If you’re looking for a sunny escape to lift your spirits in January, you don’t need to travel far to find it.
You might think winter sunshine means flying halfway across the world, but there’s an island right here in the UK that enjoys bright, sunny days even in the middle of winter.
According to the Met Office, this island has been named the sunniest place in the UK, getting more daylight hours than some parts of Italy.
Research shows that during November, December, January, and February, this island sees an average of 78 hours of sunshine per month.
That’s 12% more than Milan’s average of 70 hours, 15% more than Geneva’s 68 hours, and a huge 20% more than Paris, which gets just 65 hours of winter sun.
This could be due to the warming effect of the Solent, the stretch of water that separates the Isle of Wight from mainland England.
The island has a unique microclimate, meaning it rarely experiences extreme weather like heavy snow or thunderstorms during the winter months.
While it’s already known as the sunniest place in the UK, this is especially clear in winter, when the Isle of Wight gets 42% more sunshine than the rest of the country.
If you fancy soaking up some of that extra sunshine, the Isle of Wight is a perfect destination for an island getaway without leaving the UK.
Located just off the coast of Hampshire, the island is famous for its fossils and is known as Britain’s "dinosaur capital," with remains of more than 20 species found there.
It’s also a fantastic place for cycling, with miles of scenic tracks and trails crisscrossing the island. In fact, the Isle of Wight is considered one of the world’s top cycling destinations.
For those up for a challenge, you can cycle around the entire island in a day—covering around 105km. The route is well signposted, so you won’t need to rely on your phone to navigate.
Most of the ride is flat, but there are some hills that will give your legs a workout. It can also get pretty windy, so make sure you’re ready for an adventure!
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As with anywhere outdoors, kindly keep these areas pristine and wild by taking all trash with you. The amount of complaints we have seen since the pandemic is crazy. It's really not that hard to take your rubbish with you!
Litter tends to spread, so if you see any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the hidden gem, it will help keep the area tidy.
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