Destination: Vintage Vacations, near Ryde, Isle of Wight, 07802 758113
Great for: holidaying with other families, having a chill-out getaway
Pack: Football, cricket sets, badminton sets, croquet sets, and the novel you’ve been meaning to read
Don’t forget: Your wellies, just in case
The one problem with writing about travel: you find someplace really cool you want to tell the world about…and then you can’t get a reservation or a table next time you want to visit. I’ve already booked my Airstream caravan at Vintage Vacations on Isle of Wight for next year, so it’s safe for me to spread the word.
For two years I kept trying to snag one of the refurbished classic silver American motorhomes that Helen and Frazer rent, only be told they were booked solid. (The caravans are stationary, located on a sprawling farmer’s field near Ryde.) We got our act together for a visit earlier this year and spent an amazing four days in an Overlander, along with some friends in the Airstream next door and the kids playing in the Doris, a tiny vintage English caravan parked just in front of them.
This Isle of Wight treasure isn’t a big secret: it’s been written up in newspapers and magazines. What is new are the upgrades they seem to make every year – adding new caravans and improving the site on which they sit.
The Airstreams themselves are kitschy and comfortable. The beds have real mattresses and the showers are surprisingly useable, despite their diminuitive size. Yet this isn’t full-on glamping. The upgrades are in various stages of finish, their caravans’ kitchens are stocked with mismatched implements and homey tea towels. It all adds to the sepia-toned experience.
You sit out on the brightly painted picnic tables, sipping coffee or a glass of wine, while in the field the children play cricket or build dens or set a trap an animal with a folding chair and a net shopping bag. (At least, that’s what ours did.) At night you roast marshmallows and tell jokes around the brazier or cookout on one of the site’s barbecues.
Nearby there are all the usual Isle of Wight family attractions: touring Osborne House with its amazing playground, climbing with Good Leaf tree climbing, visiting Cowes, and sand-castling on the beaches.
But ultimately, we spent most of our time lounging around the campsite, playing games, reading books and chatting. You know, just like in the good ol’ days.
Resources
We took the ferry with Wightlink (0871 376 1000 www.wightlink.co.uk) on its 40-minute Portsmouth–Fishbourne crossing, one of three routes. Car ferries also operate between Lymington and Yarmouth (35 minutes) and there is a passenger catamaran service from Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde Pierhead (22 minutes).
Wightlink produces a range of themed booklets and online guides. All of the Wightlink guides are available free by calling 0871 376 1000 or to view/download from the website.
Quick, take this post down: if you tell everyone I’ll never be able to get a booking! Your holiday is right up my street, we love the Airstream but have never stayed in one. This looks so amazing – see you there next year! x
You’ll love it. The setting itself is so stylish with all the trailers, and Helen and Frazer are onsite every day, making sure you have everything you need. See you there.
This looks like so much fun! I haven’t heard of Vintage Vacations – I’ll have to check them out. The Isle of Wight is definitely on our bucket list
I couldn’t recommend them more. They’re lovely.