Did you know that you get a huge discount on IOW ferry of you are members of The Caravan Club - I was amazed how much I saved and we go out on the 25th July
As a previous poster said, the Lyndhurst traffic lights can cause quite a tailback pretty much at anytime during the day but also the Brockenhurst level crossing can as well if you're unlucky enough to catch that.
As far as getting on and off the ferry is concerned all I would say is take your time and go slowly especially if you have a chassis mounted motor mover. The join between the ship and shore can sometimes be quite severe and it has been known to damage motor movers.
Other than that you shouldn't encounter any probs.
We love the IoW and have stayed at Orchards. You're in for a treat.....
If you end up with a few hours spare go on the hover craft back to the mainland there is a very big discount designer shopping centre there and if you go over as a day return it doesnt cost much its a good day out and well worth a visit. Be careful of the road conditions 2 yearsd ago they were very potholey and some are only 6' 6" wide which is dead size for new vans. There are various good weeks to go depending on your interest. Cowes week, Tall Ships week, Garlic festival, Air festival etc etc. Failing that its a great place to chill. - enjoy.......
Designer Shopping Centre !!!! Come on chalkie give us blokes some quite time with our wallets !! Where exactley is it ? I could do with some new Jeans & Trainers actually
Hi Mark and Karen If you catch the hovercraft from Cowes it pulls in at Pompei go left past the fairground and you will see in the distance a tall building which loooks like a spinaker or sail similar to the one in Dubai but not as classy. I believe you can also catch the ferry as a foot passenger this pulls in next to it.
I was born and brought up on the IOW until I "Emigrated"! to Southampton some 25 years ago.
Unless you travel during the night or early morning, junct.1 of m27 through Lyndhurst is a no go.
As someone has mentioned, queues into Lyndhurst (the village had two lanes, now only one, good old New Forest council!, railway crossing at Brockenhurst and another one at Lymington.
Leave m27 at junct. 2, head south, through Beaulieu, then to Lymington.
The road from Beaulieu is open forest with ponys etc roaming freely, but a good road.
It is a few miles longer, but much, much quicker, I use it all the time now.
Quote: Originally posted by tim.cooper5 on 13/7/2007
A bit late for Granty but might help others.
I was born and brought up on the IOW until I "Emigrated"! to Southampton some 25 years ago.
Unless you travel during the night or early morning, junct.1 of m27 through Lyndhurst is a no go.
As someone has mentioned, queues into Lyndhurst (the village had two lanes, now only one, good old New Forest council!, railway crossing at Brockenhurst and another one at Lymington.
Leave m27 at junct. 2, head south, through Beaulieu, then to Lymington.
The road from Beaulieu is open forest with ponys etc roaming freely, but a good road.
It is a few miles longer, but much, much quicker, I use it all the time now.
Tim
IOW ex-pat!
As an alternative to Tim's suggestion, when we're going to Lytton Lawns which is close to Lymington we take the A31 from junction 1 of the M27 up the hill to Stoney Cross and turn left towards Emery Down. Go through the village of Emery Down and you arrive at the A35 just to the west of Lyndhurst. We then turn right along the A35 for some miles until we reach the B3058 on the left. Take this and follow signs through Wootton, Tiptoe, Hordle to Everton and thence left onto the A337 which will take you straight into Lymington.
This sounds complicated, but again it's mainly open forest roads and little used main roads and it avoids all the recognised bottlenecks.
Thanks to you all for your replies, as you all said the Island is great and i we enjoyed our holiday all the more for your advice, Thanks to Kathy for trying to let me know how it was during her holiday. Thanks once again, this site and all the people that contribute to it are worth their weight in gold.
Thanks
Granty (& Mrs Granty) ................she made me put that.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: IOW Ferry
and we go out on the 25th July
Come on chalkie give us blokes some quite time with our wallets !! 
Where exactley is it ? I could do with some new Jeans & Trainers actually 
