GETWAY

Janette Sykes crosses the Solent to enjoy some early summer sunshine, admire a regal holiday home and promenade with peacocks

Ventnor is a fine mix of artisan shops, cafés and restaurants, perfect for a leisurely lunch

“FANCY A MINI-CRUISE this year?” enquired my husband as we strolled around a major UK camping and caravanning show on a dreary day in February. “Sounds great!” I enthused, a second before my brain registered there must surely be some kind of catch.

“Good, because one of the ferry companies is offering a fantastic deal – return crossing and five nights’ accommodation on the Isle of Wight.”

My face must have radiated disappointment, because he hurriedly added: “Five-star campsite, with indoor and outdoor swimming pools!”

My personal vision of a mini-cruise amounts to rather more than the hour-long crossing from Southampton via the Solent to East Cowes, but I soon got used to the idea, and by the time we travelled, I was undeniably excited.

I hadn’t stayed on the Isle of Wight since I’d been on holiday there with my parents 50 years ago – just after the first men landed on the Moon – so rediscovering the island was an adventure. Our destination was The Orchards Holiday Park, Newbridge, near Yarmouth, a well-located base for our stay, not too far from the island’s main attractions.

Chocolate box villages

For our first outing, we decided to head over to Ventnor on the south-east coast, taking the A3054 and A3020 via Newport and the chocolate box village of Godshill, home to pretty thatched cottages and a model village that boasts a Royal Horticultural Society partner garden.

Sheltering in the lee of St Boniface Down, the Undercliff hosts Ventnor Botanic Garden, whose Mediterranean-style microclimate has earned it the distinction of being Britain’s hottest garden.