Getting to the Isle of Wight

Travelling to the Isle of Wight involves a short crossing from the mainland via one of the leading ferry services, by foot or by car. There are frequent sailings all year round except Christmas Day.

Check out the Island’s Ferry companies to find the best route & deal for you to travel with to the Isle of Wight.

Ferry Travel

Red Funnel Ferries

Southampton to East Cowes (Car Ferry) – Route 3
Southampton to Cowes Red Jet (Foot Passengers) – Route 2
www.redfunnel.co.uk

WightLink Ferries

Lymington to Yarmouth (Car Ferry) – Route 1
Portsmouth to Fishbourne (Car Ferry) – Route 4
Portsmouth to Ryde Pier Head (Foot Passengers) – Route 5
www.wightlink.co.uk

Hovertravel Hovercraft

Southsea to Ryde Esplanade (Foot Passengers) – Route 6
www.hovertravel.co.uk

As Robins’ Retreat is located at Ford Farm House, follow our directions to the house, and it’ll be signposted once at the entrance.

Trains

Island Line Trains
Island Line Trains serves the Island towns of Ryde, Brading, Sandown, Lake and Shanklin. (The closest train station is Shanklin which is 7 miles away.)

Buses

Southern Vectis is the Island’s local bus service on the Isle of Wight. Their routes connect most parts of the island to all major towns. Buses are frequent with some routes running through the night. Their latest buses have full air-conditioning and plenty of space inside.

Please Notice: There are no public transport bus stops near to us. The nearest stop is in the village of Whitwell which is the route 6, which is over 1 mile away and is infrequent. We strongly advise you bring your own vehicle when you stay at either Ford Farm House or Robins’ Retreat.

Taxis

Alpha (IOW) – 0800 298 5421
A.S.A.P. Taxis – 01983 244444
Charlies Taxis – 01983 853697
Cowes Taxis – 01983 294444
Randalls – 01983 852269
Ryde Taxis – 01983 811111

Car Hire

Esplanade Volkswagen
Prime Drive Car and Van Rental
Value Rentacar
South Wight Rentals
1st Call Car Hire

Directions to Robins’ Retreat (Ford Farm House) from Car Ferry Terminals

There are many ways of getting to us, due to different ferry terminals. Below we have put together some simple directions on how to get to Ford Farm House from the CAR FERRIES only. To find out the best route to us, please either use the AA Route Planner or Google Maps. Simply enter your departure address into the A box on the left hand side of the screen and enter our postcode ‘PO38 2NZ‘ into the B box. You shall then find the best ferry service. You may want to pick an alternative service if you wish to explore the island before coming to our bed & breakfast.

Yarmouth WIGHTLINK Ferry Terminal (Lymington to Yarmouth (Car Ferry))

  1. Exit the Yarmouth Ferry Terminal.
  2. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto A3054 1 mi 3 mins
  3. Turn left onto Pixley Hill 2 mi < 1 min
  4. Continue onto Copse Lane 7 mi 1 min
  5. Turn right onto Hooke Hill 2 mi < 1 min
  6. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Stroud Road/A3055
  7. Continue to follow A3055 0 mi 2 mins
  8. Turn left to stay on A3055 9 mi 18 mins
  9. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Blackgang Road/A3055
  10. Continue to follow A3055 6 mi 3 mins
  11. Turn left onto Newport Rd 6 mi 4 mins
  12. Turn right onto Ford Farm Lane (concealed entrance)
  13. Ford Farm House, Whitwell, Ventnor, Isle of Wight PO38 2NZ Destination will be on the left.
  14. Drive up the gravel driveway to the rear of the house to find Robins’ Retreat, parking to the left of the cottage.

East Cowes RED FUNNEL Ferry Terminal (Southampton to East Cowes (Car Ferry))

  1. Exit the East Cowes Ferry Terminal.
  2. At the roundabout, continue straight onto Well Road/A3021
  3. Continue to follow A3021 3 mi 3 mins
  4. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Whippingham Road/A3021 6 mi 3 mins
  5. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Racecourse/A3054
  6. Continue to follow A3054 2 mi 6 mins
  7. At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto St Georges Way/A3020 (Sandown Lane)  3 mi < 1 min
  8. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit and stay on St George’s Way/A3020
  9. Continue to follow A3020 5 mi 3 mins
  10. Turn right onto Blackwater Hollow/A3020 5 mi 3 mins
  11. Turn right onto Niton Road 0 mi 4 mins
  12. Slight right 3 mi < 1 min
  13. Slight left at Beacon Alley 0 mi 2 mins
  14. Turn left onto Ford Farm Lane
  15. Ford Farm House, Whitwell, Ventnor, Isle of Wight PO38 2NZ Destination will be on the left.
  16. Drive up the gravel driveway to the rear of the house to find Robins’ Retreat, parking to the left of the cottage.

Fishbourne WIGHTLINK Ferry Terminal (Portsmouth to Fishbourne (Car Ferry))

  1. Exit the Fishbourne Ferry Terminal.
  2. Turn right to stay on Fishbourne Lane 6 mi 2 mins
  3. Turn right onto Kite Hill/A3054
  4. Continue to follow A3054 1 mi 3 mins
  5. Turn left onto Station Road 8 mi 2 mins
  6. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Briddlesford Road 1 mi 4 mins
  7. At the roundabout, continue straight onto Downend Road 8 mi 2 mins
  8. Turn right onto A3056 5 mi 1 min
  9. Turn left onto Merstone Lane 8 mi 4 mins
  10. Turn left onto A3020 1 mi 2 mins
  11. Turn right onto West Street 1 mi < 1 min
  12. West Street turns left and becomes Whitwell Road 1 mi 4 mins
  13. Turn right onto Southford Lane 4 mi 1 min
  14. Turn right onto Niton/Newport Road 2 mi < 1 min
  15. Turn right onto Ford Farm Lane
  16. Ford Farm House, Whitwell, Ventnor, Isle of Wight PO38 2NZ Destination will be on the left
  17. Drive up the gravel driveway to the rear of the house to find Robins’ Retreat, parking to the left of the cottage.

For further information or queries, please do not hesitate and get in contact with us.