Cringle Cottage
Sightseeing
The seaside retreat of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, where they would spend their summers with their nine children. The magnificent rooms, stunning views across the Solent, beautifully tended gardens and the Swiss Cottage where the children grew their own vegetables by the beach can fill up a day and offer a unique glimpse into the intimacy of royal family life on the Island.
There is also a great play area by the carpark, which are both free.
124 locals recommend
Osborne House Osborne House Estate
The seaside retreat of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, where they would spend their summers with their nine children. The magnificent rooms, stunning views across the Solent, beautifully tended gardens and the Swiss Cottage where the children grew their own vegetables by the beach can fill up a day and offer a unique glimpse into the intimacy of royal family life on the Island.
There is also a great play area by the carpark, which are both free.
Wild and unspoilt, Compton Bay is favoured by surfers all year round. Miles of sand and beautiful coastline walk high above the cliffs.
14 locals recommend
Compton Bay and Downs
Wild and unspoilt, Compton Bay is favoured by surfers all year round. Miles of sand and beautiful coastline walk high above the cliffs.
Mostly shingle but a nice spot to stop and sit on one of the benches or the beach wall. Spectacular on windy days as the waves crash onto the side wall, this is a quiet beach for an easy stroll. There is a little shop selling ice creams and beach items by the sea front and a big (pay) carpark on the other side of the road. A converted double-decker bus is now parked on the sea front as well, selling a variety of refreshments with a few tables and chairs outside.
Tennyson Down is close by for an exhilarating walk, as well as Dimbola Lodge and The Piano Café (see separate entries).
46 locals recommend
Freshwater Bay
Mostly shingle but a nice spot to stop and sit on one of the benches or the beach wall. Spectacular on windy days as the waves crash onto the side wall, this is a quiet beach for an easy stroll. There is a little shop selling ice creams and beach items by the sea front and a big (pay) carpark on the other side of the road. A converted double-decker bus is now parked on the sea front as well, selling a variety of refreshments with a few tables and chairs outside.
Tennyson Down is close by for an exhilarating walk, as well as Dimbola Lodge and The Piano Café (see separate entries).
Walking up Tennyson Down offers unparalleled views across the beautiful unspoilt West coast of the Island.
46 locals recommend
Tennyson Trail
Walking up Tennyson Down offers unparalleled views across the beautiful unspoilt West coast of the Island.
A small garrison castle. There are many information panels retracing its history and a couple of interactive exhibits. We liked our visit and found it very interesting but it may be more suitable for older children and adults, as it does not fit the usual castle-type expectations.
The visit could be combined to a stroll around picturesque Yarmouth and an ice cream in Scoops on Wheatsheaf Lane nearby (see separate entries).
21 locals recommend
Yarmouth Castle
Quay StreetA small garrison castle. There are many information panels retracing its history and a couple of interactive exhibits. We liked our visit and found it very interesting but it may be more suitable for older children and adults, as it does not fit the usual castle-type expectations.
The visit could be combined to a stroll around picturesque Yarmouth and an ice cream in Scoops on Wheatsheaf Lane nearby (see separate entries).
A tiny art gallery featuring local artists and a little card shop full of lovely cards at reasonable prices.
8 locals recommend
Yarmouth Pier
A tiny art gallery featuring local artists and a little card shop full of lovely cards at reasonable prices.
An easy circular walk for breathtaking views across the Mainland and the Needles. You can park on the side of Cliff Road in Totland. Purple heather covers the ground in spring; the remains of an old battery (Hatherwood) can be seen on the way.
8 locals recommend
Headon Warren
An easy circular walk for breathtaking views across the Mainland and the Needles. You can park on the side of Cliff Road in Totland. Purple heather covers the ground in spring; the remains of an old battery (Hatherwood) can be seen on the way.
Pleasant stroll on the pier and fascinating photos and accounts about the local men who saved many lives at sea around the Island in the years gone by. Free but donations welcome.
15 locals recommend
Bembridge Lifeboat Station
Lane End RoadPleasant stroll on the pier and fascinating photos and accounts about the local men who saved many lives at sea around the Island in the years gone by. Free but donations welcome.
Known as 'The Pepperpot', this tall medieval tower is a landmark on the Island. Nice views and only a short walk from the carpark opposite the access path. Free.
8 locals recommend
St. Catherine's Oratory
Blackgang RoadKnown as 'The Pepperpot', this tall medieval tower is a landmark on the Island. Nice views and only a short walk from the carpark opposite the access path. Free.
For a picnic in the grounds designed by Capability Brown; the 18th century mansion is now mostly a shell but retains some of its former splendour. Free.
23 locals recommend
Appuldurcombe House
For a picnic in the grounds designed by Capability Brown; the 18th century mansion is now mostly a shell but retains some of its former splendour. Free.
Food scene
For amazing vegan food and many gluten-free options, Tansy's Pantry is our favourite address on the Island. Book in advance as it can get very busy! The chocolate-box village of Godshill is well worth a wander - its thatched cottages and narrow streets feature on many postcards of the Island for good reason!
9 locals recommend
Tansy's Pantry
Church HollowFor amazing vegan food and many gluten-free options, Tansy's Pantry is our favourite address on the Island. Book in advance as it can get very busy! The chocolate-box village of Godshill is well worth a wander - its thatched cottages and narrow streets feature on many postcards of the Island for good reason!
A nice place for a hot choc and a piece of cake or a mezze lunch! Alternative milks are available for vegan diets. You could plan a stop from a visit to Freshwater Bay or a stroll up Tennyson Down (see separate entries).
32 locals recommend
Piano Cafe
Gate LaneA nice place for a hot choc and a piece of cake or a mezze lunch! Alternative milks are available for vegan diets. You could plan a stop from a visit to Freshwater Bay or a stroll up Tennyson Down (see separate entries).
Lots of flavours to choose from as well as dairy- and gluten-free options. Worth a stop whilst in Yarmouth and could be combined with a visit to Yarmouth Castle nearby.
Scoops Ice Cream Parlour
Wheatsheaf LaneLots of flavours to choose from as well as dairy- and gluten-free options. Worth a stop whilst in Yarmouth and could be combined with a visit to Yarmouth Castle nearby.
Selling delicious local ice creams (Minghella's, Calbourne Classics), with some dairy-free options, this is our favourite parlour to grab an ice cream, a smoothie or a milkshake before heading for a stroll on Cowes Promenade.
Bliss Ice Cream Parlour
12 Bath RdSelling delicious local ice creams (Minghella's, Calbourne Classics), with some dairy-free options, this is our favourite parlour to grab an ice cream, a smoothie or a milkshake before heading for a stroll on Cowes Promenade.
A family-run ice-cream parlour in Ventnor with lots of amazing flavours. Also caters for gluten- and dairy-free diets. There is often a queue up the pavement! On the other side of the road, there is limited free parking and a tiny square where you can sit and enjoy your ice cream.
13 locals recommend
Crave
5 Spring HillA family-run ice-cream parlour in Ventnor with lots of amazing flavours. Also caters for gluten- and dairy-free diets. There is often a queue up the pavement! On the other side of the road, there is limited free parking and a tiny square where you can sit and enjoy your ice cream.