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Guides

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

The best of the British Isles

It’s impossible to compare the impressive British Isles, but we have done our very best, based on a range of measurable factors.

Sun for your Spend

Discover the best places in the UK to soak up the sun

Best places to eat on the Isle of Wight

Whether you're looking for a fine dining experience, traditional English fare, vegetarian or gluten-free options, or even the best bag of fish and chips on the Isle of Wight, we've taken our palettes on a journey to bring you a guide to the best of the best on the island.

I'm dreaming of a Wight Christmas

The festive season is well and truly upon us and the Isle of Wight is transforming into a sparkling winter wonderland. With an abundance of bustling markets and festivals to choose from across the Island, this is a great opportunity to pick up some locally made gifts for someone special (or yourself!). Whether you’d like to visit a big traditional street market or a smaller festive fair, don your winter woollies and head on over to one of these Christmas markets on the Isle of Wight.

Where to stay on the Isle of Wight

With an abundance of attractions, festivals and activities to be enjoyed across the island, it might be a struggle to know where to stay on the Isle of Wight. From classic seaside resorts to beautiful inland villages, read on to discover the best places to visit on the Isle of Wight.

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.

The Isle of Wight's best cottages for Christmas

A holiday break at Christmas can be a real treat whether you spend it with close family or throw the invite wider family.

Where to play golf on the Isle of Wight

Keen golfers will love a trip to the Isle of Wight, with nine different courses to choose from ranging in length and difficulty.

The best family-friendly cottages on the Isle of Wight

With the next school holiday looming it’s time to start planning your family getaway, and the Isle of Wight is a fantastic place for your half-term adventures.

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.

Best events on the Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight has a great variety of events and festivals throughout the year. From the famous Isle of Wight Festival and Cowes Week to the much-loved Garlic Festival and Christmas events, you will always have something to fill your calendar.

The Isle of Wight's unusual connection to garlic

On the Isle of Wight, garlic is celebrated in a big way – there is even an annual garlic festival in its honour! So, what makes a tiny little clove of garlic so special?

Best walks on the Isle of Wight

Walk the Isle of Wight and become bewitched by its diversity of grassland, woodlands, wild estuaries, chalk cliffs, and golden beaches. There are trails to suit walkers of all abilities and stamina. Walk in the footsteps of Tennyson and Dickens, and see some of the best sea views around.

24 hours on the Isle of Wight

You've got 24 hours to spend on the Isle of Wight. What will you get up to? Beginning with a bright and early 6am arrival on this island paradise, its size makes it easy to get around meaning you’ll be able to cram tonnes into a single day.

Things to see and do in Cowes

Come and enjoy all of the things that Cowes has to offer, including Cowes Week, held every summer. The town is a great place to visit whatever the time of year, with a calendar of sailing events as well as a wonderful variety of museums and historical landmarks, including Osborne House.

Things to see and do in Shanklin

Visit the popular seaside resort of Shanklin, situated on the south-east coast of the Isle of Wight. Famous for the wooded ravine of Shanklin Chine, as well as its enchanting Old Village, it also has a lovely sandy beach and esplanade, perfect for a memorable fun family holiday by the sea.

Getting about on the Isle of Wight

Isle of Wight has an excellent public transport network that serves all the major towns and villages. You can almost circumnavigate the island on a double-decker bus, or travel on some exiled London Underground trains or via a steam railway. Public transport with a twist.

Things to see and do in Seaview

The pretty Edwardian seaside resort of Seaview has been welcoming visitors to its delightful shores for many years. With a selection of lovely beaches and spectacular views across the Solent to the mainland, it is the perfect base to visit the other towns and villages of the island.

Things to see and do in Freshwater

Visit the village of Freshwater on the western tip of the Isle of Wight, with pretty bays and beaches all around. Only minutes from the famous Needles Landmark and wide expanses of Tennyson Down, this is the perfect place to spend a fun holiday with family and friends.

Top attractions on the Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight is the perfect choice for a family break with a seemingly endless range of visitor attractions for you to discover. Visit the iconic Needles Landmark Attraction, or spend the day at Blackgang Chine or Robin Hill Country Park. Where will you go?

Best Cycling Trails on the Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight is a great destination for cyclists of all abilities. Whether you are looking to set yourself a challenge or a gentle amble with the family, the island offers contrasting landscapes and habitats to take a jaunt through. A highlight for serious cycling addicts is the wild Military Road on the south coast.

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.

Days out in and around Yarmouth

Attractive Yarmouth, on the Isle of Wight, is home to one of the town largest marinas and an active port that links to the mainland via a ferry service. Take a visit to historical places of interest like Yarmouth Castle and Fort Victoria Park. The views across the Solent from here are spectacular.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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