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UK travel

Welcome to our UK travel forum where you can get advice on everything from holidays to exotic destinations, to tips on London travel.

Isle of Wight - recommendations

17 replies

LoserWinner · 29/07/2025 11:02

I’ve just decided to have a few days walking on the IoW in August. I’ve booked two nights in East Cowes, and I’m looking for a third night somewhere south or east. I walk a lot, so will do most of my travel on foot - three hours’ walking is a nice afternoon stroll for me - but I’m willing to use public transport if time is a factor. I’m a single healthy woman in my 60s.

So, I have:
Day one afternoon/evening around Cowes, having walked from Ryde
Day two whole day starting from and ending up in East Cowes
Day three starting in East Cowes with as yet unplanned destination b&b
Day four starting at unplanned destination b&b and ending up in Ryde by 5pm for the ferry.

I’d value suggestions for any places I should visit, and for the as yet unplanned destination b&b/location on day three. I expect to do Osborne House on the morning of day two, but other than that, no plans. I’m not into big or organised attractions etc, but like the small and the odd. The only activity I plan is walking, so no water activities etc. I prefer small, local places to eat rather than posh, so if you know of any good places for an evening meal, that too would be helpful.

OP posts:
boulevardofbrokendreamss · 29/07/2025 11:47

If you have the weather you could do the whole day at Osborne house. One of my favourite places!

I love IoW but was disappointed with Cowes

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 29/07/2025 12:00

boulevardofbrokendreamss · 29/07/2025 11:47

If you have the weather you could do the whole day at Osborne house. One of my favourite places!

I love IoW but was disappointed with Cowes

Me too . It used to be lovely, I used to live there, but went recently and wouldn't bother again tbh.

I second Osbourne House

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 29/07/2025 12:02

The Wight Mouse is lovely for food.

LoserWinner · 30/07/2025 11:04

Hopeful bump.

OP posts:
Dearover · 01/08/2025 17:54

East Cowes is very different to West Cowes in terms of pottering about & places to eat but t does have a Waitrose & Co-op for food & snacks. Catch the floating bridge (if it's running) across and walk through the high street along the seafront towards Gurnard.

Consider using the IOW Steam Railway at Wooton to help you along the route. It contents with the mainline at Smallbrook Junction, so you can use it to help you get to or from Ryde or Shanklin. That's a good starting point for buses to take you along the Military Road (great walking, except where it's falling into the sea) and towards the Wight Mouse mentioned above.

At the other side, walking from Yarmouth to Freshwater and the Tennyson Down area may be just your thing

Dearover · 01/08/2025 17:56

East Cowes is very different to West Cowes in terms of pottering about & places to eat but t does have a Waitrose & Co-op for food & snacks. Catch the floating bridge (if it's running) across and walk through the high street along the seafront towards Gurnard. The Woodvale is a nice pub for food and watching what's going on in the Solent & it has rooms. I think Cowes Week starts tomorrow, so there will be a lot of racing.

Consider using the IOW Steam Railway at Wooton to help you along the route. It contents with the mainline at Smallbrook Junction, so you can use it to help you get to or from Ryde or Shanklin. That's a good starting point for buses to take you along the Military Road (great walking, except where it's falling into the sea) and towards the Wight Mouse mentioned above.

At the other side, walking from Yarmouth to Freshwater and the Tennyson Down area may be just your thing

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 01/08/2025 17:56

Cowes is flooded ATM!!

TragicMuse · 01/08/2025 18:00

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 01/08/2025 17:56

Cowes is flooded ATM!!

It’s all gone now. Brief flooding last night, all sunny and lovely today.

Dearover · 01/08/2025 18:36

My niece's wheely bin set off down the street. Nice temp today though

LoserWinner · 01/08/2025 22:17

Dearover · 01/08/2025 17:56

East Cowes is very different to West Cowes in terms of pottering about & places to eat but t does have a Waitrose & Co-op for food & snacks. Catch the floating bridge (if it's running) across and walk through the high street along the seafront towards Gurnard. The Woodvale is a nice pub for food and watching what's going on in the Solent & it has rooms. I think Cowes Week starts tomorrow, so there will be a lot of racing.

Consider using the IOW Steam Railway at Wooton to help you along the route. It contents with the mainline at Smallbrook Junction, so you can use it to help you get to or from Ryde or Shanklin. That's a good starting point for buses to take you along the Military Road (great walking, except where it's falling into the sea) and towards the Wight Mouse mentioned above.

At the other side, walking from Yarmouth to Freshwater and the Tennyson Down area may be just your thing

I’m planning to walk from East Cowes to either Shanklin or Sandown - which would be a more interesting destination? I know that’s a silly question, really - I’m sure it’s a matter of preference - but I don’t know the island at all. It’s only about four hours, and with a good breakfast inside me and a decent picnic for lunch, it’s my idea of a perfect day out.

OP posts:
LoserWinner · 01/08/2025 22:19

TragicMuse · 01/08/2025 18:00

It’s all gone now. Brief flooding last night, all sunny and lovely today.

That had me worried! I got out my wet weather walking boots and soaked them with dubbin…

OP posts:
Ted27 · 01/08/2025 22:24

@LoserWinner

Id go for Shanklin. The old village is very pretty.
The Hideway is a great restaurant up on the cliff.
Sandown seems very rundown to me.

Doyouthinktheyknow · 01/08/2025 22:30

Shanklin is definitely worth a visit. Sandown is okay but the seafront is very rundown whereas Shanklin has a pretty old village and a lovely promenade.

The walk from Shanklin to Ryde along the coastal path is awesome.

We always stay in Luccombe manor or Luccombe Hall Hotels, on the cliffs in Shanklin. Lovely hotels and staff.

The isle of Wight is a wonderful place, hope you enjoy it.

Dearover · 01/08/2025 23:01

Shanklin. I was there on Monday & it's still kept up together. Sandown is sadly un down and haz a habit of burning down its hotels.

The Steamer at Shanklin has a good menu. It's the sister pub of the Bargeman in Newport (don't stop as Newport lacks redeeming features these days unless you go to Quay Arts or French Franks for grub)

TheOliveFinch · 01/08/2025 23:08

I would definitely stop off at Bembridge on the way one of my favourite places on the IOW

LoserWinner · 02/08/2025 00:11

TheOliveFinch · 01/08/2025 23:08

I would definitely stop off at Bembridge on the way one of my favourite places on the IOW

Added to my itinerary. That works well for my final day. Shanklin to Ryde via lunch in Bembridge is a decent amount of walking.

OP posts:
Dolphinosep0tatoes · 02/08/2025 00:40

Shanklin chine used to open at night in the summer, assuming it still does. It's beautiful lit up.
Carisbrooke Castle is definitely worth a visit!

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