4 Night Isle of Wight Discovery Tour
Our 4-night Isle of Wight Discovery Tour puts together a selection of the island’s top picks. You’ll explore the splendid gardens at Mottistone, enjoy the thatched-roof charm of Godshill village, and visit Osborne House – Queen Victoria’s favourite summer residence. There’s also a ride aboard the Isle of Wight Steam Railway and ample time in Cowes – home of the oldest and biggest sailing regatta in the UK.
What you’ll love
- Riding the Isle of Wight Steam Railway
- Exploring Mottistone Gardens
- Visiting Osborne House, the favourite holiday haunt of Queen Victoria
- Discovering the maritime history of Cowes
- Spending time in the charming village of Godshill
- Staying in our seafront country house on Freshwater Bay
What’s included
- Comfortable en-suite accommodation in our country house
- Cream tea on arrival day
- Cooked or continental breakfast every morning
- Daily packed lunches
- Three-course evening meals, plus tea & coffee
- Guided sightseeing with an experienced HF Holidays Leader
- All transport to and from sites of interest
- Easy-to-follow routes, maps, and information in our Discovery Point if you want to explore independently
Please note - Entrance fees are not included. See Essential Info tab for details.
Trip Notes
Easy to download as a PDF, our trip notes provide detailed information for every holiday. Please click below to find the trip notes for your departure date.
All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take alternative routes or adapt the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.
You're welcome to check in from 4pm onwards. Enjoy a complimentary cream tea on arrival.
Spend time learning about the fascinating history of modern Quarr Abbey before heading to Ryde, for the opportunity to travel on both the Island Line and the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. We then take the scenic route to Bembridge to visit its lifeboat station, before rounding off the afternoon in Sandown, home to the island’s geology and fossil collections at Dinosaur Isle Museum.
Be charmed by the pretty village of Brighstone, before exploring the peaceful gardens at Mottistone which surround an Elizabethan manor. Located in a sheltered valley, these enchanting gardens enjoy their own micro-climate, meaning the flowering season of familiar favourites is extended and plants usually associated with the Mediterranean region thrive. In the afternoon, it’s time to head for the popular village of Godshill with its delightful medieval church, charming thatched cottages and a winding main street lined with traditional tearooms and craft shops, as well as the nostalgic Model Village.
Today’s focus is on the island’s royal connections. We first head to Cowes, home to the oldest and biggest sailing regatta in the world and the Royal Yacht Squadron based at the Castle. There’ll be time to stroll along the Parade to Egypt Point, where Queen Victoria herself enjoyed panoramic views of the Solent. Or you may wish to explore the historic town with its independent shops and maritime connections. The afternoon is spent at the island’s premier visitor attraction – Osborne House – Queen Victoria’s family home. Enjoy its opulent interiors, such as the Indian-style Durbar Room, and extensive grounds including walled gardens and its own private beach.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home.
Freshwater Bay House
Chalky white cliffs and eyebrow-arching sea views set the tone for the delights that follow at this county house on the Isle of Wight - Queen Victoria's favourite island that’s just a ferry hop from the South Coast. The location is as gorgeous as it gets; to the south of the village of Freshwater, within pebble-throwing distance of its namesake bay, and just a skip from Tennyson Down. You’ll also be within easy reach of the area’s showstoppers, including the imposing Stag and Mermaid rocks, the multi-coloured sands of Alum Bay, the remarkable Ventnor Botanic Gardens, and the 125-million-year-old dinosaur footprints at Compton Bay. And then, of course, there’s the Needles Old Battery for the ubiquitous photo opportunity and the best views of The Needles.
Rooms
Designed with your comfort in mind, Freshwater Bay House has 43 well-appointed guest rooms available in three categories: Classic, Premium, and Superior.
Classic Rooms are comfortable en-suite guest rooms, ideal for a peaceful night's sleep. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, and shower gel), and a TV.
Premium Rooms are more spacious en-suite guest rooms. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers, and comfortable mattresses.
Superior Rooms are even more spacious en-suite guest rooms offering upgraded views of the surrounds. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers, and comfortable mattresses.
We love: Rooms 19 and 20 on the first floor for their lovely sea views. Rooms 18 and 22 are both corner rooms overlooking the bay and Tennyson Downs. The more spacious Room 24 has five large windows overlooking the gardens and bay as well as a private sitting room. Room 39 on the second floor is a corner room with a bathtub.
The Choose Your Room service is available at our UK country houses, allowing you the option of choosing and confirming a specific room for an extra charge of £30 per room. This is subject to availability. Upgrade supplements apply.
Check in & check out
You are welcome to check in from 4:00pm at the earliest. On arrival, you’ll enjoy a complimentary cream tea and get to meet your fellow guests, our HF Holidays Leaders, and the rest of the friendly team.
On the day of departure, we kindly ask all guests to check out by 10:00am. You’ll be asked to settle your bill prior to leaving. You may, of course, make a charitable donation to our HF Holidays Pathways Fund if you wish. Please note that we only accept card payments.
Room supplements
| Superior | Premium single | Premium double/twin | Choose your room |
| £25 pppn | £20 pppn | £20 pppn | £30 per room |
About your stay
A warm welcome
We want you to feel comfortable from the moment you arrive. You’ll find a welcome pack in your room with guest registration forms, menus, order forms for dinners and picnic lunches, the Wi-Fi password, and the front door code. Our houses are locked at night, so we recommend noting the Duty Manager’s number on arrival in case of an emergency (or getting locked out).
Evening entertainment
While evening entertainment varies from house to house, the HF Holidays Big Pub Quiz held after dinner on Wednesdays is a weekly staple. Your HF Holidays Leader may be around for tips on guided and self-guided walking routes as well as visit-worthy local attractions.
Walks talks
Our HF Holidays Leaders host guided walking information briefings before dinner on arrival days. This is followed by a group Walks Talk for information on the following day’s walking delights (held before dinner every evening). Self-guided walking guests are, of course, welcome.
The walking day
Prior to setting off on walks, your HF Holidays Leader will run you through a short safety briefing. There’s also an up-to-date weather forecast on display at the house to ensure you have appropriate clothing and footwear. If you choose to do your own walks or are on a self-guided walking holiday, we ask that you please complete an Independent Walker Card each day. These can be found near the Discovery Point in the house.
Food & drink
Led by experienced chefs, we serve a wide range of dishes made with fresh and seasonal ingredients. We always aim to source the best produce available and use home-grown herbs and vegetables from our own gardens whenever possible. Additionally, we have a licensed bar with beers, soft drinks, and a superb selection of spirits. Full-board comes as standard and includes a cream tea on arrival and a hearty breakfast on departure day.
HF Holidays understands the importance of managing allergens effectively to ensure food is safe for guests with food allergies. Whilst we are always able to confidently inform guests which allergens are present in our ingredients and dishes, we are unable to guarantee absolute freedom from the 14 main allergens in our kitchens. Vegetarian and vegan menu choices are available. If you have allergies, food intolerances, or any special dietary requirements, please inform our reservation team at the time of booking.
Accessibility
For accessibility and assistance information, please contact our expert team on 020 3974 8865 or view the accessibility information online for Freshwater Bay House
Getting to Freshwater Bay House
Find out more about this location including travel details and room types.
More InformationEssential information
Please note
Admission fees are payable locally and aren’t included in your holiday price. This gives you greater choice, freedom and flexibility, to choose to pay the entrance fees for the attractions that interest you most.
Many of you have English Heritage (EH), National Trust (NT) or Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) memberships already, which entitle you to free or reduced price entry to some of the attractions visited. Please see below, approximate totals for entrance fees, should you choose to visit all the highlighted attractions during your holiday. If you have RHS, National Trust or English Heritage membership – please make sure to bring your membership identification with you.
|
Approx. cost of entrance fees |
3 night holiday |
4 night holiday |
7 night holiday |
|
NT & EH members |
£41 |
£13 |
£54 |
|
RHS, NT & EH members |
£41 |
£13 |
£47 |
|
NT members |
£53 |
£33 |
£86 |
|
EH members |
£41 |
£21 |
£41 |
|
RHS members |
£53 |
£41 |
£87 |
|
No memberships |
£53 |
£41 |
£94 |
Essential information
The UK has a famously unpredictable climate so it's best to be prepared for weather that’s sunny one minute and raining the next. To make it easier, here’s a list of items you should consider packing.
Essentials
- Suitable, sturdy footwear with a good grip. You’ll be on your feet for much of the day
- Waterproof jacket
- Waterproof overtrousers
- Sunhat
- Rucksack
- Water bottle (at least 1 litre capacity)
- Sunscreen
- Mobile phone
- UV sunglasses
Recommended
- First aid kit, including plasters
- Sit mat
- Waterproof pouch for valuables
- Rubbish bag (remember to always leave no trace)
- Wallet/purse
Optional extras
- Walking poles,
- Flask for hot drinks
- Durable lunch box
- Waterproof rucksack liner
Freshwater Bay House Calendar
- Guided Walking
- Self-Guided Walking
- Special Interests
- Unavailable to Book
For June 2024: Mike Craze
Mike is a qualified Blue Badge Tourist Guide and has been guiding on the Isle of Wight since 2005. He loves leading our HF Holidays guests and sharing the hidden history of all the best local buildings and landmarks with a bit of added fun and trivia, too. Mike’s top tip: watch the sunset over Freshwater Bay on a summer's evening – the peaceful waves rolling in are mesmerising.
For October 2024: Graham Horn
Graham is a Blue Badge Tour Guide and has led many walking and Discovery tours for HF Holidays since 2009. This includes a few on the Isle of Wight. He also frequently pops over to do some exploring on his own. His favourite places include Osborne House and the IoW steam railway, but he loves sharing those out-of-the-way hidden delights as well.
Guest reviews
All holidays are subject to availability. Supplements may apply.
Non-member fee: £30 per person.
All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take an alternative route, or vary the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.
Holiday prices
| Date (Start - End) | Itinerary | Double / Twin Room | Single Room | Notes / Offers | Trip Notes | Book | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | ||||||||
|
04 Jun - 08 Jun 2024 4 nights |
Discovery Tour Single from £799 £774 Double from £799 £774 pp |
from £799 £774 pp |
from £799 £774 |
Save £25 Per Person | Trip Notes | Book Now | ||
|
15 Oct - 19 Oct 2024 4 nights |
Discovery Tour Single from £729 £684 Double from £729 £684 pp |
from £729 £684 pp |
from £729 £684 |
Save £45 Per Person | Trip Notes | Book Now | ||
4 nights
from
£729pp
£684pp
On offer
or call 020 3974 8865
For group bookings of 10+ guests click here
