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July 2020 | REDONLINE.CO.UKI
have really fond memories of a family trip to the Isle of Wight back in 1983. This time,
with my own kids in tow, will the old-fashioned seaside charm be as good as I remember?
We are staying at The George, right on the waterfront in the picturesque little town of
Yarmouth, and only a couple of minutes’ walk from the Wightlink ferry (or, for a real
sense of adventure, a whizzy trip across the Solent in a high-speed rib).
The hotel is a 17th-century townhouse with bags of character and many original features,
including a really wonky staircase and sloping doors. There’s some contemporary design, too,
with dark grey paint and abstract block prints. The rooms feel special and have a feeling of
space. Our family room is well thought-out, with bunk beds, which my children love.
Food is a passion here, too, with a focus on local produce. Our breakfast buffet of granola,
fruit, fresh bread and the chef ’s home-made lemon curd and raspberry jam is filling enough, but
you can also order pancakes, eggs and bacon from the menu. Dinner is split into land, farm and
sea and has great vegetarian options – my artichoke risotto with Parmesan crisps is delicious.
A real plus is the creative kids’ menu, with smoked salmon and steak frites. All food is
served in the Brasserie, a stylish, nautical-themed conservatory that opens out on to a sunny,
olive-tree-filled patio. It’s glorious eating breakfast, watching boats bobbing around on the
water, and I even manage to fit in two coffees while the children practise skimming stones.
The staff at the hotel are incredibly friendly and full of insider tips – Yarmouth itself is in the
north-west of the island and very close to The Needles; apparently a visit
is a must. A chairlift sweeps down over the top of the cliffs with dramatic
views to Alum Bay below, famous for its multicoloured sand. There are
21 colours and you can buy a glass from the gift shop to fill with layers of
sand – as kids have been doing since Victorian times. We walk the 3.5 miles
along the River Yar to Freshwater Bay (great for rock-pooling), then to
nearby Compton Bay. Pack a picnic to have here as it is completely unspoilt- and the guided fossil tour is a must to see actual dinosaur footprints!
I’m pleased to report the Isle of Wight still has the charm and nostalgia
of my childhood, but the cool and quirky George Hotel brings it bang up
to date. I won’t be leaving it so long to return. BEVERLEY CROUCHER
THE GEORGE
HOTEL, YARMOUTH,
ISLE OF WIGHT
From above: stunning Alum Bay
on the Isle of Wight; The George
Hotel sits right on the waterfront in
Yarmouth; the hotel’s old-world
charm has been quirkily updatedTRIP NOTES
Rooms cost from £170 a night, B&B.
Visit thegeorge.co.uk. Travel by car
from Lymington to Yarmouth on
Wightlink from £55.25 return, or
from £17.60 return as a foot
passenger. See wightlink.co.ukDine in style at The George
Hotel’s Brasserie in
pretty Yarmouth.