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Ryde
The largest town on the Island, Ryde has fine Georgian and Victorian buildings, lively pubs and restaurants, seafront promenade, a marina, great nightlife and entertainment.
Ryde has six miles of glorious sandy beaches and shallow coastal waters which are ideal for swimming. The tides goes out a long way, leaving firm sand ideal for beach games. There is also a canoe lake, paddling pool and a swimming pool with retractable roof.
At nearly half a mile Ryde Pier is one of the oldest and longest piers in the country. A high speed passenger catamaran operates between Portsmouth and the pier head, where the railway line from Shanklin terminates, using 1930's London Underground rolling stock. There is also a connection with the IW Steam Railway at Smallbrook Junction near Ryde. Next to the pier is the hovercraft terminal with links to the mainland in less than 10 minutes.
The festival town of Ryde boasts the Island's oldest carnival in the U.K. Traditionally held at the end of the summer, it provides a fitting finale to the carnival season, when floats from all over the island converge on Ryde for the biggest, brightest spectacle of the year.
The broad seafront promenade runs alongside the Esplanade to Appley Gardens, where there is a children's play area and a pitch and putt course.
The sea wall promenade provides a popular walk, passing Appley Tower, the Victorian watchtower and continuing on to Puckpool Park, where you can enjoy refreshments, tennis, bowling and crazy golf in gardens adjoining the remains of a 19th century battery.
To the east of Ryde can be found the pretty coastal villages of Seaview, St Helens and Bembridge. Sailing is the main summer activity of Seaview and Bembridge, whilst St Helens has its Village Green, where sports and carnivals are held. The Island's only surviving windmill is at Bembridge, where it overlooks Brading marshes and the long distance footpath, the Bembridge Trail.
- In and around Cowes
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Separated by the River Medina and linked by a chain ferry, the Island's most northerly towns of Cowes and East Cowes are steeped in maritime heritage.
- In and around Newport
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The beautiful and historic town of Newport is situated in the centre of the Island and is its principal town, centre of commerce and most ...
- In and around Ryde
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The largest town on the Island, Ryde has fine Georgian and Victorian buildings, lively pubs and restaurants, seafront promenade, a marina, great nightlife and entertainment.
- In and around Bembridge, St Helens, Seaview
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Situated on the most easterly point of the Isle of Wight, lying beneath the headland of Culver is the village of Bembridge.
- In and around Brading
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Situated just a few miles inland from Bembridge, Brading is one of the oldest towns on the Island and steeped in history.
- In and around Sandown
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With its superb position on sweeping Sandown Bay, the sparkling resort of Sandown offers all the fun and excitement for everyone.
- In and around Shanklin
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A popular family resort, Shanklin offers all the traditional seaside treats of sandy beaches, restaurants and theatres together with the charming Old Village.
- In and around Godshill
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With its charming thatched-roofed cottages, delightful medieval church and a winding main street lined with tearooms, Godshill is the quintessential English Village.
- In and around Ventnor
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A Victorian town with a Mediterranean feel, Ventnor is one of the sunniest spots on the Island, thanks to its sheltered southerly aspect.
- In and around West Wight
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The West Wight has many Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty - rolling countryside forests, farms, picturesque villages, rugged cliffs and the famous Needles rocks.