Kate W
09 November 2023
The Isle of Wight is known to be a fun-filled destination for families and groups of friends alike, and it’s wonderfully dog friendly too, with a golden coastline, bustling resorts and serene chalk downs to explore.
We’ve put together a list of our favourite dog-friendly beaches, walks, attractions and places to eat on the Isle of Wight so you can plan a wonderful trip with the whole family. Get ready for exciting days out at attractions that welcome dogs, before enjoying big dinners at stylish, pet-friendly cafes and restaurants across the island.
Read on for some great places to visit with your dog in tow, or click the button below and start browsing our pet-friendly Isle of Wight cottages today.
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Dog-friendly beaches on the Isle of Wight
Bembridge Beach
Not only is Bembridge one of the top dog-friendly beaches on the Isle of Wight, but it’s a real favourite for everyone – families, walkers, and water sports enthusiasts all love this beautiful seaside spot. Soak in views over the Solent to Portsmouth and St Helen's Fort as you explore this pet-friendly beach.
The main beach is a mix of stones, pebbles and shells but a lovely stretch of sand is revealed when the tide is out, offering plenty of space for dogs to race around and play. Find out about more of the Isle of Wight's best beaches in our guide.
Are there restrictions? Dogs are welcome all year round.
Facilities: Pay and display parking, toilets, a shop, a café here, and a pier.
Address: 16 Beach Rd, Bembridge PO35 5NZ
Monks Bay
Set just a mile down the road from the iconic, bustling town of Ventnor sits this peaceful dog-friendly beach. It’s backed by a promenade and wooded cliffs and was once the haunt of smugglers.
Today, this pretty backdrop creates a serene space for a peaceful morning dog walk by the sea. It’s a mix of sand and shingle above the tide; you will see more sand once the tide goes out, and a series of rock breakwaters has been created along the beach.
Are there restrictions? Dogs are welcome all year round.
Facilities: Pay and display car park and toilets within 200 metres, and shops and cafes in Ventnor, 1 mile away.
Address: Shore Rd, Ventnor PO38 1RL
Brook Bay
A remote spot for you and your pup to breathe salty sea air, leave footprints on the sand and splash about in the waves. All Brook Bay has is a car park and nothing else. You’ll feel worlds away from normal life at this rugged, rocky, dog-friendly beach set on the south coast of the Isle of Wight.
It’s on the Dinosaur Coast, right next to Compton Bay – another pet-friendly beach that’s a good spot for fossil hunting – and the geological features of Brook Chine are nearby too. There’s plenty of space for ball games with your dog, and the surrounding land is owned by the National Trust, providing even more space for long walks amongst wildlife-rich downs.
Are there restrictions? Dogs are welcome all year round.
Facilities: Pay and display car park for Brook Bay, and more facilities available 3 miles away in Afton.
Address: Military Rd, Newport PO30 4HA
Dog-friendly attractions on the Isle of Wight
The Needles Landmark Attraction
The Needles is the Isle of Wight's most iconic attraction and it’s dog friendly too! While our pup pals aren’t allowed into the indoor areas, dogs are welcome to join you on the walk to spot the famous stacks.
The beach here is pet friendly and our four-pawed friends are welcome to join you on the boat trips as well. Head to the vintage tea room at Needles Old Battery for hearty, seasonally-inspired dishes with fantastic views of the Solent. Discover more fantastic attractions in our guide to Isle of Wight days out.
Isle of Wight Steam Railway
Their tagline ‘The 10-Mile Museum’ gives you an idea of what you and your pup can experience at this dog-friendly Isle of Wight attraction.
The Isle of Wight Railway stretches from Wootton Station to Smallbrook Station. Havenstreet is the main station, a restored 1940s building where you’ll discover the railway’s museum, woodland walk, and woodland stage where music and story-telling take place during special events.
There’s a wonderful falconry here too but, unfortunately, dogs aren’t allowed so someone may have to wait outside with the lead if you fancy a visit.
Godshill Model Village
While this charming attraction is closed during the winter months for any repairs and upkeep, Godshill Model Village opens each year from March to October, offering a good season and is a very special place to visit with your dog in tow.
Look around at the pretty village scenes taking place throughout the site, all a 1/10th scale version of the village of Godshill and Shanklin Old Village and Chine that’s been thoughtfully created and maintained by the owners. Even the smallest dog will feel like a giant as you wander around its pathways.
You can also admire the detailed landscaped gardens with over 3,000 ornamental conifers and shrubs, many kept in bonsai form to match the miniature village.
Dog-friendly pubs and restaurants on the Isle of Wight
The Horse and Groom, Ningwood
The Horse and Groom is a stylish, sophisticated, dog-friendly pub on the Isle of Wight that’s full of charming rustic features including old beams, exposed brick walls, and wood panelling throughout.
Book in to enjoy classic pub grub; steak and ale pie, beer-battered fish and chips, and rump steak are all mainstays of the dinner menu, while for lunch you could tuck into a tasty baguette or a jacket potato. They even have a lovely circular walk from the pub so you and your dog can stretch your legs before settling down to dine.
Check out more wonderful pubs and restaurants to investigate in our guide to top Isle of Wight places to eat.
The Garlic Farm
Head to this dog-friendly restaurant on the Isle of Wight, set on a fantastic farm that is perfect if you love all things garlic. At The Garlic Farm, you can enjoy the Farm Walk around the grounds before tucking into the tasty meals made with their on-site produce and other locally sourced ingredients.
You could even pop into their shop afterwards to pick up some delicious souvenirs to add to your meals back at your holiday cottage. Dogs are allowed in all outdoor areas, the conservatory area of the restaurant and the Allium Café, but not inside the shop so you’ll need a spare pair of hands to hold the lead.
Read more about the Isle of Wight's garlic connections here.
Blueberry’s Café
For a coffee with a view, you’ll find it hard to beat this beautiful beachside café. Blueberry’s Café is a dog-friendly café on the Isle of Wight just opposite Shanklin Beach.
While the beach does have a seasonal dog ban in place, your four-pawed pal is welcome to join you in this charming café – they even sell dog treats! If that’s not enough, Blueberry’s Café is best known for its mouth-watering selection of cakes so it’s the perfect stop for a sweet treat if you’re enjoying a dog walk along the Isle of Wight Coastal Path.
Dog walks on the Isle of Wight
Brook Chine to Compton Bay
We couldn’t mention our favourite Isle of Wight dog walks without picking out a section of the fantastic coast path that wraps around the island. This section from Brock Chine to Compton Bay is especially enchanting with serene downland all around, cliff edges providing wonderful views of the sea, and will lead you through Brook Chine, an ancient, now-dry ravine.
This is a circular walk for you and your dog, so you’ll end up back at the car when you’ve completed it - why not tackle it during the Isle of Wight's walking festival?
Length: 4 miles
Difficulty: Moderately challenging
Start point: Military Rd, Newport PO30 4HA
Mottistone Gardens and Estate
Created from an old farmyard and Elizabethan manor house, the beautiful Mottistone Gardens and Estate is set in a sheltered valley which protects the planting in the gardens and offers a colourful place in the warmer months to discover with your dog. Even in the winter, there are delights to discover in the garden. The wider estate boasts chalk downs, farmland, Bronze Age barrows and a Neolithic Longstone.
Dogs on leads are welcome throughout the gardens and visitor reception, and there are takeaway hot drinks and snacks, and seating in the garden. There is a mix of walking trails to choose from but we’d recommend the common at Mottistone for the impressive views. The countryside is open from dawn until dusk, while the gardens are open 10.30am-5pm in the summer and closed in the winter.
Prices: Adult £7.50, child £3.75
Length: 4 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Start point: 12a B3399, Brighstone, Newport PO30 4EH
Borthwood Copse Red Squirrel Walk
A dog-friendly woodland walk on the Isle of Wight, which is better known for its downs and farmland, the Borthwood Copse Walk offers the chance to spot the rare red squirrels in their natural habitat.
In spring, bluebells carpet the forest floor and in autumn, you can see the yellow and red of the changing leaves. Your dog will no doubt have a great time sniffing out wildlife trails to fox dens and badger setts hidden in the tree roots.
Length: 1.2 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Start point: Alverstone Rd, Sandown PO36 0JS
Dog-friendly cottages on the Isle of Wight
For even more enchanting places to stay, browse through our full collection of dog-friendly cottages on the Isle of Wight or check out our guide to some of the best pet-friendly cottages on the Isle of Wight.
Whether you’re looking for a hot tub retreat, a woodland lodge, or an apartment with sea views to share with your dog, you’re sure to find it in our collection.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.