Photos by ISLEOFWIGHT.COM : on the map, in Google Earth (KML)

Sorry but this is not Seagrove Bay. It's Woodside Beach to the North of and adjacent to Seagrove Bay.

To the southwest of Newport is Carisbrooke, a pretty village with several good pubs and of course, Carisbrooke Castle. Charles I was held prisoner her before being taken to London for his execution. The castle is open to the public and is well worth a trip.

About Cowes

Cowes is the yachting centre of not only The Island, but also arguably the world. It is most famous for Cowes Week, which usually takes place in the early part of August.

A visit to Cowes is a must, not only to appreciate the colours of all the spinnakers of the competing yachts, but also to take in the electric atmosphere of the evening, crewmembers relaxing and discussing the day’s events and how they faired. There is a good range of pubs and reputedly, Cowes has more per square mile than any other town in the UK.

Cowes has narrow streets and a wealth of chandleries, unique shops and eating venues, which cater for every need. The sea is never far away, and a walk through a narrow alley will take you to the marina, where you can stand and admire the cruisers and yachts which help to make Cowes what it is.

Queen Victoria used to holiday here with her family and when her husband Prince Albert died, she made the Island her main home. Osborne House is now owned by English Heritage, given to the State by Edward VII. Standing in an elevated position, surveying its grounds, the Solent and southern coast of the mainland, Osborne gives an insight into the opulent lifestyle of perhaps the country’s greatest Monarch.

East Cowes has long been established as one of the major industrial areas of the Island. It was the home of British Hovercraft for many years and the large sliding factory doors on the shore, painted with the Union Jack, adorn postcards and are often one of the first major landmarks visitors see. Westland’s, who now own the site, have digressed into other fields and much of the former shoreline which was used for ship building and industry is being re-developed with marina facilities and luxury properties. East Cowes is fast re-generating itself from an industrial area into a major yachting facility.

About Bembridge

Bembridge is located almost at the eastern most point of The Island. From here there are shallow beaches, which offer safe bathing and hours of time beach-combing and crabbing for the kids. The Village is somewhat detached from the rest of The Island, which adds to its charm. Noted as perhaps one of the most upmarket areas, Bembridge offers a surprisingly busy little harbour, which is always well stocked with pleasure craft and fishing boats, providing a constant flow of traffic as they “come and go” to The Solent. The harbour has individual house boats on it's southern shore and you can even get afternoon tea or B & B in some of them.

The village centre has a good range of small shops, which offer an excellent range of everyday goods. They are arranged in 2 main shopping areas, the first being the top of Lane End Road and the other being The High Street. As you would expect from an area close to the sea and yachting facilities, there are an excellent range of pubs and restaurants. Accommodation in the area, which is predominantly residential, is at coastal holiday resorts, which provide everything, to large campsites and park resorts. Each one is never very far away from a safe beach or bay and the coastal walks which wind along cliffs are a great attraction for those tourists who enjoy walking.

Bembridge has a small airport to the west of the town centre, on the way towards Sandown. Here the Famous “Islander” aircraft, which many Police Forces use as a spotter plane is built. From the top of Bembridge Down, you can spend the day overlooking the airport, with its small pleasure craft coming and going. Behind this you will look out to Bembridge and St. Helens with The Solent and Mainland beyond. The shipping channel is always busy and you will be able to watch container ships, coasters and liners pass by and then round The Nab Tower as they head off into The English Channel.

Bembridge, like Seaview, Cowes and Yarmouth is an area often visited by celebrities, who either live in the area or have the benefit of a holiday home. When you visit the area, you too will see why Bembridge has proved so popular with so many people.

About Bonchurch

The village of Bonchurch nestles between Shanklin and Ventnor and is truly worth a visit to appreciate the quaint cottages, large imposing Victorian Mansions and the village pond.

Built on the side of St.Boniface down, leading down to the sea, Bonchurch will remind you of the sort of holiday of yester year. The seafront has a safe shingle and sand beach, surrounded by rocks, which the kids will love to climb over, hunting for crabs and small fish. For the parents, there are several cafes, which look out to sea and serve a variety of local seafood specialities. From the shore you can take the level walk along the revetment towards Ventnor. Here you will pass tiny fisherman's cottages, Wheelers Bay and end up at Ventnor harbour.

Another feature of the village is the pond. This large pond is stocked with huge carp, which rise from the deep when visitors throw them bread. There are also ducks and beautifully trees and shrubs and its pleasant to while away an hour just taking in the scenery.

Bonchurch, like Ventnor, was constructed predominantly through the Victorian years for the wealthy gentry, who holidayed in the area, taking in the notably milder climate, which is protected by the stunning backdrop of St. Boniface Down, the Island's highest point. To the west there is a superb walk through “The Landslip”, a coastal woodland, perched on top of the cliffs, which has been modelled by Landslips and erosion. Sheltered by ancient oaks, this walk is a must, you can walk through the deep stone gorge called the Devil's Chimney and then once at the top reward yourself with a cream tea.

A visit to Bonchurch is a must for people who appreciate the quiet life. The views, seafront and atmosphere.

About Yarmouth

Yarmouth is located on the western side of the Island and the town has grown up as a result of its natural harbour, which is guarded by Yarmouth Castle, a fortification built to protect the Solent from invading forces by Henry VIII in 1547. The Harbour attracts many yachts and motor cruisers which take advantage of the estuary afforded by the River Yar.

This is a bustling town which has an active community all year round. Wightlink Ferries dock here from Lymington, the crossing taking just half an hour. It is the boats and yachts, however, which attract much of the business and custom. The square has a varied range of shops and delightful eating establishments and if you have not been to Yarmouth before, but feel it looks familiar, it is because much of the TV series “Rocket to the Moon” was filmed here.

From Yarmouth you can pick up a boat which will take you fishing in the Solent or perhaps off the Needles. There are also walks along the promenade and the former railway track, called “The Causeway”, which provides a delightful walk through trees and along the banks of the Yar. This will take you towards Freshwater and while you are walking you might see one of the Islands red squirrels, a fox or many species of birds.

The Pier at Yarmouth is also a great place to go fishing. Trips leave from there for various destinations, and in the later summer months, the Waverley, an old paddle steamer, collects people for a round trip of the Island. If you think the Island is beautiful now, wait ‘til you’ve seen it from the sea.

Yarmouth has several good holiday centres which cater for families and one that is adults only. There are also touring and camping sites, guest houses and hotels. In fact, some of the more upmarket hotels are located around the Yarmouth area.

About Newport

Newport is the County Town of the Island and it is ideally placed geographically in the centre of the county. Newport was once a thriving port, but today is only host to Isle of Wight Grain and Aggregates which are based along the quay side at Little London and Dodnor.

Newport, as you would expect, has an array of shops, but unlike the Mainland which has just well known shops, there is a range of speciality shops for clothing foods and other goods. In recent years the town centre has been developed with a new Sainsbury's, Safeway's, Somerfield and Marks & Spencer's. This coupled with a new Cinema Complex at Coppins Bridge Roundabout has seen Central Newport Change a lot. However, there are still quaint little shops, an interesting quay side with Arts Centre and a beautiful walk along the banks of the river Media to Cowes and East Cowes. To the southwest of Newport is Carisbrooke, a pretty village with several good pubs and of course, Carisbrooke Castle. Charles I was held prisoner her before being taken to London for his execution. The castle is open to the public and is well worth a trip.

Whatever you do, don't dismiss Newport as a busy town not worth visiting, whilst the ladies shop the gents can walk down to the quayside and enjoy the view and a pint.

This small and sandy beach is tucked away on the quieter west coast of the Island with panoramic views of the Solent and Hurst Castle. The area has several café’s and the gentle sloping beach and clear waters are a favourite for families. Toilet facilities are close by and boats can be hired. This is a beautiful location and provides easy access for the elderly and disabled.

Ventnor Bay is a predominantly sandy beach. Here the family have access to cafes, restaurants and pubs for refreshments. The backdrop of the town from the beach, makes Ventnor Bay feel decidedly Mediterranean. There is a boat haven at one end and rocks at either side of the bay for kids to go crabbing. A great family beach and one not to miss.