Wightbayholidays

21/09/2026

We had a great evening joining in the celebrations of Wildheart Animal Sanctuary 50th Anniversary at the weekend. Who can spot us? Dave is easy to see, Gillian - much more difficult lol!

21/09/2026

Sometimes the loveliest review is simply knowing that a guest felt welcome.

A holiday can start before you've even unpacked. That first welcome. Walking into a clean, prepared chalet. Finding a few little things waiting for you.

Knowing where everything is, and knowing that, if you need us, we're only a phone call away.

We love it when guests mention those things in their reviews, because they're reminders that the little details really do matter. For us, hospitality isn't about making a big show of things. It's about making guests feel comfortable, looked after and welcome from the moment they arrive. And when they take the time to tell us they've felt that way, it means a great deal.

What's the first thing that makes you feel welcome when you arrive somewhere new?

18/09/2026

Fancy a walk with a view worth the climb?

Culver Down is one of those places we never seem to tire of. The walk to the top gives you wonderful views across Sandown Bay and out towards the sea, and on a clear day you can see much further around the Island.

It's a lovely place for a walk when you want to stretch your legs and take in a bit of scenery without having to make a whole day of it. After all, step through the site gate and you’re already on the Island’s coastal path.

And if you're lucky, there's a little reward waiting at the end… The Culver Haven Inn sits at the top of the Down, making it rather tempting to stop for a cold drink or a meal before heading back.

It's also a great example of how easy it is to enjoy completely different sides of the Isle of Wight in one day — from the beach at Yaverland to the open countryside and views from Culver Down.

Have you walked to the top of Culver Down? We’d love to see your photos in the comments!


The Culver Haven Inn

16/09/2026

Holiday calories don't count, do they? 😉

The ice cream you wouldn't normally have, home-made cake with your afternoon coffee, fish and chips because you're by the sea, a cream tea because... well, you're on holiday,

Maybe it's something local you've never tried before, or simply buying your favourite things and enjoying them back at the chalet.

They're not extravagant, they're not particularly complicated, but somehow, when you're on holiday, little treats feel even better.

Perhaps it's because you're giving yourself permission to enjoy them without thinking about all the things you should be doing instead.

What's your favourite holiday treat?

14/09/2026

A good holiday gives everyone a little space to do their own thing.

One of you wants to read. The other wants to watch something on TV. One fancies sitting outside with a drink. The other would rather put the kettle on and have a quiet afternoon indoors.

And that's perfectly fine. Having your own space means you don't always have to be doing the same thing at the same time. You can spend time together, or enjoy a little time apart, and still be on holiday together.

For us, that's part of what makes a self-catering chalet feel comfortable: there's room for everyone to enjoy the holiday in their own way.

Do you enjoy having a little time to yourself when you're on holiday, or do you prefer to do everything together?

12/09/2026

Save this for your next Isle of Wight holiday!

Get yours today...

11/09/2026

We rather like this! What do you think?

10/09/2026

Sometimes you don't need more information. You just need someone who knows what they're talking about.

Choosing a holiday can sometimes mean comparing lots of options. Which chalet? Which dates? Where's best for the type of holiday you want? What works well if you're bringing your dog? What's close by?

When you book directly with us, you're not just getting a booking confirmation. You can tell us what sort of holiday you're looking for, ask about the things that matter to you, and we can share our own experience of the chalets and the local area.

Because we live here, know the chalets inside out, and have welcomed guests for many years, we're happy to offer a little advice as well as answer your questions. Sometimes, having someone who knows the place say “I think this would suit you” is much more useful than another page of information.

Do you prefer it when you can ask the owner for advice before booking a holiday?

07/09/2026

It's lovely when guests tell you what made their holiday special.

Sometimes it's something we expected them to mention. Sometimes it's something we've never really thought about.

A peaceful morning...A helpful local tip...Feeling comfortable as soon as they arrived...Discovering somewhere new...Or simply having a place that felt right for their holiday.

We read every review carefully, because each one tells us a little more about what our guests value. And while a five-star review is always wonderful to receive, it's the words behind those stars that mean the most to us. Thank you to everyone who takes the time to share their experience. Your feedback genuinely helps us keep improving what we do.

What's something a holiday accommodation has done that made you think, “That's a nice touch”?

05/09/2026

A sanctuary full of second chances. 🐻🦁🐯

Have you met Benji and Balu yet?
These two brothers arrived at Wildheart Animal Sanctuary in June 2025, following a huge international rescue effort that brought them here from Azerbaijan.

After spending years in a tiny, concrete cage, they now have a purpose-built 3,500m² habitat where they can explore, climb, play in the water and simply enjoy being bears.

Wildheart is home to rescued animals who have been given a safe place to live and expert care, and we think it’s a very special place to visit on the Isle of Wight.

And one of the best things about it for our guests? It’s within walking distance of our chalets. You can spend a few hours meeting the animals, stop for a coffee at the sanctuary café, and then wander back to the chalet afterwards.

And sometimes you don’t even need to visit to know they’re there… You can hear the lions roaring from the site. 🦁 Now that’s a rather special part of an Isle of Wight holiday!

Have you visited Wildheart yet – and which animal was your favourite?

Wildheart Animal Sanctuary