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Guides

Let us inspire your next holiday to the Isle of Wight or Purbeck

Safest Shores: The UK’s Kid-Friendly Coastlines

To find the friendliest and most entertaining coastal town for your family holiday, Safest Shores reveals the UK’s top kid-friendly coastlines.

Days out on the Isle of Wight

From animal adventures to music festivals, theme parks to bike rides, we’ve put together a list of the top days out on the Isle of Wight to inspire your holiday.

Things to do on the Isle of Wight

Just a short hop and a skip across The Solent, the Isle of Wight is one of the UK’s most idyllic holiday destinations and it is packed with attractions, natural wonders and days out. From leisurely strolls along the beach to hunting for dinosaur remains, and thrilling adventure activities, there are all sorts of things to do on the Isle of Wight.

The Isle of Wight's best beaches

The Isle of Wight is home to an array of stunning beaches, with around 37 in total, 14 of which are award-winning stretches.

Steephill Cove

Steephill Cove is one of the best kept secret beaches on the Isle of Wight. Inaccessible by road, this really is a wonderful spot to relax and explore. It's home to two restaurants so you have somewhere to dine in style throughout the day and evening, with stunning sea views to enhance your experience.

Brownsea Island

Brownsea Island is a fantastic beauty spot in Poole Harbour in Dorset. Journey to it over the waters on a ferry and embark on the perimeter trail around the island and take a light lunch at the castle. Managed by the National Trust, this is a must see on any trip to the Isle of Purbeck.

Kimmeridge Beach

Kimmeridge Beach is the best destination for spotting marine life on the Isle of Purbeck peninsula. Offering the best access to the Purbeck Marine Life Reserve. Excellent conditions for snorkelers and scuba divers to enjoy. Surfers head here for the premier break in the region, Broad Bench.

Chapman's Pool

Chapman's Pool,on the Isle of Purbeck peninsula, is a secluded and sheltered cove, home to a former lifeboat station, and a large collection of rock pools ripe for exploration. Close to the lovely Isle of Purbeck village of Worth Matravers, bring a picnic and relax in this lesser known beauty spot.

Swanage Beach

Swanage Beach, on the Isle of Purbeck peninsula, is one of the country's best-loved holiday destinations. Its sheltered bay makes it a great place to relax, swim or scuba dive. Fun family activity venues can be found up and down the town’s three contrasting beaches. A traditional seaside resort for all.

Sandown Beach

Sandown Beach, on the Isle of Wight, is a very pleasant seaside resort with miles of golden sands are complemented by its very own pleasure pier. Popular with surfers, sun worshippers, young families, and those that love a leisurely stroll along a seaside esplanade. Stop by at low tide.

Shanklin Beach

Shanklin Beach is one of the Isle of Wight's best loved holiday destinations. It offers miles of golden sands, crazy golf, penny arcades, endless eateries and the bewitching Shanklin Chine. Within walking distance of the town centre, Shanklin is the perfect choice for a traditional family day out at the seaside.

St Helen's Beach

St Helen's Beach, on the Isle of Wight, is a calm prospect for those looking for a quieter part of the shoreline to enjoy a swim, a stroll or a spot of bird watching. With striking views across the Solent, this beach has good facilities as well as having no restrictions for dog owners.

Totland Bay

Totland Beach, on the Isle of Wight, is a great beach for sunsets thanks to its westerly aspect. Favoured by swimmers, wind surfers and jet-ski lovers, there are is also a good range of amenities at Totland. The restored pier due for re-opening in 2018. Walk over the headland for views of the Needles.

Ventnor Beach

A Victorian-era gem, Ventnor, on the Isle of Wight, is a quaint arch-shaped sandy beach with great facilities. Reminiscent of some Mediterranean destinations, there are some great eateries and pubs along the short promenade. Take an amble along the coast to beautiful Steephill Cove.

Whitecliff Bay

Outstanding sand and pebble beach situated at the most easterly point of the Isle of Wight. Of interest to geologists and historians alike, this is a great secret getaway with short driving distance of Bembridge, Ryde, Sandown and good access to the coastal path and more.

Colwell Bay

Stunning views across The Solent to Hurst Castle on the mainland await visitors to Colwell Bay. A small easily-accessible beach situated on the north-western coast of the Isle of Wight. With gently sloping sand and shingle, it’s a relaxing swimming beach that’s also an appealing spot for families.

Compton Bay

Compton Bay is one of the Isle of Wight's best kept secrets, this two-mile wide beach has spectacular views and is a favourite with surfers. If you are a fossil hunter, tours are available to view some impressive dinosaur footprints at nearby Hanover Point too. Walk along the south island Coast Path too for amazing views.

Gurnard Beach

Gurnard Beach, on the Isle of Wight, is a characterful family favourite, memorable for its lines of pretty beach huts and its exceptional, open views northwards across The Solent to the mainland. Its within walking distance to Cowes, with good facilities. There is a pleasant café and a restaurant along the seafront too.

Bonchurch Beach

Bonchurch Beach is a lovely, secluded beach found at edge of Ventnor on the south coast of the Isle of Wight. With strong literary connections, it’s easy to see from a visit how it came to inspire some great authors. Stop by for rockpooling, paddling, play, relaxation and sunbathing at low tide.

Ryde Beach

Ryde Beach, on the Isle of Wight, is a wide, sandy beach perfect for an enjoying a traditional British day beside the seaside. With excellent facilities and a great choice of family activities for all the family, this beach is very close to the town centre of Ryde. Ryde is a good transport hub with links to most of the island’s villages.

Bembridge Beach

Visit Bembridge Beach on the Isle of Wight for rock pooling and its sheltered waters for swimming. This popular family beach offers good facilities and is found within walking distance of the small-town centre for pubs, restaurants and shops. Take a stroll along the pier to the lifeboat station for striking sea vistas.
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