Introducing Isle of Wight

On the Isle of Wight these days there's something groovy in the air. For decades this slab of rock anchored off Portsmouth has been a magnet for family holidays, and it still has seaside kitsch by the bucket and spade. But now the proms and amusement arcades are framed by pockets of pure funkiness. A brace of music festivals draws the party crowd, you can feast on just-caught seafood in cool fishermen's cafes, and 'glamping' rules – here campsites are dotted with eco-yurts and retro campervans. Yet still the isle's principal appeal remains: a mild climate, myriad outdoorsy activities and a 25-mile shore lined with beaches, dramatic white cliffs and beguiling sand dunes.