Think a day trip to the Isle of Wight is just for summer? Think again, the Isle of Wight is open all year round and there’s plenty to see and do, even when you ditch the car and go footloose and car free.
Ryde – Travel by FastCat from Portsmouth to Ryde Pier Head
Morning: Find calm at Quarr
Standing tall just three miles outside of Ryde, Quarr Abbey is a stunning monastery open to the public and home to a small group of Benedictine monks. It’s one of the Isle of Wight’s most tranquil places, where visitors can admire the mesmerising architecture, learn about monastic life and sit peacefully in the Abbey Church.
If the weather’s on your side, the walk from Ryde Pier Head to the abbey is a great way to stretch your legs while taking in some fascinating sights along the way.
The route is mostly flat, and all the footpaths are away from the main road. Head out of town via Spencer Road, pick up Ladies Walk footpath and follow it round to Quarr Road before heading up to the abbey. You’ll pass Holy Cross Church, which dates back to the 11th Century, and the stone ruins of medieval Quarr Abbey that tease you as you approach your destination.
Too chilly to walk? No problem. Catch the number 9 bus from Ryde Esplanade to sit back and relax instead.
Lunch is served in the Quarr Abbey Tea Shop, which is next to a well-stocked farm shop selling seasonal produce and local delights – perfect for picking up a tasty souvenir to take home with you. Many of the products include homegrown delights from the Abbey’s own garden. Don’t leave before exploring the grounds and visiting the Abbey’s famous pigs!
Afternoon: Ryde town centre
Head back to Ryde, on the number 4 bus if needed, and spend the afternoon browsing the boutique shops and independent cafes in the town. Ryde is home to many talented artists and craftspeople who sell their jewellery, paintings, pottery, photos and homewares from the town, so have a browse and choose a treat for yourself or a stocking-filler for Christmas. Stop for a break at Chocolate Apothecary on the seafront for handmade chocolates and fresh coffee, or pop into Grace’s Bakery on the High Street for delicious cakes and bakes.
Evening: Wine and dine
As you wind down for the day, take your pick of seafront restaurants to enjoy an evening meal. The Duck restaurant is just behind the boating lake if you don’t have time to venture far, but if you fancy a longer walk, head a bit further to Seaview and dine at The Boathouse. The famously low tide at Appley Beach provides a beautiful backdrop to your walk, and the lights from Portsmouth give a calming glow across the Solent to complete your day trip on the Isle of Wight.
Yarmouth – Travel from Lymington as a foot passenger
Morning: Fort Victoria
Did you know, there’s an Isle of Wight Country Park less than two miles from the Yarmouth ferry terminal?
From the terminal, simply head right (west) and walk across the swing bridge past the harbour. The bridge and harbour are spectacles alone, and although you might miss seeing the bridge in action, you’ll certainly be entertained by the range of boats docked up. Keep an eye out for the RNLI’s largest class of lifeboat, the Severn class, which children love spotting.
Pick up the coastal path on your right when the road bends and continue along the sea wall until you reach Fort Victoria. The fort was built in the 1850s to help protect the Solent and is now a public park complete with a woodland walk and coastal views. You’ll find plenty of space for rock pooling and fossil hunting along the shore.
Head back into Yarmouth for lunch at one of the town’s many eateries. The Terrace offers fantastic views across the Solent, Gossips Café at the entrance to the pier serves a wide range of lunchtime options and Off the Rails, the old railway station is perfect for a touch of nostalgia.
Afternoon: Historic Yarmouth
Spend your afternoon exploring the history of Yarmouth. As the Isle of Wight’s oldest town, a casual wander around the town will offer you Yarmouth Castle (open until the end of October), the town hall and St James’s Church, all of which have their own tales to tell of Yarmouth’s heritage. Look for the information boards that help piece the story together, including the probable layout of the town’s defence walls that protected against battle in Medieval, Tudor and Stuart times.
There are plenty of cafes to enjoy a pit stop, such as PO41, which you can probably guess, used to be a post office or nip into the Deli for locally sourced snacks.
Evening: Dinner and drinks
Finish your day trip to the Isle of Wight with dinner and drinks at The King’s Head or The George. For something a little different, meat-eaters and seafood lovers will enjoy cooking their own food at their table at On the Rocks. With the town centre so close to the Wightlink ferry terminal, you’ll be spoilt for choice and your return ferry home will be just a few minutes away.
