One of the many attractions of coming to the Island, is the simple pleasure of an adventure "abroad".

Journey across the sea, but for no more than an hour, to a different pace of life, with no hassle, no passports, no weighing your luggage, no exchanging your money, (no duty-free, though) and even driving on the proper side of the road.

There's a choice of three car ferry routes to the Island, operated by two companies. This gives you the chance to balance the convenience of route to suit yourselves with best fares. (We sometimes have access to discount vouchers for you to use, please ask)

Driving to Foinavon

For drivers, there are two ferry companies to bring you to the beautiful Isle of Wight - Red Funnel (from Southampton) and Wightlink (from Portsmouth and Lymington).

Do check both companies for your dates, and be a bit flexible over actual times. Overall, Red Funnel tend to be least expensive (this is not an endorsement), though Wightlink can sometimes be well below.

Red Funnel will bring you to East Cowes, then it's just 12 scenic miles of good road through countryside (avoiding towns!) to Foinavon. It's a very easy journey; follow the main road up from the ferry, the same as everyone else! There's some good views towards the west, part way along.

At the big roundabout, bear off, first exit, labelled Ryde. Only a couple of hundred metres along, with a long, straight, uphill road ahead of you, is a small turn on your right, with a long slip lane to get to the junction. Turn off here. (marked Sandown, Ventnor etc) It's a bit narrow to start, but it's the right way. Easy. This will bring you to a mini roundabout after about half a mile.

Go straight on along the wide, straight road about 3 miles, with more views to the west. Now you're at Robin Hill Country Park, which is a good day out, and The Hare and Hounds Pub, very popular, family friendly, not expensive.

Straight on at the roundabout, 100m to the traffic lights, where you turn left. (labelled Brading) From here you'll not pass a single house or other building for the next 5 miles - not many places can make that claim! There's some wonderful views along this road, for the passengers. About half way,there is a clearly marked right turn to Brading at the top of a hill, take it. At the bottom of the last hill, facing a former church, turn right, downhill 300m, then left at the traffic lights. Now you're on New Road, with Foinavon about 250metres up on your right. Your own parking place is the right-hand one. If you prefer to arrive from the opposite direction, drive past, up the road about 500metres to the bend, where you can make an easy u-turn in the junction on the right.

You've come the whole way, with only five easy turns to make, and seen a lot of wide views, giving an idea of what the Island has to offer you.

Wightlink would probably be bringing you from Portsmouth to Fishbourne.

The shortest route would be to turn left at the traffic lights at the end of Fishbourne Lane, and then simply follow the signs for Sandown.

You will reach Brading town (!), drive through, and after the 2 bends, you're on New Road. You'll be going uphill at first, over the brow and onwards. The pavement on your left will come to an end just before you reach Foinavon, about 500metres since leaving the village.

Alternatively, for a more scenic arrival, turn right out of Fishbourne Lane, up through Wootton Bridge and follow the signs for Sandown.

Turn left at the traffic lights at the top of the village and left at the mini roundabout.

You're now on the same route as if you'd come from East Cowes. It's just 2 miles extra, but a lovely way to arrive.

Wightlink from Lymington to Yarmouth, you've most likely come from the West Country - so you'll be used to our style of roads - and, although you're at the opposite end of the Island to Foinavon, you've traded yourself a lot of motorway and city driving for a run through the New Forest and a pleasant journey across our lovely Island.

Leave Yarmouth, following signs for Newport, then keep going, right on down the High St, at the bottom, take the Ryde lane and then immediately turn to the Brading lane and follow signs.

When you get to Robin Hill / Hare & Hounds, you'll be on our favourite scenic route again.