Contact DHTour at 1-888-597-3519 or 905-639-9954 or dhtour@dhtour.ca to book.
These holidays offer a perfect mix of short, guided walks (4-5 miles), combined with time spent sightseeing. Visit a selection of standout highlights in the Isle of Wight with hassle-free coach travel and the help of an experienced Leader.
Highlights:
Freshwater Bay House, Freshwater Bay, Isle of Wight PO40 9RB (Google Map)
4:00pm – You’re welcome to check into the country house hotel from 4pm onwards.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way onward. Check out by 10:00am.
Unpack Once!
Explore places of interest, beauty, heritage and wonder. Enjoy active guided sightseeing on relaxed-pace trips to revel in the history, landscapes, architecture and culture of your chosen destination.
Walking tours with sightseeing include:
The Walking tour with Sightseeing program is a combination of Guided Walking Tours and Discovery Tours to give you the best of both touring styles.
Enjoy easier walks (6 – 8 km) that let sightseeing take center stage. We offer carefully-curated itineraries that balance sights, hikes, and activities. Let our experienced Leader introduce you to the heart of a region, highlighting the history, heritage, landmarks, wildlife, and more.
You’re welcome to check in from 4pm onwards. Enjoy a complimentary cream tea on arrival. (D, T)
Accommodation: Freshwater Bay House
Distance: 5 miles (7.5km)
Ascent: 700 feet (220m)
In Summary: Our walk takes us along part of the Isle of Wight Coast Path, to join the Tennyson Trail up on Compton Down. Fantastic views as we follow the chalk ridge, the backbone of the island. Our walk ends at the enchanting gardens at Mottistone Manor. The beautiful gardens here make the perfect place to enjoy the afternoon. (B, L, D)
Accommodation: Freshwater Bay House
Distance: 4 miles (6.5km)
Ascent: 400 feet (120m)
In Summary: A start high on Bowcombe Down, gives us fine views out to the north and over to the mainland. Our walk takes us to the romantic Carisbrooke Castle, once the prison of Charles I. We’ve the afternoon to walk the battlements, explore the Princess Beatrice Garden, maybe enjoy a cream tea, and to take in a demonstration by the castle’s famous residents – the donkeys, as they work the ancient waterwheel. (B, L, D)
Accommodation: Freshwater Bay House
A free day for you to explore the local area or to relax in the Country House. Our Discovery Points help you make the most out of your free day. There’s plenty of maps and a selection of the best local walking routes, as well as weather forecasts and public transport options – plus details about other places to visit. (B, L, D)
Accommodation: Freshwater Bay House
Distance: 3½ miles (5km)
Ascent: 300 feet (100m)
In Summary: After an exploration of the museum and workshops of the Isle of Wight steam railway at Havenstreet, we take a ride on this heritage line to the beginning of our walk at Ashey station. Quiet countryside trails take us up onto Brading Down for fabulous views, before we drop down and continue to Brading Roman Villa, finishing our day with a visit to one of the best-preserved Roman sites in the UK. (B, L, D)
Accommodation: Freshwater Bay House
Distance: 5½ miles (8.5km)
Ascent: 800 feet (240m)
In Summary: We start in the village of Godshill with a visit to its model village and garden, before beginning our walk to the romantic Appuldurcombe House, one of the grandest, most elegant houses on the island. Time to explore here before we continue our walk down to the Undercliff and Ventnor Botanic Gardens, with its fabulous collection of exotic and subtropical plants. (B, L, D)
Accommodation: Freshwater Bay House
Distance: 4 miles (6.5km)
Ascent: 800 feet (260m)
In Summary: We begin by exploring Alum Bay, with its famous coloured sands, then on to visit The Needles Old Battery. We walk onto West High Down, with superb views to the mainland as we gradually descend to the Replica Beacon and up to the Tennyson Monument. We then enjoy the wonderful descent of Tennyson Down, offering magnificent views over the western half of the island. (B, L, D)
Accommodation: Freshwater Bay House
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home. (B)
| Departure Dates | Per person (single or twin) | Single in a double room |
|---|---|---|
| 2024: September 28 | $2,830 | $3,110 |
| 2025: April 19 | $2,630 | $2,910 |
| 2025: July 5 | $2,930 | $3,210 |
| 2025: September 13 | $2,930 | $3,210 |
| 2025: October 11 | $2,630 | $2,910 |
Pricing
Pricing is per person (pp) based on single/twin/double occupancy.
Supplement applied for single in a double room.
Rates include room upgrade (premium) and membership fees.
Rates are in $ CAD.
Contact DHTour at 1-888-597-3519 or 905-639-9954 or dhtour@dhtour.ca to book.
Ask us for the best available pricing for your dates & choice of airline. We can assist in your travel to/from the Country House.
During your Walking with Sightseeing Tour you’ll have the opportunity to visit many fascinating places. The following is our provisional programme, and your leader may adjust it at their discretion, taking into account factors such as weather, local opening times, or other events. This holiday includes active sightseeing and you should expect to spend lots of time on your feet.
Most admissions to places of interest are not included. Please allow up to £15 per day for admissions to all the places of interest we will be visiting. The full adult price is given but there are usually good reductions for parties and seniors. If you are a member of the National Trust, English Heritage or similar, remember to bring your card for free admission to their properties. Please bring cash as card machines are not always available at all venues.
Sometimes things happen beyond our control – the weather, traffic jams or changes at the places we visit. If we need to adjust your holiday programme, for whatever reason, your leader will help smooth the way.
Travel Details:
Address is: Freshwater Bay House, Freshwater Bay, Isle of Wight PO40 9RB
By Rail:
The nearest train station is Lymington Pier on the mainland. This is immediately adjacent to the ferry terminal.
By Ferry:
The Wightlink Lymington to Yarmouth ferry is the most convenient for Freshwater Bay. Alternatively the Red Funnel Southampton to East Cowes ferry is often the cheapest option if you want to take your car to the Isle of Wight
By Taxi:
It is possible to get a taxi to Freshwater Bay House. The 5-mile journey from Yarmouth ferry port takes approximately 15 minutes. You can pre-book a taxi from our recommended taxi company, Alpha Cars. As a guide price, it cost £20 per 4-seat taxi in 2019. 8-seat taxis are also available at a higher rate. Please pre-book your taxi at least 7 days in advance by contacting:
Alpha Cars*
Tel: +44 (0) 1983 280280
Email: rogerc@alphaiow.co.uk
The return taxi journey can be arranged on your behalf by the Freshwater Bay House Manager.
*Alpha Cars is not owned or managed by us.
By Car:
From Yarmouth turn right out of the ferry terminal onto the A3054 and over the bridge across the River Yar. After 1 mile turn left down Pixley Hill, signposted to Freshwater Bay. Turn left at Freswater Garage and continue along Afton road. At the Lifeboat station turn right and follow the road round passing the Albion Hotel on the left. The entrance to Freshwater Bay House is the next driveway on your left.
From East Cowes: Follow signs for Newport following A3021 and then A3054. Continue through Newport and Carisbrooke. Turn left onto the B3401 through Calbourne. At the T junction with Afton Road (A3055) turn left and then right by the Lifeboat station and follow the road round passing the Albion Hotel on the left. The entrance to Freshwater Bay House is the next driveway on your left.
Alternatively leave your car on the mainland and travel to the Isle of Wight as a foot passenger. There is a pay and display car park at Lymington Pier – price approximately £8.50 per day.
Holidaying on the picturesque Isle of Wight doesn’t get any better than at Freshwater Bay House. Stood atop the island’s classic white cliffs and dominating the bay that it is named after, Freshwater Bay House has a gorgeous location. As well as 43 bedrooms, many decked out in blue and white printed wallpaper featuring foam-tipped waves breaking softly across the walls that act as a promise of the coastal scenery to come, there are three lounges and a friendly bar. Extensive gardens give on to the coast path, with a staircase that drops to the beach one way, while a path leads away across Tennyson Down towards the Needles in the other direction. If you’re experiencing some of the island’s plentiful sunshine (it averages around 2,000 hours a year), head to Alum Bay for coloured sands or Compton Bay for dinosaur footprints. Explore Carisbrooke Castle, stroll through Ventnor Botanic Gardens and keep an eye out for red squirrels in Borthwood Copse and America Wood.
Address: Freshwater Bay House, Freshwater Bay, Isle of Wight PO40 9RB
Room Amenities: Tea & coffee-making facilities, TV, Hairdryer, Toiletries, Wi-Fi
Stay in one of the main building’s bright, beautifully presented rooms, many that come with sea views. They’re mostly spacious and chic, styled to acknowledge the house’s nautical connections but with a modern twist of dove greys, clean whites and contemporary furniture. With 43 bedrooms, Freshwater Bay House has plenty of space and there’s a range of ‘Classic’, ‘Premium’ and ‘Superior’ Rooms to choose from: Rooms 19 and 20 on the first floor come with spectacular sea views out over the English Channel; Rooms 18 and 22 are sumptuous corner rooms with expansive views over both the bay and Tennyson Downs. If it’s a room with a view you’re after, ask for Room 24, a superb, spacious corner space with five large windows all overlooking the gardens and bay, with its own private sitting room to relax in. Request Room 39 on the second floor and you’ll get an attractive corner room complete with a bath to soak in after a day of coastal walking.
Premium Rooms are more spacious en-suite guest rooms. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers, and comfortable mattresses.
Hotel Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, boot room and drying room, extensive garden, outdoor swimming pool, multi-purpose activity room, lounges, library and board games to borrow
After a day walking on the coast, come back to the house and its specially tailored walkers’ facilities. Relax by sitting in the extensive gardens or challenge a fellow guest to a game of croquet. If you’re visiting with children, turn them loose in the outdoor playground area or watch them splash in the large heated alfresco pool – there’s seating with sea views for you to enjoy a drink in too on a hot English summer’s day. For something less strenuous, snag a comfy chair in one of the three cosy lounges to read a book, play a board game or just hideaway; there’s a grand piano in one if you’re feeling musical. Head to the bar before dinner to perch on a tall stool with a perfect gin and tonic made with the Isle of Wight’s very own Mermaids Gin and a chance to catch up with your companions.
