With chalky white towering stacks stretching out into the English Channel, secluded sandy beaches lapped with clear water and looked over from timeless villages, the Isle of Wight is postcard perfect. As soon as you hop off your Solent ferry crossing from the mainland, you see why. Top places to visit on the Isle of Wight include Osbourne House, The Needles, Shanklin Theatre and Ventnor Botanic Gardens.
Places to visit on the Isle of Wight
7 things to do on the Isle of Wight this summer
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Enjoy an action-packed weekend on the beautiful Isle of Wight with these must-do summer activities for all the family.
Visit the Diamond Isle
Enjoy a 10 min trip on the Needles Park Chairlift and go dinosaur hunting.
Location: Isle of Wight
Kayak around The Needles rocks and lighthouse
How would you like to get up close and personal with one of the Isle of Wight’s most iconic landmarks?
Location: Freshwater, Isle of Wight
See an Island from the air
Enjoy the view that most visitors to the Isle of Wight miss every year by seeing it from the skies on a paragliding trip.
Location: Yarmouth, Isle of Wight
Enjoy a picnic in the woods that’s by the sea and a fort
Fort Victoria Country Park is a walk and picnic spot with visitor attractions, woods, and a beach thrown in.
Location: Yarmouth, Isle of Wight
Take a bargain break with all the trimmings at Totland
On the west coast of the Isle of Wight, YHA Totland has the beach, heaps of countryside walks and great local attractions on its doorstep.
Location: Totland, Isle of Wight
Go walking with dinosaurs
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to walk alongside the dinosaurs that once roamed the earth? Well now you can…
Location: Sandown, Isle of Wight
July events: Discover local art at Open Studios Isle of Wight
It’s a rare opportunity to be invited into an artist’s creative space, but in the Isle of Wight, they’re happy to fling open their doors every July for you to come and take a look.
Location: Newport, Isle of Wight
Get lost in Blackgang Chine’s world of imagination
Lose yourself in the Land of Imagination at Blackgang Chine…the UK’s oldest amusement park where you step out of the everyday and into a magical world where the only constraint is your own creativity.
Location: Blackgang, Isle of Wight
Discover dinosaur footprints on the beach
Everyone who has been to the beach has seen footprints left in the sand, but have you ever seen ones that have been left by a dinosaur?
Location: Brook, Isle of Wight
Soak up the sun on a royal beach
Osborne House in the Isle of Wight was Queen Victoria's holiday home for many years. Pay a visit to this pretty spot to get a glimpse into her family getaways and even see her private beach!
Location: East Cowes, Isle of Wight
Holiday in a treehouse
If you are looking for an adventurous escape with no compromise in comfort then it’s time you took to the trees.
Location: Wootton, Isle of Wight
Take an inspiring trip through Shanklin Chine
This leafy gorge on the Isle of Wight is lined with rare plants, wildlife and waterfalls, making for a magical walk day or night.
Location: Shanklin, Isle of Wight
Lose yourself in England’s hottest garden
Experience the Isle of Wight’s incredible microclimate firsthand at the exotic Ventnor Botanic Gardens.
Location: Ventnor, Isle of Wight
Trip-trap along the Red Squirrel Trail
This family-friendly cycle and walking path encompasses an exciting trail of artwork, sculpture and trolls under bridges.
Location: Newport, Isle of Wight
See global superstars at the Isle of Wight Festival
See some of the biggest names in the business from the past, present and future at this legendary music festival in June.
Location: Newport, Isle of Wight
July events: Enjoy music from around the globe at Rhythmtree Festival
Rhythmtree Festival on the Isle of Wight offers hippy food and happy faces, along with top global music stars for festival-goers of all ages.
Location: Shalfleet, Isle of Wight
Bask in the traditional charm of Shanklin Seafront
Shanklin Seafront is one of the Isle of Wight's most popular seaside resorts, with loads to keep the kids quiet and plenty of places for adults to take it easy.
Location: Shanklin, Isle of Wight
Vintage escapes on the Isle of Wight
Spend the weekend in a traditional 1960's bungalow, vintage caravan or other relic.
Location: Isle of Wight
Visit the remains of the grandest house on the Isle of Wight
Take a trip round Appuldurcombe House which was bombed during the Second World War.
Location: Wroxall, Isle of Wight
Explore the former holiday home of Queen Victoria
Spend a summer’s day strolling through the Italianate gardens and exploring the stunning rooms of Osborne House.
Location: Isle of Wight
Embark on a beginners cycle tour on The Red Squirrel Trail
Looking for your first car free, overnight cycle tour on a beginner’s route? The Red Squirrel Trail is the perfect multi day family cycle adventure, and is mostly on car free rail trail.
Location: Isle Of Wight
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