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We thought as we head into our second season it was about time we properly introduced ourselves. Especially if you're new here. We are the Phenix family. Nikki, Ian, Laanii and Raif. We love to camp and we love to travel. The kids have been camping since they were babies. It's just what we do. In 2021 we did something a bit mad. We deregistered the kids from school, hitched our caravan Suzy to our van Vinny and drove across Europe for three years. Twenty three countries. Hund

Rusty Meadow Campsite is back for 2026 with new glamping options, a ready tent for families, firepit hire, the Honesty Hut and more. Come and see what's new.

Well. That went better than expected. In 2025 we opened in a July and August block with a small break in the middle. It worked. People came. People stayed. People sat around firepits and watched sunsets that genuinely stopped conversations mid-sentence. We loved every minute of it. But we also heard the same thing over and over. You wanted more dates. More chances to come. More of this field on a Friday evening when the week has been a lot. So for 2026 we spread the season. S

The Round the Island cycle route is one of those rides that people talk about for years afterwards. Sixty-two miles of road cycling around the Isle of Wight, taking in coastal roads, rolling countryside and views that make the ferry crossing feel like the best decision you've made all year. Some people do it in a day. Plenty don't. And if you're splitting it over two days, or basing yourself on the Island for a few days of riding, the question of where to sleep becomes a pret

The Red Squirrel Trail is one of those rides that gets under your skin. Thirty-two miles of mostly traffic-free cycling through the heart of the Isle of Wight, through estuaries, woodland, farmland and a stretch of coastline that makes you wonder why you don't do this more often. Whether you're doing the full loop, tackling it over two days, or just riding a section with the family, at some point you're going to want to know where you can stop for the night. Here's the honest

If you have never heard of geocaching, you are not alone, but once you discover it, you tend to wonder how you ever explored the outdoors without it. Geocaching is one of those quietly brilliant activities that turns an ordinary walk into an adventure and makes even the most reluctant child suddenly very interested in going outside.

The Isle of Wight is often talked about as a summer destination, but winter on the Island has a quieter, more atmospheric charm that many people miss. With fewer visitors, dramatic coastal scenery, and a slower pace of life, winter is one of the best times to explore the Island properly and appreciate what makes it such a special place to visit and camp.

Happy New Year from all of us at Rusty Meadow. If 2025 was the year we found our feet, 2026 is the year we lace up our boots properly and crack on.We have been quietly plotting over cups of tea, walking the meadow, and asking ourselves one big question. How do we make camping on the Isle of Wight even better, without losing the laid-back, slightly scruffy, everyone-welcome magic that makes Rusty Meadow what it is?

Our very first camping season at Rusty Meadow has come to a close, and it’s time to swap campers for sheep. We’re packing down the bell tent, dodging the rain, and getting the field ready for our woolly winter crew. The meadow might be resting, but we’re already dreaming up what next summer will bring.