10 Isle of Wight Towns and Resorts

Isle of Wight

If you’re looking for a picturesque and peaceful holiday destination, the Isle of Wight is perfect.

With its stunning coastline and scenic countryside, there’s plenty to explore on this lovely island.

Whether you’re looking for a relaxing beach holiday or an action-packed adventure, the Isle of Wight has something to offer everyone. So why not book your next getaway to this charming island?

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Bembridge

Bembridge Isle of Wight
Bembridge, Isle of Wight

Bembridge is a small coastal village on the eastern tip of the island. With views across the Solent towards the mainland, Bembridge is the perfect place to explore, especially if you enjoy watersports.

There are three beaches in Bembridge, a busy harbour, Bembridge Lifeboat Station and Bembridge Windmill.

Holiday parks in the area include Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park by Away Resorts.

Cowes and East Cowes

Cowes Isle of Wight

Cowes is a fascinating historic town that hosts a world-famous yacht race every year – it’s the largest and oldest sailing regatta in the world!

Cowes and East Cowes (the latter is reached via a chain ferry across the Medina estuary) have an interesting maritime heritage and there are numerous shops and pubs to explore here, so it’s perfect for shopping or just going on a pub crawl!

The nearest holiday park to Cowes and East Cowes is Thorness Bay by Parkdean Resorts.

Freshwater Bay

Freshwater Bay
Freshwater Bay

Freshwater Bay is a beautiful area just to the South of the main village of Freshwater. Located on the West of the island, Freshwater is a popular tourist destination with the popular Needles attraction.

Freshwater has a shopping area where you can shop for food at the supermarkets as well as explore some local shops, cafes and pubs.

Freshwater Bay has a popular pebble beach that is suitable for swimming, rock-pooling and watersports.

Holiday parks near Freshwater Bay include The Bay Colwell by Aria Resorts.

Newport

Newport is the main town on the Isle of Wight. It’s a busy place with plenty to see and do.

You can find out all about the island’s history at the Museum of Island History or meet the donkeys at Carisbrooke Castle.

Spend the day exploring Robin Hill Country Park, a lush landscape with woodland and gardens totalling 88 acres, with treetop canopy walkways, toboggan rides and plenty of adventure for the whole family.

Newport is also home to the Isle of Wight Festival, a world-famous music festival that takes place on a farm near the town each June.

The Lakes Rookley by Aria Resorts is a 10-15 minute drive from Newport.

🛥 Portsmouth: Hovercraft Flight to the Isle of Wight 🛥

Ryde

Ryde, Isle of Wight
Ryde, Isle of Wight

Ryde is a busy coastal resort with plenty of shops, pubs and restaurants to explore. Ryde also has a good variety of family attractions and entertainment venues, making it the ideal destination for a holiday on the Isle of Wight.

Ryde’s beaches are long, clean, and sandy, and the resort’s funfair, road train, and lido will keep kids occupied.

Sandown

Sandown

Sandown is one of the most popular holiday resorts on the Isle of Wight. Located on the Southern coast, it is well known for its beautiful golden sandy beach.

Sandown has everything you can expect at a British holiday resort with a seafront, pier and typical seaside amenities including amusements and arcades.

Dinosaur lovers will enjoy the interactive Dinosaur Museum where you can explore the island’s Dinosaur history.

Seaview

Seaview is a small seaside resort on the northeast coast with lovely views across the Solent to the English mainland.

Located between Ryde and Bembridge, Seaview is a great base to explore everything the island has to offer.

Seaview has a selection of great pubs, cafes and shops as well as a small sand and shingle beach popular for rock-pooling, kayaking and sailing.

Shanklin

Shanklin

Shanklin is a beautiful seaside town on the southeastern coast of the Isle of Wight. It has lots of small, independent shops, cafes and restaurants.

A main draw of Shanklin is its long sandy beach and esplanade, dotted with the typical seaside attractions such as arcades, fish and chip shops and ice cream kiosks.

The Old Village is a must-see for visitors to Shanklin. It’s home to narrow streets, traditional cottages, independent shops and pubs. 

Holiday parks near Shanklin include Lower Hyde Holiday Park by Parkdean Resorts.

Ventnor

Ventnor

Ventnor is a Victorian seaside resort on the southern side of the Isle of Wight.

One of the main tourist attractions in Ventnor is its beautiful beaches. The clean and sandy shores are perfect for a day of relaxation, and there are plenty of beachfront cafes and restaurants to enjoy as well.

Another big draw for visitors is the wonderful selection of shops and boutiques found throughout the town. From souvenir stores to high-end fashion outlets, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

If you’re looking for some culture while in Ventnor, be sure to check out the local museums and art galleries – there’s definitely no shortage of interesting things to see!

Golfers will love the Ventnor Golf Club, the oldest club on the island, while nature lovers can take advantage of the stunning coastal walks on offer.

And finally, don’t forget to sample some of the delicious local cuisines – you won’t be disappointed!

Yarmouth

Yarmouth

Yarmouth is a charming seaside town on the North-West of the Isle of Wight. Yarmouth is a popular port town where visitors to the island arrive by ferry from Lymington on the mainland.

There is plenty to keep everyone busy in Yarmouth including fishing, boat trips, shopping as well and a walk around this historic port town.

Where Is The Isle of Wight?

The Isle of Wight is located in the English Channel, off the south coast of England. It’s part of a group of islands called the British Isles. The strait between the Isle of Wight and the English mainland is called The Solent.

How Big Is The Isle Of Wight?

The Isle of Wight is the second largest island in England. The distance from east to west is 22.5 miles, and 13.5 miles from north to south.

How To Get To The Isle Of Wight

There are three different ports you can use to get to the Isle of Wight. They are Portsmouth to Fishbourne, Southampton to East Cowes, Lymington to Yarmouth.

🛥 Portsmouth: Hovercraft Flight to the Isle of Wight 🛥

What’s On The Isle Of Wight?

There are plenty of things to see and do on the Isle of Wight. You can try your hand at adventure sports, visit a museum, chill out on one of the many sandy beaches, go on a walking tour, or just relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. The island boasts a wealth of historical attractions too.

Where Can I Stay On The Isle Of Wight?

The Isle of Wight has a wide range of accommodation options including holiday parks, campsites, hotels and cottages.

And if you really fall in love with the island (the chances are high!) you can always take a look at some of the static caravans for sale on the Isle of Wight.

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