Hotels in Isle of Wight

Once part of the mainland, the Isle of Wight is now separated from Hampshire by the Solent and Spithead. Chalk hills run across the centre of the island from Culver Cliff at the far eastern point, terminating at the Needles at the far western point. The Needles, three chalk pinnacles (a fourth disappeared during a storm in 1764), rise to a height of approximately 30 m (100 ft).

Several parts of the island are designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, including stretches of the coast, the River Yar valley, the downland inland from Ventnor and the chalk ridge from Newport to Culver Cliff.

Early Bronze Age settlements are known on the island, although there are few significant remains. Two Roman villas have been excavated, one at Newport and the other at Brading. The Jutes later settled the island, but by the beginning of the 1st century AD it had been occupied by the Danes who used it as their headquarters. After the Norman Conquest, William the Conqueror gave the Isle of Wight to William Fitz-Osborn, an English Nobleman. The island passed between the Crown and private ownership several times over the next three centuries and was harried by the French throughout the 14 and 15th centuries, as a result of which a series of forts were built at Cowes, Yarmouth, Freshwater, and Sandown.

The island is now classed as a county, Newport being the county town. During the winter months the island is largely left to its residents, but during the summer it becomes a haven for holidaymakers and tourists attracted by the seaside resorts, beautiful coastline and its varied history.