2016
• Isle of Wight Grand National & Scurry 13th April 2016
• 80's Extravaganza at Coburgs on the 8th April 2016
• April Fossil Walks at Yaverland and Brook
• The Night Runner 16th April 2016
• St Mildred's Church, Whippingham 
• Charity Street Launches on the Isle of Wight 4th April 2016

In this weeks' news Tony brings details of a new festival, One Acre, celebrating Isle of Wight bands in August 2016.

Ali reports on more reasons for the Isle of Wight to celebrate great national publicity as Ventnor is featured in the Metro paper in the top 17 most picturesque seaside towns.

In the food and drink segment we bring you a review of lunch at the Bandstand in Sandown, fab food and a magnificent setting.

We cannot quite believe that it is Easter Bank Holiday weekend all ready! Once again there are loads of things to do around the Island. and in this weeks' episode we give you a flavour of what is on.

• Eggcellent Easter Events for all the family
• Duck Racing in Yarmouth Saturday 26th March 2016
• Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt - Bembridge Windmill - 25th - 28th March 10:30-4pm
• Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt - Mottistone Gardens - 27th March 10:30 - 4pm
• Osborne House Easter Fun 25th - 28th March
• Steam Railway Childrens' entertainment, colouring, crafts & Easter treasure hunt
• Start of the Car Boot Sales - Chale on Monday 28th at 9:30am & Ryde Seafront on Sunday 27th March at 9am
• Easter Market Saturday 26th March 10am - 4pm at Ristorante Michelangelo, Union Street, Ryde
• Duck Racing at Winkle Street
• Adult fun at Tapnell Farm - Tap 'n' Ale
• The Annual IOW Steam Up - Easter Monday
• Open Gardens Clatterford House, Carisbrooke - Sunday 27th March 2pm-4:30pm
• The March of the Mods in Ryde
• IOW Donkey Sanctuary Easter Fun
• Robin Hill Mad Easter Dash - Easter Sunday and Monday starting at 1pm

In this weeks' news Tony is far too excited about the First Poo Museum which is opening at the Isle of Wight Zoo.

Ali's has more civilised news about the Steam Railway rescuing the passengers stranded on the Island Line when the power failed.

In the food and drink segment we bring you a review of Frozen (no not the movie) the gelato cafe in Newport.

The Poo Museum, Isle of Wight Zoo

Mottistone Garden

Bembridge Windmill

Tapnell Farm

Yarmouth Duck Race

Osborne House Easter Events

Steam Railway Easter Fun

Ristorante Michelangelo

The Steam Up Review Episode 13

Buy your tickets for the Isle of Wight Festival 2016 here - Tickets cost £200 with the booking fee

This week we discuss a very emotive subject amongst Isle of Wight residents, it is an issue that has been brought to the forefront again by a local pro-link group.

• The history of the fixed link debate
• Why the fixed link debate has come up now
• What the proposals are for the fixed link
• What the pros are for the fixed link
• What the cons are for the fixed link
• Our opinion on the subject

In this weeks' news Tony is excited about the possibility of walking the Wight with an alpaca. Great news for Island residents, you can get a free car parking permit for the season and experience the attractions for free for the day at the Needles Pleasure Park, available on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th March 2016.

In the food and drink segment we bring you a review of the Prince of Wales in East Cowes.

Walk the Wight

Needles Pleasure Park

Episode 43: Needles Pleasure Park

Isle of Wight Fixed Link Group

Anti-Fixed Link Group

Episode 10: Travel to the Island

Fixed Link Feasibility Study 1998

The Prince of Wales Public House, East Cowes

Buy your tickets for the Isle of Wight Festival 2016 here - Tickets cost £200 with the booking fee

Is available to listen online on this website now click here or on iTunes click here.

The Wight Choice is a local loyalty card scheme for the Isle of Wight that rewards you for shopping locally. Show your Wight Choice card when using one of the 50 participating businesses on the Island and receive a discount.

Like us the guys at The Wight Choice believe in supporting local, independent businesses.

The way it works is that you purchase your card online and you will receive a card in the post. Then you show it at one of the participating businesses and you’ll receive discounts from 10 to 50%.

No vouchers, no hassle, and only one yearly fee. If you use our affiliate link to purchase your Card you will get an additional 10% off making the card even better value at £13.50. Considering you could save hundreds of pounds on your day-to-day living cost, we think that’s great value for money.

It’s easy! Simply click here, follow the 2 or 3 steps and you’ll soon have your personalised Wight Choice card pop through your letterbox!

This week Ali discusses the recent conference she attended in Gurnard Pines and what the future for tourism is looking like.

• What are the current plans for increasing tourism on the Island
• What speakers attended
• Themes of the day
• what its important to get behind the Visit Island Bid

In this weeks' news Tony discusses an "A lister" spotted in Ryde and Ali gives us an update of a famous Island residents attempt to be named champion of champions of come dine with mw.

In the food and drink segment we bring you a review of the Lifeboat Inn in East Cowes.

Robin Hill

Jude Law

Derek Sandy

Real Isle of Wight episode 39

IOW Tourism conference

Gurnard Pines

Garlic Farm

Tweeting policeman

Isle of sheppey

Shipwreck Isle

IOW walking festival 2016

The Lifeboat 

Buy your tickets for the Isle of Wight Festival 2016 here - Tickets cost £200 with the booking fee

Is available to listen online on this website now click here or on iTunes click here.

The Wight Choice is a local loyalty card scheme for the Isle of Wight that rewards you for shopping locally. Show your Wight Choice card when using one of the 50 participating businesses on the Island and receive a discount.

Like us the guys at The Wight Choice believe in supporting local, independent businesses.

The way it works is that you purchase your card online and you will receive a card in the post. Then you show it at one of the participating businesses and you’ll receive discounts from 10 to 50%.

No vouchers, no hassle, and only one yearly fee. If you use our affiliate link to purchase your Card you will get an additional 10% off making the card even better value at £13.50. Considering you could save hundreds of pounds on your day-to-day living cost, we think that’s great value for money.

It’s easy! Simply click here, follow the 2 or 3 steps and you’ll soon have your personalised Wight Choice card pop through your letterbox!

*Please note we will receive a commission for any cards that are purchased using the link in our website. It will not cost you any extra, in fact it actually costs you less if you use our links.

This week we review the latest Electric Woods event at Robin Hill, a special event for February half term on the Isle of Wight.

• What it is all about
• Why it was really busy when we went
• What you will see
• How much it costs
• What goes on at Robin Hill
• When you can go back for another special event
• Why you should not look into the lights!

In this weeks' news Tony discusses the lucky winners of the post code lottery here on the Island in the PO30 post code area. Also some more good news for the Island with the opening of a new attraction at Havenstreet.

Ali talks about a dinosaur prank in Godshill which made National and International news.

In the food and drink segment we tell you about Sunday lunch at the New Holmwood Hotel in Cowes.

Robin Hill

Post Code Lottery

Haven Falconry

Dinosaur in Godshill

The New Holmwood Hotel, Cowes

Buy your tickets for the Isle of Wight Festival 2016 here - Tickets cost £200 with the booking fee

Is available to listen online on this website now click here or on iTunes click here.

The Wight Choice is a local loyalty card scheme for the Isle of Wight that rewards you for shopping locally. Show your Wight Choice card when using one of the 50 participating businesses on the Island and receive a discount.

Like us the guys at The Wight Choice believe in supporting local, independent businesses.

The way it works is that you purchase your card online and you will receive a card in the post. Then you show it at one of the participating businesses and you’ll receive discounts from 10 to 50%.

No vouchers, no hassle, and only one yearly fee. If you use our affiliate link to purchase your Card you will get an additional 10% off making the card even better value at £13.50. Considering you could save hundreds of pounds on your day-to-day living cost, we think that’s great value for money.

It’s easy! Simply click here, follow the 2 or 3 steps and you’ll soon have your personalised Wight Choice card pop through your letterbox!

In this episode we take a journey from Ryde to Shanklin by train! We experience all the highs and lows of this picturesque railway ride. A fun way for all the family to see the beautiful sites of the Isle of Wight.

• Where you can get the train from
• Which towns on the Isle of Wight have a train station
• Accessibility of the stations
• What you are likely to see on the journey
• How much our journey cost
• Information about the trains themselves

In this weeks' news Tony discusses another world record attempt by an Island resident, Melissa Leach, who is  part of a 300 strong burlesque troop. Ali talks about the reopening of Ryde Arena Ice Rink in time for the half term crowds.

In the food and drink segment its coffee and cake with a difference, Ale's and ice cream sundaes at the Crab Inn Shanklin old village.

Isle of Wight trains

Ryde Arena 

The Crab Inn

World record Burlesque attempt

The Real Isle of Wight Episode 50 things to do in half term

Buy your tickets for the Isle of Wight Festival 2016 here - Tickets cost £200 with the booking fee

In our 50th episode we talk through all the great things happening on the Isle of Wight during the first school holiday of the year. We discuss special events along side the best way to enjoy the Isle of Wight at a low cost.

• Events on during half term
• Ways to save money on attraction entry
• Robin Hill's latest light extravaganza
• Victorian fun and frolics at Osborne House
• Snowman building on Shanklin beach
• Animals a plenty with pony camps and new tigers

In this weeks' news Tony has the chance to talk first and gives a summary, and some controversy on the results of this years Pickle Wars. Ali gives an update on all things female with news of the up coming inaugural Venus awards, and a Facebook group for influential women, GO GIRLS!!!

In the food and drink segment Ali, a self proclaimed coffee snob talks through her latest visit to Love coffee in Newport

We tell you every week about why we love the Isle of Wight and why you should visit and we are not alone, throughout the years there have been a number of famous people who have been born here, lived here or famously visited.

• Famous people born on the Isle of Wight including;
  • Bear Grylls
  • Jeremy Irons
  • Phil Jupitus
  • Anthony Minghella 
• Famous people who live here now & in the past;
  • Melvyn Hayes
  • Alan Titchmarsh
  • Ellen McArthur
  • Queen Victoria
• Famous people in history who have visited the Isle of Wight
  • Winston Churchill
  • Oliver Cromwell
  • Lord Nelson 
  • Mahatma Gandhi
• Infamous people detained on the Isle of Wight
• Famous Star Spotting including;
  • Robert Pattinson
  • Kirsten Stewart
  • Benedict Cumberbatch
  • Martin Freeman

Ali's news covers a topic which may or may not have been covered before! A brand new attraction coming to East Cowes, Random Rooms - Escape Rooms. Get padlocked into a room with a handful of your closest friends and try to find your way out.

In a rather slow news week Tony brings Gull Proof recycling bag news.

In the food and drink segment we were really impressed by the service at Dimbola Lodge in Freshwater Bay. Also a great selection of cakes and very good coffee.

Islebuy.co.uk

Dimbola Lodge 

Buy your tickets for the Isle of Wight Festival 2016 here - Tickets cost £200 with the booking fee.