The mild island climate allows plants usually associated with warmer climes to thrive, giving gardens here a different look to those on the mainland. The ornate terrace gardens of Osborne House, the sheltered Mediterranean style valley garden of Mottistone and the Edwardian-inspired Princess Beatrice garden at Carisbrooke Castle all provide beauty and inspiration. Ventnor Botanical Gardens will give you a chance to take a horticultural journey around the world and see exotic and unusual species.

HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

Osborne House is where Queen Victoria and Prince Albert enjoyed private family life growing vegetables and planting trees
Visit the enchanting gardens at Mottistone – brightly coloured borders, beautifully scented flowers set in a sheltered valley.
Enjoy the charming period planting, water feature and orchard from ground level and the battlement walk at Carisbrook Castle
Uncover the many layers of interest at Ventnor Botanical garden with an impressive collection of over 30,000 rare and subtropical plants and trees.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

High quality full-board en-suite accommodation and excellent food in our country house
The guidance and services of our knowledgeable holiday leader, ensuring you get the most from your holiday
All transport to and from gardens on a comfortable, good-quality mini-coach with PA system
All garden admissions costs. For Garden Tours, National Trust, English Heritage and RHS admissions are not included.
Heritage gardens (please note this does not include entrance to stately homes/houses, for which there is a separate admission fee)

FRESHWATER BAY HOUSE

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, 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.

ROOMS

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 Good, Better and Best 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.

All ‘Good’ rooms are en-suite and furnished to a high standard. There are also several ‘Better’ and ‘Best’ Rooms that are either larger or have a desirable view, a more luxurious mattress, larger television, enhanced toiletries and a fluffy bathrobe & slippers – upgrade your stay for just an extra £15-25 per person per night. You can choose a specific room for an extra £30 per room, subject to availability. Upgrade supplements still apply.

FACILITIES

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 also seating with sea views for you to enjoy a drink 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 hide away; 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.

FOOD & DRINK

As at all our country houses, holidays are full board, from afternoon tea served as a welcome treat through that evening’s meal to a hearty breakfast on the day of departure. Lunch is a chance to stock up on our famous picnic snacks. Food at Freshwater Bay House is hearty and has a strong emphasis on ingredients from the area and seasonal produce. Once a week the light-filled dining room hosts a Local Food Night, when, over a sociable evening, you might try a five-course feast of local flavours.

Ask for details of the numerous Isle of Wight guided walking, discovery and activity tours – including painting, singing, sketching, bridge, yoga, photography and pilates – from 2 – 6 nights. Solo traveller-only tours available.

Isle of Wight Gardens tour