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As summer drew to a close, we were fortunate to give the Mini Clubman JCW one last hurrah before the cooler days of autumn set in. My company was planning a celebratory getaway to the Isle of Wight in honour of our 20th anniversary, a destination that’s become a personal favourite of our founder. He wanted to share this gem with the whole team, and as soon as I heard about the trip, I knew I couldn’t pass up the chance to bring the Mini along for the ride.
Though compact, the Mini Clubman felt like the perfect companion for the journey – especially with its Mini All4 drivetrain and go-kart-like handling made for the island’s winding country roads. The plan was simple: we’d arrive on the island on Friday and stay until Sunday. With the itinerary in hand, I quickly spotted opportunities to slip in some scenic drives. Saturday promised the best weather, giving me the perfect chance to hit the road early, and later, to drive across to meet the team at The Needles, on the island’s western coast.
Southampton to Cowes Ferry Crossing
Up until now, I had never taken the Mini Clubman – or any car for that matter – on a ferry, nor had I travelled to Southampton before. So when I found out we’d be taking the Red Funnel crossing from Southampton to Cowes, my first move was to jump on YouTube to do some research. Anytime I travel to a new destination, I go straight online to watch walkthrough or driving videos and even use Google Street View to check road markings – yes, that level of detail!
I was also a bit cautious as my Mini Clubman is fitted with Eibach lowering springs. Though it’s not a drastic drop, the Maxton front splitter sticks out enough to scrape on speed bumps, even at a snail’s pace. I reached out to a few friends on Instagram who had recently taken the journey, and they reassured me that it would be fine.
Booking the ferry was straightforward, although I didn’t actually have to do it myself; our hotel organised all the crossings and provided the booking code we needed. Finding the ferry terminal was simple too. With some online research and the instructions on the booking form, I plugged the details into the sat nav and made my way to Red Funnel Terminal 1, Dock Gate 7. On arrival, you just hand over your booking form, and they give you a number corresponding to your parking queue. They recommend arriving at least 30 minutes before the crossing, but no more than an hour. Once parked, you’re free to get out of your car, use the restroom, or grab a coffee.
Around 10 minutes before boarding time, a steward will let you know if your line will be among the first to board. As I drove onto the ramp, just as expected, I heard a scrape as the front splitter made contact, and halfway up, there was another crunch from the side skirts. Fortunately, after inspecting the car, everything seemed intact and secure.
Once parked on the ferry, you leave your vehicle and head upstairs, where you’ll find more food, drinks, toilets, and a small shop. The crossing takes around an hour from start to finish, so it’s not a long journey at all. Since we had priority boarding, we were among the first to exit the ferry, and although there was another slight scrape as I came off the ramp, there was no visible damage – just the unsettling sound!
Stayin at The Royal Hotel, Ventnor
We stayed at The Royal Hotel in Ventnor, a four-star, award-winning property about a 30-minute drive from Cowes, taking you through some charming towns and villages along the way.
The hotel has two car parks: one directly opposite the front entrance, which is small and gravelled. This is where the Mini Clubman encountered its next challenge. As I slowly approached the entrance, the front of the car ended up beached on the gravel, causing the most damage of the trip – several scratches and a few chips on the splitter. It was also a hassle to clear all the stones from under the car.
Thankfully, the hotel has a second car park located at the rear. Although it initially appears small, it has more space and is mostly flat, so the Mini had no issues. However, the car park is on a corner, so it’s best to take it slow when entering and exiting.
The hotel itself is stunning, with a rich history dating back to 1832. Originally built as Fishers Hotel, it was later renamed The Royal Hotel after receiving patronage from Queen Victoria. As one of the Isle of Wight’s most historic hotels, it maintains its charm while offering modern comforts and has been a sought-after destination for discerning travellers for over 180 years.
Although this isn’t a full review, I can say that the staff were extremely friendly, and the rooms were spacious, though slightly dated, offering all the expected creature comforts. The Wi-Fi worked well, except for a brief dropout on Sunday morning.
There’s also a seasonal outdoor pool, which I didn’t use, but it seemed partially heated. Make sure to check the pool’s opening times if you plan to visit.
The entrance to the hotel is grand and has an orangery feel, which warms up during the day. There is plenty of seating both inside and outside, whether you want a drink at the bar after a long drive or prefer a more formal sit-down meal. Since this isn’t a hotel review, I’ll leave it at that.
Military Road to Compton Bay
Waking up on Saturday morning was easy. When I spotted the sunrise over Ventnor just after 7 am, I couldn’t resist heading out for a drive. While the rest of the hotel was still fast asleep, I quickly threw on my jeans, grabbed my car keys, and set off.
Although it was a chilly start to the day, I made the most of it by switching on the heated front seats, opening up the sunroof, and putting the car into sport mode. Being a 2021 Mini Clubman JCW, it isn’t as loud as its predecessor due to the Otto Particulate Filter (OPF), but thanks to some Remus modifications, it still delivers a great sound.
Until reaching Blackgang Chine, national speed limit roads are few and far between, but I didn’t mind. The drive allowed me to take in the picturesque villages surrounding Ventnor, which felt like stepping back in time. Many of these roads are quite narrow, but being early in the morning, they were almost empty.
The real fun started when I hit Military Road. It has the perfect balance of long straights and twisty curves, with the road past Blackgang Chine kicking things off with a spiral staircase-like section that made for an exciting start.
I’d heard about the stunning views at Compton Beach, so that became my destination. I arrived just as the sun was rising, casting a fantastic glow over the coastline. The low sun caused some shadowing in the car photos, but the breathtaking view more than made up for it. Since it was early, parking was free, though you’d usually need to pay during the day as it’s managed by the National Trust.
A few surfers were also up early to catch the waves, but my thrill was in the drive. There’s a wooden staircase leading down to the beach, though it may not be easily accessible for those with mobility issues. However, there are other vantage points along the route to enjoy the scenery. The Isle of Wight Pearl Centre, with its café and outdoor seating, is also worth a stop – it opens at 10 am.
Military Road concludes at Freshwater Bay, and although I didn’t stop this time, it’s on my list for the next visit. Instead, I continued on to The Needles at Alum Bay, making the journey around 40 minutes and 20 miles one way.
The roads get narrower after Freshwater Bay, particularly along Bedbury Lane and Moons Hill. No problem for the Mini, though there were a couple of tight spots. I can imagine that in the summer, these roads would see a lot more slow passes.
We’ll Be Back
Would I return? Absolutely. The ferry crossing was a breeze, and our return journey was even smoother than the trip over. When we arrived at the crossing point in Cowes, our car registration was automatically recognised, and we were quickly given our queue number. Since there was space on an earlier crossing, they let us board right away.
The Isle of Wight is a stunning place, and I’ll definitely be back to explore more of the island – and perhaps drive around the rest of it.
However, before my next visit, I need to address the car’s height or the splitter situation. While it looks fantastic, hugs the road beautifully, and is perfect for spirited drives, the lowered height poses a problem on hills and uneven areas. Exploring Ventnor was done on foot for good reason; some of the side streets are incredibly steep, and I’m glad I didn’t take the Mini down to the seafront. If anyone has any suggestions, feel free to drop me an email at [email protected] or reach out on Instagram @DrivenByRhys.
