UK's sunniest location has white sand beaches and alpacas you can take for a walk

The Isle of Wight, located a few miles off the coast of Hampshire and only two hours from London, offers the perfect spot to try and catch some UK sun this summer.

Often noted as the sunniest location in the UK, the island also offers a dazzling array of events and attractions that are perfect for the family. Events over the summer include the Isle of Wight Festival in June, Cowes Week in August, and a number of organised walks across the coming months. With so much to offer, here's your guide to all things Isle of Wight.

Things to do

The Isle of Wight has great attractions as well as seasonal events. One of the island's most famous buildings is Osborne House. Once the holiday home of Queen Vitoria, visitors can quite easily spend a day at the house taking in the impressive rooms inside and a beach that looks towards Portsmouth.

For those looking to stay stationed in one place for the day, there are the beaches of Sandown and Ryde. They have pure white sand and, from Sandown Beach, a view that looks out towards Culver Down and the coastal cliffs.

One of the most famous destinations on the Isle of Wight, is The Needles

'The Needles' are one of the most famous geographical features of the Isle of Wight and leave a lasting memory with the dramatic way in which they rise up out of the sea.

"I took a boat trip to get closer to them [The Needles], and it was fantastic... The chairlift ride down to the beach had stunning views. It's a spot I’d definitely recommend visiting," said Ritesh Raj, COO of CuddlyNest, who visits different places across the UK to find the best spots.

The island also offers the chance for many an animal encounter including at the Donkey Sanctuary, and West Wight Alpaca Farm where visitors can walk an alpaca.

For seasonal events, there is the Isle of Wight festival which is due to take place June 20-23, and features acts such as Scouting for Girls, Green Day, Jessie J and the Pet Shop Boys. If festivals aren't your scene, then there is Cowes Week from July 27 to August 2.

The watery spectacular is one of the longest-running regular regattas in the world and has 40 daily sailing races, around 500 boats and 2500 competitors ranging from Olympic and world-class professionals to weekend sailors.

National Trust site, Compton Bay, is a beautiful beach offering an array of activities for all the family including surfing and fossil hunting.

Nearby is also the new addition of a traditional Lithuanian woodfired sauna, founded by Rob da Bank, DJ and founder of Bestival. The wellness brand, Slow Motion, is perched at the top of the headland and allows users to have stunning vistas across the bay through a panoramic mirrored window, whilst enjoying the benefits ‘sweat bathing’ has to offer.

Rob commented: "Not only are saunas amazing for your mental and physical health, but they are a great reason to turn off, tune out and drop in, being offline and connecting with friends and people in real life, whilst recharging the batteries. Following last year’s success at Freshwater Bay, we are thrilled to be able to continue to offer an island sauna for the community and visitors to enjoy.” The experience costs £15 per person.

Places to stay

With an average score of 9.3 on Booking.com, The Caledon Guest House is a family-run Victorian lodging that is just five minutes’ walk from the bustling town centre. It features modern rooms, each equipped with a flat-screen TV with a DVD player, a hairdryer, and Fairtrade tea and coffee-making facilities. An extensive breakfast is also available in the morning, with much of the produce sourced locally.

For a view of the sea, Villa Rothsay Hotel in Cowes, has an eclectic vibe with some rooms boasting a balcony. The hotel also has a free shuttle service, a 24-hour front desk and a garden. For a stay a little different from the classic four-walled room, the luxurious pet-friendly treehouse featuring a hot tub at Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat offers the perfect serene getaway from £715 for seven days.

Places to eat

The island is also home to some great places to eat. A wave of new restaurants are currently opening, including the RT Café Grill by Chef Robert Thompson MBE. The restaurant officially opened its doors in April and has a beachfront location.

Currently ranked as the number one restaurant to eat at on the Isle of Wight, Burr's offers a selection of local fish and steaks. Dishes cost between £15 and £35. For a quick bite or coffee and cake, Blueberrys Café offers a warm and friendly atmosphere with breakfasts, light snacks and a stunning view from the Cliff Path between Sandown and Shanklin. Prices range from £1 to £15.

Another option is The Hut, in Colwell Bay, which offers visitors the chance to indulge in locally sourced, fresh seafood, which can be enjoyed in a laid-back, Mediterranean vibe. Menu items at The Hut cost £15-25 for starters, £25-65 for mains and around £15 for desserts.

Getting to and around the Isle of Wight

Despite it being an island, the Isle of Wight is quite accessible from the mainland. Southampton offers many ferry links to Cowes, and the whole island is easy to walk or cycle around.

Wightlink has got the Isle of Wight covered from east to west with three convenient ports in Hampshire. Its routes include Portsmouth Gunwharf to Fishbourne, Lymington to Yarmouth and Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde Pier Head, the world’s oldest seaside pleasure pier. Return vehicle crossings cost around £77 with a car and up to 7 people and return crossings on foot cost from £16.60 per adult.

Transport around the island includes a good bus network, which currently costs £2 per journey.

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