The Isle of Wight is a beautiful Island with great beaches, cliff top walks and a variety of tourist attractions. The island is rather small and takes approx. 45 minutes to get from one side of the island to the other. You can easily do a driving tour of the whole Island coast in a day.
There are two main ferry routes from the mainland UK to the Isle of Wight; Lymington to Yarmouth or Portsmouth to Fishbourne/Ryde, both offering different options of passenger only or car ferry. The two crossing routes across the Solent take approx. 45 minutes and there’s even a hover craft from Portsmouth to Ryde (passenger only) that takes only 10 minutes.
I crossed using the Wight Link car ferry from Portsmouth. On board you will find a great brochure with recommendations of things to see/do on the Isle of Wight.
The Isle of Wight has many options for accommodation; from B&B’s, to hotels and caravan parks (static and camping). Searching areas prior to booking can benefit your plans whilst you’re there. I stayed at Nodes Point Caravan Park in a static caravan for a week, which was a great location with a short distance walk to a beach and access to roads for many routes across the Island.
Most of the attractions and things to do in The Isle of Wight are outdoors. Having good weather is ideal, however, be prepared to take adventures in the rain…this is still the UK after all!
Below is all the main attractions and places to visit in The Isle of Wight. These are also places I visited on my recent staycation on the island.
St Helens Beach:
A beach near Ryde (East of the island) with lovely tidal walks and a view of Bembridge Life boat station and the remainder of the Old St Helens Church. When the tide is out you can walk along the coastline to Priory Beach.
There is a local cafe on St Helens beachfront called the Baywatch Cafe that serves food and drink; the menu offers lots of options, so it would be hard not to find something to eat. After a day in the sun on the beach their chips go down nicely.
If staying at Nodes Point Caravan park, this is the closest beach. From the campsite you can see views round the beach bend to Bembridge Harbour.
The Needles:
The Needles are well known and one of the most popular places to visit on The Isle of Wight. The Needles are a row of three stacks of chalk that extend from the coast line on the West side of the Island, with a lighthouse at the furthest point. The name came from a 4th stack of chalk that collapsed in a storm in 1764 that resembled the shape of a sewing needle, the name of The Needles has stuck ever since.
The Needles are located off the cliff edge by Alum Bay. The Needles Attraction Park site is based at the top of the cliff above sea level of Alum Bay. It offers two options for getting down to the beach front of Alum Bay; one is using the chair lift (fee required) and the other is on foot down wooden steps. The walk down to the beach is not too challenging and unless you struggle with steps and inclines, should be ok to manage. Linked here is the website for the Needles Attraction Park, where you’ll find information of what’s on site. https://www.theneedles.co.uk/
Once you are down on the seafront you can look up at the Alum Bay cliff side which is home of the colourful sand combinations. On the sea front you will also find boats and pleasure cruises that offer trips out to see The Needles. There are two options for these trips, one is a 15 minute fast trip on a high speed rib boat that goes out to The Needles and round them to Scratchells Bay and South views of The needles. The other option is the 20 minute slow cruise that just visits out to The Needles themselves, but highlights the coastal features of Alum Bay and side/underneath of The Old Battery along the way, with commentary too. Check they website for more information and prices. https://www.needlespleasurecruises.co.uk/
The Needles: Old and New Battery:
The Old and New Battery of The Needles are based on the cliff top above The Needle rocks and lighthouse and are protected by The National trust. They are two military batteries that were built to guard the West end of the Solent and defend against enemy ships. The Old Battery was built first in 1861-1863 to protect dockyards in Portsmouth from threats of attack by the French, The New Battery was built in 1895, further up from the cliff edge as fears grew that gunshots would crumble the chalk beneath. The New Battery site also shows the great views of The Needles and the old British Space Rocket testing site, used between 1950 and 1970’s. For more information and to book entry to The Old Battery (New Battery is free to access with no booking) click the link here, https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/the-needles-old-battery-and-new-battery
The walk to the Old and New Batteries is approx 1 mile from The Needles Attraction site car park, along the cliff top. There is also a bus that runs the same route too for a small fee.
When visiting The New Battery you will find access to The National Trust walk- Tennyson and West High Down, which takes you along the cliff top South of The Needles.
Shanklin:
Shanklin Beach is a sandy beach South East of the Island. Along the esplanade you will find various adventure golf courses, including the Cady Shack indoor crazy golf (one to bare in mind for wet weather!)
Shanklin Chine:
Shanklin Chine is a chine (deep, narrow ravine with water running to the sea) based along the cliff edge route of Shanklin. In this historic gorge hidden in the trees you will follow the flow or water from the waterfall to the sea. The ticket price includes re-entry to the chine for free within 7 days of purchase. This enables you to revisit in an evening to see the chine Illuminated in the night too.
Unfortunately I did not manage to see the illuminations as they closed the chine due to bad weather conditions on the evening we set aside to go. There is no way of checking if they have closed or remain open during wet and windy evening conditions, but it’s something to be aware of. Maybe check before paying for parking if you do return on a wet evening!
For more information visit the website, https://www.shanklinchine.co.uk/
Godshill:
Godshill is a small village on The Isle of Wight between Shanklin and Newport. It is home to the Model Village that was built as a miniature version of most main attractions and points of The Isle of Wight in the 1960’s. Here you will see parts of different towns and a miniature mock up of Shanklin Chine, along with much more. For more information click here, https://www.modelvillagegodshill.co.uk/
St Catherine's Lighthouse:
St Catherine's Lighthouse is based at the most Southern point of The Isle of Wight, South of Niton. To get to the light house you have to walk down a private road. There is very little parking round the area so bare this in mind if you’re trying to visit in peak season. The lighthouse was built in 1838 and is something you should try and stop by to look at, even if it’s not open to go inside.
St Catherine's Oratory:
Further up the highland from St Catherine's Lighthouse and towards Chale is St Catherine's Oratory. The Oratory sits at the top of a hill overlooking Chale and Blackgang Chine (an amusement park). The octagonal tower is all that is left standing of St Catherine's Oratory, affectionately known as the ‘Pepperpot’. It was built in 1328 and stands on one of the highest points of The Isle of Wight. There is a free car park opposite the access path to the Oratory. If the weather is poor with rain and wind then the clouds and mist may effect the view to Blackgang Chine, Chale and the sea front when you reach the top of the hill.
Cowes:
A town and harbour North of the Island, divided into Cowes and East Cowes by the River Madina estuary that runs through the middle. There is a chain bridge, also known as the floating bridge that is used as a quick access to cross from Cowes to East Cowes.
In the main Cowes town you will find shops and little cafes running right along the side of the harbour. If you head to the harbour you will see many yachts and the passenger ferry that goes between The Isle of Wight and Southampton. Cowes is especially busy, but known to be a great time to visit, during Cowes week. Cowes week is a series of boat races, held all in one week with approx 40 sailing races daily. It I the largest sailing regatta of its kind in the world. Pictured above is the cannon start line for races.
Cowes week usually begins on the Saturday after the last Tuesday of July- end of July/August. Be sure to check the dates if you’re looking to visit and see the races, but also if you’re looking to avoid the busy period. Website>>>>
East Cowes is home to Osborne House; Queen Victoria’s seaside residence. You can book to visit the gardens and the house online on the English Heritage site, https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/osborne/
Ryde:
A sandy seafront town with shops, restaurants, cafes and passenger ferries and hovercraft to Portsmouth. The beachfront in Ryde is extremely sandy and at a low tide, stretches out a fair distance. If you walk East along the seafront from the Hovercraft and train station you will pass the harbour and reach the Appley Towers further down. The Appley Tower is what remains of Appley Country House.
Union Street is the main high street in Ryde. Halfway up Union Street you will find the Royal Victoria Acade which has many collectable shops with items dating back many years ago. I picked up an old AA badge from 1934 in the first shop. It’s worth a look if you love a good hunt and find.
Steam Railway:
The Steam Railway is a popular attraction on The Isle of Wight. You can book and pay to go on the steam train itself which takes you along the line and offers opportunities to explore each old station. The main Steam train station is Havenstreet where the Train Story Discovery Centre, museum and workshops are held. One thing to note is that you do not have to embark on the Steam Train or pay the entry fee to be able to see the train itself. There is a car park at Wooton Station which is at the end of the line. If you time it right, you will see the train reach the end of the line and it switch over the head of the train on the line to turn around. A perfect way to see the train without having to enter the attraction itself.
For more information and prices, visit- https://iwsteamrailway.co.uk/
Roadside viewpoints and car parks:
There are many points around The Isle of Wight that just require a quick stop to take in the view or visit a different beach. If you visit The Isle of Wight by car then I recommend taking a drive around and taking pit stops at various points. Along the South coast, from West to East is; Sandown beach (where you will find the Dinosaur Experience Museum and Isle of Wight Zoo), Compton Bay and Freshwater Bay; all beaches with various different cliff edges and sea views. In the Summer these may be great options for beach days, or alternatively, just stop for the view and to say you’ve seen it.
There is a great viewpoint high in land of the West side of The Isle of Wight on Brading Down (picture above). Along the road of Brading Down are various car parks and stopping points to take in the views and take pictures.
SHOPS:
Isle of Wight Pearl- A unique shop on the island near Freshwater Bay that offers unique jewellery with pearls. Even if you’re not looking to buy, this is a great shop to visit to see the history of the store and more information about pearls and finding them. There is a cafe within the shop too.
Website- https://www.iowpearl.co.uk/
The Needles Attraction Park: Gift shops and souvenir shops relating to The Needles. Here you will find The Isle of Wight sand shop, where you can build up your own ornamental product with the colourful sands from Alum Bay. Alum Bay glass shop is also in the park and offers viewings of glass being made and their unique products to buy.
Newport- The main central town in The Isle of Wight. This is where you’ll find most of the more common high street shops.
Ryde- Great for antique/collectors shops and gift shops.
Cowes- High end retailers and surfing/water sports and sailing clothing.
Shanklin- Rock/sweet shops, pubs and small antique/collectors shops.
FOOD: Based on places I have eaten and can recommend:
The Hut, Colwell Bay- A sea food restaurant right on the seafront of Colwell Bay. It does have non sea food options available. On dry days they will have the roof open, making a great spot for watching the sunset (see picture). They close the rooftop as soon as the sun has set below the horizon.
To book and view menu: https://thehutcolwell.co.uk/
Crab and Lobster, Bembridge- There are a few Crab and Lobster restaurants around the island and they all have a great menu with seafood and a selection of others. The Bembridge restaurant sits on the edge of the cliff behind the harbour on the West side of the island.
To see menu and contact details for booking: https://www.characterinns.co.uk/the-crab-and-lobster-inn
Woods, Godshill- A great spot in Godshill to stop for lunch or dinner. At lunchtime they serve afternoon tea selections or homemade scones in their cream tea option. Here, cream tea for two people was only £9.95 (tea and 2 scones, clotted cream and jam). Whilst I had cream tea, I saw others having lunch off their main menu and the meals looked amazing!
Website: https://woodskitchen.co.uk/
As you have now read and can see, there is plenty to do and see on The Isle of Wight. I hope you find this as a useful insight to exploring The Isle of Wight and please do let me know if you've used it to help in your future holidays/ staycations!
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Zoe
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