Fave places on the Isle of Wight

Here are some suggestions for places to go and things to do based on our experience visiting this amazing Island for a number of years. We (my husband and two tweenie boys) have visited during different seasons and we never tire of the Isle of Wight. We always find something different to do each time we are there, it’s a great family destination and there’s something for any age.

North East of the Island

Places to go

Take a look at Robin Hill. Although costly to get in, you can use your ticket over and over for seven days. We went on sunny day during the summer and took swimmies. My boys loved the inflatable waterside which ran all the way down the hill. The new Squirrel Walk and nets in the trees are so much fun, lots of opportunities for outdoor fun. We went again to one of their late open evenings, I’d really recommend the pyrotechnics show….amazing and hilarious! Great place to be on a warm summer’s evening, it has lots to entertain you and the children!

Looking for beach fun, I would recommend trying out kayaking or paddle boarding; you can hire everything you need through Tackt-Isle adventures which base themselves on St Helens beach during the summer. After a paddle have a well-earned drink or tasty plate of food at Bay Watch on the beach overlooking the Solent. Glorious on a sunny evening. You can relax enjoying the view from one of the tables along the sea front while the children play on the beach. Rock pools at low tide provide hours of fun looking for crustaceans. Take a stroll past the remains of St Catherine’s church at low tide and round the rocky outcrop at Nodes Point to Priory Bay – a lovely sandy secluded beach.

Take a body board to Sandown beach, it’s quieter towards the Yaverland end, and kids can have hours of fun in the waves (adults nearby of course).

We hired bikes one day and cycled up a disused railway track. A pretty route following a stream for part of it, with a cafe along the Red Squirrel Trail. We hired bikes in Sandown, which was a bit of a trek for us to get to the start of the off-road part as it’s up a very steep hill and back down, but once you are on the track it’s lovely…and flat!

On less clement weather days, visit Bembridge, a lovely little town with an interesting collection of artisan produce shops and a good café (The Shed). Some mornings they have a Bizarre in the village hall.

Eating

We loved the delightful ice cream parlour recently opened just above The Duck Restaurant, not far from the Waterside swimming pool, in Ryde. It has great views across the sea while you enjoy a delicious ice cream from the vast range of Minghella ice creams. We earned an ice cream after all that swimming with the sun beaming down on us through the open roof.

If you love seafood, the freshest I’ve ever had is from Best Dressed Crab, a floating pontoon in Bembridge Harbour. Buy a dressed lobster, crab, crab claws or crevettes to take away if self-catering and enjoy with bread and salad; or try out the cafe which opens up its bi-fold doors for panoramic views of the harbour to enjoy your food whilst overlooking the yachts, it feels like you are on Rhode Island to quote a famous celeb that has also eaten there. Unfortunately, it’s only open during the day, so booking is best.

For a reasonably priced, hearty breakfast overlooking beautiful views, I would suggest the Solent view café, based at Fakenham Farm, within walking distance of the centre of St Helens.

For a gastronomic experience we have had some fantastic meals at Dan’s Kitchen, just off the Green in St Helens. Staff are very welcoming, and although it’s posh nosh you can enjoy their set price menus which are quite reasonable.

Places to stay

If you are looking for places to book near this area you could look at Harrision & Bristow, based in Clay Clay in Bembridge, they let holiday properties around the local area or stay at one of the independent holiday parks like the Old Mill Holiday Park which overlooks Bembridge Harbour.