Travel/Holiday Advice during COVID 19 outbreak.
For anyone planning a visit to the Island or indeed a staycation, here are a few notes:
Day trippers have been told to “stay away” from the Island by the IW Council after the government announced that people could now travel for their lockdown exercise.
PM Boris Johnson outlined his “first sketch of a roadmap” for the gradual lifting of coronavirus (Covid-19) lockdown measures saying that as from 13th May 2020 people would be allowed to spend more leisure time outdoors – provided they stick to social distancing guidelines.
However, the leader of the Isle of Wight Council, Dave Stewart, said this should not be seen as an invitation for people to flock to the Island or move location to their second home.
He also urged Islanders to maintain the two-metre social distancing rule when outside.
“The move to a new phase in the national response to coronavirus is best summed up in the new message from the prime minister to “Stay Alert: Control the Virus and Save Lives,” said Councillor Stewart.
“It remains the council’s priority to protect our Island community in the best way that we can.To that end the message for those on the mainland who may be thinking of visiting us is: ‘Please stay away at this time – it is not yet safe for us or for you to come to the Island. We will tell you when it is safe to do so’.”
******
In line with the latest government guidelines, Red Funnel Ferries is urging the public to heed the government’s advice and refrain from using public transport as much as possible. This includes using the company’s ferry service between Southampton and East Cowes.
While the UK government has somewhat relaxed its ‘Essential Travel Only’ message, it remains clear that travel for the purpose of holidays, including visits to second homes, remains prohibited.
Red Funnel is also reminding customers that while the government has stipulated people may travel as far as they like for exercise or to meet one other person in an outdoor space, the government has also advised the public to avoid using public transportation as much as possible. As Red Funnel continues to maintain its lifeline service to the Island with a reduced timetable, the company urges the public to use their best judgement and avoid using its ferries to take day trips for exercise or to visit friends and family, at this time.
*****
The Cruising Association is pleased to confirm that all forms of watersports, including the use of privately-owned motorised craft, can go ahead in England.
In guidance issued this morning (13 May 2020), the Government has confirmed that:
‘All forms of water sports practised on open waterways, including sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, rowing, kayaking, surfing, paddle-boarding and the use of privately-owned motorised craft (in line with the guidance issued by the relevant navigation authority) are allowed.’
The re-opening of marinas (like golf courses), for leisure boating customers, is now permissible subject to the strict compliance to social distancing and hygiene guidelines provided by government.
*****
Dean & Reddyhoff and Quay Marinas, which own East Cowes Marina have begin to reopen its marinas in England this week under new group brand name boatfolk, following the relaxation of travel and leisure restrictions. All necessary measures to keep boatfolk teams and customers safe will be a primary focus. However, they are also committed to getting berth holders back on their boats and out on the water again.
*****
Meanwhile Visit Isle of Wight are at the forefront of developing a new nationwide Tourism Standards scheme with Visit England that will be launched soon to help kickstart the UK’s tourism industry.
Working in collaboration with Visit England, Visit Cornwall, Visit Devon and Cumbria Tourism, the Visit Isle of Wight team have been developing a local framework to offer reassurance and confidence to visitors, tourism businesses, attractions, destinations and the local population and linking this into the development of a national framework.
The framework is being developed nationally by Visit England with input by Public Health England, national trade bodies and local Destination Management
Indoor Residential Adviser
Angela Smith
e-mail: ggiow.indooradvisor@gmail.com
01983 408112
Camp Adviser
Please use Contact Us page or
Scroll down for list of Camp Sites checked by IW Council.
REN Forms
Contact IW.REN Coordinator
07921256553
Indoor Holiday Accommodation- Halls etc.
Beechgrove, Ryde United Reform Church,
Corbett Road, Ryde
25 Places
Contact: Rev. Norman Vivian, 35 Ratcliffe Avenue,
Ryde, PO33 3DW
Tel: 01983 563278
Brighstone Scout, Guide & Community Centre
10 Beds + Hall
Contact: Mr Paul Medland – paul@medland.net
Tel: 01983 740892
1st Shanklin Scout HQ
Batts Road, Shanklin 25 places Tel: 07745 602676
Marie Reeves – please phone before 8pm
Cowes Sea Scout HQ
30 Places
Tel: 01983 249799
East Dene Centre, Bonchurch
50 Places – Coach House only.
Tel: 01983 852374
Kingswood Activity Centre, Bembridge
Tel: 0800 6556564
Middle Barn Farm, Sandown
Contact: P Cheverton
Tel: 01983 865 282
Northwood Scout HQ
Wyatts Lane, Northwood
25 Places
Contact: Mrs Eileen Finch
Tel: 01983 292904
email: finch@orpheusmail.co.uk
Northwood House Community Centre
30 Places
Contact: Ros Heron
Tel: 01983 293642
Sandown Methodist Church Hall
30 Places
Contact: Mrs Lesley Clifford
Tel: 01983 403990
Shorwell Village Hall, Russell Road, Shorwell, PO30 3JT
30 Places
Contact: Debbie Thistleton
Tel: 01983 740 371
Urban Saints, Westbrook Oakhill Road, Ryde Tel: 01983 811118
Wilberforce Hall, Brighstone
25 Places
Contact: Brighstone Stores
Tel: 01983 740227
Winchester House,Sandown Road, Shanklin IW. PO37 6HT -20 Places
Tel: 01983 862441
HOTELS:
The Fernside Hotel
Station Avenue, Sandown
30 Places
Contact: Denise Davies
Tel: 01983 402356
(Bunk beds and all rooms en-suite)
Montague House Hotel
109 Station Avenue
Sandown
Tel: 01983 404295
Contact:Natalie & Dave Bury- Can offer 30 places for girls + 4-5 leaders.
Isle of Wight Camping Sites as at December 2017.
The Island has a number of suitable campsites. The following lists show commercial campsites, or farms that have given permission to be used as camp sites. There are no areas on the Isle of Wight where wild camping is allowed so please refer to this list when planning your overnight stay. When camping, please observe the countryside code and always take your rubbish with you if there are no bins.
| FARM SITES | GRID REF. | OWNER CONTACT | TELEPHONE NUMBER | |
| Ashengrove Farm, Calbourne
Facilities: water tap & WC |
SZ444874 | Mrs Ball | 01983 531209 | 1 |
| Bembridge Farm, Sandown Rd, Bembridge
Facilities: water tap, no WC |
SZ632866 | J.E. Taylor | 01983 872715 | 2 |
| Chilton Farm, Chilton Lane, Brighstone
Facilities: water tap, no WC |
SZ414825 | Richard Firsk | 01983 740338 | 3 |
| Cliff Farm, Victoria Avenue, Shanklin
Facilities: water tap & WC |
SZ569811 | Mr & Mrs Mew | 01983 862107 | 4 |
| Combley Farm, Downend, Newport
Facilities: Water taps in most fields |
SZ543880 | Mr & Mrs Groves | 01983 527555 | 5 |
| Froglands Farm, Carisbrooke
Facilities: Water tap & WC |
SZ483872 | Mr S.H. Dungey | 01983 821027 | 6 |
| Nettlecombe Farm, Witwell
Facilities: water tap & WC |
SZ527783 | Mr Morris | 01983 730783 | 7 |
| Marvel Farm, Merstone, Newport
Facilities: Water tap & WC Please ring to disuses area for camping |
SZ501871 | Farm Manager | 01983 526027 | 9 |
| Three Gates Farm, Shalfleet | SZ439897 | Mrs H. Cawood | 01983 531204 | 10 |
| Upper Winstone Farm, Wroxall, Ventnor | SZ552811 | Mr R Attrill | 01983 863567 | 11 |
| COMMERCIAL SITES | GRID REF. | OWNER CONTACT | TELEPHONE NUMBER | |
| Carpenters Farm, St Helens
Facilities: Water, WC. Rural situation on working farm |
SZ617887 | M. Lovegrove | 01983 872450 | 12 |
| Chine Farm Campsite, Military Road, Atherfield
Facilities: Water, WC, Showers Coastal situation |
SZ448801 | 01983 740901 | 13 | |
| Comforts Farm Camping Park and Riding School, Pallance Road, Cowes
Facilities: water, showers, small shop, games room, TV, Arabian horses. |
SZ478037 | Mrs Arnett | 01983 293888 | 14 |
| Compton Farm, Brook
Facilities: WC, Water, Showers, washing up area, Milk sold daily, pay phone. Peaceful & quiet farm close to Compton Bay |
SZ377850 | Mrs J Phillips | 01983 740215 | 15 |
| Corf Scout Camp, Shalfeet
Facilities: water, WC, showers, pay phone. The Scout Association allows outside organizations to use site early May to end of November |
SZ417901 | Sarah Kingswell | 01983 524416 | 16 |
| Grange Farm, Military Road, Compton
Facilities: Water, WC, showers, washing up area, launderette, bath, hairdryer, pay phone, emergency supplies shop. Close to the sea, ideal for fossil hunting |
SZ419819 | Mrs C. Dungey | 01983 740296 | 17 |
| Kite Hill Campsite Kite Hill Farm, Wootton
Facilities: WC, Disabled CW, showers, washing up area, laundry. Small shop Peaceful, quiet countryside location |
SZ546916 | Mr & Mrs Abraham | 01983 882543 | 18 |
|
Languard Manor Camp Park Landguard Manor Rd, Shanklin Facilities: WC, showers, Washing up. Note: closed 20th July-31st August. Teams must specify they are DofE to be able to camp. |
SZ579824 |
Mr & Mrs Welti |
01983 867028 |
19 |
| Stoats Farm Campsite, Totland
Near Alum Bay and Needles |
SZ324859 | 01983 755258 | 20 | |
| Queen’s Bower Dairy, Apse Heath | SZ569847 | Mr Reed | 01983 403840 | 21 |