The Isle of Wight is ideal for those who can’t afford to go abroad. Only a few kilometres from the mainland, it’s reachable by the ports of Southampton or Portsmouth. You don’t need your passport, any foreign currency or any vaccinations! It’s ideal for families who want to go exploring.

There’s a huge variety of camping grounds and holiday parks to choose from. Newport is the tiny capital. Sandown has the best beach and its neighbour Shanklin is home to the wax museum and arts and crafts. For the kids, head into Sandown, which has amusements, slides and a zoo boasting a variety of lions and tigers. Blackgang Chine is a favourite and you could stop off at the Needles Lighthouse on the way.

There’s a great coastal road that is accessible by car. You can hire bikes on the island but it can be a distance from town to town. A visit to the island isn’t complete without sampling one of their cream teas. Only a few hours from Ryde and you’ll be back in the comfort of your own home!