We stayed for two weeks in Kingfisher and really enjoyed our time there. We loved our visits to the water mill; joining in with weekend activities, playing mini golf, visiting the museum and drinking coffee in the beautiful cafe. We also bought some of the mill’s cherry oats; they were delicious. Nearby, we could walk our dogs in the idyllic woodland and explore the miles of countryside surrounding the lodge. The lodge itself was well equipped, nicely presented and comfortable. We loved that there was an eco-friendly vibe there even though there were a few occasions when we were without hot water. The owner was very helpful and we eventually managed the situation ourselves. Wendy was amazing. She was so friendly and helped us on a daily basis - sight seeing, local advice and island information.
Calbourne is a great base for visiting all parts of the island. We particularly enjoyed Alum Bay (the chair lift and boat trips) and the Amazon Zoo. The car boot opposite the Sun Inn is also worth a visit on a Friday evening. The best pubs we visited were The Horse and Groom and The Blacksmith’s Arms. We also had a lovely walk round Cowes and would highly recommend The Fountain pub; so welcoming and fantastic for dogs. Shanklin was also a great place to visit with its gorgeous arty shops; it even had an all year round Christmas shop. We were a little disappointed with the beaches as online it said the beach was dog friendly but when we got there, there were seasonal restrictions. So it was a bit of a walk for my elderly mum.
Overall, we loved our stay in Calbourne and would recommend it as a base for those who enjoy nature, walking and exploring.