Advantages: see text
Disadvantages: see text

...at the next exit from the motorway, and taken to a business park. Luckily the Solent hotel was at this business park. While my partner organised getting our car scrapped, I headed towards the hotel, with my very fed up 18 month old son. I was greeted at the door with a big smile by the doorman. I asked about availability, and he told me there were rooms available, and to go on in. Another friendly face greeted me at reception which was in a beautiful large room, full of very dark wood, gentle lighting, a roaring fire and comfy chairs. I explained what had happened to the lady behind the desk, and she told me the cost of the room for the evening. (I can't remember the amount, but I know it was over £100.) Without me having to say a word, she immediately offered to phone the travel in a short distance away from them. I was shown... Read review

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Advantages: A variety of attractions, something for all
Disadvantages: Individual entrance prices to each attraction soon build up

...Fort Victoria is one of those places that makes a great day out. It is, like most of the places I've been reviewing lately, on the Isle of Wight, and I have visited several times over the years. The most recent visit was 2005, however I think I can remember enough to be able to write this review! **About Fort Victoria & Location** Fort Victoria Country Park, to give it its proper name, is located on the western side of the Isle of Wight, in Yarmouth. It's located right at the point where the Island is closest to the mainland, and if you stand out near the sea at the back of Fort Victoria, you can look across the Solent to Hurst Castle, and it looks incredibly close. The actual Fort was built in the 1850s, and was a single tier battery. It was later used as a submarine mining centre, and a training area for the military... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: A very different afternoon out
Disadvantages: Accessiblity

...A number of years ago my parents took me and my brother away to Portsmouth for Easter and the attraction that was top of my Dads list to do was to visit Spitbank Fort in the Solent. So on the day my Dad wanted to go my mum said 'no, we'll go tomorrow', only for the next day to be so stormy that trips to the fort were off. This equals one very unimpressed Dad. Fast forward 15 years to my last year at university, I attended a ball on Spitbank Fort and my dad was green with envy as he still hadn't made it to the fort.. So as Fathers Day approached this year and I was in a quandary as to what to get him, the idea of a day out and lunch on the fort popped into my head. So we booked and on Fathers Day this year my Dad finally got to visit Spitbank Fort. This equals one very happy Dad. What is Spitbank Fort... Read review

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Advantages: Small and peaceful yet good for families
Disadvantages: A lot of older people - not so good for young people

...a late liscence which is why I go there!). There are also many caravan sales sites where you can buy your own caravan. A lot of these caravan sites hire out pitches for people with their own caravans so it might be worth splashing out! What to do ************ Go to the beach. Its what Hayling is about. Hayling Island has over three miles of beaches along the seafront facing the Solent and many more miles of shore around the harbours of Langstone and Chichester. The three main beaches of the Island have won both the European Blue Flag and the Keep Britain Tidy Group - Seaside Award Flag for cleanliness and management. The Hayling seafront is primarily a shingle/pebble beach above the high tide mark, with long stretches of sand below this line. Views of the Solent are exceptional with the Isle of Wight plainly seen and wide stretches... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: beautiful scenery
Disadvantages: little to do in January

...Island off the south coast of England in the Solent (1/2 hour from Portsmouth by wightlink ferries). Please note that I have visited the Island at various times of the year (2002 in May) and again in late January (2003) , February (2004) and have visited the the Island over the New Year Period (2003/4 and 2004/2). This review compares the various visits. I will be returning to the island in November (05). PLACES OF INTEREST: 1.Osborne House, an English Heritage property which is free to members and costs about £7.50 for adults, £5.60 for concessions and £3.80 for children (2002 prices for house and gardens – more information 01983 200022 (generally open 29 Mar to 30 Sep 10am to 6pm and October 10am to 5pm). Although the house is gorgeous, if you are limited for time, visit the Swiss Cottage first. There is a pony and trap ride... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Wide variety of attractions on one compact island
Disadvantages: Expensive ferry crossing

...Medina, its charming shopping streets and sea front by the Royal Yacht Squadron (founded in the year of the Battle of Waterloo), are lively places to be, especially during Cowes week in early August when there are all sorts of events and concerts to entertain the racers and spectators alike. A few miles along the coast on a prominent position above the Solent is Osborne House. Built for Queen Victoria, she lived there for many years with Prince Albert and her children. The house and gardens are well worth a visit. Take a 'horse drawn carriage' ride down to the Swiss Cottage where her children played. Continuing eastwards, Fishborne is a pleasant harbour and one of four ferry terminals. It is my favoured link from Portsmouth even though my destination is usually Yarmouth, near the west tip and Yarmouth has its own ferry link... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Great views, modern design, brilliant attraction for a day out.
Disadvantages: Possibly the price if you aren't a resident.

...Having moved to Portsmouth within the last year, it has become my home from home for an endless list of reasons. This beautiful coastal City draws in thousands of tourists, and looking around it is easy to see why. Well maintained, planted gardens. Open green spaces. Long stretches of pebble beach with views across the Solent to the Isle Of Wight. Boat rides! Historical Dockyards. Shopping, in new modern and fashionable shops. Restaurants. Bars! And of course, Portsmouths newest attraction. The Spinnaker Tower. All of the latter features listed above make up the GunWharf Quays complex to the West of the Island. A great place both day and night. Like all large projects, Wembley Stadium, Bath Spa....Spinnaker Tower was rather late in opening. Originally planned for the Millenium, the tower was finally opened on the 18th of October... Read review

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Advantages: Fun filled day for all the family, both enjoyable and educational
Disadvantages: Could be costly...each attraction individually priced

...At present I'm living in Southampton as I have done most of my life so it's no surprise when I say Fort Victoria Country Park is one of my favourite spots on the Isle of Wight. Infact I make it a regular port of call whenever I'm over there. It doesn't take too long via Wight link ferry and is one of the most interesting, historic, relaxing and educational sites I have ever come across. Fort Victoria was built in the 1850's just west of Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight with the purpose of protecting the Solent against any unwanted incoming invasions. The fort was previously a single tier battery with defensible barracks which was later used as a submarine mining centre and for military training purposes. In 1969 the larger barrack block was demolished leaving only what is left today. Although the fort is steeped in history it also... Read review

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Advantages: You will get to learn a little bit more about me
Disadvantages: You may not want to know any more about me!

...and my brother and his fiancee. I have to admit that whilst I was looking forward to going to Keswick I was a bit miffed to be missing out on my Annual Holiday to the Isle of Wight and thought I might not enjoy Keswick very much - however, I am pleased to say that I was pleasantly surprised - Keswick and the surround areas are so beautiful that you can't fail to like it there - it was a fantastic week and the great memories I hold of that week will stay with me forever. Unfortunately, we returned home to find that we had been burgled, however I am determined not to let that spoil my memories of such a great holiday. L is for Lee-on-the-Solent - Lee-on-Solent is the small coastal village that I live in. In is nestled in between Portsmouth and Southampton on the South Coast of England, you may have seen it featured on the News lately... Read review

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Advantages: A seaside town with lots to do
Disadvantages: Occasionally it rains

...be taken too favourably. 5. The town is full of restaurants but I would suggest sticking to Port Solent, Gunwharf Quay or Old Portsmouth, as these are the tourist areas where the quality is better. I think I have nearly managed to eat just about everywhere and would recommend The Cellar in Old Portsmouth for an intimate dinner with friends, Tiger Tiger at Gunwharf for an expensive meal, and the HaHa bar (also at Gunwharf) for a value for money lunch. My other favourites are the Italian and Mexican restaurants at Port Solent, most of the Albert Rd Indian restaurants and the two pubs at Spice Island. Avoid the numerous burger vans and kebab shops around the city and you should avoid spending more time in the loo than is necessary to read the sports page. 6. Pompey has an abundance of pubs but it is easy to spot a good one; if it looks... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful