Villages

A charming village in the heart of the Isle of Wight

Nestled in the picturesque Arreton Valley, Arreton is a captivating village that offers visitors a taste of rural Isle of Wight life. Surrounded by rolling countryside, this historic area has been a centre for agriculture for hundreds of years, making it a must-visit for those who love scenic landscapes and heritage sites. Visitors approaching from the south are greeted by the historic Haseley Manor, while the iconic Arreton Manor, located under the downs, showcases the village’s rich history. At the heart of Arreton lies its 12th-century Norman church and a charming village pond, offering a glimpse into the village’s centuries-old heritage. Arreton Barns, the largest arts and crafts centre on the Isle of Wight, is a highlight for visitors. Home to many of the Island’s finest artisans and artists, the Barns is perfect for browsing unique handmade gifts and local artwork. The venue is visitor-friendly, with ample free parking and an on-site pub, The Dairyman’s Daughter, where guests can enjoy a traditional meal or a refreshing drink. Food lovers will also enjoy Harvey Browns Farm Shop (formerly Farmer Jack’s), offering some of the Island’s finest local produce. For a traditional pub experience, Arreton boasts two welcoming pubs, including The White Lion, ideal for sampling local ales and soaking up the village atmosphere. Whether you’re exploring historic manors, browsing local crafts, or enjoying the natural beauty of the Arreton Valley, this charming Isle of Wight village offers something for everyone.

An eastern gem of the Isle of Wight

Situated at the easternmost point of the Isle of Wight, Bembridge is a charming coastal village renowned for its sailing culture, stunning beaches, and vibrant local community. Popular with dinghy sailors, Bembridge boasts an active yacht and sailing club scene, making it a hub for both visitors and locals who love life on the water. The village’s beaches are a year-round attraction. From beachcombing, crabbing, and exploring rock pools to swimming and sunbathing during the summer months, Bembridge’s coastline offers something for everyone. Its small but bustling harbour is always filled with pleasure craft, fishing boats, and houseboats, providing a picturesque maritime backdrop. Bembridge village centre is home to a variety of independent shops, offering everyday essentials and unique local goods. True to its coastal location, the village also boasts a wide selection of pubs and restaurants, perfect for sampling fresh seafood or enjoying a relaxing meal with views of the water. History buffs and heritage enthusiasts will enjoy visiting the last remaining Isle of Wight windmill, dating from 1700 and managed by the National Trust. Another highlight is the RNLI Station at Lane End, which operates both offshore and inshore lifeboats and is open for free guided tours during the summer months, offering a fascinating insight into life-saving operations at sea. Whether you’re a sailing enthusiast, a beach lover, or simply looking to explore one of the Isle of Wight’s most picturesque villages, Bembridge combines natural beauty, history, and a lively coastal atmosphere.

A historic village on the Isle of Wight

Located conveniently between Newport and Ryde, Binstead is a small village with a rich history dating back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it was recorded as “Benestede”. Historically renowned for the quality of its limestone, remnants of this ancient quarrying industry can still be seen in the village’s landscape and even in local place names. Nearby Quarr Abbey, a working monastery, owes its name to the historic quarries in the area. Visitors can explore the abbey grounds and purchase fresh, locally-grown produce from the onsite farm shop, managed by the resident monks. The abbey provides a peaceful retreat, perfect for history enthusiasts and those seeking a quiet connection with the Island’s heritage. Binstead is also a great starting point for picturesque walks, whether heading into the surrounding countryside or along the north-east coast of the Isle of Wight, offering stunning coastal views and opportunities for wildlife spotting.

A picturesque parish on the Isle of Wight

The parish of Brighstone encompasses the charming villages of Brighstone, Brook, Hulverstone, Mottistone, and Limerstone, offering visitors a diverse mix of history, culture, and natural beauty. Nestled between the south-west facing coast of the Isle of Wight and the chalk downland to the north, Brighstone provides a stunning backdrop for walkers, cyclists, and anyone seeking a tranquil escape. The entire parish lies within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with its coastline recognised as both a heritage coast and a site of special scientific interest. Brighstone is particularly famous among fossil enthusiasts for the numerous dinosaur finds in the eroding cliffs, making it a must-visit for families and history lovers alike. At the heart of the parish, the village of Brighstone itself is protected as a conservation area, preserving its historic charm. Visitors will discover a wealth of heritage, with 85 listed buildings and structures scattered throughout the parish, including traditional cottages, historic churches, and quaint village features that reflect centuries of Island life. Whether exploring the rugged coastline, strolling through scenic countryside, or delving into the parish’s rich history, Brighstone offers a peaceful and picturesque retreat for every visitor. Its combination of natural beauty and heritage makes it a standout destination on the Isle of Wight.

Hidden gems in the West Wight

Nestled on the south-west coast of the Isle of Wight, the villages of Brook and Hulverstone are part of the scenic Brighstone parish, offering visitors a peaceful escape with a mix of natural beauty and heritage. Both villages are surrounded by chalk downland and stunning coastline, providing excellent opportunities for walking, wildlife spotting, and soaking up the Island’s tranquil atmosphere. Brook is best known for its dog-friendly beach, open all year round, which is popular for fossil hunting, kite surfing, and relaxing by the sea. A small chine leads from the village green down to the bay, creating a picturesque setting for a coastal stroll. While the village has no public toilets or shops, Chessell Café is located on the outskirts of Brook and makes a delightful stop during a day on the West Wight. Just a short distance inland, Hulverstone is technically a hamlet, home to only a few houses, but it packs a lot of character. The village is best known for its historic 400-year-old pub, The Sun Inn, a traditional country pub popular with both locals and visitors. It’s a welcoming spot to enjoy a meal, a drink, and the relaxed West Wight atmosphere. Both villages lie within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with the nearby coastline designated as a heritage coast and site of special scientific interest. The cliffs and shoreline around Brook are famous for dinosaur fossils, attracting families, fossil enthusiasts, and nature lovers from across the Island.

A tranquil village in the West Wight

Nestled in the picturesque West Wight, Calbourne is a tranquil village that offers visitors a blend of rich history, natural beauty, and traditional countryside charm. Located approximately 5 miles from Newport, Calbourne is part of the civil parish encompassing Newtown and Porchfield, each with its unique character and attractions. At the heart of Calbourne stands Westover House, a historic manor once owned by a relative of the renowned poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning. This connection adds a literary dimension to the village's heritage. The village is also home to All Saints' Church, established in 826 CE, featuring a brass portrait of an armoured knight believed to be William Montacure, a 14th-century Earl of Salisbury. One of Calbourne's most photographed spots is Winkle Street, a charming row of traditional cottages alongside the Caule Bourne stream. Originally named Barrington Row, this picturesque setting is a favourite among photographers and visitors seeking a quintessential English village scene. Dating back to the Domesday Book of 1086, Calbourne Water Mill is one of the oldest working water mills in the country. Set in 20 acres of stunning rural landscape, the Water Mill offers visitors a chance to explore its rich history, enjoy something to eat and drink in the 17th-century converted barn café, and wander through the beautiful gardens. Just a short distance from Calbourne lies Newtown, a hamlet that was once a thriving medieval borough. Today, it is home to a National Nature Reserve managed by the National Trust. To the north, Porchfield offers a peaceful countryside retreat with scenic walks and a glimpse into rural Island life. The village is also home to Swainston Manor, a historic site dating back to 735 CE, featuring a 12th-century chapel and 32 acres of grounds.

To the west of Newport, you'll find the village of Carisbrooke, with the famous Carisbrooke Castle towering above it. The village features a lovely pond that gets its water from the brook, along with a few old fords that cross it. You'll also come across some pubs, restaurants, shops, a doctor's surgery and a medieval parish church. This village serves as the gateway to the west of the Island. When it comes to local history, Carisbrooke Castle is definitely a standout. The castle's history dates back to around AD 1000. It was raided by both the Spanish and the French, and its most notable resident was King Charles I, who was held captive here during the Civil War from 1647 to 1648, before his execution in 1649.

Situated on the south coast of the Isle of Wight, Chale is a small community. The parish stretches from the picturesque Military Road and the crumbling chalk and clay cliffs between Blackgang and Whale Chines, inland along a sheltered central valley to Chale Green in the north. The long boundary with the sea offers stunning views across the West Wight. Sandstone and chalk ridges in the east give way to the edge of the Atherfield plain in the west. The unspoilt rural character is a gem of the Isle of Wight landscape. It is classified as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), a heritage coast and a site of special scientific interest. The Clarendon Hotel, now The Wight Mouse Inn, was a haunt of European royalty. In 1870, quiet Chale Green had a wheelwright, carpenter, sweep and grocer.

Known predominantly for being the ferry terminal for Wightlink Ferries crossing to Portsmouth. Fishbourne is a small village in the north-east of the Isle of Wight. As you disembark from the ferry, you can grab something to eat at The Fishbourne. A pretty little pub with a courtyard, perfect for watching the ferry come in on warmer days. If you take a walk along the coastal path and go east, you will find yourself in the busy town of Ryde. Head west towards Quarr Abbey. A fully working Benedictine Monastery, you can wander the grounds, see cute piglets, and explore the church. You can then refuel at the on-site tea room, where they serve dishes made from local produce, including much that is grown onsite by the monks.

In the stunning scenery of the West Wight, Freshwater has the air of a town, but in fact holds the status of a village. Home to the popular Freshwater Bay with its sandy, family-friendly beach. It’s an Instagram icon with the famous Mermaid rock being grid-worthy for many. Freshwater is home to an 18 hole golf course, and players can enjoy some of the best views on the Isle of Wight. There are also plenty of shops, a sports centre and a range of hotels dotted through this pretty village. The countryside and coastline at Freshwater have historically been of inspiration for a number of famous former residents. They include Alfred Lord Tennyson, whose former home is now the luxury Farringford Estate. As well as the pioneering Victorian photographer, Julia Margaret Cameron, whose former home at Dimbola Lodge is now a gallery displaying her work.

The church at Godshill sits upon a small hill, and as the village name implies, it can be seen for miles around. A local legend tells of a time when the church was being built on a site at the bottom of the hill. Each morning, the villagers found the masonry moved miraculously up to the top. This, to them, was a clear sign of divine intervention that the church should be built on top of the hill. The church, flanked by beautiful thatched cottages, is an image that has adorned many a chocolate box, shortcake tin and jigsaw puzzle over the years. Below the church, there is another lovely collection of thatched cottages. As well as various tearooms, pubs and shops. These include The Old Smithy and the well-known Godshill Model Village attraction, which is well worth a visit.

Gurnard is a small, pretty village and is a particularly good location to watch liners and large ships entering Southampton Water. In addition, there is a popular sailing club which regularly meets and races. The beach at Gurnard is predominantly pebbles. It is an excellent vantage point with good views and is a great place to catch the sun as it sets beyond the beach huts. There is a café and a pub, plus public toilets all easily accessible from here.

Havenstreet is known as the home of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, a living, breathing piece of Island history. You can ride the train from here to Wootton and back, then to Smallbrook again and back. Plus, there's an interactive museum, café, shop and Havenstreet hosts many events throughout the year. Within the grounds of the station is Haven Falconry Bird of Prey Centre, who also perform daily displays at the Railway. There is a large WWI shrine in the village built in 1917 by a local landowner, John Willis Fleming, to honour the memory of his son, as well as all the other soldiers from the village and the surrounding area.

Lake is a large village and civil parish nestled between Sandown and Shanklin. It's just six miles away from the Island's county town of Newport, and around 1 1⁄2 miles from the small hamlet of Apse Heath. The village has two schools, several pubs, shops, restaurants, and two supermarkets. You can find the Sandown & Shanklin Golf Course and Rugby Club close by. The area also has two parks, with one bordering the cliffs that lead down to the beach, which stretches between Lake and Shanklin.

Located between Sandown and Newport in the southeast of the Island. This village's name relates to the new church that was built in 1087 by the Norman monks of Lyra. The parish of Newchurch was for many centuries one of the largest on the Isle of Wight. Stretching from the north to the south coast, by the early 19th Century, the growing resort towns of Ventnor and Ryde were still included within its boundaries. The present-day parish is far smaller and includes Apse Heath, Winford, Whiteley Bank, and Alverstone. Not just a drive through, there are many reasons to visit Newchurch. Not least the famous Garlic Farm in nearby Mersley, Amazon World. As well as Thompson Garden Centre (bursting with summer plants and Christmas decorations depending on the time of year), to name a few.

This quaint village near Ventnor on the Isle of Wight is home to several churches, a pottery workshop, local shops and a couple of amazing local pubs. Niton is famous for its smuggling history. You can still wander through the tunnels that were once used by pirates shifting booty across the Island. The lower part of the village, below the cliff, is known as the ‘Undercliff’. This was a small fishing hamlet in the 19th Century. Niton includes the most southerly point of the Isle of Wight, St Catherine’s Point and St Catherine’s Lighthouse. Which is the perfect vantage point for watching the famous Round the Island Race.

Rookley is a small village located between Godshill and Newport. There are lots of local amenities all within the village, including a mini co-op (stocked with all the essentials) and a car garage. Just a short walk along the road and you will come to The Chequers Inn pub. A large country inn that is extremely family-friendly with both indoor and outdoor play areas. As you leave the village towards Godshill, there is The Lakes Rookley, a large holiday accommodation complex, a perfect place to stay while on the Isle of Wight. For fresh produce, there is also a farm shop just outside of Godshill serving locally grown vegetables as well as locally reared meats and other wonderful Island produce.

Neighbours, Seaview and St Helens are pretty coastal villages just a short while away from Ryde. Much of the village surrounds the large green (said to be one of the largest village greens in the UK). A regular hot spot for many local sporting events, including football and cricket. It's also a wonderful spot to enjoy a picnic and watch the world go by. Wander to the Duver, a beach maintained by the National Trust, it’s a pretty hideaway with quaint beach huts and a cafe. Seaview can be described as a quintessential-looking fishing village, with small boats lining the shore. It also has a reputation for being an ‘upmarket’ area of the Island. The main high street through the village is fairly steep, but it is dotted with cafés, eateries and of course a pub. There is also the renowned Seaview Hotel, which offers stunning accommodation as well as a quality restaurant and bar.

The shallow stream that gives this village the name Shalfleet passes through on its way to Newtown Creek, where you can check out the Newtown National Nature Reserve and the Old Town Hall. The village has a local shop which is open daily and stocks newspapers, fresh bread and a range of groceries. The village of Newbridge in the civil parish of Shalfleet has a rich history of agriculture, Methodism, milling and quarrying. Wellow, within Shalfleet parish, is home to West Wight Alpacas and Llamas, an Island attraction where visitors can wander the farm, visit the onsite café or go for a walk with an alpaca or llama.

A charming, traditional seaside town, Shanklin is a destination that has something for everyone. The golden sandy beach lends itself to lazy family days playing in the sea or relaxing on the sand with a book. For those who are looking for ‘something to do’, head to the traditional amusement arcades, play a round of mini-golf or have a go at kayaking.  To refuel, there are many independent, local cafes, pubs and restaurants to choose from.  Venture into the ‘Old Village’ for chocolate-box thatched tea rooms serving tasty scones, cakes and retro sweet shops. You'll also find the famous Shanklin Chine, a gorge with rare plants and a pretty 45-foot waterfall. In the heart of Shanklin, you will find Shanklin Theatre, where you can catch a show or a concert as part of your holiday entertainment. Part of the town of Shanklin is still known as the Old Village and consists mainly of stone-built cottages and houses. Many still have thatched roofs, which give the Old Village a picture-book charm. It sits alongside the beautiful Rylstone Gardens and the Island’s most historic attraction, Shanklin Chine. Both these attractions have been on visitors' must-see places to visit on the Isle of Wight since Victorian times. You can enjoy tearooms, pubs, gift shops and cafes before taking a walk down to the Esplanade or along the headland towards Luccombe. Save your legs when moving from the Old Village to the esplanade by taking a trip down the Cliff Lift. The sister resort to Sandown, these two seaside towns share the same sandy beach with the red cliffs of Luccombe. These create a dramatic backdrop at the southernmost point of Sandown Bay.

One of Queen Victoria’s favourite places on the Isle of Wight, Shorwell has developed around St Peter’s church and three historic manor houses. St Peter’s was remodelled in 1440 with a tower and a mural showing scenes from the life of St Christopher. The oldest of the three manors, Westcourt, dates back to about 1500. Grade I listed Wolverton was started in the late 16th century. Northcourt, built in 1615, has the freshwater spring, the Shorwell, within its grounds. There are more than 20 houses and cottages in the parish that are Grade II listed and of historic interest. Wandering around the wooded area could not be easier, and getting to one side of the busy road by crossing the pretty Shorwell Shute footbridge. Visitors can also enjoy a pub lunch at the village's Crown Inn.

Totland and Colwell are the most westerly parishes on the Isle of Wight and include the world-famous Needles rocks and the colourful sands of Alum Bay. The beaches at Totland Bay and Colwell Bay are excellent and perfect for family days out. The surrounding area is popular with walkers, birdwatchers and anyone who enjoys peace and quiet. The village has wonderful local amenities, including a chemist, general store, post office and various other shops. Visitors can stay at one of the hotels, guest houses and camp sites in this picturesque part of the Island.  In 1870, the Totland Bay Estate Company had ambitious plans to turn the fishing hamlet into a new seaside resort with a new road to Colwell and Yarmouth, and a selection of red-brick villas. The towers and gables of the Victorian residences remain a feature today. Turf Walk offers a gentle stroll by Scots pine, sycamore and willow at the start of the climb up to Headon Warren. The summit is heathland with sea buckthorn and yellow furze in summer. There is a Bronze Age burial mound from about 1500 BCE.

Sitting to the south of the Isle of Wight, Whitwell is around three miles from Ventnor and just a few minutes from the neighbouring villages of Godshill and Niton. The village’s small size means there’s a very close-knit community. The village has a range of amenities including a garage, the 700 year old church and the Isle of Wight’s oldest pub. The pub dates back to the 15th Century and today serves excellent home-cooked food and a range of real ales and fine wines. Whitwell takes its name from the ‘White Well’ that’s in the village. This well was historically visited by many during medieval times on pilgrimages. In more recent times, the village dresses the well annually each summer.

Wootton Creek has been used as a waterway and port for many, many years. The Romans landed cargo here, and monks from nearby Quarr Abbey had a fishery at the mouth. The group of houses clustered around The Sloop Inn, known for its stonebaked pizzas, are the oldest in the village. They are thought to be over 250 years old. Wootton is a very popular haunt for leisure yachtsmen. The village has a number of local shops and a scattering of pubs. As well as this, the village is a stop on the line of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, a perfectly preserved railway which is one of the Island’s most popular visitor attractions.

Wroxall is a small village just outside Ventnor. Set amongst rolling countryside, it has many wonderful walks around the area. The village has a primary school and a local shop as well as a church. It is a popular village for retirement due to its quiet location. The village has a pub, Smokin' Jack's (formerly The Star Inn), which, under current management, has an American dining-themed experience. Just outside of the village is the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary, which is a local charity that rehomes mistreated or retired donkeys. You can also visit the remains of the large manor house, Appuldurcombe, while you are here. Once home to the Worsley family, the property boasts a rich history and is no stranger to a few ghost stories.