The Isle of Wight of Yesteryear

HIGHLIGHTS: Whippingham Church, Osborne House, Isle of Wight Steam Railway, Shanklin

On this midweek break we seek out island attractions, which show us how it used to be in times gone by. The Victorian Age in particular has left its mark, and Queen Victoria herself loved the island so much that Osborne House was built for the Royal Family. Based in the resort of Sandown, we include a tour of Osborne House, a ride on the perfectly preserved steam railway, and a visit to a village museum with a Victorian theme.

**Please note it is a condition of travel with Grand UK, for all passengers to hold valid travel insurance for the duration of their tour.**Excursions
FULL DAY: Our full day tour begins at the ornate Whippingham Church, built by Prince Albert and where Queen Victoria was a regular member of the congregation when in residence on the island. We continue to Queen Victoria's seaside retreat, Osborne House, where she died in 1901. This beautiful Italianate villa and grounds are maintained as it was at the time offering a wonderful snapshot of Royalty during Victoria's reign.

FULL DAY: Take a journey back in time with a ride on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. We join at the railway's main station at Havenstreet, where there is a small museum and shop, for a return journey on a section of the old Ryde to Newport line. The oldest locomotive was built in 1876 and carriages date back to 1864, and all have been restored to pristine condition. Afterwards we visit the resort of Shanklin for some free time to enjoy at leisure.

FREE DAY TO EXPLORE: Relax and unwind with a free day in Sandown to enjoy its charming seafront walks, or use the time to explore the island by local transport services.

Escorted Travel
Every one of our coach holidays includes the services of a coach driver and is always fully escorted by a knowledgeable Tour Manager, they are on hand every day and night and stay in the same hotel to ensure your holiday is stress-free.




Our coach Tour Managers are there purely for your extra comfort and enjoyment, from organising activities to breaking the ice and helping you all make the most of your holiday.


We hand-pick these extra special people because of their passion for people and places; they are the heartbeat of our coach holidays, a smiling face, a helping hand and always a listening ear and have the ability to turn a great time into a truly magical and memorable holiday experience.


They are simply the best in the business.




Our coach Tour Managers are there purely for your extra comfort and enjoyment, from organising activities to breaking the ice and helping you all make the most of your holiday. They are simply the best in the business.

We hand-pick these extra special people because of their passion for people and places; they are the heartbeat of our coach holidays, a smiling face, a helping hand and always a listening ear and have the ability to turn a great time into a truly magical and memorable holiday experience.


Everything Included:

- Free local joining points
- Collect Coach Miles
- All coach travel
- Reserved seats on tour coaches
- Tour Manager escorted
- Hotel accommodation and board as stated
- No single room supplement
- Excursions / itinerary as stated
- Admission fees and entertainment if stated
- Complete luggage handling
- Price-Back Insurance Offer


Your Pick Up Points
Joining Your Grand UK Coach Holiday
For 2024 we have introduced improvements to our network of local pick up points across the eastern, central and southern England, aimed at shortening your journey times and getting you away on holiday more easily and conveniently, meaning an altogether more relaxing start. We now have two pick up regions so your travel days will be more convenient, providing more efficient journeys, meeting your tour manager and fellow travellers earlier and in most cases arriving in resort earlier, please refer to our Pick-ups section below for more details.
The Tour Ref below indicates whether the tour departs from Area A or Area B by having either an A or B at the end. For example, GUK5A would be a tour departing from Area A.

Pick-Up Information
For 2024 we have introduced improvements to our network of local pick up points across the eastern, central and southern England, aimed at shortening your journey times and getting you away on holiday more easily and conveniently, meaning an altogether more relaxing start. We now have two pick up regions so your travel days will be more convenient, providing more efficient journeys, meeting your tour manager and fellow travellers earlier and in most cases arriving in resort earlier.
The Tour Ref on the holiday tab indicates whether the tour departs from Area A or Area B by having either an A or B at the end. For example, GUK5A would be a tour departing from Area A.






Traveling from Departure Area A: Be picked up from your free local departure point, and join your tour coach at our interchange area at Northampton Services on the M11, at junction 15A.





Traveling from Departure Area B: Be picked up from your free local departure point, and join your tour coach at our interchange area at Beaconsfield Services, M40, junction 2.Broadway Park Hotel
Located in four acres of grounds, in a quiet area of Sandown, the hotel is half a mile from the pier and beach and includes a ballroom.

Hotel Facilities

- Restaurant, bar, lounges, snooker room, ballroom
- En-suite bedrooms
- Free Wi-Fi available
- Outdoor terrace
- Regular entertainment
- Lift

Hotels
• Broadway Park Hotel (Isle of Wight) - View Information