Under the stars…

The Isle of Wight is widely considered to be the camping capital of the UK, largely thanks to the stunning scenery, extra hours of sunshine and the fact that you can feel miles away, when in fact it is only a mere couple of hours door to door.

The short stretch of water separating the Island from the mainland creates that real holiday feeling. There is little better than pitching up and switching off, reconnecting with friends
and family as you sleep under the stars…

Taking glamping to the next level at Toms Eco Lodge, with beautiful safari tents, wood cabins, modulogs, and pods all nestled away in the glorious surroundings of Tapnell Farm.

Brand new for 2019, book a stay in a geodesic dome. With a clear panel to the front of the dome, those staying will get the most amazing views of rolling countryside and some incredible, stunning sunsets. Standing at four meters high, the domes provide a sense of space and a skylight gives the luxury of laying in bed and stargazing.

Stunning sea views are coupled with space to roam, and sandy beaches nearby create the perfect farm-stay for an adventurous family holiday, relaxing group get-together, and even a romantic hideaway. Tapnell Farm is right on your doorstep with Tapnell Farm Park, The Cow Bar and Restaurant, Tops Targets, Jenny Stewart Yoga and more, all at your fingertips.

Experience a true ‘off the grid’ break in the West Wight with Glamping the Wight Way. Set between Yarmouth and Freshwater, its the crown jewel in the Isle of Wight’s glamping scene.

Choose from four spacious safari tents set within private, interlinking meadows, with raised decks on each showcasing the beautiful, far-reaching countryside and river views.

Each tent sleeps six to eight people across three separate bedrooms and is luxuriously equipped with wood burning stove, roll-top bath, outdoor hot shower, swinging chair and Kadai firebowl.

A perfect location for walking and cycling, explore all that the west of the Island has to offer, from rugged coastlines, secluded forests and pretty villages.

A family-run and award-winning holiday park, Ninham Country Holidays offers an idyllic location for camping, touring and self-catering holidays.

Surrounded by mature woodland and rolling countryside near Shanklin, it provides the perfect base to explore the Island with footpaths and bridleways leading directly on and off the site, great for a walk or family cycle.

Ideal for families with an outdoor heated pool, playpark, badminton and volleyball nets, plus nature spotting here is a must – expect to see buzzards, woodpeckers, wild geese, red squirrels, badgers, owls and bats!

If teaching the kids about the environment is important, Ninham are decidedly nature-friendly and operate a sustainable tourism policy.

If being close to the sea and coast ticks your box, then Grange Farm Holidays is the place to pitch up.

Situated directly above Grange Chine, it’s an excellent location for an array of watersports including kayaking, surfing and paddleboarding plus the wider surrounding area is ideal for cycling, fishing and fossil hunting.

Set in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the site is on a working farm where you can see alpacas, micro-pigs, kunekune pigs, goats, horses, water buffalo, sheep and chickens!

Tents and motorhomes sit alongside static caravans, camping pods and barn conversions, plus there is a well-equipped play park and space for football and cricket.

A version of this article first appeared in Wightlife Magazine.