Luxury self-catering accommodation on the Isle of Wight

Less than an hour from the mainland and you'll find yourself on island time — having journeyed from Lymington or Portsmouth — unpacking suitcases in a tiny town where character abounds. Its sandy shores a major pull for guests year-round. Ryde and Yarmouth are where the ferries dock, and decamping here is a quick way to access the beaches. Ryde is the largest town on the island, while the port town of Yarmouth has foodie spots, a castle, and a Grade II-listed pier. Renowned for its buzzy, on-the-water community, Cowes is the place to visit for boat folk. 

Those who cross the island to reach the far side are treated to the Victorian health resort of Ventnor, nestled just beneath St Boniface Down, the highest point of the island. Here, houses set back from the sea keep a year-round lookout, while the harbour and bandstand entertain guests otherwise forming an orderly queue at the popular fishery. Read: freshly caught crab and lobster. The Isle of Wight Festival, a music-lovers institution, has become an annual ritual for many. Stay off-site in a luxury beach house to experience the best of both worlds…