IT has been said that journeying to the Isle of Wight is like going back 20 or even 30 years – but I can finally lay that hoary old myth to rest.

You see, we were there over October half-term, and we actually travelled forward in time.

It’s another journalistic cliché, I know, but Christmas really did come early at Daish’s Hotel in Shanklin.

The hallway of this impressive former hunting lodge was decked out with strings of silver glitter, and the near-life-size Santa in the lobby proved irresistible to many of the guests, young and old, who couldn’t stop themselves flicking the switch to set off a mechanised yet surprisingly realistic little dance.

We may have time-travelled into the future, Dr Who-style, but the hotel itself (popular with coach trippers from the Midlands during our stay) was reassuringly old-fashioned, with dinner at 6.30 sharp and breakfast at half past eight.

Shanklin, like most of the island’s traditional resorts, is on the east coast – but part of the fun was taking the Wightlink ferry to Yarmouth then proceeding in a leisurely fashion on the quiet road that runs along the southern shore, with its steep drop from Freshwater Bay, past the theme park at Blackgang Chine and through Ventnor, its Botanical Gardens still looking blooming lovely in late autumn.

The old village at Shanklin is good for eating out, with foodie pubs catering for all budgets, while the expansive shore is great for simply strolling year-round (although the less agile would be advised to use the cliff lift, as the beach is a bit of a hike.) Robin Hill Country Park, on the road towards the main town, Newport, is a gentler alternative to Blackgang Chine, with fewer rides but an informative falconry display and far-reaching views over the island’s interior.

We also saw a couple of red squirrels cavorting here – so much more attractive than their grey cousins.

On the outskirts of Cowes is one of the most impressive stately homes I’ve seen – Osborne House, former home of Queen Victoria.

It’s imposing but not particularly pretty from the outside, yet inside is an Aladdin’s cave of treasures, not least in the spacious Durbar Room, at the end of the tour, with its spectacular stash of presents from foreign potentates and loyal subjects.

The really interesting rooms, though, are the ones used by Victoria and Albert and their many children, as they offer a fascinating insight into how the other half used to live.

Back in the outskirts of Newport, another English Heritage property, Carisbrooke Castle, proved particularly appealing to our youngest, thanks to the display featuring Jigsaw, one of the donkeys that walks the wheel lifting the bucket from the deep, deep well that once sustained the fortress and its occupants.

On the way back to Yarmouth we stopped at Mottistone Manor Garden, one of several National Trust attractions on the other side of the Solent. And there was even time for my son to give me a golfing lesson on the links-style, wind-buffeted Freshwater Bay course, where the front nine takes you up, up and even further up – and the back nine blows you back down again.

From there it was a short hop to the ferry, and safely and swiftly back home – where it dawned on us that we could actually see our holiday destination from the end of our road.

Getting there

• Daish’s Holidays for 2011 from £89 per person for four-night, self-drive break in January, rising to £224 per person in peak season. Twin-share prices include half-board accommodation at Shanklin. For bookings before December 25, families can enjoy one free child place for packages taken between May and December 2011.

• Other destinations featured by Daish’s Holidays are Bournemouth, Torquay and Newquay and packages are also available by coach, with pick-ups in a choice of locations, including Bournemouth. Call 0844 84 64 680 or visit daishs.com

• Kevin Nash travelled to the Isle of Wight with Wightlink (0871 376 1000, wightlink.co.uk) on the Lymington–Yarmouth crossing, one of three routes. Car ferries also operate between Portsmouth and Fishbourne and there is a passenger catamaran service from Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde Pierhead.

• Secret Wight…offers a range of fresh air challenges for parents and children to conquer together on a choice of 10 different itineraries. The new booklet from Wightlink spotlights parts of the Isle of Wight known to locals, away from the well-trodden tourist path. Available free by calling 0871 376 1000 or to view/download from the wightlink.co.uk/secretwight

• Blackgang Chine – 01983 730052, blackgangchine.com

• Robin Hill Adventure Park and Gardens – 01983 527352, robin-hill.com

• National Trust, Isle of Wight – call 01983 741020 or go to nationaltrust.org.uk/isleofwight

• English Heritage – visit english-heritage.org.uk