There are few better places to enjoy classic motoring than the Isle of Wight. With its sweeping coastal roads, rolling countryside, historic villages and sea-view stop-offs, the Island offers the kind of driving experience that feels made for classic cars.
At The Royal Hotel in Ventnor, we have been delighted to welcome a growing number of classic car clubs, each bringing their own character, history and beautifully maintained vehicles to the Island. In recent months, The Royal has hosted the Bentley Drivers Club, Jensen owners, Sunbeam Tiger Club, Triumph Stag enthusiasts, the Singer Motor Club and Citroën owners, with each club using the hotel as a comfortable and elegant base for exploring the Isle of Wight.
The Royal has long been a favourite for motoring groups. With 51 bedrooms, 2AA Rosette dining, free on-site car and coach parking, six EV charging points, private dining options and tailored packages that can include return car ferry travel, The Royal makes planning a classic car club getaway to the Isle of Wight effortless from start to finish.
For car clubs, a successful trip is about more than the drive itself. It is about the arrival, the atmosphere, the evening meals, the parking, the planning and the chance to spend time together as a group.
The Royal Hotel offers all of this in one beautiful setting. Built in 1832, The Royal is one of the Isle of Wight’s most historic hotels and has 51 individually styled bedrooms, many with garden or sea views. The hotel is also known for its long-standing reputation for food, with its Geranium Restaurant holding 2 AA Rosettes and being recognised as a four-time Beautiful South Restaurant of the Year winner.
Set in the cascading hills of Ventnor Bay, The Royal gives clubs a relaxed and refined base at the end of each day’s touring. Guests can enjoy comfortable accommodation, award-winning dining, elegant public areas, gardens, terraces, and a warm welcome from a team experienced in hosting group stays and special events.
For larger clubs, exclusive hire is also available, giving groups the opportunity to enjoy the hotel, grounds, gardens, car parks, public areas and function rooms as their own private Island base. The Royal’s exclusive hire includes 51 bedrooms, full English breakfast, private use of public areas, complimentary Wi-Fi and exclusivity of the car parks, grounds, gardens and Riviera Terrace.
The Isle of Wight is a true hidden gem for motoring enthusiasts. Compact enough to explore over a weekend, yet varied enough to offer a completely different drive each day, the Island combines coastal views, countryside lanes, historic towns and charming villages.
One of the most iconic routes is the Military Road, which runs along the south-west coast between Chale and Freshwater Bay. Originally constructed in around 1860 as part of the Island’s defence network, the road once linked forts and barracks and remained a private gated route for many years before becoming one of the Island’s best-loved and most iconic scenic drives.
Today, it is a highlight for visiting car clubs, offering dramatic views across the English Channel, open skies, rugged coastline and unforgettable photo opportunities. It is the kind of road that suits a relaxed classic car tour perfectly. Not rushed, but enjoyed.
The Royal is ideally placed for exploring the Island in every direction. Here are a few route ideas for clubs planning a future stay.
The South Coast & Military Road Route
Start from The Royal in Ventnor and head towards Niton and Chale before joining the Military Road. From there, enjoy the spectacular coastal stretch past Compton and towards Freshwater Bay. Clubs can continue on to The Needles, Alum Bay or Yarmouth before returning through the Island’s rural centre.
This route is perfect for dramatic scenery, coastal photographs and a true sense of Island driving.
The Heritage Route
For clubs who enjoy history as much as motoring, a heritage route could include Ventnor, Godshill, Carisbrooke Castle, Newport, Cowes and East Cowes, with a stop at Osborne House, Queen Victoria’s former holiday home. The Royal’s own history has links to Queen Victoria, who was a frequent visitor to the hotel.
This route combines pretty villages, royal history, countryside driving and excellent stop-off points.
The East Wight Coastal Route
From Ventnor, clubs can head towards Shanklin, Sandown, Brading, Bembridge and Ryde, taking in seaside views, harbour stops and gentle coastal touring. This is a lovely option for a more relaxed driving day, with plenty of places to pause for coffee, lunch or group photographs.
The Full Island Tour
For clubs wanting to make the most of a longer stay, a full Island loop can take in Ventnor, Chale, the Military Road, Freshwater Bay, Yarmouth, Cowes, East Cowes, Ryde, Bembridge, Sandown and Shanklin before returning to The Royal. It is an excellent way to experience the variety of the Isle of Wight in one memorable day.
Routes can, of course, be adapted to suit the size of the group, the age of the vehicles and preferred stop-offs.
It has been a pleasure to see so many exceptional cars arrive at The Royal, from Bentleys and Citroëns to Triumph Stags, Singers and Jensens. Most recently, the Singer Motor Club stayed with us for four nights while celebrating their 50th anniversary, bringing 19 beautifully maintained classic Singer cars to the Island.
Their visit included scenic Island drives, a journey along the iconic Military Road, stops at Isle of Wight Pearl, and a display at Goddards Brewery. Many Island residents may have spotted the cars out on the roads. A wonderful sight and a reminder of how much joy classic motoring brings to the Island.
The Bentley Drivers Club has also previously enjoyed exclusive use of The Royal, filling the hotel car parks with beautiful classic vehicles before touring Island beauty spots and displaying their cars at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.
For many classic car clubs, the highlight of a group break is not only the drive itself, but the chance to gather, display the cars and meet other enthusiasts in memorable Island locations.
The Isle of Wight offers a number of excellent venues that work well as rally stops, display points or relaxed group visits during a classic car tour. The Isle of Wight Steam Railway is a particularly fitting choice, combining heritage motoring with the nostalgia of historic steam travel. It creates a wonderful day out for groups and offers a natural setting for photography, socialising and celebrating transport history.
Goddards Brewery is another popular stop for visiting clubs, offering a relaxed Island setting and a chance to enjoy one of the Isle of Wight’s best-known local producers. It is ideal for a mid-route break, informal display or group visit, particularly for clubs looking to include a distinctly local experience within their itinerary.
Sandown Airport can also provide an interesting and spacious setting for car club gatherings, with its open surroundings, aviation heritage and easy access from many Island routes. For clubs planning a more structured rally or display, it offers a different type of stop-off and can add variety to a touring programme.
These venues can be incorporated into a wider Island itinerary, whether as a short stop, a lunch break, a photo opportunity or a more formal display. Combined with scenic drives through Ventnor, Godshill, the Military Road, Cowes, Yarmouth, Bembridge or Sandown, they help create a varied and memorable classic car club experience.
The Royal Hotel team can help suggest route ideas and timings to suit your group, making it easier to plan a relaxed and enjoyable stay from arrival to departure.
Planning a successful car club break takes time, especially when ferry travel, bedrooms, parking, dining, routes and group requirements all need to come together.
The Royal’s team can help create a tailored stay for your club, whether you are planning a relaxed touring weekend, an anniversary celebration, a private dining experience, or a full exclusive-use event. Packages can be tailored to your requirements and can include return car ferry travel from your choice of port.
With 51 bedrooms, award-winning dining, free on-site parking, elegant surroundings and a proven reputation for hosting classic car clubs, The Royal Hotel offers an exceptional base for exploring one of the UK’s most scenic driving destinations.
2027 dates are already important to secure, especially for larger clubs and groups hoping for specific weekends or exclusive hire. We strongly recommend booking early to ensure the best availability.
Plan Your Classic Car Club Stay
Bring your club to the Isle of Wight and experience beautiful roads, memorable routes, historic stop-offs and the comfort of The Royal Hotel in Ventnor.
To discuss a 2027 classic car club booking, tailored itinerary or exclusive-use stay, please contact The Royal Hotel team.
01983 852186
We are experiencing an unprecedented demand for bookings at the current time.
When booking rooms online, please be advised that if our Dinner, Bed and Breakfast or Ferry Inclusive Packages are not available, our restaurant is fully booked for your chosen dates.
