Only 23 miles by 13 miles and a short sea crossing from the Mainland, the Island has a unique atmosphere and is full of old world charm. Visit our unspoilt villagesand fine seaside resorts - walk our impressive coastal scenery and invigorating downland. The safe sandy beaches are the ideal place for sailing, windsurfing and swimming- ideal for young and old alike.
Explore the Islands rich and varied historical interests- the dinosaur excavation sites dating back 120 million years, the Roman Villas, Carisbrooke Castle, where Charles I was imprisoned, and of course the magnificent Osborne House, the favourite country home of Queen Victoria. Enjoy our mild climate, local produce and fresh seafood. Relax and watch the world sail by.
What the North Wight has to offer:
The North of the Isle of Wight is home to the County Town of Newport, with the Medina River running through it towards the Solent dividing East Cowes and West Cowes. To the West are the villages of Shalfleet and Newtown Creek with a stunning Nature Reserve; to the East are Wooten Bridge and Quarr Abbey.
Attractions
Osborne House and Carisbrooke Castle are both with English Heritage, shrouded in their history and surrounded by beautiful grounds, definitely worth a visit. Quarr Abbey, further down the coast from Osborne, is a spectacular working Monastery with tea rooms. The Roman Villa in Brading often has educational classes in the café. Newtown is one of the oldest towns in the UK, situated near a nature reserve, a lovely place to walk and enjoy the wildlife.
Saling
Best known as the world's premier yachting centre, Cowes is the Island's main port. Yachtsmen from all over the world participate in the season's prestigious sailing events, the best known being Cowes Week, held annually at the beginning of August. Shopping in the narrow pedestrianised High Street is a delight, with some excellent shops, many catering for the yachting fraternity. The town also has an array of fashionable clothing shops, gift shops, delicatessens, cafes, restaurants and lively pubs.
Walking
The Nature Reserve at Newtown is the beautiful home to many species of wild fowl. In land Parkhurst Forrest offers acres to walk dogs and children, with squirrel trails and woodland for picnics and adventure games.
The Festival and The Besival
The Isle of Wight has played host to these two increasingly popular music festivals. The Festival is held in early June just outside Newport and has been going since the 60's. The Bestival is held in September at the Robin Hill adventure park and every year announces a different fancy dress theme which everyone throws themselves into. Popular with families, both attract some of the great new and old musical acts and the Island's atmosphere is electric over these festival times.
Places to eat
This part of the Island holds some of the best restaurants and pubs. Cowes being a place of destination for many yachtsmen offers a wide range of cuisine of which Lugleys with its sea frontage is popular. There is also a Lugleys in Newport and Olivio's in Newport and Ryde offing delicious menus. Pier View pub in Cowes serves the best hamburgers, the Sportsman Rest in Porchfield is very popular too with families and is close to good walks.
What the East Wight has to offer:
The East of the Isle of Wight incorporates some of the most stunning beaches the Island has to offer. There are pretty villages with butchers, bakers and deli's selling delicious locally produced fayre. The beach stretches from Ryde right around the coast to Shanklin and inland offers some of the most beautiful countryside.
Attractions
Appley Beach, with its six miles of beautiful sandy beach and wonderful play area for children situated within the woodland behind and a 9 hole golf course. Beyond Appley Tower to the East, dogs are permitted and there are two good beach restaurants either end of the beach.
Arreton has a feast of attractions including The Barns and Craft Village, Arreton Manor and Amazon World. Nearby is the popular Robin Hill Adventure Park with exciting rides and a 400m toboggan run. This is a really fun day out for all the family. Nearer the coast is the Bembridge Windmill and the Seaview Wildlife Encounter. The steam railway offers rides on the steam engines and puff their way through the pretty countryside.
Hiring bikes is easy and the Island is a place of destination for keen bikers and family enthusiasts. There are also a few riding stables to choose from around the island from where you can either hack through country side or along beaches. Photographers and walkers won't be disappointed and historians are also indulged with our castles and roman villas. Sailing, fishing and wonderful places to walk dogs and fly kites, there's something for everyone.
Walking
During very low tides, you will see a ribbon of people walking the famous Fort Walk from the village of Bembridge to the Fort out in the Solent. There are coastal walks along the beaches which can be enjoyed as well as bridle paths along the downs taking in the breathtaking views of the patchwork countryside and out to sea.
Beach Life
Beaches around this part of the island change as you venture along the coast. Ryde itself enjoys 6 miles of stunning sandy beach where cricket games are played on the sand banks during very low tides. Further round the coast there are pebbled beaches, sandy beaches, great beach restaurants and pretty marinas, all this part of the coast is well worth investigating.
Places to eat
There are some great pubs, beach bars and restaurants in this area of the Island. Bembridge has the Pilot Boat, close to the sea serving excellent food with a great atmosphere, on the Duver at St Helens there is Baywatch, a beach restaurant serving good food by the sea. The trendy bars and restaurants are found mostly in Ryde, but all over the Island is enjoying serving up the local produce.
What the South Wight has to offer:
The South of the Isle of Wight incorporates some of the most exciting coastline from long stretches of beach with hidden fossils and exposed dinosaur footprints, to rugged cliff tops with exhilarating views and historical monuments and pretty villages seeped in history, the inspiration for artists and authors old and new.
You must visit
BlackGang Chine is a must for all the family with a fantastic variety of activities for all the family to spend a great day out. Themed areas like Frontierland where you can play Cowboys and Indians in a full sized Cowboy Town, and rides like Waterforce where you can choose the fast 'overflows', or the scary 'plug-hole' - you'll have to see it and experience it to believe it!
Attractions
Superbly situated beside the sparkling waters of Sandown Bay, the twin resorts of Sandown and Shanklin have delighted generations of holiday-makers for over 150 years. Along Culver Parade you'll find tennis, bowls, GoKarting, crazy golf, a pitch and putt course, the Tiger Sanctuary and Dinosaur Isle Museum. At the southern end of town the Heights Health and Leisure Base has indoor swimming pools and further inland is a fine 18 hole golf course.
With its charming thatch-roofed cottages and winding main street lined with tearooms, Godshill is the quintessential English Village. Traveling South to Wroxall there's the Donkey Sanctuary and Appledurcombe House now offering Owl and Falconry displays. Visit Chale Green Deli and Coffee shop and on to the Southern most tip of the Island St Catherine's with its ancient Pepperport.. Ventnor Botanic Garden provides a lovely walk and then lunch at their very successful café.
Walking
There are coastal paths around the Island and this section features the Isle of Wight's famous chines. Whale Chine is the most spectacular in a series of Chines along this stretch of coastline. Devil's Chimney provides an exciting walk through enchanted woodland down to the beach; Chale Bay is stunning; Wealdon Beds which have yielded fossilized remains of dinosaurs. With features like St Catherine's Lighthouse many feel this section offers the best walking and views of the entire Isle of Wight.
Beach Life
Sandown and Shanklin on the south-east coast share a wide crescent of golden sand, with safe swimming, water sports and a range of bars, pubs and cafés. The southern stretch, below Shanklin Chine, is the quietest and most attractive.
Ventnor has a wonderful Mediterranean light and, like Sandown and Shanklin, an enviable sunshine record. Steephill Cove is its prettiest beach, a peaceful little bay with a good beach café. Reach it via the coastal footpath from the Botanic Gardens, or La Falaise car park in Ventnor.
Places to eat
Try the local seafood, in particular crab, lobster, haddock dishes. The vast majority of pubs are highly geared up for food and usually the portions are on the large side. Fresh crab in particular can be tasty from beachside cafe's and can also be purchased from the fisherman at seafood huts selling direct, two places spring to mind: Ventnor Fresh Crab Beach Hut and a fisherman's house at Steephill Cove next to the café'.
What the West Wight has to offer:
The West of the Isle of Wight is an area of outstanding natural beauty show casing the Island's iconic feature, the Needles. The dramatic and unspoilt coastline of the West Wight is very popular with walkers, bird watchers, nature lovers and those seeking a quiet, tranquil environment in which stay.
You must visit
Compton Bay's long sandy beach spanning the south west is non-commercialised and unspoilt and a popular spot for surfing, great family fun days out and for fascinating fossil finding. On the north west side sailors love to moor their boats in the safe harbour and step ashore to enjoy the old world charm of Yarmouth, with its variety of shops, superb pubs and restaurants and the 700 foot long pier boasting the splendour of the Victorian era.
Attractions
Yarmouth Castle, Isle of Wight provides a magnificent picnic spot, with views over the Solent for a lovely relaxing family day by the sea. The Needles Park Chairlift continues to be a firm favourite with, the views are truly spectacular from the picturesque Needles Rocks and lighthouse to the multi-coloured sand cliffs, also look out for the marvellous turquoise colour of the sea.
Freshwater Bay golf course is one of the most spectacular courses in the UK. Set on the downlands overlooking the English Channel, this seaside links style course is 5,725 yards long, par 68 which provides a challenge for golfers of all abilities. Visitors are most welcome. Calbourne Water Mill, set in 10 acres of stunning rural landscape contains one of the oldest working water mills in the country, dating back to the Domesday Book. A great day out for all the family.
Walking
The Tennyson Trail is a 15 mile walk from Carisbrooke Castle to The Needles. The route follows across Bowcombe Down, through Brighstone Forest, across Mottistone Down, Brook Down & Afton Down to Freshwater Bay, then onto Tennyson Down & across West High Down to Alum Bay. The name of the trail comes from poet Alfred Lord Tennyson, a former resident of the Isle of Wight. There are several points of interest along the walk, including The Tennyson Monument on Tennyson Down and the spectacular view of The Needles.
Places to eat
Spoilt for choice, from the opulence of the George Hotel in Yarmouth to fish and chips with fantastic view from Totland pier. Together with a good a selection of cafes and pubs all pallets and budgets can be catered for.
