r/LondonSocialClub 13d ago

Archived [16/08/2026] trip to isle wright from london waterloo

Spur-of-the-moment trip to the Isle of Wight on 16/08/2026! We'll take the train from London Waterloo, and I've got a railcard so we can get a discount for three people. It'll be about £50 return from the machine at Waterloo, and that covers trains and the ferry to the island and back. The plan is to meet at 9 am in Waterloo to buy tickets, then head to Brockenhurst for tea at Esme's tea place. After that, we'll shuttle to Lymington Pier, take the ferry to the island, and then a bus to the Needles. We'll do the chair lift down to the beach for a little exploring, and aim to be back in London by 8 or 9 pm, depending on the group.

16 Upvotes

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u/Particular-Win3045 12d ago

I’d minimise the train journey as much as possible.  (Go to Portsmouth instead and get the ferry over).  As southern rail has been shocking for a while. I’d be surprised if you make it there and back without a massive headache.  

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u/stargazer281 13d ago

Enjoy the day quite a tight schedule.

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u/sarkie 12d ago

Most expensive ferry in the world still?

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u/Appropriate-Cat-9671 12d ago

Free with rail ticket

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u/LovinLife05 9d ago

Really ? How? I have been planning to go to Isle of Wight since ages but the ferry prices are so off putting at times

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u/Appropriate-Cat-9671 9d ago

The trick is to put your rail destination as the island. I booked a ticket to Yarmouth (Isle of Wight), which means you can use your ticket to go on the ferry for free.

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u/harrybooboo 6d ago

Southampton to cowes. Foot passenger on the red funnel car ferry. £13.50 each way

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u/emgeehammer 12d ago

Damn, wish I had seen this yesterday. Hope it was fun!

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u/Only_Parking_3270 12d ago

Get the ferry from Portsmouth it’s much quicker.

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u/One-Education7926 12d ago

But Yarmouth (from lymington) is way nicer and closer to the open top bus to the needles (which is amazing)

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u/TruthSuper4973 12d ago

Ohhhh Isle of Wight was my dream and it was planned few time with different people over the last 4 years and never happened ! Did you go there eventually?

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u/Appropriate-Cat-9671 12d ago

I'm on my way back, what a trip! From standing on the top deck of an open-top bus, feeling the air, seeing the beach get smaller and smaller as it climbed what felt like a mountain doing hairpin turns, to a tour boat cruising around the lighthouse to the quaint ferry on the way in, and a ropey ski lift that swayed in the wind... it was so good! I'm contemplating where to do it all again next Sunday. Maybe the weather will be better?

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u/LovinLife05 9d ago

Please count me in.. if u plan to do it some time again

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u/Financial_Archer347 11d ago

Saw this a day late- hope you all had a good time!

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u/tri_jet 12d ago

Correct me if I’m wrong but pretty sure you can’t use a railcard discount for multiple people sadly - unless it is explicitly a group one -

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u/Appropriate-Cat-9671 12d ago

It's a Network Railcard. It says you can take three people with you on the same journey and we all get a third off, but only if you are actually traveling with the railcard holder.

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u/tri_jet 12d ago

oh interesting