Trifter

THE ISLE OF WIGHT. THE Isle of Wight, England’s smallest county, is getting more exciting. Walkers, birdwatchers, tourists and sailors have came here for generations, but now it is becoming a Mecca for mountain bikers and snorkellers. It tends to specialise in traditional pubs and tea rooms, rather then modern theme bars and discos. However there are some great places to stay. The George in Yarmouth, a port that was fortified by Henry VIII, is a an 18th Century that has wood panelled walls and a staircase that has tilted with age. Foxhills at Shanklin is friendly nine bed roomed family hotel with cosy garden. Bembridge and Seaview are among the favourite haunts of the sailing fraternity. The Crab and Lobster at Bembridge offers the most marvellous seafood menu while the Seaview Hotel sources most of food from local sources and recycles its redundant furniture for use by the homeless in London. Oysters are a speciality of the Priory Bay Hotel. Rooms here range from attics with balconies to rooms with freestanding baths. There is a three par golf course leading to the woods. No stay at Wight is complete without a visit to Osborne House, home of Queen Victoria. The massive landscaped gardens run right down to he sea. Wight is only 23 miles long by 13 miles wide, but there is a large diversity of beaches. There is a mixture of sand and shingle on the south coast. Alum bay on the west side is renowned for its coloured sands, though swimming is not advised here due to the strong currents. Priory Bay on the east is a broad expanse of sand reaching down to a pebbly beach, while a sandbank protects any bathers. Cyclists are able to tackle the Round the Island Cycle Path while the Round the Island Walking Trail exists for the walker. There is something on the Isle of Wight for every visitor.