UK’s only floating train line linking holiday island to 200-year-old seaside attraction will reopen in time for summer

A POPULAR UK tourist destination is set to reopen its iconic train station in the lead up to summer.

The Isle of Wight is home to the country's only floating train line, which offers incredible views of the coast during a half-mile journey.

Known officially as the Island Line, the unique route runs along the east coast of the Isle of Wight.

Part of the line, between Ryde and Shanklin, has been closed since September 2024 to give the railway a “new lease of life”.

The Island Line is famous for its stunning views, particularly along the Ryde Pier.

Linking the esplanade and the pier head, the sea railway has historic roots in the area.

Ryde Pier is the oldest pier in the UK, having been built in 1814, with most of its original structure still standing today.

The unusual location adds a stunningly unique backdrop to the train’s route.

Measuring in at 1,740 feet, Ryde Pier is the second-longest seaside pier in the country, second after Southend's.

It was extended to 2,040 feet in 1824, making it a one-of-a-kind structure in Britain.

Officially reopening Friday May 3, you can nab a ticket on the line between Ryde and Shanklin for as little as £3.90, with the one-stop journey from Ryde Esplanade to Ryde Pier costing £1.70.

Meanwhile, tickets from Ryde to the mainland start from around £23.20.

Network Rail said engineers have been carrying out maintenance and refurbishment works to make the pier and the Island Line “more resilient to extreme weather” on the Solent strait.

The first service after reopening is due to depart Ryde St Johns at 5:23 AM, with the first train from Ryde Pier Head to Shanklin leaving at 6:03 AM.

Ryde Pier has witnessed significant progressions in transport, from the horse-powered tram used in its early days to the emergence of diesel engines in the 1950s.

Now, you can walk, drive, or take the train to visit the scenic pier head, with approximately 600,000 people visiting each year.

And you can also journey into the past on a different kind of train journey with the island's iconic steam railway experience.

Tickets can be purchased at a discounted rate online, with adult third class rates starting at £25, while first class is £35.

Visitors can also enjoy the Isle of Wight's many sandy white beaches, including Shanklin Beach, Sandown Beach, and Compton Bay.

Other activities available include surfing, water sports, an aqua park and even a wildlife sanctuary.

And if you don't want to head back to the headland right away, there are a wide variety of hotels available on the island.

A Travel Lodge in Ryde has room starting from just £43 per night.

There are also numerous pubs and restaurants across the island's towns, with gastro pubs offering affordable meals for all the family.

The scenic station reopening comes just weeks after the UK's highest train line ran its first service in seven years.

Located in the Scottish Highlands, the Cairngorm Funicular has been described as having “magical views”.