secret places to visit isle of wight

THE 10 BEST Hidden Gem Attractions in Isle of Wight

Best isle of wight hidden gem attractions.

• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Hidden Gems
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Kids
• Good for Couples
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Honeymoon spot
• Adventurous
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Monkey Haven - Primate Rescue Centre

2. The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary

3. Quarr Abbey

4. Shanklin Chine

5. Haven Falconry

6. The Needles Battery

7. West Wight Alpacas

8. Brading Roman Villa

9. Adgestone Vineyard

10. St Catherine's Lighthouse

11. Steephill Cove Beach

12. The Wight Military and Heritage Museum

13. Mottistone Gardens

14. Shanklin to Ventnor Coastal Walk

15. Isle of Wight Bus & Coach Museum

16. The Garlic Farm

17. Rylstone Gardens

18. Dimbola Museum & Galleries

19. Appuldurcombe House

20. Compton Beach

21. Godshill Church

22. Shipwreck Centre and Maritime Museum, Isle of Wight

23. Ventnor Park

24. Chessell Pottery Cafe

25. Fort Victoria Country Park

26. Newport Roman Villa

27. Puckpool Park

28. Isle of Wight Reptilarium

29. Sally's Riding School

30. Parkhurst Forest

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68 Unique Things to Do on the Isle of Wight in 2024

I want to show you some of the many fantastic things to do on the Isle of Wight. So many Isle of Wight attractions to list, and I’ve pretty much done them all!

I live just ten minutes from the Isle of Wight, in Portsmouth. It’s an easy ride on the hovercraft to get over there from here. Thanks to that, I’ve been over a few times, but still, there are so many things to do on the Isle of Wight that I know it’s going to be one of my favourite weekends away for a long time to come.

The Isle of Wight beaches usually top the favourite Isle of Wight attractions lists, but it’s also the strong foodie culture, wildlife and easy cycling routes that keep us coming back for more. The island has recently been designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve – thanks to the wealth of environmental initiatives protecting the confirmed Area of Natural Beauty.

It’s an exciting time to visit the Isle of Wight!

Isle of Wight holidays are a right of passage for many Brits every year, so why not jump on the bandwagon and hop on over for a day trip, weekend, or week in one of England’s sunniest spots.

58 Best Things to Do on the Isle of Wight

– Why visit the Isle of Wight? For the beaches, of course! 

My top 5 Isle of Wight activities

I’ve been to the Isle of Wight quite a few times now, and have a four-day trip booked in for the end of September. If you’ve only got a limited amount of time for your Isle of Wight trip, then here are the top 5 things I’d recommend you make sure to include in your itinerary.

Don’t go to the Isle of Wight without visiting them!

1. Go for a ride on the Needles

– The Needles are the number one point of interest on the Isle of Wight

The Needles at Alum Bay are the icon of the Isle of Wight. 

The best shot of them is from Headon Warren. I did not take the picture above by the way – thanks Unsplash. Mine to come. 

As well as the iconic rocks and lighthouse you’ll find the Old Battery there, which is your chance to wander through the cliff tunnel and get really close up to the Needles for another heart wrenching view. 

In the 50s and 60s the Isle of Wight joined the Space Race by building the Black Knight at the Needles Old Battery. It was all very secretive but today there’s an exhibition about it right there, revealing all. 

You’ll also find the Needles Pleasure Park there – look out for the plaque commemorating Guglieimo Marconi who started off his telecommunications work here. 

The Needles, and the surrounding area, are Isle of Wight charm and beauty at its best. 

2. Visit Osborne House

I was genuinely amazed by Osborne House the first time I saw it – I’d never even heard of it and then ended up going on a press trip to the Isle of Wight for the day to check it out.

– Osborne House is the number one thing to do Isle of Wight

Turns out it’s actually mega famous thanks to being the site of Queen Victoria’s mourning, after old Albert died. Before you go watch the films Mrs Brown, and Victoria and Abdul, both starring Judi Dench as Vicky so you have more history to draw on. 

The rooms inside are amazing, but the gardens and beach are also impressive too. And to think, some of them were originally planted by Prince Albert – wow!

If you want to know more about visiting Osborne House, check out my story of my day on the Isle of Wight.

3. Walk an alpaca

At West Wight Alpaca Farm you can either just visit the animals, OR you can walk them. Alpaca my bags?! 

Yes, thought so. 

There are tens of alpacas here – I walked Will.I.Am when I was there, but also made friends with Woody. As well as the alpacas there are pigs and chickens and goats to chat with. 

This is a great things to do in Isle of Wight for the kids, but also for the adults. Bit of time to get at one with nature and all that. 

Also, there’s a pizza oven there and the pizzas are divine. Tuck in!

Definitely one of the more unusual things to do on the Isle of Wight…

4. Relax on your favourite beach

Relaxing on the beach is one of the top things to do in the Isle of Wight. As an island, you’re surrounded by beautiful coastline, and on a sunny day you could be mistaken for thinking you’re in the Caribbean, kinda. With a squint. And a bit of imagination. 

Seriously though – there are some absolutely stunning beaches on the Isle of Wight. Relax on as many as possible to work out which one is your favourite. For more on the beaches on the Isle of Wight, take a look below.

Day out on the Isle of Wight

Check out the video I made for Days Out in England on the Isle of Wight!

If you’re looking for things to do, Isle of Wight has lots of options

5. Eat seafood

Oh there is some excellent food on the Isle of Wight. Being so close to the sea just makes you want to trough down on its wares, doesn’t it? 

There’s nothing like eating a crab burger as fresh as fresh can be, and on the Isle of Wight you’ll have a plethora of places to do that. I’ve tried as many Isle of Wight restaurants as possible, but it’s a work in progress. 

Set aside some budget to try some of the great food options on the island. 

More on my favourite places to eat on the Isle of Wight below. 

Where is the Isle of Wight?

The Isle of Wight is a relatively small island a mile off the coast of Portsmouth, or 45 minutes from Southampton. You can access by hovercraft, foot ferry or car ferry – see more in how to get to the Isle of Wight below.

It’s a wonderful sun trap, that’s totally underrated by anyone who hasn’t been there. The Isle of Wight has a reputation as a quintessential British seaside destination, complete with buckets and spades, arcade machines and piers. There are loads of things to do on the Isle of Wight – it’ll take you a few trips to get through this lot!

Zoom into the map to get a better idea of where the Isle of Wight is, exactly.

There are SO many places to visit in Isle of Wight – you’re going to be busy!

5 foodie activities on the Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wighters ( caulkheads ) are proud producers of garlic, tomatoes, asparagus, rock samphire and crab. Thanks to the mild climate and record breaking sunshine hours over there they can grow things we can only dream of on the mainland. 

– One of the best places to go on the Isle of Wight!

There are plenty of opportunities to collect up some of these tasty treats as you travel around, or at least to sample as you go. If it’s a nicely labelled jar, or a locally grown spud that gets you all excited, here are some of the best foodie ops on the Isle of Wight especially for you. 

6. Rosemary Vineyard and Adgestone Vineyard

Two different vineyards, but the same idea. Using Isle of Wight produce they both want to make the best local wine possible. This is one of the best things to do on the Isle of Wight for groups of friends. 

In Sandown at the Adgestone Vineyard you can try their wines in the cafe, as well as stay over at the B&B – no driving, yay! It’s one of the oldest vineyards in England. You can also buy liqueurs, chilli sauces and preserves too.

Watch out for that Arson Fire hot sauce though. 

At the Rosemary Vineyard you’ll find 30 acres of wine, liqueurs, juices and ciders. As one of the largest producers of English wine in the country, get your friends together and enjoy a group tasting in the cellar. 

Definitely one of the best Isle of Wight attractions for adults!

7. Holliers Park and the House of Chilli

If you want the best of the Isle of Wight’s foodie offerings, in one place, then you need to go to Holliers Park. Here you’ll find a gallimaufry of the island’s produce – and you can pick up a hamper to take home for yourself.

There’s a cafe, a tearoom, and the House of Chilli with a range of hot sauces to add a bit of spice in your life.

One of the best things to do on Isle of Wight if you like a little spice in your life!

8. Go for an Afternoon Tea

Both the Hamborough and the Royal Hotel in Ventnor offer cream tea – as do many of the beachside hotels and restaurants. An Isle of Wight cream tea is a ‘thing’. You can get tea for two at the Bembridge Coast Hotel or you might prefer The Champagne Tea at the Royal Hotel in Ventnor , which is £60 for 2.

There’s also a lovely beach at Steephill Cove with a variety of cafes, which is just below the Botanic Garden, accessible on foot only. You’ll be able to find a tasty cream tea here. 

Check out the top foods to try on the Isle of Wight on BBC Good Food here. 

9. Visit the Garlic Farm

The Garlic Farm is one of the most popular attractions in the Isle of Wight. As well as a farm, it’s a cafe and restaurant serving as much local produce as possible. There’s a gift shop too, so if you want any souvenirs for your friends and family, this is the place to be. 

Head on down and give them a visit – you can learn everything you’ve ever wanted to know about cooking with garlic. 

Definitely one of the best foodie things to do on the Isle of Wight

10. Have a beach picnic 

One of the absolute top attractions on the Isle of Wight is to get a picnic at one of the supermarkets, or one of the artisan food shops, and take it all down to one of the beaches for a picnic.

This is a fab and cheap way to eat on the Isle of Wight. 

BONUS Isle of Wight food tip : Get some fish and chips from the chippy. You’re by the sea, rude not to!

Back to Top

Top 5 restaurants on the Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight restaurant scene is buzzing. You can enjoy anything from budget cafes by the sea serving OAP specials, to hipster lunches of sharing boards, and onto Michelin starred restaurants for your dinner. 

Here’s a selection of the top rated restaurants on the Isle of Wight, either by me, or by this online world of ours. 

11. Smoking Lobster, Ventnor 

Smoking Lobster on Ventnor’s seafront is the number one restaurant on Trip Advisor. It’s a seafood, grill, cocktail & wine bar, with sea views in what I think is the coolest part of the island. Seafood platters, ceviche and steak are the order of the day – lush!

12. Fisherman’s Cottage, Shanklin

Fisherman’s Cottage in Shanklin is another island highlight. Located just beneath Shanklin Chine (see things to do below) at the end of Shanklin Esplanade the thatched dining pub dates back to 1817. 

Visit Fisherman’s Cottage and you can enjoy music nights, a scenic beach patio and what is widely regarded as some of the best food on the island. 

13. Off the Rails, Yarmouth

People who like olde trains will love the Isle of Wight – there’s a steam railway museum, with  a wonderful and award winning restaurant on site. So, even if you don’t like trains at least you can sit and have a coffee while you’re waiting for your beloved. 

Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner – with a real log fire – the unique setting and ambience is heightened by the high quality food. ‘First class’ some would say. Lols.  

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4 Best Places for Wild Swimming in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight

14. No 64 in Ryde

If you’re coming into the Isle of Wight via hovercraft, then you’ll come into Ryde.

Interesting fact about Ryde, Ryde Pier is the oldest pier in the UK, and the second longest. OoooooOOOOoooo. 

No 64 is one of those cool, hipster, kinda places. One of the those serving delicious cakes and artisan coffees. There’s a good veggie menu here (so I’m told, can’t give up my piggy products) and gives you a quick getaway for the hoverport if you need. You can get breakfast, lunch and coffee – to take away too.  

15. The Bandstand at Sandown

The Bandstand is a good one for those summer nights. Located right on the beach, on the site of the former bandstand, there’s a classic pub menu to enjoy – with a fishy emphasis.

As well as dinner, you can enjoy the brunch and lunch menus in the day too. Mostly sandwiches and paninis, but sometimes that’s all you need right? 

More great restaurants on the Isle of Wight

The Little Gloster, Cowes – with panoramic views of the Solent The Little Gloster serves a seasonal menu with a seafood emphasis. Comes as one of the most highly rated restaurants on the island. 

Artisan Bar and Kitchen, Ryde – amazing sharers and great cocktail bar upstairs. Live music too.

Wonky Cafe, Ventnor – traditional beach cafe with good prices and perched on the coastal path. This is the one if you want breakfast with a view.

The Taverners, Godshill – meaty platters. A la carte restaurant using local produce. 

The Crab Shed, Ventnor – comes highly recommended thanks to the freshest crab, lobster & mackerel caught every morning.

5 adventurous activities on the Isle of Wight

If you like your holidays with a touch of adventure then the Isle of Wight has plenty of options for you to enjoy. Surrounded by water there’s obviously a whole plethora of watersports to enjoy, and with tourism so high on the island a bunch of tourist attractions have opened up to give you some fun in the sun. 

There’s nothing like getting on a bike to really experience a new destination – there are loads of cycling routes on the Isle of Wight for you to enjoy. You just need to get your hands on a bike first. 

Read on for more things to do on the Isle of Wight to get the blood pumping!

– Kayaking is a popular outdoor activity on the Isle of Wight

16. Kayaking 

You’ve got a few options for kayaking on the Isle of Wight, including just renting out a kayak, or going on an organised tour. Unless you’re super confident I’d recommend the tour – just to get used to the area, and to learn more about it too. 

Kayaks are available for rent near all of the main beaches. Have fun!

17. Stand up paddleboarding (with yoga!)

People just love paddleboarding don’t they?

On the Isle of Wight you can book onto a paddleboarding session , or you can book onto a yoga paddleboarding session – I mean, which sounds cooler? 

There are quite a few companies on the Isle of Wight set up for paddleboarding so just have a look and an ask around where you are. A great thing to do on the Isle of Wight for a bit of exercise! 

18. Go on a boat tour around the island 

If you’re looking for something a little crazy on the Isle of Wight things to do list, then the high speed RIB boat costs about £10 for about 15 minutes. One of those scream if you wanna go faster kinda things. It’ll take you around the Needles (see Isle of Wight attractions number 1) which is a quick and easy way to see one of the best things on the island. 

If you don’t have the need for speed then you can book onto the Needles Pleasure Cruise for a more sedate trip out to the lighthouse, with commentary. 

Black Rock Cruises run an in between speeds cruise from Yarmouth for 90 minutes, that could be a good option if you want longer on the boat. 

One of the best things to do on the Isle of Wight if you want to see the coast. 

19. Cycling on the Isle of Wight

Cycling round the Isle of Wight is a big ‘thing’ to do. I really want to do it, the whole thing. One day. Keep an eye on this blog. For now though, let’s just talk about cycling on the Isle of Wight, not round it. 

You can take your bikes on the ferry, and on the hovercraft, or you can rent your bikes on the Isle of Wight while you’re there. Ryd is right by the ferry crossing, and a great place to pick up two wheels. 

TOP TIP: The Red Squirrel trail is a good shout for anyone looking for an easier three-hour cycle trip. You can also stop for lunch along the route. 

Whether you want hills or a straight, even, path, there are so many options to choose from if you want to cycle the Isle of Wight. Despite this list, and the 4000 words that come with it, the countryside and amazing vistas are actually the top Isle of Wight attractions.

20. Go Karting on the Isle of Wight

Isle of Wight Karting is one of the newer attractions in the Isle of Wight, especially popular with stag dos. Over the summer they offer sunset karting, which makes the most of the longer hours and gives you the discount. You get to act like Lewis Hamilton (kinda) for an hours and drive round the circuit. It’s become one of the top things to do IoW among the youngsters.

If you’re looking for unusual things to do on the Isle of Wight – this is it!

My Isle of Wight Festival Experience

Best Things to Do in Ryde, on the IOW

5 best Isle of Wight beaches

There are miles of unspoilt National Trust coastline on the Isle of Wight, meaning the beaches are some of the best in the country. They’re known for winning nationwide accolades in celebration of their beauty, and a few of them have got all the buckets and spade shops, seafront cafes and arcade machines you could ever want. 

– The beaches are one of the most popular things to do in Isle of Wight

21. Shanklin

Shanklin is the most popular beach on the Isle of Wight, thanks to the miles of sandy beach. Located on the south east coast of the island it’s here you’ll find all the delights of a traditional British seaside holiday – with amusement arcades, crazy golf, bowling, seaside cafes and beach shops selling everything you could ever need for your day at the beach. 

Shanklin Beach is a must if you’re looking for Isle of Wight attractions for kids!

22. Sandown Bay

Sandown Bay Beach is where Take That filmed their I Found Heaven video. It also won Beach Of The Year in the Countryfile Magazine Awards 2019. I mean, two fantastic accolades right there. 

It stretches 8.5 miles through Sandown, Lake and Shanklin.

Cheap, relaxing and beautiful – Sandown Bay is one of the best things to do on Isle of Wight.

23. Ventnor

Ventnor Beach is a wild one but it’s also the coolest, IMHO. It’s where you’ll find some great cafes and pubs, and also, the almight Ventnor Fringe Festival every summer. See Isle of Wight festivals below. 

Here you’ll find Steephill Cove – a traditional, unspoilt fishing cove with a safe, sandy beach, snuggled between rocky cliffs and smugglers’ coves. Make sure to pop into The Spyglass, a pub that really makes the most of that pirate mood. 

I love it here and it’s one of my favourite things to do on the Isle of Wight.

– Relax and enjoy the sunset – one of the best Isle of Wight things to do

The sandy beach at Ryde is the first impression of the Isle of Wight for many tourists coming in to experience the island for themselves. This area is popular with sunbathers, watersports lovers and for looking back at the mainland to remind yourself how close you are to home, but also, far enough away to feel like you’ve really ‘gone’ on holiday. 

Look at that sand!

If you want to spend longer in Ryde – then check out some of the best things to do in Ryde in this blog post.

25. Compton Bay 

Compton Bay was once named as one of the world’s best beaches – by Sunday Times Travel Magazine no less. Two miles of contrasting dark and golden sands on the west of the island offer amazing views to the white chalk cliffs of Freshwater in the distance. It’s a popular beach for fossil hunters and for relaxing away from the summer business of Shanklin and Sandown. 

READ MORE: Best Days Out on the Isle of Wight

[Takes you to DaysOutinEngland.com]

Map of Isle of Wight attractions

This Isle of Wight attractions map from DayOutinEngland.com shows you the top places to visit on the island.

Isle of Wight animal attractions

Animals and the Isle of Wight go together like err… peas and carrots? Thanks to the unique climate and green fields of the island, there are lots of four legged creatures around for you to admire. 

26. Isle of Wight Zoo

Top of the Isle of Wight things to do if you’re into animals, is the Isle of Wight Zoo. Here you’ll find bees, birds, farm animals, lemurs and lions to admire, as well as monkeys and tigers. Turn up and pay on the door at Sandown for the ultimate animal experiences on the Isle of Wight.

The zoo is dedicated to helping and supporting all its animals, so show them some support and come on dowwwwn. 

27. Parkhurst Forest 

The Isle of Wight is the only place in the UK that has red squirrels, and if you want to see them, you need to go to Parkhurst Forest on the outskirts of Newport. You could also try Alverstone Mead Nature Reserve (near Sandown), Borthwood Copse (near Sandown area) or Brading Marshes.

Great for bird watching and spotting small animals too. 

Definitely add this to your list of what to do in Isle of Wight if you’re an animal lover!

28. Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary

The Donkey Sanctuary is a free attraction in Ventnor and animal lovers on every stage of the animal loving spectrum will enjoy it. It’s one of the most popular attractions in the Isle of Wight and a way for you to enjoy donkeys by the seaside – as is the British seaside way – without the old, cruel practice of riding them. 

This is a home for unwanted donkeys where you can adopt one, donate, or just enjoy being around the 55 acres of 97 donkeys and 26 ponies. There’s also a gift shop and a cafe – not serving Moscow Mules unfortunately. 

29. Isle of Wight Deer Farm

If you’re more of a deer lover than a donkey one, then the Isle of Wight deer farm is the one for you. Located in Newport it’s home to 145 Red Deer and 61 Fallow Deer, at last count. At 334 acres there’s loads of space for the deer to enjoy prancing around in safety and this is your opportunity to learn more about the beautiful creatures. 

I’m not sure whether to tell you this, but there are also plans for a working abattoir there ASAP. 

30. Newtown National Nature Reserve

The Newtown National Nature Reserve offers ‘ perhaps the best opportunity for bird watching on the Isle of Wight’ . Here you can rest in the hides waiting for the birds of your dreams to appear. 

There are some great walks here for you to enjoy and flowers, ponds and dragonflies for all. A wonderful spot to gather your thoughts and try to calm your mind. Definitely one of the most popular things to do in Isle of Wight among the older people!

5 Isle of Wight attractions for kids

Kids love the Isle of Wight. It’s why the island is so popular with young families. You still have all the excitement of ‘travelling’ somewhere, by boat, but it’s not too far to be stressed out by airline cancellations, different currencies and traffic. 

There’s lots of soft adventure here for little ones, and with all those beaches, it’s actually a pretty cheap destination too. 

31. Blackgang Chine

Blackgang Chine is the oldest theme park in the world. Worth visiting just for that right?

The good news is that it’s constantly been updated and now you’ll find fun rides, slides, different characters and a whole park to enjoy – filled with history and fun. Food and drink is available and you can spend a whole day here, having fun. 

Located near the cliff edge, the views are pretty sweet too.

32. Poo Museum

The Isle of Wight Poo Museum promises to ‘lift the lid on the secret world of poo’. This is your chance to celebrate the gut and ‘break through the poo taboo’. It’s amazing how much you’ll learn here, about one of the most basic functions in the world that every living animal and creature does. 

I mean, did you know that wombats do cubed poos?

Well, you do now. 

Kids love it here, big kids too. One of the best kiddie things to do on the Isle of Wight!

More on travel to the Isle of Wight

Music Lover’s Guide to the Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight Festival Experience 

Itinerary for a Weekend on the Isle of Wight

How to Have a Great Day on the Isle of Wight

33. Fort Victoria

Fort Victoria Country Park is a great day out on the Isle of Wight. Located on the north shore of the island, the fort was built to protect from attacks in the Solent. It now houses a marine aquarium, a comprehensive Sea Bed Archaeology Exhibition and an amazing model railway. There’s also a cafe for that coffee fix too. 

Get your kids off their computers and out into the countryside – they’ll thank you for it one day!

34. Dinosaur Isle

The Isle of Wight is known as the dinosaur capital of the UK. One of the most fun activities on the isle of wight is to go fossil hunting – a 5 year old recently found a super important bone and now the new species of dinosaur found has even been named after her. 

Join a dinosaur fossil hunting trip and see if you can match her find. It’s not as crazy as you might think – as the cliffs and ground erode, more fossils come to the surface ready for the picking. Name the dinosaur after me though, yeah? Flipiosflopidocus . 

35. Tapnell Farm Park 

I love Tapnell Farm Park. I stayed at Tom’s Eco Lodge here and had a great weekend chilling with the animals at the farm and enjoying the views. There’s loads to do, no matter the weather, including wallabies, adventure zones and jumping pillows too.

A floating aqua park is even opening next spring – woohoo!  Back to Top

5 historical things to see on the Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight has a fascinating history, thanks to its position in the middle of the Solent and the fact it’s the south coast’s first defence from danger. Also, the royal connection and the beautiful landscapes, meant it was an appealing investment for the wealthy and rich back in the day. 

History buffs will love the Isle of Wight – guaranteed. Here’s why.  

36. Appuldurcombe House

Appuldurcombe is a shadow of its former glory. It was once the grandest house on the Isle of Wight, but thanks to a few (sexy) scandals, and the passing of time, if you visit, you’ll just have to imagine how wonderful it once was. 

Appuldurcombe House is free to visit – see if you can get on one of their ghost walks for a spooky evening out. 

37. Quarr Abbey

Quarr Abbey is a monastery and home to a small group of Benedictine monks who spend their days praying, working and serving their community. The monastery is totally open to visitors though and there’s a farm shop and tea shop on site to welcome you in. 

You can go on a guided tour, join a prayer, or just wander around the impressive building to see it for yourself. 

38. St Catherine’s Oratory and Lighthouse

Aka the Pepperpot on the Isle of Wight, St Catherine’s Oratory is the leftovers of a 14th century lighthouse. Weirdly it’s quite inland for a lighthouse, which could explain why it’s now no longer used as one. 

You can join a tour of St Catherine’s Lighthouse to learn more about the lighthouse’s work since 1323. 

Visit during one of the sailing festivals and you’ll get an impressive vista out to sea featuring the sails and ships of the day. 

This is not my picture by the way – mine’s on it’s way. Looks amazing though, right?

39. Carisbrooke Castle

You’ll have probably seen Carisbrooke Castle on the front of the Isle of Wight tourism brochures. It’s an English Heritage site (see below) and is definitely one of the most impressive things to do on the Isle of Wight. It’s been around since the 7th Century and King Charles I was once imprisoned here as he awaited trial. 

One of those places that’s absolutely steeped in history. Probably best to just go along to learn more. 

40. Yarmouth Castle

Visit this 16th Century castle and you’ll get to learn all about the wrecks of the area, the ones who didn’t quite get to their destinations. The castle looks out over a treacherous stretch of water, but an important one. Back in the times of Henry VIII, he ordered this to be built in Yarmouth to add to the country’s coastal defences. 

Once an important defence during the country’s wars, it’s now a full on tourist attraction to remind us of our country in days past. Go and have a look!

5 green spaces on the Isle of Wight

In amongst all these castles and beaches we need a little time for some green spaces, right? 

41. Ventnor Botanical Garden

The Ventnor Botanical Garden is one of the top experiences on the Isle of Wight. The love and attention the gardeners give to their flowers and fauna is easy to see.

As well as stunning subtropical and exotic gardens and borders, there’s also a whole wellbeing track at the Gardens. You can join in with some tai chi and yoga in among the flowers and visit the cafe and restaurant for refreshment afterwards. 

Ventnor Botanic Garden has a huge car park, so there’s no need to worry there.

42. Shanklin Chine

Shanklin Chine – not to be confused with Blackgang Chine – is a tree lined gorge for us public to wander on through. Jane Austen’s been here, Turner, and next, you . Wander on through the gap in the cliffs and you’ll come out at a tearooms and a beach. 

Kind of like a secret entrance to the beach, except everyone who’s read this post now knows about it. 

43. Mottistone Gardens

Explore the Gardens at this beautiful Manor House for more of the green stuff. I feel at this point in this extremely long blog about the Isle of Wight, they can describe themselves better than I can. 

“Enchanting gardens set in a sheltered valley and surrounded by rolling downland”

Great, thanks for that Google. 

44. Robin Hill Park 

Robin Hill Park! Known to me from the now defunct Bestival Festival. Nowadays though, it’s better known as gorgeous 88-acre woodland. Fun for all the family from children playing at the park, to parents having a break on the benches and grandparents sniffing the flowers. 

Those difficult teenagers might even get a smile on their faces with the array of fun events and activities taking place on selected dates throughout the year. 

45. Rylstone Gardens

You’ll love the Rylstone Gardens in Shanklin before you even get there – thanks to the fact they’re free. There’s a nice park, mini golf and brass bands in summer. If you love hanging baskets, butterflies and bees – you’ll love it here. 

READ MORE: Music Lover’s Guide to the Isle of Wight

Museums on the Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight museums are some of the best things to do on the Isle of Wight!

46. Isle of Wight Pearl

Isle of Wight pearl is a ‘thing’. Go along to the museum / gift shop and you can learn more about the pearls with a talk, enjoy the chocolate shop and cafe, and maybe pick yourself up a treat too. It’s on the Military Road – one of the island’s most famous drives – with a panoramic outlook over the west coast.

Visiting the Pearls is one of the most cultural things to do on the Isle of Wight

47. The Isle of Wight Bus and Coach Museum

Oh my dad would love it here. The Isle of Wight Bus and Coach Museum in Ryde is free and you get to climb on the buses and coaches for pics too. Not that dad would necessarily do that , but he’d love to learn about the history of public motors on the island, I’m sure. 

This is one of the best Isle of Wight attractions for a rainy day!

48. Classic Boat Museum 

Come along to Cowes’ Classic Boat Museum and learn all about the Isle of Wight’s rich maritime history. There are over 70 boats here, as well as artefacts, uniforms, classic yachts, motorboats and memorabilia across the Boat Shed and the Gallery. 

Probably best avoided during Cowes Week, when it will be absolutely rammed. 

49. Dimbola Lodge

The Dimbola Lodge is a photographic museum with tearooms, and a Jimi Hendrix statue. It was once the home of the celebrated Victorian photographer Julia Margaret Cameron, and is now dedicated to her life and work, and that of more contemporary photographers too. 

50. The Lilliput Antique Doll and Toy Museum 

Located in sunny Sandown, the Lilliput Antique Doll and Toy Museum started in the 60s with a nesting doll from Russia. There are now over 2000 items, dating from 2000BC to 1950. Come and see what the kids used to play with before Bratz, iPads and pikachus. 

Top 5 festivals on the Isle of Wight

There are festivals year round on the Isle of Wight, it’s definitely a hotspot when it comes to the UK festival calendar. From comedy to mardi gras, to nostalgia and car shows, the Isle of Wight has something going on most weekends. 

All that is for another blog post though. Let’s just stick with the top 5 Isle of Wight festivals for now, yeah?

Definitely some of the best things to do on the Isle of Wight…

51. Cowes Week

Cowes Week on the Isle of Wight is known as ‘the largest sailing regatta of its kind in the world’. Thousands descend on the Isle of Wight for the week to watch the ships race for hours every day. 

Head over to the Isle of Wight to enjoy the Cowes Week celebrations on the ground, or try and get on board one of the boats. Whatever happens, make sure to watch the last night fireworks – they’re pretty impressive!

52. Mardi Gras 

The last Saturday of June is the Isle of Wight Mardi Gras. I’ve never actually made it, seeing as that’s also Glastonbury weekend, but it sounds like a good laugh and is one of the key dates on the Isle of Wight festival calendar for sure. 

Held in Ryde, the parade is the star attraction although there’s dance, music, good food and drink, shows, entertainment, games and activities too. It’s one of the biggest events on the island and brings the whole community together. 

53. Ventnor Fringe 

The Ventnor Fringe is the Isle of Wight’s answer to the Edinburgh Fringe – filled with pop up events, random parties and mystery tours. 

The multi-award winning festival is an absolute highlight of the Isle of Wight festival calendar with big names among local talent. Go and support!

54. The Wight Proms 

In the summer the Isle of Wight hosts the Wight Proms – cinema, comedy and musicals shown on the big screen to the seated picnikers. Held at the Grade II listed Northwood House it’s a new event to the IoW, but a popular one for all ages. 

Every day has free workshops during the day, before the main event in the evening. A lovely and wholesome event for the whole family to attend. 

55. The Isle of Wight Festival

The Isle of Wight Festival is an absolute stalwart on the UK festival calendar, and kicks the whole season off. It’s one of the top things to experience on the Isle of Wight. 

The festival history dates back to Hendrix playing to thousands at a free concert, which was cancelled for a while, but is now back in full force. I went a few years ago to see Rod Stewart doing his thing on stage. It’s a chilled festival and attracts some of the top names in the biz. 

Want to know more about the Isle of Wight festival?

Click the links below… 

What to Pack for the Isle of Wight Festival

9 Things to Do at the Isle of Wight Festival

The 5 Isle of Wight National Trust Membership sites

If you’ve got National Trust membership you’ll want to flex it on the Isle of Wight – there’s quite a bit to see and experience. If you haven’t, then it’s £72 each per year. This is one of the best ways to make the most of all the things to do on the Isle of Wight.

56. Bembridge Fort

Bembridge Fort is an unrestored Victorian fort on the Isle of Wight, where you can take guided tours through to learn more about the island’s history. Built in the 1860s, on the top of Bembridge Down it’s a fascinating place to look around – if you like forts. 

57. Bembridge Windmill

The nearby Bembridge Windmill is one of the oldest attractions in the Isle of Wight. Built in the 1700s it makes for a great pic. Nowadays there’s a kiosk for coffee next door, and walking trails and nature trails nearby too. You can climb to the top to see how the mill would’ve worked back in the day. 

58. Newtown Old Hall

Ok, there’s not actually that much to do at Newtown Old Hall, except revel in the history. It’s known for being the town hall of the town that’s no longer there. Newtown is now forever known as the ‘rotten borough’ thanks to the two dodgy MPs that ruined the place. 

I know, only two? 

Mottistone Manor Garden

Mottistone Manor Garden is a beautiful place to look around, and is one of the most beautiful things to do on the Isle of Wight. Plant lovers and the green fingered will have a great time wandering around the beautifully pruned borders and pathways. Also, one of the top green spaces on the Isle of Wight, as mentioned above. 

Needles Old Battery

Covered this one in the number one attraction in the Isle of Wight – see the beginning of the post.

The 4 English Heritage sites on the Isle of Wight

What to do on the Isle of Wight for English Heritage members? 

Carisbrooke Castle – £8.80 adult ticket

Osborne House – £18.50 adult ticket

St Catherine’s Oratory – free

Yarmouth Castle – £5.70

With the cost of the four of these adding up to £33, you might as well buy English Heritage membership which entitles you to go for free, for a whole year, to all the English Heritage sites around the UK. 

English Heritage membership costs £60 a year (or £5 a month for a year) or, if there are two of you, you can get joint membership for £105 for the two of you – £52.50 each. It’s even cheaper for concessions, and children are free with a paying adult. 

Learn more about English Heritage membership here . 

– Joining the English Heritage scheme is one of the best things to do on the Isle of Wight to save a bit of money

More things to do on the Isle of Wight 

65. isle of wight steam railway.

The Isle of Wight Steam Railway is one of the best places Isle of Wight has to offer, for anyone who’s a fan of the steam. You get to see the trains, AND dress up!

66. Godshill Model Village

Why visit the Isle of Wight? For the incredible amount of things to do and see, that’s why! I haven’t actually made it to Godshill Model Village yet, but it’s on the Isle of Wight attractions list for next time for sure!

67. Monkey Haven

Monkey Haven is one of the most popular things to do in Isle of Wight if you have kids. This primate rescue centre has won numerous awards from Visit England for its dedication to tourism.

Check it out for yourself to see the cute monkeys, and more!

68. Roman Villa

Another of the most popular places to visit in Isle of Wight – the Brading Roman Villa.

Situated overlooking Sandown Bay on the Isle of Wight, Brading Roman Villa is one of the finest Roman sites in the UK. Our award-winning Visitor Centre and Museum offer unique insights into Roman life in Britain from beautifully preserved mosaic floors to an extensive collection of Roman archaeology. “ – BRADING ROMAN VILLA

Cool accommodation on the Isle of Wight

There’s an amazing amount of quirky accommodation in the Isle of Wight. Everything from seaview campsites, to wooden lodges, to helicopters. Here are just a few of the sleeping options on the island, and a bit of a to do list for me as I’ve only ever stayed at Tom’s. 

Olive little huts

These circular huts are the perfect choice for your Isle of Wight break. Each one comes with a little kitchen option, and has everything you need for a wonderful night’s stay. King size beds, in a countryside retreat in the heart of Ryde – sounds fab hey?!

All your childhood teenage dreams can be realised with this two-bed in Whippingham. LOOK at the WINTER PIC. Looks magical. 

Whitecliff Bay glamping bell tents

Make like a fancy festival goer and book a stay at the Whitecliff Bay glamping bell tents. You’ll get everything you need inside, with a modern toilet and shower block nearby. Dreams!

– MORE GLAMPING SPOTS ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT –

Tom’s Eco Lodge

I stayed at Tom’s Eco Lodge , and even made a video about it. It really is a wonderful place, and great for kids. There’s plenty of space to run around and there are animals at the adjoining Tapnell Park Farm too. 

Garlic Farm

The Garlic Farm I mentioned in the top foodie things to do also has accommodation on site – and a restaurant and a tennis court actually. It’s well located just 5 miles from Sandown Bay, and a few minutes drive from the Isle of Wight Zoo.

There are cottages, farmhouses and even a milking parlour to stay in, with stunning views out over the Isle of Wight countryside. 

Oh these airstreams are awesome . Vintage Vacations have got a bunch of them lined up for you to hire with your mates. You’ll have everything you need in the airstream with views over rolling downlands on the outside.

You’ll get a few deckchairs, access to firewood and a BBQ to hire, for the ultimate in outside adventure. Yet, still nice and cosy. 

Stay in a helicopter

The Windmill campsite on the Isle of Wight is awesome. As well as the genuine, renovated helicopter option for some shut eye, there’s also shacks, huts and campervans for hire. This place is so cool and so unique. Camping pods, hobbit houses and wildlife make this a really fun place to stay on the Isle of Wight. 

How to get to the Isle of Wight

Hovercraft to the Isle of Wight

Apparently, the hovercraft which shuttles between Ryde and Southsea is ‘ the last remaining commercial hovercraft service in the world ‘. It’s also the quickest way to get from mainland England to the Isle of Wight. 

It takes around 10 minutes from Southsea seafront to Ryde, and costs upwards of £15.

TOP TIP: When you’re looking at trains to Southsea, type in Ryde as your destination, rather than Southampton or Portsmouth, and you may get a discount on your hovercraft. If you have a Network Railcard this is definitely true. Even coming from Fratton, the next station north of Portsmouth, I can get a discount on the hovercraft with my Network Railcard – and remember Network Railcards cover two people too!

You can also get a discount on Isle of Wight travel by signing up to HampshireAttractions.co.uk . Right now they’re offering 20% off the Wightlink and the Hovercraft – who knows how good the deal will be by the time you book?!

Car ferries to the Isle of Wight 

If you want to take the ferry to the Isle of Wight you have a few options. 

You can either go from Portsmouth to Fishbourne , which takes around 45 minutes and costs from £45 for a car. 

Or, you can go from Southampton to East Cowes , which takes around an hour. 

The quickest car service is from Lymington to Yarmouth, which takes around 30 minutes. 

You can see a few pics from my ferry crossing from Southampton to East Cowes with Red Funnel in my write up of a day on the Isle of Wight, and the Fishbourne to Portsmouth route back again. 

Foot passenger Isle of Wight ferries

As well as the car ferries above, foot passengers can also go from Portsmouth to Ryde on the FastCat catamaran foot passenger service, which takes 22 minutes. 

Getting from London to the Isle of Wight is easy

If you’re coming in from London and want to travel to the Isle of Wight, it’s really not hard. As I mentioned above, make sure to put Ryde as your final destination to get the best deal on the ticket. 

You’ll travel direct from Waterloo to Portsmouth and Southsea Station. You can then either pick up the bus that’ll take you right to the hovercraft, or just walk the 20 minutes over. Then it’s 10 minutes on the hovercraft and you’re there. 

Takes around 2.5-3 hours from Waterloo.

Isle of Wight weather

The weather on the Isle of Wight is generally better than the rest of the UK, thanks to its location. I mean, it’s closer to France that it is Manchester. 

The Isle of Wight is hottest in August, and coldest in January. It doesn’t really suffer extremes of weather, meaning it’s a good time to visit all year but if you want to sunbathe – aim for the summer months.

Visiting the Isle of Wight for a holiday

– Just admiring the coast is one of the best things to do on the Isle of Wight!

The Isle of Wight has more visitor attractions per square mile than anywhere else in the UK. That’s pretty impressive to start, right?

For an island of 147 square miles, there are a lot of things to do on the Isle of Wight. You can get pretty much anywhere within 25 minutes from the centre. It’s a fact that the Isle of Wight has more sunshine than (most) of the UK, and a good 500 hours a year more than London.

With 500 miles of footpaths there’s plenty to satisfy the walkers among us, and with over 750 restaurants, lots of places to try to keep you satiated too. 

The small county of the Isle of Wight, only connected to the rest of the UK via hovercraft and ferry, really is a fascinating and fun place for your holidays. 

Tempted? Let me know in the comments below!

Different areas of the Isle of Wight

• – ​Yarmouth
• – Bembridge 
• – Totland Bay 
• – Freshwater
• – Binstead 
• – Shanklin 
• – Newport 
• – Ryde 
• – Sandown 
• – East Cowes 

Read more on travel in England  

How to Make the Most of 24 Hours in Bath

A Weekend Road Trip in the Mendip Hills , Somerset

How to Do the Best Road Trip in the Cotswol ds

PIN MORE WHAT TO DO ON ISLE OF WIGHT FOR LATER

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Hi, I'm Vicky! I wrote this. You can find me on all the social media @VickyFlipFlop. I love a bit of adventure, will try anything once, and have a strong passion for the local food and drink, whatever it may be. I'm here to help inspire you to travel to places a little out of your comfort zone, or at least to explore the usual destinations in a different way. Stay, have a look around, and if you have any questions – let me know below.

15 Comments

Fantastic amount of information and insights and fun reading too We are going on a motorcycle in April so will check out some of your places 👍😎

I’m so lucky to live here!

Hi Vicky FlipFlop Phenom! Your website and blog are amazing and wow, what a turn your life made and in the right direction too. My sweetie hubby and I are planning a travel to the Isle of Wight which looks like it offers a staggering amount of wonderous activites. We will be in London September 23-25 and think we’ll be catching a bus to Southhampton or Portsmouth for a foot traffic ferry to the Isle for 4 1/2 days getting back to London on Friday September 30th. There is so much to think about and digest in a relatively short time and am wondering if you could provide some travel advice to make it a bit easier. Once we are on the island, we’d like to stay in one B&B for all of those days and make trips from that location for kayaking, bicycling, and touring. Which city would be best to use as a base to do that considering we are on foot and would need to take buses? Is there a particular ferry from either Southhampton or Portsmouth that can handle 2 carry on’s and a medium hardcase suitcase between the two of us? I know that sounds like a lot of luggage but we will be traveling for 6 weeks including a 2 week Viking ocean cruise out of Norway and time in Bergen & Norway b4 the cruise, Amsterdam and Barcelona and 9 days in Croatia which requires what seems to be a lot of different types of clothing. I think I bit off more than I can chew on this particular adventure! Sorry if my questions seems overwhelming but you sound like such an expert traveler that I’m hoping you can narrow some things down for us. Thank you in advance Vicky (my favorite cousin’s name too!) Cindi and Dave

Hi Cindi, thanks so much for your lovely message! Yes, it really did turn. And turn and turn again!

Yes, there are lots of great things to do in the Isle of Wight. You won’t be bored! I hope the weather is great for you and your trip.

As for accommodation it depends how you’re getting over there. Ryde would be a great place to stay if you’re getting the hovercraft as it’s well served by buses, although most of the island is. You’ll be fine with that luggage on either the ferries or the hovercraft – they’re used to it!

Your choice of ferry would depend on whether you want to arrive into Fishbourne, Cowes or Ryde. Ryde would be my suggestion.

Let me know if I can help with anything else.

Just one point – we’re not the only place in the UK to have red squirrels.

Can I share on my Facebook @kingatesfarm please and you are welcome to stay in the new Shepherd’s Hut when open for a feature ar http://www.kingatesfarm.co.uk . Thanks Julie

Hello Julie, yes, please do share! I would love you to. Oh that sounds fab – looks great – keep me updated!

You have missed out the fabulous Haven Falconry Bird of Prey Centre! This is the only bird of prey centre on the Isle of Wight and not to be missed!! It’s rated number two of Things to do on IOW on Trip Advisor! http://www.haven-falconry.co.uk

Oh great, thanks for the recommendation! There’s so much to do on the Isle of Wight – can’t wait to go back again in June!

Where was the golden cliff / beach photo at the beginning taken on the IOW please?

@MH, That is Freshwater Bay.

Amazing blog this is. thanks for sharing these lots of tips. This blog creates an excitement in me.

Oh I am happy with that! I hope you make it to the Isle of Wight and enjoy your time there!

Ah no worries. Hope this inspires you to go – so much to do. Can’t wait for my trip at the end of the month!

It is wonderful the amount of things that can be done on the isle of Wight, I had no knowledge of this, thank you for such a good contribution.

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The Isle of Wight Bucket List: Epic 35 Things to do on IOW

With just a ferry ride away from the south – coast of British mainland, is an island that has a rich historic past, and host to uniquely diverse landscape. Once home to terrifying predators about 125 million years ago, the Island now boasts natural landmarks, ancient woodland, truly stunning coastlines, dramatic white cliffs, magical sunsets, medieval castles, three hundred year old windmill and, Victorian seaside towns that are alive with so many stories to be explored. The Isle of Wight is one of England ‘s best haven, with much to do either on a day trip, a short-break or a longer visit Here’s a comprehensive guide to the epic Isle of Wight bucket list of things to do during a visit.

The Isle of Wight is a perfect destination for a vacation by couples, coastal adventurers, families, photographers and just about anyone who enjoys an island getaway. Whilst there are multitude of things to do in this island of outstanding natural beauty , it would be impossible to compile an exhaustive list. Nevertheless, here is a guide for you – an Isle of Wight bucket list of 35 epic things to do in this stunning island (along with some valuable tips) to select from and to build your itinerary to suit your visit.

ALUM BAY – ISLE OF WIGHT BUCKET LIST OF THINGS TO DO

1 | the needles rocks, alum bay | isle of wight bucket list.

The Needles is one of the most iconic natural landmark in Britain and surely one of the most photographed group of rocks in the world. The distinctive row of three sea stacks of chalk rising-up as a cone at about 30 metres out at sea together with the Needles Lighthouse is one of the main attractions on Isle of Wight. This Isle of Wight bucket list destination draws up to half a million visitors a year.

Recommended read: The Unmissable Needles Rocks and Lighthouse

2 | Needles Lighthouse, Alum Bay, Isle of Wight

Alongside The Needles sea stacks, stands the formidable lighthouse, Needles Trinity Lighthouse . At 33.25 metres (109.1 ft), Trinity stands against the howling gales at the end of the outermost chalk stack overlooking the Solent. Built in 1859 and has been automated since 1994.

2.1 | How to experience the Needles rocks and lighthouse?

To experience this Isle of Wight bucket list item, take a boat trip that offer close-up views of the Needles and the Lighthouse . Boats depart regularly and no prior booking is required. You could also take the chairlift from Alum Bay and/or add a little adventure by taking the short walk to The Batteries for best views.

Recommended read: Very best views of The Needles – 4 viewing points on the Isle of Wight

TTS Best Tips: Where to Stay at/near Alum Bay

Needles Cottage

The Old Kitchens

3 | Needles Old Battery and New Battery, Alum Bay, Isle of Wight

Famously known as “Palmerstone’s Follies” the Old Battery was built in 1860s but never used for its original purpose as defence to the French invasion which did not take place.

A little further up is the Needles New Battery. The New Battery is a small site but home to some fascinating stories of secret rocket testing during the Cold War (1950s – 1970s).

Recommended read: The Historic Needles Batteries – The Old Battery and New Battery on the Isle of Wight

4 | Alum Bay coloured sand cliffs, Isle of Wight

Alum Bay is famous for its multicoloured sand and makes the Isle of Wight bucket list. Uniquely formed out of three minerals, felspar, mica and quartz, they are white in their pure state.

There was a time when visitors were allowed to scrape off the sand from the cliffs to take home as souvenir but this is no longer allowed. These days you could visit the Sand Shop at Alum Bay and have a bottle filled with the various colours to take back as a souvenir.

5 | Alum Bay Glass, Isle of Wight

The glass factory, Alum Bay Glass is quite amazing. It is world famous for unique handmade British fine quality glassware which has fascinated visitors since it began. Watch the skilful art of glass blowing and see a range of crafted glassware.

6 | Other activities at Alum Bay

6.1 | alum bay sweet factory.

If you have a sweet tooth or you are just craving for some sugar, head towards the Sweet Factory and taste a sample – and you will walk out with a bag or two of different varieties 🙂

6.2 | Amusement Park

There is an amusement park in Totland to entertain both the young and adults.

Timeless Travel Steps Best tips:

1 | Get the best of Isle of Wight in One day â€” Travel from London or Portsmouth

2 | Take the Hovercraft from Portsmouth to the Isle of Wight

3 | Take the train from London to Portsmouth

BEMBRIDGE – UNMISSABLE ISLE OF WIGHT BUCKET LIST THINGS TO DO

7 | bembridge windmill | isle of wight bucket list.

What used to be known as Knowle Mill, the Bembridge Windmill is a Grade 1 listed structure and is the last surviving windmill on the Isle of Wight. Built in 1700s, the windmill has most of its original features intack over four floors. The floors are accessible via a series of steep stairs. It was a working windmill until 1913 and it was given to the National Trust England in 1971.

Good to know info:

Address: High Street/Mill Road, BEMBRIDGE, Isle Of Wight, PO35 5SQ

Tel: 01983 873945 | Awards: Green Island Awards, 2008

Guide Price:

Prior booking is no longer required but expect a small queue during high season typically during summer holidays .

*Visit length is 45 minutes

8 | Bembridge Heritage Visitor Centre | Isle of Wight bucket list

The coastal position of Bembridge on the Isle of Wight inspired and still does, contribute to boat building, yacht design, sailing and fishing. The village was vital during the World Wars as well.

The Bembridge Heritage Visitor Centre brings together all of these stories on social, seafaring, military and development and displays them so visitors could learn about the diverse stories of this beautiful seaside village.

Address: Unit 1B Weaver’s Yard, Lane End Road, BEMBRIDGE, Isle of Wight, PO35 5US

Free entry. Donations welcome.

Opening hours:

(1 Apr 2022 – 31 Oct 2022)

Monday – Closed

Tuesday: 10:00 – 15:00

Wednesday: 10:00 – 15:00

Thursday: 10:00 – 15:00

Friday: 10:00 – 15:00

Saturday: 10:00 – 15:00

Sunday: Closed

(1 Nov 2021 – 31 Mar 2022)

Monday: Closed

Tuesday: Closed

Thursday: Closed

Friday: Closed

9 | Whitecliff Bay, Bembridge, Isle of Wight

Whitecliff Bay Bembridge is on the easternmost point of Isle of Wight. A diamond in the rough, it boasts a secluded beach, a sandy bay with shingles and a picturesque setting. Home to Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park offering an array of self-catered accommodation to suit along with a myriad of evening entertainment as well. The beach is a busy place during the day. Access down to the beach is through two-steep concrete tracks.

Whitecliff Bay is a fantastic location in Bembridge. There’s plenty to do here, come rain or shine! It makes a perfect base from whence you can explore all nearby attractions

10 | Earl of Yarborough Monument Culver Down Bembridge

The tallest monument on the island, the Earl of Yarborough Monument is a historic site and definitely one for the Isle of Wight bucket list to tick off. Dedicated to Charles Pelham of Brocklesby Park, Lincolnshire, who was created 1st Earl of Yarborough in 1837. He was an influential figure on the island and was held in great affection by the islanders.

The Yarborough is a striking landmark that forms part of the skyline on the east of the island and was once upon a time a seamark for shipping. Climb the hill to reach this monument and you will be rewarded with spectacular views over Culver Cliff.

Address: Culver Down, BEMBRIDGE, Isle Of Wight, PO36 8QT

11 | Quiet Walks on the Beach in and around Bembridge

There are a number of beaches in and around Bembridge for quiet walks that are ideal Isle of Wight bucket list. Try St Helens, a pretty green village that sits on the eastcoast of Isle of Wight between Bembridge and Seaview.

Seaview is another delightful coastal village worth exploring.

Timeless Travel Steps Best Tips:

For timeless experience, select from one of the many walks available around Bembridge that offer stunning scenery. For example, try the Bembridge and Culver Downs marshes trail. Get the paper maps or download online.

BRADING, ISLE OF WIGHT

12 | roman villa and coastal views at brading, isle of wight bucket list.

Brading is one of the oldest towns on the island and sits on the east side, nearby to Ryde. Located within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the town is pretty with cottages boasting original architecture and a Norman church , St Mary’s. There is also the Brading Roman Villa that offers insights into the Roman period on the island. If you enjoy walking and exploring, Brading Downs offer some spectacular views across Culver Down and Sandown Bay , a delightful Isle of Wight bucket list item to cross off.

Brading Roman Villa

Address: Morton Old Rd, Brading, Sandown PO36 0PH

Tuesday to Saturday

Hours: Generally 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

BRIGHTSTONE, ISLE OF WIGHT

13 | traditional farmhouses and cottages at brightstone village, isle of wight bucket list.

Brightstone sits on the south west coast of the Isle of Wight, and offer extensive footpaths and bridleways. You could easily explore the open downs, coastal cliffs and beaches.

Brightstone Village is famous for its picturesque traditional farmhouses and thatched cottages. The cottages here are built from local ‘clunch’ stone. The Village is also home to a 800-year old church that is open to the public daily.

14 | Isle of Wight Pearl

The Isle of Wight Pearl is a family owned and run business which has been operating for thirty plus years. Home to a spectacular collection of oyster pearls, this destination offers spectacular clifftop views as well. It is worth bearing in mind that the pearls are not from Isle of Wight.

Take the Hovercraft to the Isle of Wight

COWES – ISLE OF WIGHT BUCKET LIST ATTRACTIONS

Located on the west bank of the estuary of River Medina , Cowes is home to the oldest and biggest sailing regatta in the world. In addition, Cowes is also rich in culture and history. It is connected to the smaller town of East Cowes sitting across on the eastern estuary of River Medina.

15 | Cowes Week – Isle of Wight bucket list experience

One of the most popular sailing regattas in the world takes place in Cowes during Cowes Week. It is the busiest time of the year on the Isle of Wight and takes place over 7 days.

Traditionally, Cowes Week takes place on the Saturday after the last Tuesday in July but this also depends very much on the tides.

Future Cowes Week dates are as follows:

2022 – July 30 to August 6

2023 – July 29 to August 5

2024 – July 27 to August 3

There are other regattas sprinkled throughout the year where you shall find anything from classic yachts to power boats taking part.

16 | Cowes Yacht Haven | Isle of Wight Bucket List

Cowes Harbour is home to 4 marinas and a visit to Cowes Yacht Haven on West Cowes is recommended. A world-class marina with easy access to the heart of town for pubs, restaurants and shops.

Address: Vectis Yard, High St, Cowes PO31 7BD

Access – All year round

17 | Osborne House, Cowes, Isle of Wight

Isle of Wight is well-known for its royal connection – Queen Victoria and Prince Albert cemented their love affair of the island by building Osborne House, their palatial summer home. Take a glimpse into the private lives of the Victorian family at Osborne House when visiting this stunning island.

Recommended: Get your tickets to visit Osborne House, Isle of Wight

18 | St Mildred’s Church East Cowes – Queen Victoria’s Church

St Mildred’s Church was a favourite of Queen Victoria and she, along with her family worshipped here during their summer vacations. The church was redesigned to incorporate unique features. Queen Victoria’s youngest daughter, Princess Beatrice was married here to Prince Henry of Battenberg in 1885. Both were laid to rest in the cemetary at St Mildred’s.

Address: Beatrice Ave, East Cowes PO32 6LW

Open: Monday to Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

19 | Egypt Point Cowes

Egypt Point is the northernmost point on the Isle of Wight and has a lighthouse that is rather unique. The Egypt Point Lighthouse is located at the bottom of Egypt Hill, on the side of Egypt Esplanade. It was built in 1897 to guide those navigating the Solent and did so for almost a century when it was discontinued in 1987. The name ‘Egypt’ is derived from a colony of gypsies that lived in the area around the 16th century.

Egypt Point is perfect for sunsets. Take the coastal path from Cowes to Gurnard and pass Egypt Point with the sea always in view. Or watch the sunset over the Solent from the terraces of Best Western.

Recommended read: Isle of Wight and 10 Victorian Love Affair Experiences

20 | The Sir Max Aitken Museum, Cowes

For a glimpse into the world of marine history, visit the Sir Max Aitken Museum conveniently located on the highstreet at Cowes. The museum is housed in an 18th century Ratsey and Lapthorn sailmaker’s loft.

Highlights at the museum include, the Gaff from the Royal Racing Yacht Britannia dating from the 1920s and a French Empire Cradle believed to belong to Napoleon Bonaparte for his son, “The Infant King of Rome ”.

Address: Sir Max Aitken Museum The Prospect, 83 High Street, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7AJ

FRESHWATER, ISLE OF WIGHT BUCKET LIST

Freshwater Bay is located to the south of Freshwater Village and offer an all year round pebble beach which is ideal for swimming, walks and boating. Accessible from Freshwater Village is Tennyson Down , a grassy hill that rises to 147m (482 feet) above sea level. It is a steep climb but worth the effort!

21 | Stag and Mermaid rocks | Isle of Wight

The ‘Stag and Mermaid’ rocks that sits at the edge of the Freshwater Bay coast is a popular tourist attraction as well as a compelling destination for photographers.

There are some rock formations here that form local landmarks. The ones to look out for are the Arch Rock, Stag Rock and Mermaid Rock.

The caves at the bottom of the white cliffs were once used by smugglers when the tide was down. Best way to explore these caves is with an expert guide on a kayak.

22 | Tennyson Monument | Isle of Wight

At the highest point in Tennyson Down , stands a memorial dedicated to the Victorian Poet Laureate, Lord Alfred Tennyson . The Tennyson Monument is a striking granite cross and an impressive structure, standing proudly in an area best loved by the laureate himself. If you can make the climb, you will be rewarded with striking views that this spot commands.

Recommended: The Needles Headland and Tennyson Down coastal walk > Read: 4 key ways to explore the Isle of Wight

GODSHILL, ISLE OF WIGHT

23 | the picturesque godshill village, isle of wight bucket list.

Godshill is the ultimate in quintessential English Village on the island. The Village boasts some of the oldest architecture, picturesque thatched roof cottages and delightful winding street lined with tearooms that beckons a stop for some traditional English Cream Tea.

NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT

Newport is the main town on the Isle of Wight. This historic town boasts both Georgian and Victorian architecture. The town centre has numerous shops and eateries. You could also find some high-end fashion labels here. The unmissable places for your bucket list around Newport are the 12th century fort, Carisbrooke Castle and Robin Hill, 88-acres of rolling hills and natural woodland.

24 | Carisbrooke Castle | Isle of Wight

Near the town of Newport and strategically located is this prominent hilltop structure, Carisbrooke Castle which dominates the centre of the island.

A centre of power and defence for over 1000 years, it was a Saxon fortress, an Elizabethan fortress and a King’s prison, eventually a summer residence to the Governor of Isle of Wight, Princess Beatrice , youngest daughter to Queen Victoria.

When you are at Carisbrooke Castle, walk through the main gates and take your time in exploring this quintessentially romantic castle which still has working donkeys to work the Well-House. There is a museum and a chapel here for you to learn more about this Castle. Take the wall-walk and enjoy the breath-taking views of the island that it offers. There is plenty of space to roam around especially if you are visiting with kids.

Read the complete guide on Carisbrooke Castle >> Unmissable 9 fun things to do at Carisbrooke Castle

25 | Robin Hill, Isle of Wight

Robin Hill offers some incredible adventures and experiences in its eighty-eight acres of woodland, parks and rolling hills. Home to some incredible red squirrels, tree top canopies and epic rides, it is a destination suitable for all ages.

26 | Blackgang Chine

Blackgang Chine is the oldest amusement park in the UK and a land of imagination. With fun rides, slides, dinosaurs, cowboys and so much more for a perfect day out for families with children.

27 | The Longstone, Mottistone | Isle of Wight

Simply known as “The Longstone” the stones are of Neolithic origin of at least 6,000 years old. It is believed to be the entrance to a communal long barrow of 31 metre long, 9 metres wide and 2 metres high used for burying the dead. People may have worshipped the sun and moon during the Neolithic times which is one reason why the Longston is aligned west-east.

On the other hand, there is an interesting legend associated with The Longstone.

Legend has it that St Catherine and the Devil himself fought over the Isle of Wight as to who would control it. During the struggle, St Catherine threw the 4 metre and 2 metre wide stone that bears her name. It landed decisively into the ground. The Devil threw a mere 2.9 metre high and 1.2 metre wide smaller stone, thus losing to St Catherine. Hence, symbolising the victory of good over evil.

The stones were most likely moved during the Saxon times and it was certainly moved in the 19th century by Lord Dillon. Lord Dillon excavated the grounds but found nothing. There were further excavations undertaken in 1956 which exposed kerb stones and a ditch that ran around the mound.

The Longstone is a key place of worship by the Druids. Significant gatherings take place during notable dates such as the summer solstice.

RYDE, ISLE OF WIGHT

If you are looking for some offbeat fun, Ryde is the place to be! You will find beautiful sandy beaches along with traditional seaside fun , Victorian architecture and some hidden gems.

Ryde is home to the longest running carnival on the island which takes place at the end of August. Perfect for strolls along the beachfront, Ryde also offers plenty to do in this part of the island. You could go G0-karting, Climbing, explore the many independent shops or visit Quarr Abbey , a Benedictine monastery.

28 | Quarr Abbey Isle of Wight

Pronounced as “Kwor”, Quarr Abbey is a working Benedictine monastery and is set amongst acres of stunning and peaceful surroundings , just outside of Ryde.

Founded in 1132, the monastery ultimately fell victim to King Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries. In 1907, a group of French Benedictine monks were exiled to the island. They established a kitchen garden and started rebuilding the Quarr. The present monastery is built entirely by the efforts of the local islanders.

Quarr Abbey makes the Isle of Wight bucket list not just for the tranquility that it boasts but also for its incredible architecture along with its 900 years of monastic history.

Quarr Abbey is nestled between Ryde and Wootton on the northern coast of the Isle of Wight.

Quarr Rd, Ryde, PO33 4ES

Sandown, Isle of Wight

29 | dinosaur fossil expeditions on isle of wight – an incredible bucket list experience everyone.

Isle of Wight is one of the very few places in the world where members of the public can go on dinosaur expeditions to find their own fossilised dinosaur bones. There have been twenty different types of dinosaurs discovered at Isle of Wight since records began in 1850s. These dinosaur fossils are all from around 120 million years ago from the Cretaceous period .

Best areas to find dinosaur bones in Isle of Wight are at Yaverland beach near Sandown and on the south-west coast of the Island, stretching from Atherfield to Compton.

30 | Shanklin Chine

Shanklin Shine is one of Mother Nature’s best geological feature on the Isle of Wight. A popular attraction, Shanklin Shine features waterfalls, lush vegetation and wooded coastal ravine along with footpaths and walkways. It has a heritage centre and a gift shop. The beautiful tea garden has a Victorian tea room , serving cream tea, light lunches and meals.

VENTNOR | ISLE OF WIGHT

31 | st catherine’s oratory.

Standing at four storeys high, the octagonal shaped tower is the only surviving medieval lighthouse in England . It was built by Walter de Godeton, Lord of Chale as contrition for stealing wine from a shipwreck in 1313. A replacement lighthouse was planned in 1785 but this was never completed.

St Catherine’s Oratory is affectionately known by the islanders as “Pepperpot” due to its shape and the remains of the replacement lighthouse as the “Salt Cellar”.

Accessible by a footpath from the end of Upper House Lane in Chale.

32 | Ventnor Botanic Gardens

Founded in 1970, and located close to sea, the Ventnor Botanic Gardens enjoys a micro-climate weather all year round. Home to an incredible range of flora, and fauna, along with rare butterflies and insects. A popular visitor destination on the Isle of Wight.

33 | St Katherine’s Lighthouse

Sitting on the southern tip of Isle of Wight, St Katherine’s Lighthouse was built by Trinity House in 1838 to guide ships in the Solent. The height of the tower is 27 metres and has 94 steps to reach the lantern.

St Katherine’s Lighthouse has been a weather reporting station for some years and has been automated since 1997.

COASTAL WALK ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT

The Isle of Wight coastal path is divided into six sections and takes you the full circumference of the island. You will pass through busy harbours, fishing villages, sailing towns, sandy beaches, white cliffs, wildlife haven and so much more.

Georgina: Although I did not complete the whole 64 miles of the designated coastal footpath, I did some, and left some to be continued on another visit.

Coastal walks are the best ways to appreciate the incredible Isle of Wight. I was totally distracted   with the breath-taking views of the English Channel and watching the ships across the Solent which is mesmerising while the sun sets.

34 | White Cliffs at Isle of Wight

The White Cliffs are a beautiful sight and it is one that you should not miss if you are planning on a coastal walk.

35 | Victoria’s Island Trail

You can follow Queen Victoria’s footsteps – the Victoria’s Island Trail  and visit the places around the island that were important to the Royal family. A key favourite is Victoria’s church, St Mildred’s , where she worshipped and the yacht club which was specifically built for Queen Victoria.

finally …on Isle of Wight bucket list

Wherever you are on the island, you know that you are never too far from the sea. The island has 57 miles of coastline and offers great opportunity to explore at every turn. The sights are unique with different soaring cliffs, secluded coves for rock-pooling and nature trails and hikes. Over half of the island has been designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty .

For me, though, after spending almost a week here, I did not do everything the island offered. As for my highlights of the visits, where shall I begin…The Needles, the Coastal Walk, Osborne House, Whitecliff Bay, Cowes, the Pearl factory, watching fishermen come in with their catch of lobsters and crab…

If you are considering an island to explore in England, I would highly recommend the Isle of Wight .

PLANNING A TRIP TO EUROPE?

The following articles may be of value to your visit:

BEST EUROPEAN CITIES DESTINATIONS

Amsterdam | The Netherlands

Charming City London | United Kingdom

City of Milan | Italy

Verona City Guide | Italy

Have a great time exploring the Isle of Wight, xoxo

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Introducing Georgina, the insightful Content Creator behind Timeless Travel Steps. A champion of off-season journeys and cultural immersion for the mature traveller, Georgina has explored 4 continents and over 30 countries. Her blog offers practical tips and personal insights into responsible, comfort-oriented travel along with slow travel destinations. Accompanied by classical, country, and jazz tunes, Georgina's solo adventures and time with her adult children, A & M, enrich her unique travel narrative. Join her for inspiring, immersive global explorations.

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The 13 best things to do on the Isle of Wight

Explore this bucolic corner of England with our guide to the best things to do on the Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight continues to be a popular destination for Brits looking for a holiday close to home. That’s partly due to the sheer convenience of its location: the quickest ferry will get you there in 30 minutes from Lymington and the longest in an hour from Southampton . Alternatively, you can sail across the Solent from Portsmouth in 45 minutes.

Aside from the easy access, it’s also the perfect spot for anyone looking to explore some of the country’s most idyllic countryside, with great options for hikers and cyclists in particular. It’s not all outdoorsy though – there’s an increasingly impressive restaurant scene, as well as an excellent line-up of gorgeous hotels. Here’s a round up of the best things to do on the Isle of Wight.

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Best things to do on the Isle of Wight

1.  St Catherine’s Oratory

What is it?  A lookout that stands on one of the highest points of the island, known locally as the Pepperpot.

Why go? It’s the only remaining medieval lighthouse in England and looks a bit like a stone rocket (although those buttresses at the bottom were added much later). The tower was built in 1328 by Walter de Godeton in an attempt to atone for stealing wine from a shipwreck; a priest would operate a light at the top while praying for lost sailors. Take a tour of the newer, still-working St Catherine’s Lighthouse too – it was built in 1838 and is just a few miles away at Niton Undercliff.

2.  Set sail on the open seas

What is it? A leisurely tour of the island from the water.

Why go? Given its direct connections to Southampton, it’s no surprise the northern seaport town of Cowes has acquired a thriving boating community. It’s the perfect spot from which to experience the open water and you don’t need to be a pro sailor to do so. Plenty of companies offer a skipper with your boat hire. If you’re around in August check out Cowes Week, featuring daily boat races, live music, stalls, pop-up bars and fireworks displays.

3.  Adgestone Vineyard

What is it?  One of the UK’s oldest working vineyards

Why go?  The award-winning sparkling wines made at Adgestone Vineyard have helped the Isle of Wight become one the UK’s best wine-growing regions. The beautiful setting, on sloping hills overlooking the sea, make this the perfect place to while away a day. You can order a picnic and enjoy a glass while watching daily concerts, held every day in summer between 1pm and 3pm.

4.  Isle of Wight Steam Railway

What is it?  Lovingly restored vintage locomotives running along a five-mile route.

Why go? See how people and goods travelled round the island in the old days on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. The trains stop at four old rural stations, which you can enjoy from the comfort of the Edwardian and Victorian carriages or hop off and have a look around. Island Heritage Train Days run once a month, offering visitors a chance to see ‘Island pedigree’ and goods trains, as well as learning more in the Discovery Centre.

5.  Yoga on a paddle board

What is it? Yoga. On a paddle board. On the water.

Why go? Bored with pulling the same old yoga poses on land? Try them on water: iSurf Mobile Surf School works with Balance and Glo’s yoga teachers to offer SUP (stand-up paddleboard) yoga lessons at various locations off the island. The sea provides a meditative backdrop and thoroughly challenges your sense of balance, therefore suitably strengthening your core. If water’s not your thing, book into  Erling’s Yoga , a yoga-focused B&B in Shanklin on the southeast coast.

6.  The Duck

What is it?  The Isle of Wight’s hottest restaurant.

Why go?  The cocktails alone make this waterfront spot in Ryde a must visit. But with an ever-changing menu serving up dishes made using ingredients grown and reared locally, from both land and sea, The Duck has carved out a reputation as the island’s best place to eat.

7.  Afternoon tea at The Royal

What is it? An indulgent afternoon treat at the historic Royal hotel.

Why go?  Founded in 1832, The Royal is one of the oldest hotels on the island and was once a favourite spot of Queen Victoria. The Royal Afternoon Tea, served from 3pm to 5pm daily, includes finger sandwiches, scones, mini pastries and cakes, tea/coffee for £27. Add a glass of Champagne for an extra £9. If you’re on a budget (or diet) opt for the Cream Tea, which comes with either scones or cake.

8.  The Needles

What is it? A trio of pointy chalk rocks that have iconic status on the Isle of Wight.

Why go? Being the unique shape that they are, the Needles create a striking silhouette just off the western tip of the island. They’re accompanied by a lone lighthouse that’s stood at the edge of the rocks since the nineteenth century, warning ships in the night. Get a bird’s eye view of the Needles via chairlift, which also provides a quick route down to Alum Bay beach. In winter, this is often the windiest place in Britain.

9.  Sounds and Grounds

What is it?  A record shop selling weapons-grade coffee or a coffee shop selling classic vinyl? Whichever way you look at it, it’s a winner.

Why go?  The Isle of Wight is the unlikely birthplace of Britain’s coolest band Wet Leg. And music fanatics can get their fix of the best vintage vinyl at Sounds and Grounds. This Cowes record shop also does a strong line in proper coffee – making it the perfect place to kick back and enjoy some tunes.

10.  West Wight Alpacas

What is it?  An alpaca farm set up by husband and wife duo Neil and Michelle Payne in 2010.

Why go?  The Paynes offer treks with rare Suri alpacas, as well as llamas, in the village of Wellow. After getting to know the four-legged furries, you can pick up some themed goods in the shop, with numerous items spun from alpaca hair. The adjacent Llama Tree café makes for a good spot for lunch, serving stone-baked pizzas of both savoury and sweet varieties.

11.  Babushka Books

What is it? A haven for word nerds and literary collectors.

Why go?  Babushka Books care just as much about literature as you do, describing themselves as ’an orphanage of unwanted books waiting for a new home’. They stock newbies, oldies and stunning special editions. They also sell a range of fully serviced and working vintage typewriters. If you can’t make it to the shop, you can order from Babushka online and they’ll send your book out in retro (and protective) packaging, with a personalised, hand-typed thank-you note.

12.  Stargazing on the south coast

What is it?  With some of the best dark skies in England, the Isle of Wight is a haven for amateur astronomers.

Why go?  Thanks to low light pollution, the Isle of Wight is perfect for star-gazing. The south-west coast, from Freshwater Bay to Whale Chine, is particularly good, as is Culver Down in the island’s south-east. Pack some decent binoculars and remember to wrap up warm!

13.  The Bandstand

What is it?  A restaurant in a renovated old seaside haunt in Sandown.

Why go?  Get a food experience with a slice of history at The Bandstand. This modest space has been artfully restored from a neglected old bandstand (hence the name) on Bembridge embankment. Glass surrounds the dining area, providing 360-degree views of Sandown Bay and Culver Parade as you tuck into fresh seafood and seasonal British dishes. The Bandstand is less than a ten-minute walk from the Isle of Wight Zoo – a trip here is the ideal way to work up an appetite.

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Finding the Universe

Travel tales, photography and a dash of humor

Things to Do on the Isle of Wight

Last updated: March 10, 2024 . Written by Laurence Norah - 6 Comments

One of the nice things about being based in the UK is that we have had more time to do a lot more exploring of my home country. And one of the places that we’d both been wanting to visit for a while was the Isle of Wight, a relatively small island which sits just off the south coast of England, near the town of Southampton.

Well, we finally made that happen. In today’s post, I’m going to share with you our favourite things to do on the Isle of Wight.

We’ve set these out in the form of a 2 day Isle of Wight itinerary, but you can of course pick and choose these to form the basis of an Isle of Wight day trip, or a longer stay on the island.

As well as including our favourite places to visit on the Isle of Wight, this post also lists some of our favourite restaurants on the Isle of Wight, and all the practicalities you need to plan your perfect visit to the Isle of Wight .

Let’s get started.

Things to do on the Isle of Wight

This suggested list of places to visit on the Isle of Wight would fit into a two day itinerary as outlined below. However, you could pick and choose some of these to create an Isle of Wight day trip itinerary, or expand your stay for more days depending on your schedule.

Isle of Wight – Day 1

Our first day on the Isle of Wight has you starting on the north side of the Island in the town of Cowes, which is one option for taking a ferry to the island. If you’re coming from Portsmouth, then you can take the ferry to Fishbourne.

1. Explore Cowes

Our first stop on the Isle of Wight is the town of Cowes, where we would suggest you stroll. Cowes has lots of shops and eateries, and is where the annual Cowes Week sailing regatta takes place – one of the largest sailing events of its kind in the world.

Cowes is a good place to have bite to eat to set you up for your day of exploring. One of our favourite places to grab do that is the HK Cafe Bar and Bistro , found right on the high street, which has a great selection of tasty, locally sourced options.

When you’re done eating, head out of Cowes (taking the chain link ferry will be the fastest option), and go straight to the next stop:

2. Osborne House

Osborne House is one of the most popular attractions on the Isle of Wight, and for good reason. This beautiful Italian Renaissance style home was the summer home and rural retreat of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, and was where Victoria spent extensive time in mourning after the death of Albert in 1861. It was also where Queen Victoria died in 1901.

As you can imagine, there is plenty of Royal history to learn about at this incredible property, which covers a large area and includes a private beach, a full size “Swiss Cottage” that was imported from Switzerland and a number of garden and woodland areas.

You could spend a lot of time at Osborne, especially on a nice day, but we’re going to suggest that you just allocate the morning to your visit and focus on the house itself, as well as the Swiss Cottage and the beach area.

Osborne House is operated by English Heritage, so there’s a fee to visit. You book your tickets online in advance here .

It’s free for English Heritage members ( sign up here , available to everyone), or holders of the English Heritage Overseas Visitors Pass (non-UK residents only, buy yours here ).

3. Lunch at the Garlic Farm

If you’re not a fan of garlic, this might not be the place for you. For the rest of us who love garlic though, the Garlic Farm is heaven on earth. This family run operation is home to, as the name suggests, a Garlic Farm, but there is much more to do here than just watch garlic grow.

Our suggestion would be to schedule your lunch stop at the Garlic Farm, where they have a restaurant that serves all things garlic. In particular, we suggest the Garlic Mezze Platter, which has enough garlic-based items to satisfy even the most die-hard garlic fan. Then, finish off with some delicious black garlic ice cream!

There’s more than a restaurant here though. There’s a store where you can buy all manner of garlic based products, a tasting room, where you can try many of those products before you buy, and you can even take a tour of the farm and learn all the secrets of garlic growing. We really enjoyed our lunch and visit to the Garlic Farm, and are sure you will too!

4. Monkey Haven

Monkeys! Who doesn’t love these little fellas? We certainly do, so a trip to Monkey Haven was a no-brainer during our visit to the Isle of Wight. This sanctuary is a home for rescued animals, adopted by Monkey Haven for various reasons, including being saved from the illegal pet trade, private owners, or who were injured in the wild and would not have survived.

Today these animals live in a relaxed environment away from the stresses of their previous lives, and you can visit them! Despite the name, there are also many more animal species here than monkeys, including birds (particularly owls), meerkats and reptiles. We enjoyed meeting and learning about the lives of these animals, and the talk on owls was particularly good. This is an excellent stop especially if you’ve got kids!

5. Steam Railway

Love old trains? You’re going to go nuts for the Isle of Wight Steam Railway ! This largely volunteer run heritage railway has 5.5 miles of track on which lovingly restored steam locomotives and diesel engines offer rides, harking back to the glory days of rail transport on the Isle of Wight – a history which started in 1862, and in its heyday, boasted 55 miles of railway connecting the islands towns and villages.

For over forty years the Isle of Wight Steam Railway have been preserving this history. As well as taking a ride in a classic vintage carriage pulled by a steam locomotive, you can visit the Carriage Shed and learn all about the history of the railway on the island, as well as see equipment being repaired and restored.

The focal point of the Steam Railway is Havenstreet, which is where you can buy tickets, visit the main attractions and pick up rail themed gifts in the well stocked souvenir shop. This is definitely an attraction that will appeal to all ages, and is an excellent way to round off your first day exploring the Isle of Wight!

Isle of Wight – Day 2

Our second day on the Island has you exploring all along the south coast of the island, starting in the far west at:

6. The Needles

The Needles are a series of chalk rock stalks which jut out into the sea on the far western tip of the Isle of Wight. This chalk ridge actually extends all the way under the water across to the county of Dorset on the southern English coast.

Designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty, the Needles are a really beautiful sight and are perfect for photography. Plus, there’s more to do here than admire the view, wonderful though it is. The two main attractions next to the needles are the gun batteries at the point by the needles, and the experimental rocket testing station at the top of the hill.

The Battery is operated by the National Trust and there is an entry fee (free for National Trust Members or if you have a National Trust touring pass ). Here you can learn about this Victorian Coastal defence which was the site of an artillery battery, operational from the 1860s through to decommissioning in 1954. This is also a great spot for a view of the Needles, plus there’s an on-site tea room decorated in a 1950s style.

A little up the hill from the Battery is the rocket testing station, which played a vital role in the development of Britain’s ICBM capability, being the site for numerous rocket test firings between 1956 and 1971. At it’s peak of operation, 240 people worked at this top secret complex, and you can visit this part of the site for free. From the top of this hill there’s also an excellent view of the Needles themselves.

7. Carisbrooke Castle

We’re going to head to the centre of the Island now, and visit the impressive 12th century Carisbrooke Castle . This was the primary defensive fortification on the islands for hundreds of years, fending off the French in the 14th century and being the prison of King Charles I for fourteen months prior to his execution in 1649.

Today, the castle is operated by English Heritage, and along with Osborne House, is definitely a must-see sight on the Isle of Wight. You can climb the walls, meet the donkeys, explore inside the chapel, see where King Charles I was imprisoned, and much more.

It’s an impressive and imposing building, and again, you could spend a good few hours here exploring. We’d suggest bringing a picnic or taking advantage of the on-site tearoom for lunch today.

As this is operated by English Heritage, there’s a fee to visit. You can buy your ticket in advance here .

8. St. Catherine’s Down & Blackgang Chine

Back down to the south coast now, and a visit to Blackgang Chine – the oldest amusement park in the UK. If you like old-time amusement parks and / or are travelling with kids, then you should definitely include a stop here on your Isle of Wight itinerary. There are rides for every age, a waterpark, a hedge maze and even a huge whale skeleton! Something for everyone, and definitely a lot of fun to be had here for the whole family.

Just up the hill a little from Blackgang Chine is a parking spot for St. Catherine’s Down. From here you walk out to a viewpoint for lovely coastal view, or take a short ten minute hike up to St. Catherine’s Oratory .

This strange building, which looks a bit like a rocket-ship, is actually a medieval lighthouse dating from 1328, and is Britain’s only surviving medieval lighthouse!

The building itself is impressive enough, but it’s the views that you really come for, as the building is situated at one of the highest points on the island. It’s operated by English Heritage, but access is free. You have to walk across a field to get here, so good walking shoes are recommended.

9. Visit Ventnor

As you continue along the southern coast of the Isle of Wight heading east you will pass a number of cute towns including Ventnor, where there is a lovely botanic garden .

There are also two hotels offering an excellent afternoon tea in Ventnor, the Hamborough and the Royal Hotel, so depending on your timing and interests, these would all make for a good stop.

There’s also a lovely beach at Steephill Cove with a variety of cafes, which is just below the Botanic Garden, accessible on foot only.

Again, depending on your interests and schedule, these are all excellent stops. One stop that we definitely recommend you do include on your trip is Old St. Boniface’s Church in Bonchurch . This is a really cute little church which dates from the 11th century, and is one of very few medieval churches in England dedicated to this Saxon monk. It’s only a short stop, but a worthwhile one.

10. Shanklin

Our last attraction on the final day of our two day Isle of Wight itinerary is the picturesque town of Shanklin, which has beautiful beaches, cute thatched cottages and one of the island’s most enduring visitor attractions: Shanklin Chine . In 2017 Shanklin Chine celebrated its 200th year of operation, making it the oldest visitor attraction on the island!

You might at this point be wondering what a “Chine” is. Well, it’s a narrow gully or gorge. And that is exactly what Shanklin Chine is – a beautiful, tree lined gorge which you can wander through and enjoy views that inspired artists from Austen to Turner.

Shanklin Chine is open relatively late during the peak season, and is also lit up at night. There’s an entry fee, see full details on opening times and pricing here .

And that summarises our suggestions for a two day stay on the Isle of Wight! Now, let’s look at some practicalities for your visit.

How to Get to the Isle of Wight

Just off the south coast of England, the only way to get to the Isle of Wight is by hovercraft or ferry. The closest airport with public flights is at Southampton , although there are airports for private aircraft on the Isle of Wight if that’s how you roll.

Most people will be taking the ferry or hovercraft to the Isle of Wight. Fun fact, this is one of the more historic ferry routes in the UK, with a passenger ferry to the Isle of Wight operating as far back as 1420!

The main decision you have to make is whether or not you will be taking a car with you. For our suggested itinerary we highly recommend having a car, so either you will have your own car, or you will rent one. Car rental is available on the Island, so you can save a bit of money by picking up your car on the island rather than paying to bring one on the ferry.

From England, ferries operate from Portsmouth, Southampton and Lymington, arriving on the island at Fishbourne, East Cowes, Yarmouth, Cowes and Ryde. The hovercraft runs from Southsea (Portsmouth) to Ryde, and is the only operational passenger hovercraft in the UK. There are three companies operating services – Hovertravel operates the hovercraft, whilst Red Funnel and Wightlink are the two ferry companies.

We’ve taken both the Red Funnel car ferry from Southampton to East Cowes, as well as the fast RedJet passenger service to West Cowes. The car ferry takes around an hour each way, whilst the passenger only ferry is around 30 minutes. The car ferry boat is large and comfortable, with a café on board and there are lovely views as you journey to the island. The passenger only ferry is a bit more stripped back in terms of services but still very comfortable.

As a rule the car ferries are slower than the foot-passenger only services, which take around 30 minutes.

We normally use Direct Ferries for ferry booking when we travel as they compare prices and options across a range of providers, and they also accept multiple currencies. Book direct on their website here .

See more about all the various transport and connection options on the official Isle of Wight website .

Where to Stay on the Isle of Wight

There are a lot of accommodation options on the Isle of Wight, so will have plenty of choice. The island is also not too big, taking around half an hour to drive from the north coast to the south coast, so you will be able to get to all the locations on our two day itinerary from wherever you choose to stay if you have a vehicle.

For our two days on the Isle of Wight, we stayed in the town of Ventnor on the south coast at The Hambrough Hotel . This gorgeous luxury boutique hotel offers large, comfortable rooms, the majority of which have spectacular sea views.

This came with a fabulous breakfast featuring locally sourced ingredients, and we also took advantage of their afternoon tea and dinner service here where the food was truly excellent. The evening meal in particular was very notable, with Head Chef Luke Taylor offering a truly exceptional fine dining experience that rivalled some of the best meals we’ve eaten on our travels. Reservations are definitely needed for that.

So we can certainly recommend The Hambrough – see here for reviews and the latest prices . Otherwise, there are numerous properties to choose from, check out the Booking.com listings for hotels on the Isle of Wight to give you plenty of choices and the best deals.

Of course, there are other options for accommodation on the Isle of Wight, including Plum Guide. See listings for the Isle of Wight on Plum Guide here . For more vacation rental options in the UK, see our guide to our favourite holiday rentals websites in the UK .

Where to Eat on the Isle of Wight

There’s no shortage of places to eat on the Isle of Wight, with everything from fine dining to quick bites available.

Some definite highlights of our visit were our evening meal at The Hambrough , our afternoon tea at the Royal Hotel in Ventnor and our lunch at the Garlic Farm. We also really enjoyed the burgers at the HK Cafe Bar and Bistro in Cowes if you’re looking for more casual dining.

Getting Around the Isle of Wight

Our suggested way to get around the Isle of Wight is by car. This will give you the greatest flexibility and let you see the sights at your own pace, plus stop where you want for sight-seeing or photo opportunities. If you need a hire car, you can compare prices here .

If you’d prefer not to drive yourself, there is a well-connected public bus service on the Isle of Wight as well as a tourist focused hop on hop off bus which runs around the islands coast. There’s also the “Needles Breezer” service which will take you all the way out to the Needles from the town of Yarmouth.

For more on the various transport options on the Isle of Wight, check out the transport section on the official Visit Isle of Wight website. Just be aware that public transport runs to a timetable, and you may have to adjust our suggested itinerary depending on available services and schedules.

When to Visit the Isle of Wight

We would suggest that the months of May to September are going to be best for visiting the Isle of Wight. The weather will be more favourable, and most attractions will be open daily (although always check each individual attraction for opening information before visiting).

One event to be aware of when planning your visit to the Isle of Wight is Cowes Week . This is one of the most famous events in the world sailing calendar, and takes place over a week in early August every year on the island. As well as all the sailing there are a number of other activities including live music, fireworks, a family day and more. It’s a really busy and exciting time, and without doubt one of the most popular times to visit the island.

We certainly think Cowes week is a fun experience, but if you’re just visiting the island for sight-seeing and don’t have an interest in Cowes Week, do be aware that accommodation at this time will be more expensive than at any other time of year, and traffic levels will be increased.

If you do want to visit outside the main tourism months, check out this handy guide to what’s on year round on the Isle of Wight , including attractions that are open throughout the year.

Tours to the Isle of Wight

If you’d rather not plan everything yourself, and want someone else to drive, then we can recommend that you take a tour to the Isle of Wight.

Our recommended tour is this three day tour from London , which as well as the Isle of Wight also includes a number of attractions on the south coast of the UK.

Another option is this one day tour to the Isle of Wight from Brighton, which will take you to the major sights on the island.

Further Reading for your Isle of Wight Trip

And that sums up our suggested guide to things to do on the Isle of Wight! Here are a number of resources you might find useful to help you plan your trip to the Isle of Wight and the wider UK.

• A guide to Queen Victoria sights on the Isle of Wight
• Our favourite photography locations on the Isle of Wight
• The official Isle of Wight tourism portal , which has loads of ideas on what to do, where to stay, transport information as we as all the latest event information for the island.
• The Rough Guide to Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight , which is available in both digital and physical book formats
• A detailed one week itinerary of the UK , as well as a two week version
• A guide to driving Scotland’s epic North Coast 500 , as well as accommodation options on the North Coast 500
• A guide to 10 of the best Stately Homes in England , to give you some ideas as you plan your itinerary
• For London, we have some detailed itineraries to help you plan your visit. These include a 1 Day London Itinerary , a Two Day London itinerary and a six day London itinerary
• The top Harry Potter sites in London
• Tips on Buying and Using the London Pass
• A guide to Visiting Oxford on a Day Trip
• Visiting Blenheim Palace and the Cotswolds
• Getting online when travelling in a foreign country can be daunting – check out our guide to getting online when travelling to help you figure out the best options for your trip
• If you’re interested in getting better photos when you travel, take a look at my online photography course , where I’ll teach you everything you need to know about getting better photos – whatever camera you have!

And that sums up our post on what to do on the Isle of Wight! As always, we’re open to your feedback – if you’ve got must-see suggestions for the Isle of Wight, or have any questions about a visit, just let us know in the comments below!

So you know: we were hosted for two days by Visit Isle of Wight, who covered our accommodation, meals, ferry to the Isle of Wight and attraction entry. We covered our own transport on the island and additional expenses. As always, our opinions remain our own, see our code of ethics for how we choose who to work with.

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Karl Moeremans says

24th May 2021 at 5:44 pm

Dear Laurence, We’re thinking of staying for a week o, Isle of Wight. We’re fond of hiking and watersports (sailing). Would you reckon a week is ok, or would it be too long?

Laurence Norah says

25th May 2021 at 9:55 pm

You definitely won’t run out of things to do! We stayed for more than two days and have visited the island for much more than a week in total, and we’re always finding things to do. So I don’t think it would be too long at all!

Have a great trip 🙂

Dianne Fairweather says

8th February 2019 at 7:23 am

Thanks Laurence. Can you give me the name of the local tourism group who can help me with my enquiries please?

8th February 2019 at 7:47 pm

Hi Dianne – certainly, it’s Visit Isle of Wight, you can see their website here: https://www.visitisleofwight.co.uk/

Best of luck!

6th February 2019 at 3:51 am

Thank you for your very informative site. I am interested in ancient castle ruins. I am told that our family Seyfang had a castle somewhere on the Isle of Wight. any ideas how i can find out anything about it? i belive it is a ruin now. thank you . i plan to visit in 2019 september all being well.

thanks again Dianne Fairweather

6th February 2019 at 10:34 am

There are some well known castle ruins on the Isle of Wight, including Carisbrooke Castle and Yarmouth Castle, but I can’t find any reference to your family name as part of those, so it might be a lesser known castle which I’m not familiar with. You might try contacting the local tourism information who might be able to provide a bit more help

Have a great trip!

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The Best Things to Do on the Isle of Wight

Getty/ s0ulsurfing - Jason Swain

Under two hours by ferry from London, the Isle of Wight has long been a popular escape for city-dwellers looking for unspoiled natural beauty, epic coastline scenery, and walks.

Particularly popular with the Victorians, it remains a large part of the legacy of Queen Victoria—for whom this was a beloved holiday spot—as well as a favorite spot of Romantic writers and artists who took inspiration from the unbridled nature which can be found across the island.

Whether you want to relax at the beach, enjoy some hiking, indulge in water sports or stargazing, or simply get to know the towns, villages, and local cuisine that make up daily life on the Isle of Wight, this is a perfect vacation spot away from it all.

Enjoy the Coastline

Getty/ Copyright Ian Pacey

Naturally, you cant spend time on the Isle of Wight without taking in some of the fifty-seven miles of dramatic coastline. Whether you want to take a stroll along the cliffs, relax on one of fourteen award-winning beaches, discover rock pools, or enjoy some of the water sports on offer the coastline offers so much to visitors.

For bodyboarding and surfing, head to Compton or Sandown Bay, whereas if you want those Mediterranean-style views, head to Whitecliff or Priory Bay. Taking some time to visit the small towns around the coast, finding local pubs and cafes, or walking the sixty-eight-mile coastal path are also great ways to spend the day if you don’t fancy going into the sea.

There’s no shortage of seafront accommodations on the Isle of Wight so if you’re looking forward to opening your window and smelling sea air, you’re in the right place.

Munch on a Crab Pasty

Getty/ creacart 

Found at tucked away crabbing spot Steephill Cove, where you can enjoy the sea, visit the gift shop, and relax at one of the few restaurants or cafes, you’ll find the sensational crab pasties that have foodies religiously making the trek down at The Crab Shed , similar to the famous Cornish Pasties but stuffed with freshly caught crab meat and stamped with an iconic crab shape. The shack also serves crab sandwiches, ciabattas, crab and lobster salads as well as special dishes and drinks.

A visit here can also be combined with a trip to Ventnor Botanic Garden which has a car park and is just a fifteen minute walk away.

Hike the Isle of Wight Literary Heroes Trail

Getty/ s0ulsurfing - Jason Swain 

One of several themed walks on the Isle of Wight, this dynamic trail will take you in the footsteps of writers such as  John Keats, Lewis Carroll, Dickens, and Tennyson, whose home on the island— Farringford —attracted many notable names from his literary circles, who later became known as the Freshwater Circle.

Farringford, the Gothic house restored in a late nineteenth-century style, is a stop on the trail, as well as spots such as Ventnor and Sandown , where Charles Dickens and Darwin were thought to have begun their works of David Copperfield and On the Origin of Species.

The Literary Heroes Trail , if you choose to follow all of it, will take you to many notable spots across the island and is a great way to see some of the small towns and villages that make up life on the Isle of Wight.

Ride the Isle of Wight Steam Railway

Getty/ thyme

See the Isle of Wight from a different perspective—by steam train. The Isle of Wight Steam Railway and Museum is one of Britain’s heritage railways, a charming step back into the past, and a fun day out whether you consider yourself a train enthusiast or not.

The carriages are lovingly restored in Victorian and Edwardian style, the conductors wear traditional costumes, and refreshment rooms are available on the train. All you have to do is sit back and listen to the iconic steam engine sounds, watch the green fields, forests and quaint stations saunter by, or maybe hop off at a town you’re interested in.  

Go Stargazing

Getty/ Property of Chad Powell 

A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the Isle of Wight has some of the darkest skies in the United Kingdom, making it a perfect place to look up at the Milky Way, Cassiopeia, Orion, and the Plough, as well as test your photography skills.

Gazing up from wherever you are on the island at night will treat you to some excellent views, but if you’d like to give it a serious go, make make sure to choose a clear night, bring some binoculars, and choose one of the many spots known for their great views of the sky, such as Compton Bay, St Catherine’s Down, or Freshwater Bay.

Go Fossil Hunting

 Getty/ Andrew Holt

There is no shortage of dinosaur and fossil-related activities to enjoy on the Isle of Wight; it is regarded as one of the richest areas for Dinosaur discovery in Europe, giving it the nickname ‘Dinosaur Island.'

A great start is visiting the Dinosaur Isle Museum , who can point you in the right direction for fossil hunts but also allow you to learn about some of the amazing discoveries found on the island.

Most people choose to start their fossil hunt on Compton Bay where you can find pieces of dinosaur bone and teeth as well as see fossilized dinosaur footprints. Other fossil-rich locations include Shepherd’s Chine and Whale Chine for fish and ammonite remains, Brook Bay, Whitecliff Bay, and Yarmouth.

Visit the Garlic Farm and Try Garlic Beer

Getty/ paulafrench

Famous for its black garlic, the Isle of Wight takes its garlic seriously, even throwing an annual Garlic Festival to try out new and exciting garlic-related foods and products.

Visiting The Garlic Farm is the best way to enjoy this integral part of the island’s culture and enjoy a number of activities such as seeing garlic fields roaming with small herds of cattle, goats, sheep, and horses. Trying out the extensive amount of products available are a given, with delights including garlic chutneys, jams, mayonnaise, and other dips, garlic plaits, seeds, butter, salt, and even beer and vodka.

Make sure to take time to eat at the restaurant, which offers a wide range of meat, vegetarian, and cheese dishes all with a garlic twist. You can even stay overnight in their self-catering cottages and yurts. More than a farm, this is truly an experience and a must for garlic and cooking lovers.

Visit Carisbrooke Castle

Getty/ BrendanHunter

No UK trip would be complete without a visit to a good castle and the looming Carisbrooke Castle is just that. It also offers superb panoramic views over the entire island. The castle has been used as an artillery fortress, a prison for King Charles I after the English  Civil War, and a royal summer residence.

A walk around the grounds will lead you to King Charles I’s bowling green and Princess Beatrice’s flower garden, daughter of Queen Victoria. Walk the castle walls, climb up to the Norman Keep, and explore the chapel and Castle Museum before enjoying the onsite Castle Tearoom. 

Walk Queen Victoria’s Island Trail

Getty/ Oli Scarff / Staff

Another unique way to traverse the Isle of Wight is in the footsteps of Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert, who frequented the island often with it being their favorite holiday getaway during the nineteenth century.

The heritage trail will take you from her holiday home to some of the major attractions on the Isle of Wight to the lesser-known parts of the island that they loved to frequent. To see all of the stately homes and beauty spots on the trail you would need a few days, but for shorter stays cherry-picking a few favorites will be enough to enjoy the island as royalty did before.

Wander Osborne House

One of the most popular spots to visit on the Isle of Wight, this opulent family holiday home of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert with walled gardens and a private beach was a beloved spot for the royal family, with Queen Victoria once saying, "It is impossible to imagine a prettier spot."

It would be easy to spend a full day at Osborne House with the grand state and family rooms to explore, the Royal Collection to peruse as well as the extensive grounds. The onsite terrace and orangery restaurant and cafe make this a delightful day trip. Families will particularly enjoy it here as there are activities specifically for children, including the Swiss Cottage where the royal children played, trails, and playgrounds, as well as an ice cream parlor at the seafront. 

Reach New Heights at The Needles Landmark

Getty/ Abstract Aerial Art

There are so many ways to enjoy the Isle of Wight's most famous attraction—the Needles rocks and Lighthouse—though taking the incredible chairlift over the ocean to the top is probably one of the most exciting. The Needles have been named one of the seven natural wonders of the UK, and it isn’t hard to see why. The rocks' chalky points, which reach thirty meters above sea level and extend off of a backbone of chalk that cuts right through the island, are truly a sight to behold. On the outermost needle stands the active 19th Century Needles Lighthouse.

A famous Victorian area of seaside fun, The Needles Landmark Attraction also allows you to take part in Victorian games, enjoy boat rides, go shopping and sample some of the seaside treats and seafood.

See Bembridge Windmill

Getty/ Daniel Borg / Contributor

The only surviving windmill on the Isle of Wight was built in the 1700s and featured in a watercolor painting by artist JMW Turner. Bembridge Windmill is a wonderful day out for anyone looking to explore some of the green countryside and coastline of the Isle of Wight on foot, as the windmill marks the start of the Culver Trail , and also learn about this historic landmark. 

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11 Beautiful Places To Visit On The Isle of Wight

From golden sandy beaches and pretty seaside towns to magnificent estates and gardens, we think these 11 beautiful places to visit on the Isle of Wight belong on every visitor’s itinerary . 

We hope you’ll feel inspired ahead of your trip. Don’t forget to let us know which place you’re most excited to visit first!

1. The Needles

Of all the beautiful places to visit on the Isle of Wight, The Needles might be the most famous. 

But – just in case you haven’t heard of it – The Needles is a natural landmark. It consists of three chalk stacks off the coast of the western tip of the island. 

For the best views of The Needles, head to The Needles Viewpoint overlooking Scratchell’s Bay. It’s free to visit and offers superb views.

You can even walk to this viewpoint following part of the Isle of Wight coastal path.

You can also get a great view of The Needles from the “batteries” found here. National Trust members can visit for free, or you can pay on the door. Find out more here.

2. Isle of Wight Coastal Path

The Isle of Wight Coastal Path is a circular 70-mile trail around the island. 

There are so many incredible coastal views to see and ample wildlife. You might even see red squirrels, which are a rare sight in the UK.

When Scott and I visited, we followed part of the Tennyson Trail along the south coast. This trail links Freshwater Bay to The Needles. It’s a fabulous walk with stunning views.

RELATED: Fabulous Isle of Wight Itinerary For First Time Visitors

3. Alum Bay

You can find Alum Bay close to The Needles. 

If you follow the walking trail towards The Needles Landmark Attraction “theme park”, then you’ll see stunning views across The Solent en route. 

You’ll also glimpse a fabulous view of Alum Bay’s infamous multi-coloured sand cliffs. They look so bright and colourful and contrast perfectly with the calming blues and greens of the bay and surrounding landscape.

Osborne , a Royal residence in East Cowes, is one of the Isle of Wight’s most infamous attractions – and it’s every bit as beautiful as you might imagine. 

It was once owned by Queen Victoria who used the estate as her summer palace. If you happen to visit on a sunny day, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into continental Europe such as Spain or Italy. 

Every inch of this palace is stunning and the estate is just as fabulous to explore if you love flora and fauna. It’s well worth a visit!

Psst! You can visit Osborne for free as an English Heritage member. Find out more >>

RELATED: 14 Best English Heritage Sites For Your Bucket List

5. Compton Beach

The Isle of Wight boasts many beautiful beaches and coastal areas; one of which is Compton Beach along the southwestern coast. 

You can wander along two miles of golden sand on this beach. And the best bit? It’s usually a quieter beach than many on the Isle of Wight… at least for now.

6. Shanklin

On the island’s southeastern side is Shanklin, a charming seaside resort town. 

While the town itself boasts beautiful buildings and shops worthy of a mooch, the beach is also charming and the town has a special surprise on offer to visitors. 

Shanklin is home to Shanklin Chine, which is a natural coastal ravine complete with waterfalls. On summer evenings, your path is lit up along the way with coloured lights. It looks so magical!

RELATED: Incredible Isle of Wight Day Trip – Tips & Itinerary

Ventnor, close to Shanklin, is another lovely coastal town worth visiting. 

The beach is small but charming, the pier and esplanade areas are well looked after and they have gorgeous views across the English Channel. The town also has a special surprise for visitors.

Ventnor is home to The Ventnorian aka Crave, a locally-made ice cream parlour, which changes its inventive flavours regularly. There’s often a queue, but it’s well worth it. 

8. Ventnor Botanic Garden

Also in Ventnor is the Ventnor Botanic Garden, which is so stunning that it warranted its own section on this list of beautiful places to visit on the Isle of Wight. 

Home to hundreds of exotic and rare plants, as well as plenty of sub-tropical plants, you can even see some of the largest Giant Amazonian Waterlilies in the world within the garden’s ‘Tropical House’. 

If you love plants and gardens then you’ll love a visit here.

9. Freshwater Bay

Freshwater Bay, on the south coast, is another of the island’s most picturesque beaches. 

While this one is mostly pebbles and rocks, it’s a fabulous place for rock pooling and offers fantastic views of the island’s chalky white cliffs.

10. Carisbrooke Castle

Carisbrooke Castle , managed by the English Heritage, is a historic motte-and-bailey castle, which once housed Charles I as a prisoner. 

While the castle itself is interesting to visit, we’ve included it on this list of beautiful places to visit on the Isle of Wight because you can enjoy stunning panoramic views from the top of the castle’s walls.

The tranquil Princess Beatrice Garden is also a pleasure to wander through.

Psst! You can visit Carisbrooke Castle for free as an English Heritage member. Find out more >>

RELATED: National Trust vs English Heritage: Which Is Better?

Yet another pretty seaside town worth visiting is Ryde on the northeastern side of the island.

Home to golden sandy beaches, quintessential coastal shops and houses and tranquil gardens, Ryde is a gorgeous place to visit on the Isle of Wight. 

And if you follow the coastline along the Esplanade and toward Garden Walk, you’ll come across Appley Tower. 

The tower dates back to 1875 and is in such a good condition for its age. The tower looks stunning overlooking the coastline and will make your beach photos look so much more unique than normal.

And there you have it! We hope you enjoy visiting these 11 beautiful places on your next trip to the Isle of Wight. Where are you most excited to visit first?

Did you like this list of beautiful places to visit on the Isle of Wight? Why not pin or bookmark it now, so you can refer back to it later.

Justine Jenkins

Justine is one half of the married couple behind the Wanderers of the World travel blog. She lives in Bristol, UK and has travelled extensively within Europe and beyond since 2013. After her trips, she shares detailed travel itineraries, helpful travel guides and inspiring blog posts about the places she's been to. When she's not travelling overseas, you'll find her joining her husband, Scott on various day trips, weekend getaways and walks within the UK, which she also writes about on Wanderers of the World. Aside from travelling and writing, she also loves reading, crafting and learning about nature.

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Hidden secrets of the Isle of Wight

Hidden secrets of the Isle of Wight – words Al Woods

Taking a trip to the Isle of Wight? The second most populated island in England has plenty to offer visitors, with great food, excellent watersports and some superb venues to explore for people of all ages.

It’s quick to take a flight or boat, and there are plenty of b and bs, hotels and offerings from companies such as classic cottages to try. check out five of the best hidden secrets of the isle of wight in this guide to exploring the island.  , ventnor botanic gardens.

These stunning gardens have a varied collection of sub-tropical and exotic plants that make you feel as if you’re in the Mediterranean, not a few miles of the English coast. These gardens offer more than just plants, holding art exhibitions showing the likes of Picasso and Banksy. Once you’ve had a whole look around, grab something to eat at the Ventnor Botanic Gardens cafe – the Plantation Room, which uses herbs that are grown in the gardens. Then explore the secret passageways, underground caverns and tunnels, the biggest of which is 350 feet long. There are daily guided tours available, check it out more here .

The secret is well and truly out with this one, ever since this contemporary restaurant climbed to the top of the TripAdvisor charts for the island. In 2007 founder Robert Thompson became the youngest British chef to be awarded a Michelin star, before repeating his success with the Hambrough, also in Ventnor. Having opened his own restaurant and striving for similar success, reviewers rave about meals such as day boat mackerel in cucumber and sea herbs, oven roasted wood pigeon and the Asian spiced fish broth. It’s well worth a look if you’re after a meal to remember.

The Calbourne Water Mill

With 35 acres of beautiful rural landscape, The Calbourne is one of the oldest water mills in the United Kingdom. It has its own war museum which takes you back in time with an authentic fire station, and a Granfer’s Shed and Grandma’s Kitchen exhibits. Whilst you’re at the mill take a walk through the Ancient Oak Woodland to see the ponds, build a small Lego house on the Lego tables or take some time to sketch out something pretty on the giant chalkboard, before jumping on a pedalo and take a trip down the relaxing stream.

Steephill Cove

Tucked away by the Ventnor Undercliff, Steephill Cove really is a true hidden gem. Only accessible by foot, it is a great place to relax with its mix of beautiful scenery, clear waters and rock pools. The buildings around the cove just add to the charm with brightly coloured beach huts, traditional deck chairs, a fisherman’s cottage, lobster pots and fishing tackle. If you’re hungry or thirsty whilst visiting the cove, there is a café that serves hot and cold refreshments as well as restaurants serving locally sourced seafood during the season. On warmer days you will usually find the locals swimming in the sea and children exploring the rock pools in this idyllic venue that local residents have always been keen to keep on the hush.

Devil’s Chimney

This evil-sounding rock formation near the village of Bonchurch on the Isle of Wight is made up of a tall narrow fissure and waterfall; carved into the rock is the Devil’s Chimney walk that that forms part of the Bonchurch landslip beneath. It is a must see for anyone who loves to walk climb as there are a variety of different routes through the wooded area. It is fairly steep and can sometimes be slippy so make sure you have decent footwear. Before visiting the Devil’s Chimney download the Dinosaur Island app to find terrible lizards dotted throughout the trees. When all your exploring is finished relax at the Smugglers Haven Café nearby.

• beach holiday
• independent travel
• isle of wight
• unique travel

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Things To Do on the Isle of Wight

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Towns & villages search, island adventures all year round on the isle of wight.

Visitors have been flocking to the Isle of Wight for hundreds of years - whether as a health resort in Victorian times, a classic bucket and spade holiday in the 1950s or for the music festival era of the 70s, the Island has something for everyone and for every season…

Getting to the Island

Getting across is half the fun, surrounded by water, visitors can travel on one of the regular vehicle ferry services where you can bring the car or take the speedy catamaran and hovercraft services as a foot passenger. Competent sailors can arrive under their own steam (or should that be wind!?) to one of the many marinas located around the island.

Head to Lymington , Southampton , Portsmouth or Southsea to embark on the crossing over.  Gateways to the Isle of Wight include Ryde , which is serviced by Wightlink FastCat foot passenger ferry and the unique Hovertravel’s hovercraft - the fastest way to travel to the island and the only commercial passenger hovercraft service in world. Fishbourne and Yarmouth for Wightlink’s vehicle ferry route and East Cowes or  Cowes for Red Funnel’s vehicle and foot passenger crossings.

Top Things to do on the Isle of Wight

Given its small size, the island certainly packs a punch when it comes to things to do. No matter what your interest, there is something for everyone. For nature enthusiasts, explore the Island's stunning landscapes including the iconic Needles at Alum Bay or the beautiful coves and caves of  Freshwater Bay . The Island's coastline offers a treasure trove of opportunities for water-based activities, including sailing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. For walkers, enjoy a stroll through enchanting woodlands of Parkhurst Forest, Brighstone Forest and Bouldnor Forest, or head out to the highest point on the Tennyson Downs for spectacular views and a visit to the famous Lord Tennyson memorial.

For history buffs, a visit to Osborne House , Queen Victoria's former residence, Carisbrooke Castle , with its rich medieval heritage or Yarmouth Castle with its great views over the Solent, is a must. The Isle of Wight is also renowned for its vibrant arts and cultural scene, with numerous festivals, galleries, and performances to indulge in including the famous Isle of Wight Festival and a bustling summer carnival calendar. Families can enjoy exciting attractions such as Blackgang Chine, Dinosaur Isle , Tapnell Farm , Isle of Wight Steam Railway and Robin Hill Adventure Park. The Isle of Wight tourist attractions will definantly keep you busy whenever you choose to visit, many are open all year round. For foodies, the Island's local cuisine is not to be missed with delicious seafood, seasonal local produce and some of the best dining spots in the UK. 

Places to visit on the Isle of Wight

The sheltered south-east towns of  Sandown  and  Shanklin  are among the most popular places to visit on the Isle of Wight while further north,  Cowes  and  Newport  are popular for days out and bustling with activity. If you're looking for things to do in  Ryde , there are three great beaches with attractions and refreshments nearby and with direct links from the mainland, it's easy to make the short hop across the Solent for the day and discover what's waiting on the other side. The Isle of Wight map will help discover more about the island's geography and plan your next island adventures.

Whether you are looking for high downs or soaring cliffs, long sandy beaches fringed by farms and forestland, fishing villages or bustling resorts, you will find them on the Isle of Wight. It’s no wonder that this almost fairy-tale like island was the inspiration of Lewis Carroll to write his magical story Alice in Wonderland - what stories will you share from your Isle of Wight visit.

Walking & Cycling

Miles of footpaths, bridleways and cycle routes make the Isle of Wight a top destination for those who like getting around on two feet or two wheels. The Island’s coastal path offers a whopping 68 miles to explore, or there are plenty of inland routes to take, through dappled forests, rolling countryside and pretty villages.

Cycling seems to be a national sport on the Island, largely due to the 200 miles of cycle tracks cutting through stunning scenery and plenty of great little places to stop. For those seeking adventure, the famous Round the Island cycle route offers a challenging 65-mile journey around the coastline, passing through quaint towns and iconic landmarks. Families and leisure cyclists can enjoy more relaxed rides, exploring the scenic countryside and stopping at idyllic spots for picnics. With its fresh sea air, stunning vistas, and well-maintained cycling and footpaths, the Isle of Wight provides an unforgettable experience that perfectly combines fitness, exploration, and immersion in the Island's natural beauty.

Places to Eat

The Isle of Wight is renowned for its food and drink. Award-winning local produce, freshly caught seafood or ‘landlubber’ served in picture-perfect spots equals a winning combination. Whether it's fine dining, laidback restaurants, cosy cafes or stocking up on locally produced items in the farm shops, the Isle of Wight is a true foodies paradise.

Book an Island Getaway

Boutique hotels, B&Bs, quirky yurts and classic campsites all offer visitors a unique Island stay, whatever your budget. Choose from sea views, countryside escapes or town boltholes for the ideal Island getaway .

For ideas and inspiration on where to stay, what's on and things to do on the Isle of Wight visit the official website,  visitIsleofwight.co.uk .

List of things to do & places to visit for days out on the Isle of Wight

For more information about the Isle of Wight, including itinerary ideas for days out, attractions and events, explore the list below.  You'll find information on things to do, towns and villages and beautiful beaches all on the island. Use the 'map view' button to find something near you.

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Number of results: 50

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What makes Cowes such a Mecca for yachtsmen and what is there to do in this seaport town?

Bembridge lies on the most easterly point of the Isle of Wight. It's claimed to be the largest village in England, with a population of around 4,000.

Hovertravel

Hovertravel, the only scheduled Hovercraft operator in Europe, is the quickest way to reach the Isle of Wight. This fast service also has a frequent timetable starting from 6am and running throughout the day until 9pm.

Ventnor Beach

Ventnor beach is the southernmost holiday beach on the Isle of Wight and is well-loved by locals and visitors alike.

Seagrove Beach

Seagrove Bay sits between Seaview beach and Priory Bay on the north east coast and boasts some of the largest and most imposing seaside properties on the Isle of Wight. When the tide is out Seagrove Bay has a large expanse of golden sands, making…

Cowes Maritime Museum

Cowes Maritime Museum displays a selection of objects and images which help to tell the story of Cowes and its important maritime heritage.

Monkey Haven

Swing by the award-winning primate rescue centre making animals happy - and people happy! Meet rescued gibbons, monkeys, meerkats, birds of prey and reptiles. Lots of fun for everyone, including wonderful keeper talks, a fun free App, kid’s trails,…

Yarmouth Castle

Castle / Fort

A Tudor Castle in a beautiful seaside town.

The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary

Wroxall, Ventnor

We are a rescue centre based on the Isle of Wight and provide a forever home for any donkey in need.

Newport Roman Villa

Historic Site

On the edge of Newport town centre, the remains of this Roman farmhouse are well worth discovering. The villa has one of the finest bath suites in southern England and there are hands on activities for all of the family.

Sandown Beach

Sandown lies at the heart of 'The Bay' and is renowned for its beautiful beach and safe bathing.

Springvale Beach

Springvale Beach stretches from Puckpool to Seaview on the north coast of the Isle of Wight and is made up of a mixture of shingle and sand.

Yarmouth is a historic port town is located on the North-West of the Isle of Wight. Find things to do, places to eat and a map.

Dinosaur Isle

In a spectacular pterosaur shaped building on Sandown’s blue flag beach walk back through fossilised time and meet life sized replica dinosaurs

Tapnell Farm

Set in acres of beautiful countryside, surrounded by amazing views of the Isle of Wight, Tapnell Farm Park is one of the Island’s biggest all-weather, fun-filled family attractions.

There’s so much to see and do, with just as much inside as…

Isle of Wight Steam Railway

Steam Railway

Inspiring, Surprising and Award-Winning … Equally appealing to adults and families, your visit to The Isle of Wight Steam Railway will charm, engage and captivate, leaving you with some lasting memories of a special day out.

Yaverland Beach

Yaverland Beach is one of the Isle of Wight’s best beaches, providing a long stretch of sand and great swimming waters for children and families.

Historic House / Palace

Step into Queen Victoria’s favourite country home and experience a world unchanged since the country's longest reigning monarch died here just over 100 years ago.

A spectacular coastline that includes rugged white cliffs, the famous Needles rocks and the multicoloured sandstone cliffs of Alum Bay. It also has many Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Shanklin Beach

Shanklin Beach is a one of the Isle of Wight’s best known stretches of golden sands, which backs onto a traditional English seafront promenade.

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Places to visit on the Isle of Wight

With chalky white towering stacks stretching out into the English Channel, secluded sandy beaches lapped with clear water and looked over from timeless villages, the Isle of Wight is postcard perfect. As soon as you hop off your Solent ferry crossing from the mainland, you see why. Top places to visit on the Isle of Wight include Osbourne House, The Needles, Shanklin Theatre and Ventnor Botanic Gardens.

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7 things to do on the Isle of Wight this summer

Enjoy an action-packed weekend on the beautiful Isle of Wight with these must-do summer activities for all the family.

Visit the Diamond Isle

Enjoy a 10 min trip on the Needles Park Chairlift and go dinosaur hunting.

Location: Isle of Wight

Kayak around The Needles rocks and lighthouse

How would you like to get up close and personal with one of the Isle of Wight’s most iconic landmarks?

Location: Freshwater, Isle of Wight

See an Island from the air

Enjoy the view that most visitors to the Isle of Wight miss every year by seeing it from the skies on a paragliding trip.

Location: Yarmouth, Isle of Wight

Enjoy a picnic in the woods that’s by the sea and a fort

Fort Victoria Country Park is a walk and picnic spot with visitor attractions, woods, and a beach thrown in.

Take a bargain break with all the trimmings at Totland

On the west coast of the Isle of Wight, YHA Totland has the beach, heaps of countryside walks and great local attractions on its doorstep.

Location: Totland, Isle of Wight

Go walking with dinosaurs

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to walk alongside the dinosaurs that once roamed the earth? Well now you can…

Location: Sandown, Isle of Wight

July events: Open Studios Isle of Wight

It’s a rare opportunity to be invited into an artist’s creative space, but in the Isle of Wight, they’re happy to fling open their doors every July for you to come and take a look.

Location: Newport, Isle of Wight

Get lost in Blackgang Chine’s world of imagination

Lose yourself in the Land of Imagination at Blackgang Chine…the UK’s oldest amusement park where you step out of the everyday and into a magical world where the only constraint is your own creativity.

Location: Blackgang, Isle of Wight

Discover dinosaur footprints on the beach

Everyone who has been to the beach has seen footprints left in the sand, but have you ever seen ones that have been left by a dinosaur?

Location: Brook, Isle of Wight

Soak up the sun on a royal beach

Osborne House in the Isle of Wight was Queen Victoria's holiday home for many years. Pay a visit to this pretty spot to get a glimpse into her family getaways and even see her private beach!

Location: East Cowes, Isle of Wight

Holiday in a treehouse

If you are looking for an adventurous escape with no compromise in comfort then it’s time you took to the trees.

Location: Wootton, Isle of Wight

Take an inspiring trip through Shanklin Chine

This leafy gorge on the Isle of Wight is lined with rare plants, wildlife and waterfalls, making for a magical walk day or night.

Location: Shanklin, Isle of Wight

Lose yourself in England’s hottest garden

Experience the Isle of Wight’s incredible microclimate firsthand at the exotic Ventnor Botanic Gardens.

Location: Ventnor, Isle of Wight

Trip-trap along the Red Squirrel Trail

This family-friendly cycle and walking path encompasses an exciting trail of artwork, sculpture and trolls under bridges.

See global superstars at the Isle of Wight Festival

See some of the biggest names in the business from the past, present and future at this legendary music festival in June.

Bask in the traditional charm of Shanklin Seafront

Shanklin Seafront is one of the Isle of Wight's most popular seaside resorts, with loads to keep the kids quiet and plenty of places for adults to take it easy.

Vintage escapes on the Isle of Wight

Spend the weekend in a traditional 1960's bungalow, vintage caravan or other relic.

Visit the remains of the grandest house on the Isle of Wight

Take a trip round Appuldurcombe House which was bombed during the Second World War.

Location: Wroxall, Isle of Wight

Explore the former holiday home of Queen Victoria

Spend a summer’s day strolling through the Italianate gardens and exploring the stunning rooms of Osborne House.

Embark on a beginners cycle tour on The Red Squirrel Trail

Looking for your first car free, overnight cycle tour on a beginner’s route? The Red Squirrel Trail is the perfect multi day family cycle adventure, and is mostly on car free rail trail.

Location: Isle Of Wight

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Top Things To Do On The Isle of Wight – Ultimate Isle Of Wight Blog

Long days on the beach, extreme sports, wine tasting and a top foodie scene, there are plenty of amazing things to do on the Isle Of Wight ! Find out more in this Isle of Wight blog filled with fab tips for your time on the island. 

My relationship with the Isle of Wight began around 20 years ago. I was at primary school and about to embark on my biggest trip yet. Along with 25 other kids, I hopped on a coach, then a ferry and spent a few days on the seemingly exotic island.

I was 10, and for me, this was like the Caribbean. We played games on Shanklin beach, visited Osborne House , and spent a day at theme park Blackgang Chine . I have very happy memories from the trip. Flash forward 20 years and here I was boarding WightRider 2 (the ferry) from Portsmouth to Ryde. Over the next 3 days I’d be reliving some childhood memories and, fingers crossed, be creating a few new ones!

If you’re visiting the Isle of Wight soon I hope you find my guide helpful! Feel free to leave any questions or comments at the end. 

Things To Do On The Isle Of Wight For Water Sports and Adrenaline Lovers

From sailing, kayaking and stand up paddle boarding to segwaying, airwheeling and mountain biking, Tackt-Isle Adventures is THE place on the island for trying something new!

I spent a whole afternoon there and while I was pretty nervous as I hopped on a Segway for the first time, within a few minutes I was flying around the place and getting competitive in drills and races!

After that I took to the water for a few hours of relaxed kayaking, while my partner hopped on a stand up paddle board. It’s a beautiful area to explore on the water, and even when it bucketed it down, our spirits weren’t dampened! The instructors were young, fun, patient and super enthusiastic.

Things To Do On The Isle Of Wight For Wine Lovers

I spent February exploring vineyards in Chile  and  Argentina , then just a few weeks ago I enjoyed a day wine tasting  in California… but what’s this? There’s a top winery on the Isle of Wight?! Yep – this is one of my top things to do on the Isle of Wight.

Rosemary Vineyard is run by a dedicated team and happens to be one of the largest producers of English Wine in the country. Along with top wines, they also produce some of the most delicious apple juice you’ll ever taste (the flavour reminded me of apple pie!) along with fruit liqueurs and gin.

Whatever your tipple, you’ll find something you like! They’re located in a picturesque spot in the middle of the island where the climate is perfect for the grapes, and after taking a wine tour you can enjoy a casual wander through the lush vineyards.

Things To Do On The Isle Of Wight For Vintage Lovers

During our visit, several locals referred to island life as ‘going back in time by 30 years’. In some ways, that’s true, and it’s part of what makes it such a charming place. 30 years is nothing though, so for a real vintage touch we stayed in a 1960s American Airstream.

Helen from Vintage Vacations bought her first Airstream in 2004, and fell in love with the quirky trailers. Since then, she and husband Fraser have expanded their fleet into an uber-cool glamping experience. With tonnes of vintage knick-knacks (from Coca Cola trays and Babycham, to retro curtains and bedding) staying here really did  give a flavour of the swinging 60s.

Things To Do On The Isle Of Wight For Foodies

Where to start?! It turns out there’s a buzzing foodie scene on the island. I’ll go into more detail in a future blog but whether you’re after fish and chips on the seafront, tapas, a restaurant with a view or high end fine dining, there’s something for everyone.

For the freshest seafood on the island, head to The Best Dressed Crab in Bembridge Harbour. You can watch the lobsters and crabs being delivered straight from the fishing boats.

The Shed in Bembridge offers international cuisine in tapas form – perfect for those who love to share! The Seaview Hotel is home to one of the best restaurants on the island, serving gourmet food at very reasonable prices. There are plenty of tearooms around the island, perfect for afternoon tea.

Looking for things to do in the evening on the Isle of Wight? It’s hard to beat the amazing view over Appley Beach in Ryde from Three Buoys , plus the restaurant has a delicious menu featuring fresh seafood and a great selection of cocktails. It’s also quite a romantic spot if you’re with your other half.

The Garlic Farm is another great spot to spend an afternoon. After checking out the beautiful gardens filled with garlic plants, head to their garlic-themed restaurant. I loved the mezze platter as it offered a chance to try plenty of their garlicky specialities, including delicious buttery mushrooms, a whole roasted garlic, and some of the best garlic bread I’ve tasted in a long time!

Things To Do On The Isle Of Wight For Beach Babes

You just can’t beat a great British beach holiday! We were based towards the north east of the island, and loved checking out Shanklin, Ryde and a few other beautiful sandy beaches. Even when the sun was hiding we had plenty of fun things to do including checking out the cute shops, cafes, amusement arcades and paying a few rounds crazy golf!

Things To Do On The Isle Of Wight For History Lovers

From dinosaur remains and Norman Conquests, to Queen Victoria’s holidays – the island is packed full of history. Queen Victoria spent a lot of time on the island, and said of Osborne House , “it is impossible to imagine a prettier spot.”

She used the house as her holiday home and these days it’s open to the public. You can explore Victoria and Albert’s private apartments, their bathing beach and children’s play-cottage along with the beautiful gardens.

If you’re interested in history, you should also check out motte and bailey castle, Carisbrooke Castle. At this English heritage site you can find out all about the days of the Norman Conquest to why Charles I was imprisoned there in the run up to his trial.

Or for a fun experience for adults and kids alike, hop on board the Isle of Wight steam railway . You’ll feel like you’ve travelled back in time as you board one of the vintage locomotives! 

Things To Do On The Isle Of Wight For Nature Lovers

The island is a top destination for anyone with a love of walking, cycling and nature. 500 miles of footpaths, beautiful lush countryside, sweeping coastlines, sandy beaches and plenty of natural wonders will have you reaching for your camera over and over again. 

Voted as one of the top sights in the UK, The Needles are one of the must-sees. If you’re feeling brave, you can even take the chairlift – one of the most unusual things to do on the Isle of Wight!

Opened in 1817, the waterfall at Shanklin Chine is one of the island’s oldest tourist attractions. Not only is the waterfall beautiful, it’s set within a deep gorge covered in trees – a magical place to spend an afternoon. While we visited during the day, they also illuminate the waterfall at night over the summer months, just to add to the magic!

And for a great way to see the island, head to the top of the  Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth before or after your ferry. At 170m, the architectural wonder is designed to sway slightly in order to withstand high winds. Feeling brave? You can even abseil down the tower while taking in the incredible panoramic views of Portsmouth, the Solent and the Isle of Wight!

When Is The Best Time To Visit The Isle Of Wight?

England is a country obsessed with weather. Don’t know what to say? Comment on the weather! We talk about it a lot, but contrary to what you may have heard, we don’t have awful weather in England. It’s just a little unpredictable and varies from region to region.

You can expect average lows of around 5 °C on the island in January / February, and highs around 22°C in July / August.

If you’re wondering when is the best time to visit the Isle of Wight, I’d suggest planning a trip in May or June. The weather tends to be warm and sunny, rain is at a minimum and it’s out of peak season, so you shouldn’t be battling any big crowds either. The longest day is around 20th June every year, so it’s a time you can enjoy maximum daylight hours exploring!

I’ve never been a fan of November in England. It’s the wettest month of the year, and while December can be pretty cold, there’s a Christmas magic around the country which always puts a smile on my face!

I hope you’ve found this Isle of Wight blog helpful – there are plenty more amazing things to do on the Isle of Wight. No doubt I’ll head back soon to experience some more!

Thanks to Visit England and Visit Isle of Wight for inviting me to explore the island as part of the #OMGB campaign! Check out more amazing unique experiences across the country here. 

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Chloe Gunning

With a passion for food, fun and adventure, Chloe is the content creator behind one of the UK's top travel blogs Wanderlust Chloe. From volcano boarding in Nicaragua, to sailing around Sicily and eating her way around Japan, her travels have taken her to some of the coolest spots on the planet. Named Travel Influencer of the Year in 2022, Chloe regularly works with a number of tourism boards, producing inspirational travel content across multiple platforms. Find out more about Chloe here.

30 thoughts on “Top Things To Do On The Isle of Wight – Ultimate Isle Of Wight Blog”

I hardly ever think about going on holiday in the UK but the Isle of Wight looks just as good as some of the places I’ve been abroad! How hot was it?

This takes me right back! Genuinely the best British summer holiday I’ve ever had and I completely fell in love with the Isle of Wight – it’s such a cute place!

Thanks Macca – it was a lovely summer holiday wasn’t it?! Not sure I’ll be AirWheeling anywhere soon but I’ll deffo return for the food! Cx

Thanks Charlie – we had a real mix of weather last week – torrential rain and exciting storms but then incredible sunshine and warm temps (around 27!) Plenty to do whatever the weather! Cx

Wow, this place looks amazing! I’ve only been to London but I’d have to visit sometime when in the UK next 🙂

Hey Kelsey, Thanks for your comment! Yes definitely get to the island if you get the chance! It’s a really stunning place.

Ah, I went to the Isle of White with school in year 6 and had the BEST time. It was really fun then, but I’d love to go back as an adult. Especially for that food – looks amazing 🙂

Yeah the foodie scene was really impressive. Writing a blog just about that as we speak so watch this space! If you make it over there I’ll be sure to send over some top tips 🙂 Cx

Awesome! I’m finding really awesome food scenes on islands atm, I think it’s cos importing is so expensive. The local produce has to up its game to make up for it and the results are great! Xx

Yep so true Emily! I guess with the IOW it’s really easy to get produce from the mainland but they definitely put lots of effort into what they can grow on the island. The tomatoes and garlic were amazing!!

Except for the Segway 😉 this looks like an amazing trip! I love the silver streamers. I stayed in one in Cape Town once and think they are so cute. Mind you, the tipis are also awesome. I didn’t know they would have their own wine – was it good?

Some of the wine was excellent, quite a unique flavour! The segwaying was a lot of fun once I got used to it and I LOVED our trailer… 🙂

Within 5 seconds of reading this post you had me going to look up prices of train tickets to Portsmouth for this weekend! Great suggestions for all interests! Tx for for sharing this!

That’s so great to hear Eulanda! Always love to share my fave places with my readers 🙂 Let me know if you make it there or if you need any more tips! Cx

I am a beach person and I think I am going to love this. Kayaking looks attractive so do the beautifully done interiors of this hotel. I like it if my room has lot of wood in it.

Yeah there are tonnes of great beaches on the island! I wished we had a car to get out and see even more, but hey, there’s a great reason to return! Cx

OMG this looks so beautiful! I love the landscapes and the option for kayaking – sounds like my kind of destination 😀

Thanks Kathi 🙂 If you love the great outdoors then it’s a great place to go! Cx

Wow! It looks absolutely gorgeous here. I had never considered visiting here, but now l see it’s a must. Love the food pics and wine too? Sounds good to me 🙂

Yeah it’s a great holiday destination and so easy to travel to. I hope you get the chance to go one day! 🙂

As a self-proclaimed foodie and wine-o, and a lover of all things nautical, I think I need to get myself to Isle of Wight!

Hey Kelly – thanks for your comment! And yes you definitely should if you’re a fellow foodie like me! Cx

Though I am not a beach person , But I loved this place. The best thing that I liked is the 1960s American Airstream. It looked classic. I would love to spend some night there. Stunning photos .

Yeah it was such a cool place to stay! Really homely inside too. Thanks for reading 🙂

Isle of Wight seems like such a perfect destination for a fun filled holiday, beautiful beach, perfect sunny locations and the food, looks so inviting…

Oh yes it really does tick every box! The only one you can’t rely on is the weather!

Wow I didn’t realise there was so much to do on the Isle of Wight I’ve never been even though I’m not far from it. Now I know there is a vineyard I think I might be visiting very soon

Haha yes wine o’clock is calling! Hope you make it there soon and let me know if you need any more tips Jenni! 🙂

it is not somewhere I have ever really considered going given I live in Yorkshire but it looks fab

Thanks for reading Anne! Yep it surprised me too! Loved it though 🙂

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9 beautiful places to visit in the Isle of Wight

Discover 9 beautiful places in the isle of wight on a virtual tour with the super talented photographer, graham custance. .

Graham captures the essence of The Island in magical moments, where the landscape and light merge to make pretty postcards of perfection.

Where is the Isle of Wight?

The Isle of Wight is located in the English Channel. It lies between two to five miles off the mainland coast of Hampshire. Separated by the Solent strait, the Isle of Wight is England’s largest island, with the second biggest island population.

Renowned for its mild climate and beautiful scenery, the Isle of Wight has been a holiday destination since Victorian times. It is also known simply as The Island, and its abbreviation is IoW.

How was the Isle of Wight formed?

Did you know that the Isle of Wight is often nicknamed the Dinosaur Island?

Considered by experts to be the diamond in Britain’s “ geological crown, ” the oldest rocks that have been visible there are estimated to have been laid down around 110 million years ago. At that stage the majority of England’s south and the English Channel made up part of a valley in a large river.

Those 110 million year old rocks contain the bones of various reptiles including dinosaurs.

Later on when this area sank, a deepening sea invaded it laying down clay and sands. As this sea became gradually deeper a new type of material was laid in it, which was the Chalk.

Made up of microscopic planktonic algae’s fossilised skeletons, this limestone continually accumulated over millions of years, forming the large thickness of Chalk that you can see today in Tennyson Down.

Here are 9 beautiful places in the Isle of Wight

1. bembridge:.

About this photo:

The Bembridge Lifeboat Station is located on the eastern side of the island and was founded in 1867. I wanted to capture this iconic pier structure that leads out to the lifeboat launching station and coincided my visit with the high tide. When on the coast I always check one of the free iPhone apps that list all the details for tide times so that I can arrive at the correct time, depending on whether I am after a beach or sea scene.

The passing yacht offered an extra bonus to the picture that I was after and I just had to wait and release the shutter as it sat in the centre of two of the columns.

About the area:

Congratulations to Bembridge for winning Village of the Year 2019 in the BBC Countryfile Awards .

Behind the spectacular chalk cliff of Culver, lies the village of Bembridge on The Island’s most easterly point. With a population of around 4000, the village is the largest in England. It is home to three beaches, an airport and a harbour.

A pre-dawn alarm call was required for this photograph. Initially I had intended to take a shot of the nearby Bembridge harbour with the early morning mist but when I arrived there I couldn’t find a composition that I was happy with, so as a back up I thought I would try and get one of the windmill instead.

It was a mad rush (as it so often is at sunrise) to park the car and run the couple of hundred metres into the dew soaked field to set up this shot. The colours in the sky were beautiful and I decided that I would try and capture a silhouette of the windmill and set the tripod up to ensure the sun burst through the gap between the tree and the windmill.

As I walked back to the car, I looked on the camera screen and on seeing this photo felt that the soaking wet feet that I now had was well worth it.

2. Compton Bay:

Many years ago, we stayed in a Bed & Breakfast in Shanklin and the lovely owners tipped us off about the best beach to visit on the island. Compton Beach, located on the west of the island is a two mile stretch of beautiful golden sand stretching out towards the cliffs at Freshwater Bay. There is a National Trust car park at the the top that leads down steep steps onto the beach.

I love the natural patterns in the sand that form here as the tide recedes. Crouch down onto the sand when you take your photo to emphasise those textures and lead-in lines. The cliffs are full of fossils and there is a shipwreck, The SS Carbon, which makes an appearance at low tide.

On the Isle of Wight’s west coast lies a stunning two mile stretch of beach, with striking contrasting sands of dark and golden hues. Overlooked by sandstone cliffs and Freshwater’s white chalk cliffs, Compton is a popular spot for surfers. It is also a wonderful place for exploration, to go horse riding or cycling, or hunting for dinosaur fossils.

Compton Bay is a stunning location to photograph at sunrise, where you can capture the colours in the pools of water left behind on the sand. When you are the only person there, it is magical experience to be at one with nature.

There’s always lots of dogs walking in the water at Compton beach and I am such a dog lover, I always end up being greeted by a wet nose and paws when I am there. Great to see them galloping in the surf!

3. Freshwater Bay

Just a little bit further along the picturesque coast road that leads to the western end of the Isle of Wight is the beautiful town of Freshwater Bay. The beach is surrounded by tall cliffs and is mostly pebbles, although there are some sandy parts to sit on. An old haunt for smugglers who once used the caves that are exposed at low tide.

The memory of this photograph is rushing from nearby Compton Bay down the cliffs and quickly setting my tripod up as the sun set over the headland on Tennyson Down.

Embraced by tall, white chalk cliffs and striking coastal formations, Freshwater Bay is an idyllic, picturesque beach located on the island’s western tip. Formed from thousands of years of exposure to the Channel’s waves, this is another popular spot for surfers and water sports enthusiasts.

If you head there at low tide, you’ll see a rock ledge where you can have great fun rock-pooling with your children.

To explore the smugglers’ caves, it is best to use a local guide, so as not to be stranded when the tide changes. Kayaking is a fantastic way to discover these caves and the small bays of Scratchells and Watcombe.

This photograph is taken on Compton beach looking towards Freshwater Bay cliffs. Those pink pastels only lasted briefly but were beautiful to witness.

Tennyson Down in the distance and Stag Rock in the foreground offer a breathtaking view of West Wight. The poet, Lord Tennyson, lived nearby at Farringford House for nearly 40 years.

There are so many picturesque walks on the Isle of Wight and the one that takes you over those cliffs towards The Needles is spectacular. Extreme care has to be taken when photographing close to the cliff edge due to the continual erosion.

4. Osbourne House:

Anyone that knows me well, will tell you how much I love my history. The rein of Queen Victoria over the Empire is one of my favourite eras too, with so many world events; the Industrial Revolution and Napoleonic Wars. To be able to combine my passion of photography with Queen Victoria’s home on the island is one not to miss.

This beautiful Italian Renaissance styled house was built between 1845 and 1851 and the location reminded Prince Albert of the Bay of Naples. Queen Victoria said that ‘It is impossible to imagine a prettier spot’ and I have to agree with her.

The palatial staircase inside Osborne House is quite spectacular and then you see this wonderful piece of art hanging on the wall. Inside, I have to raise the ISO setting on the camera because I do not like the harsh light of a flashgun. Although there will be some noise (graininess) on the image, modern digital SLRs can keep this to a minimum and you can always reduce it further with post processing in Adobe Lightroom.

The second longest seaside pier in the country can be found at Ryde, only Southend Pier is longer. This is where the train line that uses London Underground trains, that were built in the 1930’s, transports passengers all the way to Shanklin, when they arrive on the island by catamaran from Portsmouth.

The story behind this photograph: We were having a fish and chip supper on the seafront after a day’s shooting on the island when I noticed the beautiful light in the sky as the sunset. I went down to the beach and captured this perspective of the structure as it reached out to the horizon, trying to get the reflections in the pools of water.

Taken on the same evening as the previous picture of the pier, looking towards the mainland as the sun dips below the horizon. Again, natural patterns in the sand make for a beautiful scene. My feet and tripod were quickly sinking into the sand here, so I had to keep moving about.

In 1814, the original pier, which was a wooden structure opened at Ryde. Measuring 1740 feet (530 metres), it could allow ferries to berth, even during the low tide. Further extensions were carried out in 1824 and by 1842, the pier had reached its current length of half a mile. (2640 feet – 804 metres). In 1864, a parallel pier was constructed for a horse drawn tramway, which went through the town connecting steamer passengers.

This was taken on a return visit to to Ryde because I knew at low tide I would be able to photograph those patterns again. The lines point the viewers eye into the scene and that couple walking across on the horizon added a nice touch of scale to the scene.

A memorable sunrise on Sandown beach looking towards Culver Cliffs. I was on my way to another location when I drove along the promenade at Sandown. The smoothness of the wet sand and the ripple effect created a beautiful picture. I have really fond memories of this beach, spending many hours of my childhood here, staying at Yaverland holiday camp and Whitecliff Bay.

The view from the top of the cliffs is quite spectacular looking across this bay.

The Isle of Wight was not content with only winning Village of the Year 2019, but decided it should also be the proud owner of the title of: Beach of the Year, in the BBC’s Countryfile Awards .

Sandown Beach is The Island’s beach that scooped that prestigious title.  Sitting on the south coast, Sandown Beach is the picture perfect example of a best of British bucket and spade beach. Its vast stretch of gold sandy beach is sheltered by a broad, beautiful open bay. With plenty of attractions to choose from, including the interactive Dinosaur Museum and a Zoo in an ancient fort, Sandown is a great location for a fun family day out.

Another view of that magical Sandown sunrise, the wooden posts made for an interesting foreground interest.

7. Shanklin

This photo was taken at the sheltered cove at the far end of Shanklin beach. To the right of here is Shanklin Chine, a wooded coastal ravine, with footpaths that meander down amongst waterfalls, trees and vegetation. It was from this location that ‘PLUTO’  (Pipe Line Under The Ocean) ran from. The idea of Lord Mountbatten, laying a pipeline 70 miles across the seabed from the Isle of Wight to Cherbourg, delivering 56,000 gallons of fuel a day to the allies during the Normandy invasion.

Nestling between Sandown and Ventnor in a beautiful bay, Shanklin is undoubtedly one of the island’s best known resorts. This charming seaside town comes complete with gorgeous quirky shops and its own theatre, which opened in 1874.

From relaxing on your deckchair to livelier activities on the Shanklin Esplanade, or from open air concerts to a deliciously, irresistible Isle of Wight Cream Tea, there is something to please all the family.

Nestling under the cliffs at Shanklin you will find The Fisherman’s Cottage, a thatched roof inn dating back to 1817. Built by William Colenutt, who also made the original pathway for visitors to Shanklin Chine.

It’s the perfect location to sit and have a drink or a bite to eat right on the beach.

The picture postcard of Shanklin Old Village. Pastel coloured tea rooms, a windy road through the centre, an abundance of thatched roofs and quaint souvenir shops.

Set at a lower level than the main town of Shanklin, here you will find some of the oldest dwellings on the island.

The Crab Inn has been servicing the local community since the 1830s when Shanklin was no more than a few cottages; its Longfellow Room being named after the stay of Longfellow in July 1868.

On the bend is Holliers Hotel selected by Sir Edward Elgar for his honeymoon in 1889.

I was fortunate enough to be on the island during a snow storm, waking up in the morning to several inches of snow. Quite a rarity for the Isle of Wight and one that I was keen to capture. I headed quickly to the Old Village and to my delight the quaint thatch cottages had a lovely iced topping on their roofs.

Smooth, silky sand and calm waters on the beach at Shanklin, ideal for a bucket and spade day out at the seaside.

Whether you are visiting Ryde, Compton Bay, Sandown or here in Shanklin you will always find these lovely natural patterns in the sand at low tide to bring your photographs to life. The early morning sunrise complimented the scene perfectly.

8. Steephill Cove

One of the islands hidden gems, which I only discovered myself a few years ago, tucked away at the foot of the Ventnor undercliff.

I always try and visit the beach cafe here, where fresh seafood is served or for me one of their delicious cream teas.

An ideal location to capture some traditional fishing boats and equipment with a small lighthouse that has now been turned into spectacular accommodation.

Undoubtedly a hidden gem of The Island, Steephill Cove can only be reached on foot. But the walk is well worth it, as you’ll discover as you arrive at this jewel under Ventnor Cliff.

Steephill Cove is a spectacular spot to relax as you breathe in the beautiful, surrounding scenery, and its inviting clear waters are idyllic for a swim. Don’t forget to go exploring its fantastic rock pools.

Another Isle of Wight winner, Steephill Cove was featured in the Telegraph’s 40 best beaches in Britain in 2018. Its charm is perfectly punctuated by the brightly coloured fishermen’s cottages, fishing tackle, lobster pots and traditional deck chairs that embellish the background of this artist’s dream.

The cove is not accessible by car and so I park at the undercliff and walk down along the footpath. This is the entrance to this pretty fishing cove.

A favourite location of mine to capture spectacular sunsets on the west of the island. Some foreground rocks and the pier added some compositional interest.

Located on the western shore of the island, Totland Bay has striking, sweeping views back to the mainland. Its turquoise waters are a firm favourite with families, but do be aware that the beach has pebbles and stones.

Head to the eastern part of the sea wall to find a pub, where you can eat and drink, while you watch the sun setting below the horizon. Nearby in the Bouldnor Forest, you may be lucky enough to spot butterflies, migrating birds and red squirrels.

The sweeping pebbles lead the viewer into the pier and then follow through to the sun setting on the horizon. A light cloud formation and the reflection on the sea completed the picture.

On the headland I found these wildflowers growing which I thought complimented the scene overlooking the beach whilst the sun set.

I had just left Freshwater Bay and drove to Totland Bay to find this gorgeous scene as the sun set over the horizon. I rapidly set up my tripod on the pebbles and started to compose the photograph before the light was lost.

Odd numbers work well for a balanced picture and I was delighted to see these three yachts moored up in the bay. After I had taken quite a few photos from different angles, I was approached by the owners of one of the yachts who asked if I could send them a copy of one of the photos that I had taken. Of course I was delighted to, it was the least I could do -after all the yacht had been integral to creating this wonderful scene.

Walking the wonders of the Isle of Wight

We were invited to join the Warrier Trail, a six mile circular walk in celebration of one of the Isle of Wight’s most prominent First World War stories of General Jack Seely and his horse Warrior.

Dubbed back then the ‘Horse that the Germans could not kill’  having survived some of the war’s most famous conflicts. The trail follows the routes that Warrior used to exercise.

We joined the local ramblers and were also accompanied by the Isle of Wight’s MP, Bob Seely, whose Great, Great Uncle Jack Seely was the owner of Warrior.

The coastal path across the Downs towards Freshwater Bay. The Isle of Wight Walking Festival has over 100 different walks to choose from.

As well as the glorious beaches on the island take time out and explore the countryside. This view here looks towards Freshwater Bay on the west of the island.

The wide expanse of beach ready to be explored at low tide at Compton Bay. Million of years of geology can be found in the cliff rocks, which are home to ancient fossils and even a dinosaur footprint.

DOWNLOAD GRAHAM’S GUIDE TO THE ISLE OF WIGHT AS A PDF

Graham Custance

Travel photographer & blogger.

I never really appreciated the beauty of nature until I became a photographer, but now I notice it everywhere. I was born a few miles away in Luton, but have been living in the Chilterns since 1991: an area that is both my home and my muse.

Through my work I try and bring this beauty to the eyes of others, hopefully inspiring them to get out in the Chilterns and appreciate what a beautifully stunning area it is.

Through studying the work of other photographers who have inspired me, I have tried to develop a unique style of my own. An approach that helps me connect with each location I visit and photograph.

I love soft pastel colours, subdued light, sunsets, dramatic skies and unique angles to give a different perspective to the viewer.

Favourite time of day: My favourite time of the day is always sunrise, when the air is fresh and clean, the birds are singing and I am at one with nature.

Motto: My favourite motto is ‘the camera looks both ways’ meaning that my pictures are a reflection of my own thoughts and how I am feeling in that moment.

www.grahamcustance.com/

More features

By graham custance, coming soon….., bookmark our blog and come back soon, related posts.

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4 thoughts on “9 beautiful places to visit in the isle of wight”.

Wow, these are such beautiful pictures! I love the ones with the pink tones particularly that you’ve taken on the beach.

Thanks Catherine. The photos are stunning and are the work of the highly talented photographer Graham Custance .

Dear Graham, I have rarely seen such beautiful photographs before. If you weren’t already an artist/photographer you would have been an amazing painter. I live in Ryde and am retired. I have painted most of my life, when not busy, giving my pictures away to family and friends. Now, at the age of 75 l want to do something for myself and have an exhibition in Ryde next June. On a whim, l just booked a 2 week exhibition, with no thought of what l am painting or how much work it will involve! I just want to prove to myself that l can actually sell some pictures, before it’s too late!! I am busy painting to make enough pictures to fill the walls and trying to make my pictures something about the Island and have done 8-10 so far. Graham, May l ask if you let people copy any of your images for a fee? If so, there are some l would love to take inspiration from. What ever l make after costs, assuming l sell any, l will be giving 10% to a charity. If you prefer your stunning pictures not to be used by me l will understand and respect your wishes and just continue to enjoy them. Regards, Shirley ☀️🙂

Hi Shirley,

What a lovely comment! I am sure Graham will be delighted to read it. I am Jackie who set up Travel Inspires.

The best way to contact Graham is via his own website – https://www.grahamcustance.com/

Best of luck,

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Isle of Wight travel guide: Where to eat, drink, walk and stay on England’s biggest island

I f you set sail from England ’s southern shore to the quietly cool Isle of Wight for a staycation, you’ll find a destination that values the simple pleasures: food , fresh air and good old-fashioned fun. The Hampshire isle, once the home of dinosaurs and now a haven for the illusive red squirrel, marches to a gentler beat than the mainland, with over half of its countryside now recognised as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Beyond pocket-sized villages like Godshill that epitomise “chocolate-box”, a population of almost 142,000 call The Needles’ famed land of military forts and royal residences home. Classic beach days full of salt and sand meet the reinvented style of seafront restaurants and luxe hotels on the island that’s going from musty to modern.

Here’s what you need to know if you’re planning an Isle of Wight holiday .

Best time to travel for price, weather and crowds

While weather-dependent ferry crossings may not make it the easiest locale to access on a drab winter day, the Isle of Wight is rich with seasonal delights from March to November .

Notable as the southern shore that basks in some of the UK ’s sunniest days, springs are green and autumns orange before big-name headline acts descend to serenade the island and kickstart the al fresco activities at the Isle of Wight Festival in June.

With August comes Cowes Week, the sailing regatta that draws a nautical-loving crowd of over 100,000 in the height of the summer holidays. Accommodation prices, slow traffic and a dearth of car parking spots tend to peak – it’s always best to book ferries in advance for the lowest price.

Read more on England travel :

• Best hotels with cookery schools in the UK
• How to spend a day in King’s Cross, north London’s most exciting neighbourhood
• The ultimate Lake District guide

Where to stay

With parapets and battlements from Henry VIII’s lifetime,  Ryde Castle’s  grand four-poster beds and ambient dark wood accents are an affordable option situated among a hotchpotch of traditional shop fronts, decorative stucco and Georgian townhouses.

Warm and welcoming, The Seaview Hotel , in the upmarket coastal village of Seaview, has comfortable, naval-themed rooms, a dining room strewn with warships and a swish restaurant, The Aquitania, for inventive meals created from local produce by head chef Mark Wyatt.

One of the island’s oldest, The Royal Hotel is perched on the cliffside of Victorian resort Ventnor and has sprawling sea views, contemporary modern rooms and a choice of tiered afternoon teas and seafood risottos in The Royal Kitchen.

For glamping at its best,  Tom’s Eco Lodges  at Tapnell Farm promotes hassle-free luxury in its safari tents, wood cabins, modulogs, eco pods and geo domes – plus wood-fired hot tubs, pizza ovens and sunset views.

Eco pods for two adults from £138 per night.

• Read more of our reviews of the best hotels in the Isle of Wight

Visit Osborne House

Queen Victoria’s seaside retreat in East Cowes, the grand Osborne House , fuses Victorian opulence with Italianate gardens for a visually and culturally enriching afternoon spent glimpsing royal life – with pinkies raised while sipping tea in the terraced cafe.

Travel on the Steam Railway

It’s all aboard the Isle of Wight Steam Railway for a charming journey back in time as you puff through the countryside, rolling from Havenstreet to Smallbrook Junction and on to Wootton in ornate Victorian and Edwardian carriages, with or without the kids.

Dine at The Garlic Farm

Garlic chutney, garlic olives and garlic vodka strongly season Arreton Valley’s  Garlic Farm  with its pungent namesake and tractor-trailer tours, with a side of garlicky taste tests in the restaurant. Well worth the necessary breath mint post-visit.

Surf at Compton Bay

Surf’s up at Compton Bay on the Isle of Wight’s west coast, an exposed beach with reliable breaks that peak in the winter. The popular spot gets winds from the southeast and northwest, and surf schools including Eddie’s Surf Academy are on-hand to teach beginners how to stand up on the board.

Try the UK’s oldest rides

At Ventnor’s  Blackgang Chine , the UK’s oldest family theme park, you can ride, scream and dance your way through 180 years of thrills and games, with summer firework extravaganzas and Halloween spookfests a family-friendly highlight of the island calendar.

Walk with an alpaca

It’ll be hard not to fall for the residents of  West Wight Alpacas  on a trek of the farm’s 23 acres of countryside with a woolly Suri alpaca as a companion. Whether walking with Larry, Oreo or even Amadeus, you’ll learn all about the South American animals on a scenic stroll with your unique new pal.

Cruise the Needles

A trip to Alum Bay not only offers an action-packed high-speed ride with  The Needles Pleasure Cruises  – for a whistle-stop tour of the water’s iconic chalk stacks – but also a steep trip down the colourful cliffs on the famed chairlift, giving you the chance to see the three landmarks up close for yourself. 

Where to eat

If you’re getting off the ferry in Yarmouth, an  Off the Rails  brunch featuring the fish finger sandwich to end all sandwiches in the town’s old railway station sets the tone for a foodie island affair. Just down the road, pick-me-up coffees in  Chessell Pottery Cafe’s  homemade ceramics are sure to warm the cockles on a rainy day.

Putting on a seasonal showstopper,  The Crab Shed’s  famed crab and mackerel pasties are well worth the downhill climb to Steephill Cove for a seafood lunch, or if its pan-Asian dishes that make your mouth water, the  Smoking Lobster  on Ventnor’s nearby esplanade (along with boozy sister bar, the  Drunken Lobster ) never misses a chance for a flavour explosion.

The Duck  in Ryde serves an elevated taste of seasonal British plates, including slow-cooked beef stews and roast pork – complete with crackling, of course – taking local classics to contemporary new levels.

As Totland braces for the glam new arrival of The Pier in 2024, The Hut  in Colwell Bay still reigns as the seafood spot in West Wight for stylish surf ‘n’ turfs and unrivalled sunset views.

Vegetarians are looked after on the island with  PEACH Vegan Kitchen & Zero Waste Store  in Newport stacking meat-free “Tricken” burgers high with vegan “cheeze” and slaws.

What’s a trip to the British seaside without a fish and chips feast?  The Blue Crab’s  beer-battered cod and generous chip portions are ideal for a beachfront picnic in Yarmouth. For a pizza fix,  Gusto2Go’s  sourdoughs bring a wood-fired pizzazz to Freshwater Bay in summer.

Where to drink

Holding the title of the UK’s oldest commercial vineyard,  Adgestone Vineyard’s  tantalising wine tastings swirl through full-bodied reds, crisp glasses of blush and a sparkling blue for just £20pp, including a self-guided tour of the cellars and vines, and live music performances.

Wood beams, a crackling fire and a hearty roast dinner menu – the traditional pub essentials – make  The Red Lion  in Freshwater an ideal watering hole for a post- ale trail  pint or a warming glass of rouge.

Fancy an al fresco cocktail? The George  in Yarmouth has a waterfront beach bar to rival the Mediterranean (on balmy summer nights, at least), complemented by a masterful menu of classic drinks.

You’ll find it hard to miss the local Mermaid Gin on your Isle of Wight holiday, and  The Mermaid Bar Distillery  in Ryde is the spot to sample a fine G&T or a Mermaid Margarita while learning all about the distillery process.

Where to walk and cycle

Not one but two annual  walking festivals  take place on the island, in October and May, to encourage outdoors enthusiasts to tread the more than 500 miles of footpaths that the Isle of Wight has to offer.

Keen walkers can get their steps in on the  Tennyson Trail , an invigorating 14-mile hike from Carisbrooke to Alum Bay – best planned with a well-deserved refuel at  Dimbola Tea Rooms  – or embrace nature on the gentle 3.6-mile Newtown  Estuary Walk,  bound to feature sightings of visiting birds and rare butterflies. For a more relaxed island rendezvous, a scenic stroll around  Shanklin Chine’s  historic gorge comes alive at night as the narrow paths, streams and waterfalls are illuminated at dusk from April to November.

The  Red Squirrel  cycle trail weaves through 32 miles of largely traffic-free countryside if you’re looking for a family-friendly pedal. Alternatively, cyclists ready to give it a  lot  of leg can take to the winding Military Road on two wheels for a 65-mile  round lap  of the island in either direction.

Where to shop

High Street hits, eco-conscious outlets and indie boutiques – specialists in all things nautical – dot Newport, Cowes, and Ryde, but it’s the tucked-away traders that will lighten your wallet.

Quirky home furnishings and one-of-a-kind gifts litter  Oasis  in Brading, and if you’re still on the hunt for a keepsake, you’ll find a trail of artisan shops covering everything from glass sculptures to bespoke leather belts and ceramic ghosts at  Arreton Barns , the island’s largest craft centre.

Peruse the fine jewellery collection of the  Isle of Wight Pearl  on Military Road for timeless and statement pieces with a side of sprawling views of the southwest coast or venture east to  Cowes Arcade  for a bric-a-brac fusion of chutney, socks and mystical memorabilia.

Getting there

City dwellers after a country escape can take a  South Western Railway  train to reach Southampton or Lymington Pier from London Waterloo in less than two hours before setting sail across the Solent.

With  Wightlink , that’s a 45-minute journey from Lymington to Yarmouth or Portsmouth to Fishbourne from £44.50 per vehicle and a £27.20 return ticket for adult foot passengers. Red Funnel  ferries sail from Southampton to East Cowes in under an hour from £28.00 each way or 30 minutes for foot passengers travelling on a Red Jet from £12.30. Portsmouth’s passenger hovercraft arrives in Ryde in just 10 minutes; £31.50 for an adult return ticket.

How to get around

A car provides the most flexibility for reaching remote beaches and the inland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with Red Funnel’s  heritage driving trail  a great way to see all of the island’s historic sites.

Thankfully, ferry foot passengers need not worry.  Southern Vectis  buses connect the main towns of Newport, Cowes, Ryde and Yarmouth, even offering Breezer  open-top bus tours  to top attractions and a  Christmas Lights  journey around the island’s best festive displays.

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Search things to do, discover the isle of wight….

Located just off of the south coast of England, the Isle of Wight is only 2 hours door-to-door from London via ferry or hovercraft , making it the perfect year-round destination to explore with family and friends.

If you want to discover things to do , accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets, walking and cycling routes, food and drink , plus how to travel around the Island, then look no further. 

England in miniature, there’s always plenty to do here whatever the season thanks to our vibrant events calendar - you can find out what’s on right now. Our blog provides further inspiration on how to make the most of your trip. 

So, why not Say Yes to an Island adventure?

Say Yes to summer bliss...

Unsure what to do for your summer? Thinking of having a UK staycation? Then look no further than the Isle of Wight which is jam packed with everything you need for a splendid summer.

Blooming parks and gardens

The Isle of Wight has been regarded as the ‘Garden Isle’ for the past century in recognition of the stunning scenic landscapes, rolling countryside and quintessential English feel here.

Angling paradise

Nestled in the heart of the English Channel, the idyllic Isle of Wight offers a wealth of angling opportunities. Whether it is on the banks of a river, on a beach, out at sea or beside a lovely lake, angling can provide some perfect chill time.

Sailing & Yachting

You can discover premier watersport opportunities, sail the coastlines of the Isle of Wight and immerse yourself in thrilling yachting experiences amidst stunning seascapes.

Savour the flavour

The Isle of Wight offers a range of tasty and unique eating and drinking experiences to tantalise your tastebuds and leave your mouth watering at the memory for years to come.

• Holiday Parks

In farmland and coastal settings, near shops and towns, there is a wide variety of Isle of Wight Holiday Parks and Caravan Parks, perfectly suited for families or couples.

Things to do without the car

Thanks to its excellent transport links, the Isle of Wight is a perfect destination if you fancy a break and want to leave the car at home.

Say Yes to a pedal in paradise

From quiet country lanes and scenic off-road tracks, to towering rural inclines with a view and a descent worthy of your efforts. The Island is the perfect playground for cyclists.

Things to Do Highlights

• 1 Monkey Haven
• 2 Sandham Gardens
• 3 The Needles Landmark Attraction
• 4 Wildheart Animal Sanctuary
• 5 Tapnell Farm Park

Featured Accommodation

The Royal Hotel

The Royal is recognised as the Island's largest premier hotel. Originally built as a coaching house in 1832, the main hotel is nestled into exotic south facing gardens overlooking Ventnor's stunning…

Find out more

Two minutes stroll to sea & shops. Large car park & good wifi. Leisure facilities include a large heated pool, jacuzzi, sauna and steam room. Exceptional (very large if required!) multi choice…

Originally built in 1870 as the Summer Palace for the Bishop of Portsmouth this lovely family run hotel commands magnificent views of the bay with direct access to the beach and the Old Village of…

For over 45 years, Classic Cottages have been the independent holiday cottage and glamping specialists. Still run and owned by the founding family, we pride ourselves on our local expertise in our…

Luccombe Manor is a striking Victorian residence located less than five minutes walk from Shanklin Old Village and Chine. We have direct access to the beach below, and this family friendly hotel…

Award winning family run 5 star Holiday Park, located within an Isle of Wight National Landscape (formerly known as Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), situated within the former grounds of an…

Haven Hall is a luxurious country house hotel overlooking the sea on the Isle of Wight with 14 en-suite bedrooms including 6 suites with separate living rooms. Prices from £420.

The Clifton’s stunning cliff top location boasts fabulous views from its conservatory lounge and garden which opens onto the coastal walk. Shanklin Old Village, Shanklin Chine and the beach are a…

The Orchards Holiday Park is a family owned, friendly park, in a rural location in Newbridge, West Wight. There are over 120 touring pitches, 64 holiday caravans, private guest house and holiday home…

It is the wish of Paul, Vicky and their staff at The Havelock to make your stay a memorable experience. We are an independent establishment and so believe in the friendly approach and the personal…

• 1 The Royal Hotel
• 2 The Wight
• 3 Luccombe Hall Hotel
• 4 Classic Cottages
• 5 Luccombe Manor
• 6 Appuldurcombe Gardens Holiday Park
• 7 Haven Hall Hotel
• 8 The Clifton
• 9 The Orchards Holiday Caravan & Camping Park
• 10 The Havelock

Accommodation Highlights

Wight Coast Holidays - Bembridge, St Helens & Seaview Holiday Homes

• 1 Luccombe Villa Holiday Apartments
• 2 Luccombe Manor
• 3 Old Mill Holiday Park
• 5 Wight Coast Holidays - Bembridge, St Helens & Seaview Holiday Homes
• 6 The Clifton
• 7 The Royal Hotel
• 8 The Wight
• 9 Haven Hall Hotel
• 11 Appuldurcombe Gardens Holiday Park
• 12 The Orchards Holiday Caravan & Camping Park
• 13 Luccombe Hall Hotel
• 2 Haven Hall Hotel
• 3 Classic Cottages
• 4 The Clifton
• 5 The Havelock
• 6 Old Mill Holiday Park
• 7 The Orchards Holiday Caravan & Camping Park
• 8 Luccombe Hall Hotel
• 9 The Royal Hotel
• 10 Appuldurcombe Gardens Holiday Park
• 11 The Wight
• 12 Luccombe Manor
• 13 Wight Coast Holidays - Bembridge, St Helens & Seaview Holiday Homes

What's on Highlights

Walk this Way! The Isle of Wight Walking Festival returns in Spring and Autumn 2024. Find out more here.

Isle of Wight Festival of Running

The Isle of Wight Festival of Running has become one of the biggest sporting events on the Island with dramatic cliffs, beautiful coves, a stately home, a world famous pop festival site… it boasts an unparalleled location.

IW Festival

Year on year, 55,000 stylish, free spirited Festivalgoers come together in a beautiful location, for one of the most distinctive events of the season.

The 2024 Royal Isle of Wight County Show promises a bumper crop of fun and entertainment over two days, spread across 32 acres of Showground and woodland.

Enjoy a weekend of gastronomic indulgence and cracking entertainment at The Great Wight Bite.

Latest articles

These boots were made for walking

Get ready to lace up your hiking boots and embark on an unforgettable adventure through the Isle of Wight’s breathtaking landscapes.

A paddle-board paradise: Exploring 5 SUP spots on the Isle of Wight

With over 57 miles of coast to explore, crystal clear waters and higher-than-average temperatures, the Isle of Wight is a SUP (stand-up paddleboarding) lovers' paradise!

Things to do on a sunny day on the Isle of Wight

When the sun drenches the Isle of Wight in its golden hue, there's no better place to be than this little slice of Island paradise.

Beaches for all occasions

Whether your passion is to swim, windsurf, kitesurf, build sandcastles, scramble over sand dunes with your dog or simply soak up the sun, the Island has a beach just for you.

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