Travelling around the Isle of Wight will take you through some of the prettiest villages you’re ever likely to see, as well as a number of delightful resorts and some vibrant towns that are rich in history and culture. Here’s a brief guide to the Island’s towns and villages, full of tips about what to see, what to expect and what to do…
BembridgeBembridge is the most easterly spot on the Isle of Wight and was once separated from the rest of the Island by a stretch of water. Land reclamation and the construction of an embankment in the mid-1800s connected (…) |
BradingSituated on the western bank of the River Yar, charming Brading became one of the principal settlements on the Island due to its position at the head of a substantial sheltered harbour. (…) |
BrighstoneCharming Brighstone dates back to the 12th century and is full of old-world charm, epitomised by its thatched cottages and the pretty church of St Mary’s, which was built in the 1180s.(…) |
CalbourneA much-photographed village made famous by the pretty 18th-century stone and thatched cottages in Winkle Street (real name ‘Barrington Row’). The green is central to the village and slopes down(…) |
CowesThe world’s most famous yachting resort dates back to Tudor times. In fact, West Cowes and East Cowes both grew from a clutch of fishermen’s shacks that sprung up around two coastal forts built by Henry VIII on opposite banks (…) |
FreshwaterOfficially a village, but its long High Street, offering everything from a thriving butchers and excellent fishmongers to antiques and thrift shops, gives charming Freshwater the feel of a market town. On its fringes, you’ll find the Island’s only thatched church – St Agnes’s,(…) |
GodshillWith its charming thatched cottages, medieval church and more than its fair share of tearooms, delightful Godshill is the quintessential English village and one of the most popular places to visit on the Island. (…) |
NewportBuilt around the River Medina and located slap bang in the middle of the Island, Newport is the county town of the Isle of Wight. It was founded in 1180 (although the presence of a third century Roman villa in the middle of town would suggest it was a (…) |
Holiday letsIf you fancy renting a house in one of the Island’s beautiful villages or vibrant towns (or pretty much anywhere else in between), there are some excellent agencies serving the self-catering holiday market.(…)
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RydeThe largest town on the Island, Ryde has a population of around 30,000, and is full of everything you’d expect in a seaside resort. It’s also blessed with some beautiful Georgian and Victorian buildings(…) |
SandownA resort developed by the Victorians, who were enchanted (as today’s visitors still are) by the sparkling waters and the five miles of golden sands that make up Sandown Bay. They built the town’s wide seafront promenades, large villas, (…) |
SeaviewA delightful Georgian village, with narrow streets, Seaview is one of the Island’s most popular sailing centres. It is a charming and tranquil spot, with a pretty high street where tiny white cottages jostle for position with large and imposing villas.(…) |
ShanklinShanklin is a town of great character and charm with many interesting small shops and a variety of hotels and apartments in former Victorian country houses. It has an Old Village area, elegant Victorian villas, pretty public gardens and shares the(…) |
A sweep of the supermarketsThe Island has plenty of excellent supermarkets. You’ll find Lidl on Medina Way in Newport and on Languard Manor Road in Shanklin. Morrisons, meanwhile, has two stores: one on South Street in Newport; the other on Newport Road in Lake. (…) |
VentnorOne of the steepest and most sheltered towns in Britain, Ventnor was dubbed ‘England’s Madeira’ by the Victorians. They believed its climate was ideal for the treatment of respiratory diseases, and developed it as a health resort – indeed, the town’s excellent botanic gardens(…) |
YarmouthWith a royal charter going back to 1135, Yarmouth is the oldest town on the Island. It was sacked by the French in 1377 and 1524, and suffered numerous raids until Henry VIII improved security by building a castle in the town, which was completed in 1547.(…) |