IOW hidden gems

[Wakeupthedawnandaskherwhy]

Exactly that really. Have been going to the Isle of Wight for a while now and just wondered if there are any hidden gems which should be visited which are off the beaten track?

One my dad always used to make us walk too was the Pepper Pot (medieval light house).

I still miss the Waltzing Waters.

The donkey sanctuary

Following we are going for the first time in the summer.

Not walking/off the beaten track per se, but I always visit/recommend The Dairymans Daughter country pub for lunch or dinner. Such a quirky place with lovely food. It’s on site next to a farm shop and also some independent craft shops which are lovely to mooch around. There is a little walk you can do next to a pond up to a church. Very pretty!

Amazon World, finding the dinosaur footprints at Compton Bay, Calbourne Mill, The Folly Inn is lovely, Fort Victoria is quirky and you can walk along the causeway into Yarmouth from there. Sometimes you can see seals bobbing about.

Shanklin Chine, Newtown creek. Fossil hunting at Hamstead. The pier at Sandown is good fun on a wet day, loads to do on there. You've also got the zoo at Sandown and some crazy golf pitches.

The roman villas at Brading and in Newport. My favourite is the Newport one.

There's a few ideas that will keep you busy for a couple of days (I live on the Island!).

Not sure if it counts as a hidden gem but we like the Garlic Farm, a good place for lunch and to pick up a few interesting (and garlicky) gifts

I recommend the Dimbola Museum at Freshwater Bay, it's fascinating. She was an early pioneer of photography and took photos of all sorts of writers, poets etc. Including Lord Tennyson, whose gorgeous property Farringdon Hall is not far away (it was an hotel, not sure if it still is) Gorgeous grounds. And of course the Bay is right there to enjoy on a fine day. The Spyglass Inn on Ventnor seafront (my mum's favourite) is lovely and has the best sea view. Ventnor also very close to the Botanic Gardens which you can roam around in for ages. Compton Bay (off the Coast road towards Freshwater) is a very long sandy strip of beach, popular with surfers. It can be very windy as so exposed ! There is a short trail at the back of Mottistone Manor which takes you up to The Longstone, megalithic monument in the dip of a very pretty valley. Also the lighthouse at St Catherine's Point. Ditto windy of course ! There's a lot to discover, if you are driving it will be much easier of course. Enjoy !

Just another thought - look up The Price Is Wight website. They sell discounted vouchers for meals out, events and entry to places.

The Garlic Farm.
The Boathouse pub/restaurant at Seaview.
The Red Lion gastropub at Freshwater (If you can get in. It's the only pub I have ever been turned away from because it was full.)

We've been going to the same flat on Shanklin Esplanade for 5 years.
Probably not off the beaten track but our favourites are
Crazy golf on Shaklin esplanade
The chippy on the esplanade.
Shanklin Chine in the evening when it's illuminated, particularly if Charles Gold is singing
The Hideaway restaurant on the cliff at Shanklin
Quarr Abbey just outside Ryde, lovely cafe, nice grounds, they keep pigs.
Chocolate Apothecary opposite the bus station in Ryde, lovely chocolate and brownies
Villa at Brading
The steam railway
Monkey Haven
The model village at Godshill. Lots of lovely cafes there as well
Carisbrooke Castle
Not really off the beaten track but Osbourne House is a good day out.

Love the IoW

Quarr Abbey. The Abbey itself is so quiet and peaceful and it also has a fantastic cafe (and loos).

Not such a hidden gem but more not well-known, if you book a National Trust place to stay in you can access some places which aren't normally open to the public such as the beach at Osbourne House and Carisbrooke Castle grounds after opening hours.

The local paper posts a fair few of these

https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/must-read/5-types-of-isle-of-wight-break-find-the-perfect-holiday-to-suit-your-lifestyle-4700199

https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/sponsored/winter-breaks-on-the-isle-of-wight-top-tips-for-making-the-most-of-an-early-2025-trip-across-the-solent-4956429

https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/must-read/half-term-on-a-budget-as-kids-go-free-to-the-isle-of-wight-4630931

Can anyone recommend a good place to stay? We are ideally after a lodge or an apartment