11/06/2025
TUESDAY 10/06/2025 - ISLE OF WIGHT RANKED SECOND IN LIST OF BRITAIN'S BEST ISLANDS
The Island's ranking of second follows an extensive a study by the Daily Telegraph, which assessed more than 40 British islands using data across 35 categories.
The criteria included weather reliability, population density, the number of UNESCO sites, listed historical properties, and luxury amenities like hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants.
The Isle of Wight matched Jersey and Guernsey for weather, but surpassed them in other areas.
The Telegraph mentioned the Isle of Wight Steam Railway in its assessment, describing it as "a classic of the heritage genre".
The Island's cricket clubs were also highlighted — especially Ventnor Cricket Club, for its "glorious cliff-top position, which exudes a certain Englishness".
The Island's 70-mile coastal path, which includes The Needles, was said to "seal the deal" on its ranking.
The Isle of Wight boasts 18 listed historical sites, including Osborne House, which the Telegraph said "may be the greatest".
The Island is also ranked fourth as one of Britain's warmest and driest, with an average daily high temperature of 21C and 56mm of average rainfall for the month of August.
The best British islands – the top ten rankings in full
1. Anglesey (including Holy Island) — Wales
2. Isle of Wight
3. Jersey
4. Mull (including Iona and Staffa) — Inner Hebrides
5. Skye — Inner Hebrides
6. Guernsey (including Sark and Herm)
7. Orkney
8. St Mary's — Isles of Scilly
9. Isle of Man
10. Arran — Islands of the Clyde
Nature lovers will be pleased to know the Island ranked second for natural beauty, behind only Mull in the Inner Hebrides.
It also came second in the culture category, for having eight gardens open to the public and 12 National Trust listings.
The Isle of Wight also made the top ten in the 'luxuries' section.
This category considered golf courses, vineyards and distilleries, Michelin-starred and AA top-rated restaurants, Camra-listed pubs, luxury hotels, and AA top-rated hotels per square kilometre.
The study awarded extra points for islands with an AONB, a certified IDA international dark sky park or reserve, a round-the-island coastal path, a cricket club, a heritage railway, and for appearances in the Telegraph's Travel Guide to Britain's Wildlife Wonders and its pick of Britain's 30 best villages list.
The Isle of Wight met many of these criteria, and even gained points for not having a road link to mainland Britain.!!!!!
Pictures of a few reasons why…