Finding the right self-catering accommodation in the Isle of Wight meant picnicking opportunities for you, for your family and friends. This is one side of England known for having the laid back environment by the beach under the shade. Those areas are easily accessible by taking the bike trails if you don’t feel like driving around the countryside. So having a light snack under the trees overlooking the lake is easy with a mountain bike and a backpack spacious enough for the food and drinks for the picnic. And since the weekend includes dinner before bedtime, which self-catering accommodation in the Isle of Wight would fit your culinary needs? Read on and check out the options available for you.
1. Enjoy the fully equipped kitchen (from USD 101)
How English can a cottage get in the Isle of Wight? Much of what you see in front of the Granary at French Mill is the rustic brick roof and the walls. Sometimes, it comes across as a contrast to the interiors of the property. A pleasant surprise since the fully equipped kitchen will give you ideas on what to cook in your stay outside the microwavable food variety. (We’ve all been there.) With attractions like the Steephill Cove and other spots by the beaches close to the property, preparing food for a picnic just got more exciting. It’s also a convenient excuse to bring a few bottles of garlic beer bought from one of the shops nearby.
The Granary at French Mill: charming cottage set in extensive garden with streamAccommodates: 4
Minimum Nights: 2
Refund Policy : 100% refund if you cancel at least 60 days before check-in.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
The shower room is goodThe bedroom is ideal for two; it has two single beds and a sofa bedPlenty to do in iowbut the toilet does wobble and the seat movesThe curtain rails also need some attention as the curtains are difficult to closeCleanliness:
It was well equipped clean and very comfortable indeed and the pile of children's books andBeautiful cosy setting with lovely garden with stream and plenty of outside seating areas Will visit there again and recommend to others as a lovely place to stayHost:
The host is very welcoming and helpfulWe couldn't have asked for anything more Rebecca was friendly punctual and always very helpfulThe garden was lovely as was the ownerProperty has a long and dog and child friendly garden kids will love the little shallow stream and the swingsPerhaps a mirror opposite the entrance would help to see more clearly?Read more reviewsLocation:
The mill is in a great location to explore the islandWe liked the stay on a beautiful location in a quiet surroundingIt is a short drive from the coast and near Godshill which has good pub food and tea gardensApart from that everything was fine and the cottage is set in a lovely and peaceful area just outside Sandford villageIt's well located for trips all across the island and the local pub
2. Nice place to prepare your picnic fare (from USD 231)
Staying within walking distance by the beach, the coastal attractions and by the Yarmouth ferry brings out that inner paleo in you. Not that you get to hunt for your own food. You don’t need to do that. Buying your paleo-based ingredients to go with your gluten-free essentials at one of the supermarkets within driving distance will make it easier for you to decide which recipe you should try next in this cottage. In case you have trouble deciding which finger foods to eat on your next picnic the following day, go with the organic veggies with the fat-free dip. The kitchen has enough tools to help you prepare them before hitting the beach in a jiffy.
Palomino Cottage - Brook FarmhouseSuperhost
Accommodates: 4
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
our cottage was extremely comfortable and cosy and we loved our staythe cottage is really comfortable and has been decorated in such a lovely wayvery well equipped and comfortable cottage in a lovely locationexcellent facilities in a quiet and beautiful area of the islandbathroom with a great showerCleanliness:
modern and clean and very adequately appointedvery clean good facilities all well keptthe cleanliness and general standard/specification of decor was very impressiveimmaculately clean and welcoming cottage right by the beachspotlessly clean with all the comforts you could needHost:
mike is a very friendly host and we really enjoyed our stayreally enjoyed the property and host was superbmike is an incrediable host and made us feel welcome straight awaythe hosts sent plenty of detail in advance and made us feel welcomemike and hanna were great hosts and made us feel really welcome and comfortableRead more reviewsLocation:
beautiful location close to the beachgreat location to explore the islandthe location is beautiful with the beach five minutes walk awaywe found the location ideal for our walking weekendthe location was fantastic with the beach just a few minute walk away
3. A Fresh Water stone house for fun (from USD 134)
One of the few stone houses that also come with a woodburning stove, previous occupants enjoyed preparing their food in the old English setting. Some amenities by the kitchen are modern to accommodate temporary inhabitants who might be taking home some leftovers for reheating purposes later. The larger part of the property is preserved as the house’s biggest claim to fame is that it used to be owned by the renowned English poet, Lord Tennyson. So having mini-reading sessions by the Freshwater Bay with your family and friends sounds great while enjoying home-cooked picnic lunch.
A luxury, peaceful getaway on the Isle of WightFreshwater, England, United KingdomAccommodates: 2
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
all amenities are well thought out and the cottage has a very comfortable atmosphereit's warm stylish and comfortable close to the stunning freshwater bay and the needlesthank you zena and phil for a peaceful and comfortable stayCleanliness:
very clean modern and comfortableclean and warm with a fabulous relaxed atmospherethe barn was spotlessly clean and had everything you neededlovely clean and spacious barn to stay inbeautiful building spotless and presentation excellentHost:
lovely place and lovely hostsstunning place and amazing hostswe will most certainly be booking again and would thoroughly recommend your hosts and their accommodationthe hosts are so welcoming and even thought about our dogs with some treats and a blanketwe had a lovely message from the owners and a folder with all the useful informationRead more reviewsLocation:
great location for exploring the islandin a great locationideal location for exploring the local areathe location is charming and peacefulstunning place in a peaceful location
4. Spacious cliffhanger with a pleasurable kitchen (from USD 1441)
Perhaps one of the most spacious vacation rentals in this list, this cottage preserved some of its old English charms the way most weekenders like it. Much of the modernity is found in the fully equipped kitchen and well-lit dining hall big enough to host 10 diners. Previous renters enjoyed having a panoramic view of the bay where they can easily check out Redjet High Speed Passenger Ferry. This property is highly recommended for nature lovers with a penchant for touring the area on a mountain bike to stop over some of the Isle of Wight’s historical attractions like the Carisbrooke Castle and the Osborne House.
Cliffhanger 18 Castle Road
Address: Cliffhanger 18 Castle Road Cowes Isle of Wight
Accommodates: 10
Parking Pets allowed Tennis court Golf course (within 3 km) Garden Terrace Non-smoking rooms Fishing
5. Memorable views from a beautifully-furnished property (from USD 148)
Chilling by the Wootton Creek is the best way to enjoy the breakfast you just made at this rental. Or you may watch the dramatically beautiful sunrise first thing in the morning before you head to the fully equipped kitchen to make some tea and crumpets. Or a breakfast hash. That is how this coastal property, northeast of the Isle of Wight, is the preferred vacation property for backpackers and casual travellers alike to stay the weekend. Feel free to tag along with your dog in this certified pet-friendly property. Sometimes, some peace and quiet with chirping birds in the background are best shared with loved ones.
Two Bedroom/Two Bathroom. Tranquil and Conveniently Situated.Accommodates: 4
Minimum Nights: 3
Refund Policy : 100% refund if you cancel at least 60 days before check-in.
6. Book for the barbecue, stay for the coastal resort access
Getting within walking distance to Saint Helen’s Coastal Resort is often the main reason why travellers would book a night at this cottage. Then they see great deals for ferry tickets upon confirming their reservation and the vacation just gets better. All that is left then for vacationers like you is preparing your own dinner before hitting the sack. Best rented with your friends if you’d like to try hosting a barbecue party this time in a setting by the Isle of Wight. In case you feel like splitting your stash of meat for grilling into two batches, the freezer at the kitchen has enough space to accommodate the cold cuts needed for the next day’s barbecue party.
Autumn and Christmas breaks in a fabulous setting on the Isle of WightSt. Helens Holiday, Field Lane Birch 8
7. Old English countryside cottage
This rental described as “a picturesque chalet” has attracted tourists and weekenders with a penchant with the old English countryside. As a property that existed since 1924 - the brick roof, white picket fence and the coffee table by the porch looked like preserved items from a time capsule transported to the current year. The beach can easily be viewed from the veranda. The site makes you want to go to the fully equipped kitchen and prepare a nice meal worth sharing with the family on a beach-side picnic. Previous occupants without kids have booked the weekend here to prepare food in the chalet first and stage the picnic close to the shore with a few bottles of beer.
Seagull CottageIsle of Wight, United Kingdom
8. A clifftop property at Sandown
One of the cliff-top properties by the Isle of Wight with a recently installed modern kitchen, the owners even made sure that the pantry has the basic amenities - milk in a carton, some coffee and sugar plus biscuits. Couples and families with diet specifications from paleo to keto to the gluten-free variety, they get to utilize the kitchen to prepare a healthy brunch to take to the beach and have fun under the sun by the beach. The closest beach from the chalet is Yaverland Beach, accessible within a five-minute walk.
Well located chalet in Sandown pet friendly. Beach within 5 mins walk away.Yaverland Road 113 Sandown Bay Holiday Centre
9. Book two nights for a riverside courtyard feel
What riverside courtyard feel? The rental’s name should have given you an idea of one of the most peaceful sights ever to grace the Isle of Wight - seagulls. A place known for being within a few steps from the souvenir shops and the marinas, the laidback countryside led some backpackers to book here first and bike around the Isle of Wight the morning after. What encouraged most backpackers and vacationers alike is to prepare their own meals in this two-bedroom property in the communal areas by the river. Early dinner within sight of the river helps in meeting new friends and sharing space with companions in the cottage with fellow backpackers.
Seagull Corner, 2 bed riverside propertyTop guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
The windows facing the chain ferry are double glazed though some others aren't The bedrooms are downstairs and the lounge/dining/kitchen area is upstairsThe only issue was the loud floating bridge at night especially in the master bedroomthe noise was very disturbing in the master bedroom which is only single glazedIt is well furnished and has basic supplies such as washing up liquid tea and sugarbut he'll sleep through anythingCleanliness:
Very nicely equipped apartment clean and modernAfter 2 nights of disrupted sleep (even with ear plugs)Host:
We even spotted the house from the deck of the ferry and had parked (allocated space) and gone inside before our ferry had even finished unloadingWhen we booked it we understood how close it is to both the car ferry and the Cowes chain ferry/floating bridgeso this was not a surprise and made it so exciting for all the familyHowever the chain ferry runs until gone midnight and starts up again around 5am andIronically the week following our trip I heard that the chain ferry had been taken out of use temporarily for what was described as noise issuesRead more reviewsLocation:
in time It is also very close to the chain ferry which does make it easy to get over to West CowesMy friend slept on the sofa bed in the lounge which was still noisyThe bunkbeds squeaked with any movement which annoyed my son and amused my daughter The double bed did not squeak and was very comfortablePerfect location and apartment Will be booking again next year Noise from chain ferry not a problemLovely little cottage perfect for a family of 4 Friendly neighbours
10. A weekend for the idyllic farm experience
A cottage with the old-fashioned red brick roof and stone walls in the middle of a farm surrounded by animals make an ideal countryside weekend getaway. The brightly lit kitchen sometimes come across as a pleasant contrast to the old-fashioned exteriors but it is the best reminder of how this property is equipped enough to help you prepare food. Whether it is brunch for the picnic by the pond or dinner to cap off the night before hitting the sack, this barn conversion is your best bet if your travel itinerary includes walking by the beach at Compton Bay or exploring the open fields around the cottage for that brief “nature walk” alongside barn animals.
Willows - One Bedroom Cottage, Sleeps 2Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
There were dog hair on the bed and pillows CBBC playing on the TV and dirty towels in the showerNothing was to much troubleThe wi-fi is very slowperfect if you want to go down to Yarmouth and the needlesIt was also advertised that there was a fold-out sofa in the living room howeverHost:
Richard the farmer and host was extremely helpful and accommodatingRichard is very pleasant and helpful and there are numerous ducks and chickens roaming around together with a very affectionate dogWhen we arrived the owner wasn't there to greet usluckily his sister was there to let us inWe loved the visits from Trixie the dog tooRead more reviewsLocation:
but just about OK for browsing and Facebookand I felt I was wasting my time trying to get any satisfaction out of them Therefore 2/10 for the company but 10/10 for the propertyit is advertised that there was access to a lovely pond next to the houseThe cottage is located on a farm in the central Isle of WightThis was a neat and comfortable property in a good location
Cook your own food and enjoy picnic by the beach
While the Isle of Wight has become a haven for stock photos best used as desktop wallpaper, the serenity of watching the sunrise upon waking up helps you meditate for a better day ahead away from the hustle and bustle of the urban jungle. Nature walk from your chosen cottage towards the picnic grounds close to the lake or soaking up the sun by the beach within walking distance from your chalet helps in de-stressing away the negativity. Recharge with the help of panoramic views and the calming presence of the beach and in less than a two-night booking, you feel rejuvenated. Add the option of preparing your own food fit for your health needs and you feel less pressured to eat because office lunch break time limits don’t apply to your vacation.
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