We would like to invite you to experience an unforgettable English Language Holiday on 'our' Isle of Wight. Enjoy your very special holiday and get to know and love our wonderful Island with its wealth of culture and many attractions, whilst improving your English conversation skills almost by osmosis - simply 'learning by doing' and having fun!

As our guests, you can benefit from our many years of experience in an atmosphere which couldn’t be more relaxed and personal!

We offer you so much more than just a language holiday: not least, we are able to acquaint you with our wonderful little hidden gem of an island, nestled just off the centre of the southern English coastline.

Come and practise and learn English on the sunny Isle of Wight with us, your new-found friends!

 

What Makes Us Special

Well, one thing is - we speak both English and German. We realise you won’t all be German speakers. But Jane‘s personal and working background centres around working with German people, both in England and Germany (Teaching English as a Foreign Language and translating.) But obviously, our English language holidays are open to people of all nationalities.

We consider you to be guests and not clients, and as such, can be there for you 24 hours a day if required.

Our Concept

We follow a totally different route to that of a conventional language school. Instead of boring you with a traditional classroom/textbook scenario, we 'live' with you.

We show you our wonderful Island, both visiting attractions and confronting everyday situations together, thereby facilitating a completely natural, unforced consolidation of the English language. Learning is allowed to be fun!

 

Sample Programme (One Week)

Saturday – Freshwater

• Arrival – we will collect you from your point of arrival on the Island
• Orientation around Freshwater
• Guided fossil and dinosaur footprint hunt on Compton Beach (tides and your arrival time permitting)
• Evening meal at The Piano Café, Freshwater Bay.

 

Sunday – Freshwater and The Needles. Evening: Newtown

• Visit Dimbola – former home of Victorian pioneer photographer *Julia Margaret Cameron
• St Agnes' Church – one of only 7 thatched churches in the UK
• Farringford – former home of England’s most renowned Victorian poet-laureate, Alfred Lord Tennyson. Audio-guided tour of house
• Refreshment stop at Warren Farm
• The Needles – iconic landmark. Weather permitting, take the chairlift over the stunning coloured cliffs down to the beach. Short boat trip (with commentary) out to The Needles rocks
• Early evening stroll through the stunning nature reserve of Newtown, followed by an evening meal at The New Inn, Shalfleet.

 

Monday – Bonchurch & Ventnor. Evening: Shanklin

Bonchurch – Quaint artistic village and temporary home to Charles Dickens

• visit the 11th century church dedicated to St. Boniface, followed by bracing walk along the sea wall into Ventnor.

Ventnor

• Maybe some crab or lobster and chips (local dish) at Ventnor Haven Fishery and explore town and esplanade
• Steephill Cove, a hidden treasure, and home of the legendary crab pasties (at The Crab Shed)
• Discover the story of Ventnor as a Victorian health resort and visit its magnificent Botanic Garden
• Evening visit to Shanklin Chine (illuminated after dusk). Evening meal at Pendletons, Shanklin.

 

Tuesday – Newport, Carisbrooke and Godshill. Evening: Colwell Bay

• Visit Newport Minster – the Island’s main church, housing a surprising royal tomb. Short guided walk around the Island’s county town
• On to Carisbrooke Castle – a Norman motte and bailey castle with a varied history spanning 1,000 years
• Drive to Godshill, pretty village with thatched cottages and unusual 14th century church with breathtaking, far-reaching country views. Lunch stop
• Pay a quick visit to the rescue donkeys at the nearby Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary. Then look in on the nearby ruin of Appuldurcombe House, with its tragic and scandalous past.
• Evening meal at The Hut, Colwell Bay combined with a short walk along this lovely stretch of coastline.

 

Wednesday – Havenstreet, Adgestone, Newchurch & Brading. Evening: Totland

• Enjoy a ride on our magnificent Steam Railway – on a circular tour from and back to Havenstreet Station
• On to Adgestone Vineyard for an audio-guided tour through the Roman vineyard – and learn what makes English wine different
• Conclude our visit with a wine tasting
• Onto our much-loved Garlic Farm. Let delightful Colin Boswell, the 'Garlic Farmer', be your guide, and take a tractor ride. Seated on its fairly comfortable seats, ride across the fields as you listen to a live commentary. Followed by one of their lovely lunches.
• Brading Roman Villa - one of Europe’s most influential Roman Villas – find out what the Romans did here for around 400 years
• Evening meal at The Highdown Inn (old smuggling haunt). Then enjoy a fun ‘story-telling walk’ up on the Downs.

 

 Thursday – Whippingham and East & West Cowes. Evening: Cowes (West)

• St. Mildred’s – The Royal Church – burial place of 4 royals
• Osborne – former beloved home of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert
• Try a Pimm’s (or similar) at The Lifeboat, before crossing The River Medina on the floating bridge (also called chain ferry) across to Cowes (West)
• History walking tour around Cowes
• Evening sailing lesson at Island Sailing Club (suitable for beginners) followed by food and a social chat with members of the local sailing community.

 

Friday – Mottistone and Niton. Evening: Totland Bay

• Visit the beautiful Mottistone Manor Gardens, The Longstone (megalithic) and the quaint and historic Mottistone Church. Learn about the Island’s most famous horse
• Lunch at The Buddle Inn, another (ancient) smuggling haunt located right in the centre of The Island’s south coast
• Walk to the secluded and spectacular St. Catherine's Lighthouse
• Drive back along The Military Road – the Island’s most stunning route – stopping to view the sweep of the entire west coast. Also St. Catherine’s Oratory, medieval lighthouse, the Island’s oldest monument, known locally as 'The Pepper Pot'
• Meal at The Waterfront, Totland Bay.

 

Saturday - Departure

• No organised activity. Check out of your accommodation, then free time until you need to leave the Island
• We will transfer you back to your ferry terminal when required. Maybe you want extra shopping time in either Ryde or Cowes?

 

Programme Price:

Approx. £400 per head (depending on the size of your group).

Price excludes accommodation and transport costs to and from your home to the Island, however, includes transportation costs on the Island. Food and drink are also excluded from the price.

Lunches will often be locally-sourced picnics. Tasty, fun and much cheaper than eating out. Evening meals will be of your choosing – there will be plenty of variety in the pubs/restaurants selected.

 

You can opt for the whole programme or change or reduce the activities. If you would like any English lessons as part of your programme, this can be arranged. Your wish is our command! You decide how much free time you want - we can then step into the background but still be there for you as and when you need us.

 

Group Tour Accommodation

We can’t give you a long list of recommendations here. However, if you ask us, we can make several suggestions in different parts of the Island.

 

Foxhills of Shanklin is a wonderful Victorian property which we can’t recommend highly enough! Not only great for those requiring individual rooms, it is highly suitable for all of our special interest group stays, including our language and walking holidays.

You will be extremely well looked after summer and winter alike. And, if you occupy all 8 beautiful bedrooms, you can fully relax in your very own home from home!

With a comfortable and spacious guest lounge, cosy dining room and secluded garden, you will have complete privacy and exclusivity.

Foxhills https://foxhillsofshanklin.co.uk/ is kindly offering a 10% reduction on their room rates to all Isle of Wight Guided Tours customers!

 

 

*Please view https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KnPIE8-SJ4 for excerpts from a film I made about the life of Julia Margaret Cameron, including her association with her illustrious friend and neighbour Tennyson.

 

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