THE LOWDOWN

Pinkmead Estate Isle of Wight self catering getaway

Tranquil, beautiful and very, very private – if you like a slower pace of life, you’ll find it at the Pinkmead Estate & Vineyard. An Island getaway that’s very close to home, this is somewhere to escape to and press the pause button.

Located on the yacht-lined river Medina between Cowes and Newport, Pinkmead is as a stunning self-catering retreat. Couples, families, dog-owners, groups of friends, yoga-lovers and outdoor adventurers will all find fun and a place to relax. And, for anyone that craves it, there’s total seclusion.

Set in a vast twenty-four acres of stunning Isle of Wight countryside with uninterrupted riverfront views, manicured lawns (big enough to land a helicopter on, and you can if you choose to), Pinkmead has woodland, private lakes and lagoons and wildlife to discover.

Bathroom view Pinkmead Estate Isle of Wight self catering getaway

The accommodation is split into a main house with sleeping and living rooms and a second building with a separate kitchen, yoga studio and cinema room. There’s space for another two to sleep in the kitchen-studio, along with an ensuite bathroom with the most incredible countryside views. Venture a little further and you’ll find the estate’s vineyard, beehives, private jetty and direct access to one of the Island’s many beautiful walking trails.

THE VIBE

Boys playing Pinkmead Estate Isle of Wight self catering getaway

Passing down some bumpy laneways (this place really is ‘off the beaten track’) and through the unassuming gates, we enter the estate. And we immediately need a minute. Wow, the waterside views here really are breathtaking.

Joining me on the adventure are my husband, nine-year-old son Alfie and his school mate Jack. Straight away, we all feel as if we’ve stepped into our own little hidden world. It’s so peaceful, we almost feel as if we were the only ones on the island.

Pendleton bikes Pinkmead Estate Isle of Wight self catering getaway

The boys immediately go into Swallows and Amazons mode (or, more accurately perhaps, all-out feral) and they head off to explore. Having discovered the four beautiful Pendleton bikes (two adults and two children’s) they strike out beyond eyeshot with freedom in their hearts and a determination to spot one of the many friendly red squirrels that roam the grounds here.

Golf buggy Eddie Pinkmead Estate Isle of Wight self catering getaway

The keys to ‘Eddie’ the Ab Fab golf buggy, are at our disposal for the duration of our stay. Off limits to the boys, for us grownups, hopping in to get around the estate/round-up lost children was absolutely brilliant. We also used it to get to the vineyard for a stroll around the vines.

Vineyard Isle of Wight Pinkmead Estate Isle of Wight self catering getaway

Planted in 2019, the eco-minded estate owners are building up to their first vintages, with the ambition of becoming a fully biodynamic operation by 2023. Here just for a too-short weekend, we didn’t get a chance to organise a full (free) tour – a must if you book a longer residency – along with a guided look at the estate’s beekeeping operation and honey tasting. How’s that for a sweetener?

Beehives Pinkmead Estate Isle of Wight self catering getaway

Like much of the Isle of Wight, Pinkmead is very dog-friendly – perfect for letting them free roam around the estate and lovely long countryside walks. We don’t have a pooch but we spot a cosy dog bed available in the main house and leads to use. And there’s even a doggie life jacket for four-legged friends who like to take to the water with you.

THE ROOMS

Bedroom Pinkmead Estate Isle of Wight self catering getaway

A relatively small property for such large estate, Pinkmead has been given a thoughtful makeover and lots of personal touches. In the main house we find two double bedrooms and a twin room, with a roll-top bath in the master and a separate bathroom filled with gorgeous smellies.

Lounge Pinkmead Estate Isle of Wight self catering getaway

There’s also a lounge with plenty of books and games to play and cosy wood-burning stove for cooler evenings.

Pinkmead Estate Isle of Wight self catering getaway

The separate ‘kitchen garden’ and yoga studio has a sofa bed which sleeps two, cinema projector, a large kitchen, a fantastic dining space and a washer-drier (great for dealing with small explorer’s muddy clothes if you need to).

Bathroom products Pinkmead Estate Isle of Wight self catering getaway

There’s also another large bathroom in this part of the property with Pure Lakes natural smellies and the most amazing views. Large glass of vino and do-not-disturb sign – Muddy’s in for a soak…

Piano Pinkmead Estate Isle of Wight self catering getaway

Making the most of the versatile studio space, we called on Laura from the Island’s Heathwell Clinic for a long-overdue massage which proved to be one of the best I’ve ever had. Heaven. If you fancy doing some yoga or another wellness or fitness activity while you’re here, you can always get in touch with the very well-qualified ladies at Balance + Glo for a private lesson too. Next time.

SQUAFF & QUAFF

Kitchen Pinkmead Estate Isle of Wight self catering getaway

The Pinkmead Estate is self-catering (although if you go full VIP you don’t have to – private chef, anyone?). The nearest shop is around 20 minutes away with fairly limited supplies so I pre-ordered a Waitrose delivery, which the kind souls at Pinkmead put away for me. We also enjoyed treats and essentials in the gorgeous hamper we discovered on arrival from the Island’s Village Gourmet.

Pinkmead’s kitchen is very well equipped (think Kitchen Aid appliances, White Company and Denby tableware). It also has an easy-to-use induction hob, a rarity in holiday rentals. Having connected to the in-house Sonos sound system I poured myself a large glass of gifted gin (made from the estate’s own botanicals, don’t you know) and really settled in.

Outdoor pizza oven Pinkmead Estate Isle of Wight self catering getaway

We planned to cross the water by paddleboard or rowing boat – free to use in the onsite boathouse – and visit Pinkmead’s ‘local’ – the famous Folly Inn pub, a lively place with lots of visiting yacht crew, especially at weekends.

Unfortunately, the strong tide was on its way out and we risked getting stranded there (yes, there are worse places, but not after a long day’s adventuring when you’ve a comfy bed to look forward to), so we reluctantly cancelled. Check the tide times, book ahead on weekends and you could give the friendly water taxi a call for a lift if you do fancy it though, as this really is a nice spot.

Making pizza Pinkmead Estate Isle of Wight self catering getaway

Instead, we made the most of the amazing outdoor pizza oven for a fun family dinner of drinks, nibbles and stonebaked pizzas the kids help prepare.

For a last night dinner, we booked a table at Muddy 2021 Best Destination Pub, The Old Fort in Seaview, which serves great gastro-food (above) and has oh-so-stunning views. And we also stopped by the iconic Fisherman’s Cottage in Shanklin Chine for lunch. Recommended.

OUT & ABOUT

There are plenty of great attractions all around the Island and everything is easily reachable by car in well under an hour, from the iconic Needles Landmark Attraction and Old Battery (40 minutes) to Osbourne House (20 minutes), the National Trust’s Mottistone Gardens (25 minutes, above), Tapnell Farm Park (30 minutes) and the Garlic Farm (20 minutes). Our drive and explore around the Island took in Wight Karting (30 minutes) – a fun family activity and a huge hit with our pair of nine-year-olds.

GETTING HERE

Not quite VIP enough to charter a helicopter, we travelled to Yarmouth from Lymington on the Wightlink car ferry, a great service with very efficient and VIP-feeling vehicle recognition. My son was highly delighted that ‘it knows our name!’. The short 40 minutes crossing gave us enough time to explore, admire the amazing views from the sun deck (we spotted the Beaulieu River, the Sea Water baths, the Needles) and for me to soak up a G&T.

Speaking of which, if you don’t have time to swing by the Isle of Wight Distillery (recommended), you can pick up a souvenir bottle of tasty Mermaid gin onboard on the way back, and grab a bite to eat in the cafe which has plenty of Island-made food and drink, from freshly-baked pasties to locally-brewed, award-winning ales.

From Yarmouth Harbour, the Pinkmead Estate is around 30 minutes’ drive (12 miles). Wightlink also has car ferry crossings from Portsmouth to Fishbourne, taking around 45 minutes, with a similar 30-minute (eight mile) onward car journey.

THE MUDDY VERDICT

Good for: Family get-togethers, a chilled girl’s weekend, a walking or wellness break, a dog-friendly holiday and a romantic getaway. Pinkmead is intentionally versatile and you really can make this place your own.

Not for: Families with toddlers and very young (mobile) children might find the water’s edge location a little stressful. And while the estate has a super-VIP feel, the ‘country’ track in and out means this isn’t the best place to bring expensive sports cars.

£££: A week-long stay (Fri – Fri) at the Pinkmead Estate in September and October is £3,250 and £2,750 in November, December and February, excluding Christmas and New Year.

Pinkmead, Werrar Lane, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 5TU. pinkmeadestate.co.uk. Email reservations@pinkmeadestate.co.uk,

Escape: The Pinkmead Estate and Vineyard, Isle of Wight

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