darragh-gray

Darragh Gray

donkey-sanctuary

Donkey Sanctuary (courtesy of Darragh Gray)

quarr-abbey-2

Quarr Abbey (courtesy Darragh Gray)

rnli

RNLI - Bembridge Lifeboat (courtesy Darragh Gray)

quay-arts-2

Quay Arts (courtesy Darragh Gray)

carisbrooke-priory

Carisbrooke Priory (courtesy Darragh Gray)

newtown

Newtown Nature Reserve (courtesy Darragh Gray)

alverstone-mead

Alverstone Mead (courtesy Darragh Gray)

garlic-farm

Garlic Farm (courtesy Darragh Gray)

st-catherines-oratory

St Catherine's Oratory (courtesy Darragh Gray)

brighstone

Brighstone

Discover 10 free things to do on the Isle of Wight - nature, heritage and family fun - open year-round. Plan your budget trip with Wightlink.

10 free Isle of Wight attractions open all year

Family fun

Isle of Wight

Things to do

“Name your favourite beach on the Isle of Wight for a summers day out.”

shanklin-beach-3

Shanklin Beach

appley-beach-4

Appley Beach

sandown

Sandown

colwell-bay

Colwell Bay

ventnor-bay

Ventnor Bay

compton-bay

Compton Bay

yaverland-beach-2

Yaverland Beach

st-helens-duver

St Helens Duver

whitecliff-bay

Whitecliff Bay

priory-bay

Priory Bay

alum-bay-2

Alum Bay

Honourable mentions worth planning a trip around

ryde-port

Ryde port

man-in-front-of-the-needles

Man in front of the needles

By the end of this blog, you’ll know exactly where to head for your first (or next) summer beach day on the Island. Whether you’re chasing classic seaside vibes, peaceful swims, dog-friendly walks or those places that simply feel like home.

The Isle of Wight’s top 10 most-recommended beaches to visit in summer

newtown-creek-nature-reserve-976x656

newtown creek nature reserve 976x656

vegan-food-stock

Vegan food (Canva stock)

slomo-sauna

SloMo sauna

dog-walk-on-appley-beach-1170x720-1024x630

Dog-walk-on-Appley-Beach-1170x720-1024x630

amazon-world-explorer-image-lisas-photo-774x434

Amazon-World-Explorer-Image-Lisa's-Photo-774x434

kristian-and-bex-on-headon-warren-with-dog-1170x720-1024x630

Kristian-and-Bex-on-Headon-Warren-with-dog-1170x720-1024x630

Beat the January blues with a winter trip to the Isle of Wight. Explore beaches, wildlife, saunas and cosy pubs — the perfect start to 2026

Things to Do on the Isle of Wight in January 2026

Where to eat

gifts-for-a-wight-christmas-wightlife-10

Gifts for a Wight Christmas - Wightlife (10)

gifts-for-a-wight-christmas-wightlife-7

Gifts for a Wight Christmas - Wightlife (7)

gifts-for-a-wight-christmas-wightlife-4

Gifts for a Wight Christmas - Wightlife (4)

Christmas Stocking Fillers from the Isle of Wight

gifts-for-a-wight-christmas-wightlife-9

Gifts for a Wight Christmas - Wightlife (9)

The best gifts for everyone this Christmas, made on the Isle of Wight

Gifts for a Wight Christmas

Shopping

the-christmas-imaginarium-ryde

The Christmas Imaginarium Ryde

tapnell-farm-park-santa-1

Tapnell Farm Park - Santa-1

santa-special-snow_ian-pratt-1920x1280

Santa-Special-snow_Ian-Pratt-1920x1280

Festive Specials at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway

a-close-up-of-a-christmas-tree-blog-image

A close up of a Christmas tree - blog image

woman-shopping-with-paper-bags-at-christmas

Woman shopping with paper bags at Christmas

southern-vectic-christmas-lights-bus-tour-1

Southern Vectic Christmas Lights Bus tour 1

the-cow-tapnell-farm-christmas-wreath-making-decorations-2021

The-Cow-Tapnell-Farm-Christmas-Wreath-Making-decorations-2021

chilly-hilly-ed-garbett-photo-3

Chilly-Hilly-Ed-Garbett-photo-3

battered-food-on-a-wooden-board-credit-canva

Battered food on a wooden board - credit Canva

aerial-view-of-osborne-house-blog-image

Aerial view of Osborne House - blog image

ventnor-beach-isle-of-wight

Ventnor Beach, Isle of Wight

santa-at-iwsr-1920x1280

Santa-at-IWSR-1920x1280

Plan your perfect Isle of Wight Christmas 2025 – visit Santa, explore festive markets, enjoy cosy pubs and make magical memories by the sea.

Christmas on the Isle of Wight | Your 2025 Festive Guide

the-ale-house-in-cowes-darragh-gray

The Ale House in Cowes - Darragh Gray

the-star-coffee-and-ale-house-in-ryde-darragh-gray

The Star Coffee and Ale House in Ryde - Darragh Gray

newports-castle-inn-darragh-gray

Newport’s Castle Inn - Darragh Gray

the-griffin-in-godshill-darragh-gray

The Griffin in Godshill - Darragh Gray

beers-at-bembridges-pilot-boat-inn-darragh-gray

Beers at Bembridge’s Pilot Boat Inn - Darragh Gray

fishermans-cottage-in-shanklin-darragh-gray

Fisherman’s Cottage in Shanklin - Darragh Gray

the-volunteer-in-ventnor-darragh-gray

The Volunteer in Ventnor - Darragh Gray

the-buddle-inn-darragh-gray

The Buddle Inn - Darragh Gray

the-red-lion-wightlink-dog-friendly

The Red Lion - Wightlink Dog Friendly

the-highdown-inn-darragh-gray

The Highdown Inn - Darragh Gray

bugle-coaching-inn-in-yarmouth-darragh-gray

Bugle Coaching Inn in Yarmouth - Darragh Gray

couplemeetingforlunchtimedrinksintraditionalenglishpubmaking

Couple,Meeting,For,Lunchtime,Drinks,In,Traditional,English,Pub,Making

Discover 12 of the cosiest pubs on the Isle of Wight — from smugglers’ inns to seaside taverns. Perfect spots for autumn walks, log fires and great beer.

Cosy Isle of Wight Pubs | 12 Perfect Autumn and Winter Warmers

amazonian-water-lillies-ventnor-botanic-garden

Amazonian Water Lillies - Ventnor Botanic Garden

national-trusts-newtown-nature-reserve-isle-of-wight-2

National Trust's Newtown Nature Reserve, Isle of Wight

shanklintheatre

ShanklinTheatre

family-in-yarmouth-isle-of-wight-801x533

Family-in-Yarmouth-Isle-of-Wight-801x533

the-fishbourne-inn-801x533

uks-first-floating-sauna-at-tapnell-farm-isle-of-wight

UK's first floating sauna at Tapnell Farm, Isle of Wight

military-road-winter-drone

military road winter drone

What's on and the top activities in November 2024 on the Isle of Wight 

Things to do on the Isle of Wight in November

pumkin-patch-canva-stock-blog-images

Pumkin patch - Canva Stock - Blog images

Family at Halloween celebrating at Blackgang Chine's Frights and Sprites event

frights-and-sprites-at-blackgang-chine-774x434

harvey-browns-food-hall-exterior-isle-of-wight-4

Harvey Browns Food Hall - exterior - Isle of Wight (4)

Group of walkers walking along the Isle of Wight coastline

yarmouth-to-brighstone-walk

Coastline walks

autumn-1-10860535776_7c8fa75a96_o

Autumn 1 - 10860535776_7c8fa75a96_o

isle-of-wight-steam-railway-train-801x533

needles-dog-walk-home-hero-1024x512

Discover the best things to do on the Isle of Wight this October – from spooky Halloween fun and autumn walks to food festivals and steam train rides.

needles-dog-walk-home-hero-2

needles-dog-walk-home-hero

Things to do on the Isle of Wight in October

isle-of-wight-autumn-walking-festival-thanks-to-visit-isle-of-wight-3

Isle of Wight Autumn Walking Festival - thanks to Visit Isle of Wight (3)

isle-of-wight-autumn-walking-festival-thanks-to-visit-isle-of-wight-1

Isle of Wight Autumn Walking Festival - thanks to Visit Isle of Wight (1)

Discover new walks at the Isle of Wight Autumn Walking Festival 2025, 4–12 October. Enjoy history, nature and family fun, with discounted Wightlink travel.

isle-of-wight-walking-festival

Isle of Wight Walking Festival

New walks at the Isle of Wight Autumn Walking Festival

shanklin-chine-beach-1024x683

Shanklin-Chine-beach-1024x683

Appley Tower on Ryde Beach, Isle of Wight

ryde-appley-1024x683

ventnor-beach-3

Ventnor Beach

the-needles-sunset-1024x683

The-Needles-sunset-1024x683

yarmouth-sea-ferry-port

Yarmouth Wightlink ferry at port

man-and-dog-walk-headon-warren-needles

Man and dog walk Headon Warren Needles

Discover the Isle of Wight’s most breathtaking views, from Shanklin Chine to the Needles. Plan your visit and soak up the Island’s stunning scenery.

The real Isle of Wight

Isle of Wight on a Budget Part One: My 10 favourite FREE things to do on the Island all year round

The Isle of Wight’s top 10 most-recommended beaches to visit in summer

Things to do on the Isle of Wight in January

Gifts for a Wight Christmas

Dreaming of a Wight Christmas: your festive guide to the Isle of Wight

Cosy Isle of Wight pubs for cooler months

Things to do on the Isle of Wight in November

Things to do on the Isle of Wight in October

New walks released for the Isle of Wight Autumn Walking Festival 2025

Top five scenic views on the Isle of Wight

Things to do on the Isle of Wight in September

Monkey Haven at 15: Don Walser’s journey to the Island’s beloved animal sanctuary

Wightlink email