With many people considering a UK staycation this year, the Isle of Wight is the perfect spot to unwind this summer, or even in autumn.

Famous for its beautiful beaches, scenic seafront promenades, pleasant weather, and a wide range of activities and attractions for all ages, it’s an ideal alternative to traveling abroad.

I spent a few days there recently and enjoyed it so much, I can’t wait to return!

Today, DOYOUSPEAKLONDON takes you through the highlights of the stunning Isle of Wight.

Exploring the Isle of Wight: a first look

Location

Nestled just off England’s south coast, the Isle of Wight is remarkably easy to reach, making it a perfect escape from London. Whether you drive to the ferry ports or take a train-and-ferry combination, the short crossing sets the tone for your stay!

The moment we stepped onto the island, we were eager to explore and make the most of every moment!

What makes the Isle of Wight so special

The Isle of Wight, England’s largest island with around 140,000 residents, has been a holiday destination since Victorian times. Known for its mild climate, stunning coast, and lush landscapes, it’s also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

With so many highlights to explore, we had to be selective during our 5-day stay. From the dramatic cliffs of The Needles and the charming town of Cowes to Osborne House, Carisbrooke Castle, and scenic coastal walks, we enjoyed a carefully chosen mix of the island’s best sights, and loved every moment of our busy itinerary!

The origins of the Isle of Wight’s name

Before diving into the Isle of Wight’s main attractions, my kids asked a great question upon arrival: why is it spelled “Wight” rather than “White”? A bit of research uncovered a few likely explanations for the island’s name:

1. Around 1900 BC, the Beaker people arrived and called the island “Wiht” (Weight), meaning “raised” or “what rises over the sea.”

2. By 400 BC, Iron Age Celts from the Continent referred to it as Wight, meaning “place of the division,” because it sits between the two arms of the Solent.

A glimpse into the Island’s history

The Isle of Wight has a rich history spanning thousands of years—from prehistoric settlements and Iron Age forts to Roman villas and Anglo-Saxon defenses. Carisbrooke Castle later held King Charles I, while the Victorian era brought seaside resorts and Queen Victoria’s Osborne House. In the 20th century, the island played a key role in World War II.

From ancient ruins to royal retreats, the Isle of Wight is a treasure trove of stories waiting to be explored!

Now that we’ve explored some of the island’s fascinating history, it’s time to dive into the stunning landscapes, charming towns, and unforgettable experiences that make the Isle of Wight so special!

The Isle of Wight selection of landmark attractions

Exploring The Needles

We stayed in the western part of the island, just 10 minutes from the Needles, an ideal location that let us enjoy the site without the crowds and soak in its natural beauty.

By the time we left, the scene was completely transformed by the influx of visitors!

The Needles is the name given to a row of three stacks of chalk that rise about 30m out of the sea off the western extremity of the Isle of Wight.

Thrill-seekers, don’t miss the chairlift ride from the top of Alum Bay cliffs down to the beach below, offering breathtaking views of the iconic Needles Rocks and Lighthouse!

If you’re still craving adrenaline, hop on a speedboat for a closer view of the lighthouse and Needles Rocks. It was absolutely sensational! We all had a blast!

Afterwards, we whiled away a couple of hours on the beach, soaking up the sun, listening to the waves, and savouring the fresh sea air. Pure bliss!

It turned out to be the most beautiful day of the week, and we couldn’t help feeling incredibly lucky to be there!

Hiking on the Isle of Wight

Let’s be clear: the Isle of Wight is an absolute paradise for walkers!

More than half of the island is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which basically means that you’ll see breath-taking scenery everywhere you look!

Whether you’re after a brief excursion with your family or a more challenging walk, the Isle of Wight has something to offer!

We tailored our walks to fit our schedule, and on most days, we managed to spend a couple of hours strolling through and soaking in the island’s stunning landscapes!

The Coastal Path, divided into six sections, offers the chance to explore the island with your eyes constantly drawn to the sparkling sea. Doesn’t that sound like the perfect holiday?

Visiting the Isle of Wight’s villages & towns

The Isle of Wight is home to several charming towns, each with its own unique character and appeal.

Yarmouth was the first village we visited, thanks to its close proximity to our accommodation. We fell in love with its quaint streets, picturesque harbour, and delightful shops and pubs.

Godshill was another beautiful (hough busier) village, full of charming thatched cottages, quaint shops, and tempting restaurants. Don’t make the same mistake we did: without a reservation, we couldn’t get a table anywhere and ended up enjoying a picnic on the beach instead!

If you have time to explore further, Godshill is also famous for its charming model village and its local cider company.

Shanklin, on the island’s southeastern coast, is one of the Isle of Wight’s most popular holiday hotspots.

In Shanklin, we didn’t quite feel the same charm as in other towns, except for the picturesque Old Village, lined with thatched-roof pubs and restaurants, but we loved exploring Shanklin Chine and soaking up the beauty of the beach.

We only passed through Ventnor, with its lovely beachfront promenade, famous Botanic Garden, and charming shops I’d love to explore, but that’s all on the list for our next Isle of Wight adventure!

Sandown, Cowes and East Cowes, Newport and Bembridge are also worthy of interest but we did not have the time to explore these towns either. I will obviously update this post next time I stay on the island…

Soaking in the sun on the beautiful beaches

t might seem obvious, but you have to spend time on the beach while visiting the Isle of Wight! With such a wide range of stunning beaches, some pure sand, others pebbly or a mix, it can be hard to choose!

Each has its own unique charm, and you definitely won’t regret spending a few hours basking in the sun and enjoying the scenery.

After our perfect day at the Needles (above), our expectations were quite high but the island was full of surprises!

With the weather still glorious, we had an amazing time exploring and relaxing at Freshwater Bay.

One day, while hiking the coastal path above Yaverland Beach, we were completely blown away by its untamed, breathtaking beauty.

Compton Bay, reachable via steps from three National Trust car parks, wowed us with its stunning pebbles and breathtaking views (despite the blustery winds that afternoon).

The west end of Shanklin Beach, with its pretty beach huts, is to put on your list of the best beaches on the Isle of Wight too.

On our way back to the Red Jet ferry terminal in Cowes, we spent a couple of hours on Gurnard beach. Renowned for its curving bay with a sand and shingle beach, the lovely huts, and its beautiful sunsets, you will definitely want to linger there watching the sea and taking in the atmosphere.

Enjoying great food on the Isle of Wight

There are different options, whether you’re looking for a simple lunch, a great food experience, or a great venue with a view. Here are 3 places I highly recommend.

Tapnell Farm, Yarmouth

Tapnell Farm is a delight for families, with a farm-themed amusement park, petting zoo, go-karts, sledge slides, and play areas. We didn’t try the rides this time, but enjoyed a lovely meal at their restaurant. Perfect, especially since all nearby pubs were fully booked!

We enjoyed simple yet tasty meals and the kids had fun with the cows outside. You can plan to stay there for the whole day given the wide range of exciting activities available there.

The Terrace, Yarmouth

This is THE restaurant to book in advance if you fancy fine cuisine: The Terrace, a harbour-side restaurant in Yarmouth.

Every bite was delicious, and the staff were friendly and attentive. For us, it’s hands down the best spot we’ve discovered on the island so far!

The blacksmiths, Newport

Another great place for food and scenery: The Blacksmiths pub & restaurant.

Well-loved by locals, this pub sits in the heart of the Isle of Wight and boasts stunning panoramic views of the open countryside. A reliable choice for a great meal!

Discovering a few attractions on the Isle of Wight

Here again, the Isle of Wight offers so many opportunities you will have to make your own choices. Ours were guided by our children and the availabilities on the week we visited the island.

The Wildheart Sanctuary, Sandown

Formerly known as the Isle of Wight Zoo, this sanctuary is set within the historic Sandown Fort along Sandown’s scenic coastline.

The sanctuary focuses mainly on big cats and Madagascan animals, some animals having been rescued from abusive treatments in their previous environments.

It was a small but fascinating place, with staff giving regular talks about the various species. We loved our visit and highly recommend it for families!

Donkey sanctuary, Ventnor

Another wonderful sanctuary is a haven for rescued donkeys and ponies, where visitors, especially kids, can get up close and meet the friendly animals.

The sanctuary is free to visit, though donations are welcome. We enjoyed a short tour, got to pet a few animals, and found the staff warm, friendly, and passionate. Perfect for learning all about donkeys and ponies!

Osborne, East Cowes

Osborne House was the grand holiday home of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Today, visitors can explore the ground-floor state rooms, once used to entertain royalty and heads of state. There’s so much to see that you’ll feel fully immersed in the queen’s daily life!

If you prefer nature over history, take a leisurely stroll through the garden terraces and soak in the stunning views.

When we visited Osborne, we were delighted to find interactive Victorian-era activities, including ball games, skill challenges, a puppet theatre, and a speaker sharing fascinating facts about life in that era.

It was both fun and fascinating, and we all enjoyed this interactive part of the visit more than wandering through the palace with minimal explanations. I’d highly recommend checking the website for planned events before you go.

As you can see, it’s easy to fill your days with plenty to see and do on the Isle of Wight! There are even more attractions and activities to choose from, so you can tailor your visit to suit your interests.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this post and found inspiration here. If you are planning to travel to the Isle of Wight soon, please share your experience and opinion on DOYOUSPEAKLONDON’s blog!

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To go further:
Isle of Wight Coastal path website
Osborne website
The donkey sanctuary website
The Wildheart Sanctuary website
The Blacksmiths website
The Terrace website
Tapnell Farm website
Shanklin Chine website
The Needles website

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See my other recommendations for England getaways here.