Ventnor Town

It’s been compared to Notting Hill, Charles Dickens (no less) described it as “The prettiest place I ever saw in my life, at home or abroad" and it is now home to a quirky home-grown arts festival.

Ventnor (or V-Town to those in the know) is a real gem of the Wight.

With its famed microclimate, shingle beach and zig-zag approach to the seafront, you just have to Say Yes to Ventnor during your Isle of Wight stay.

And it’s not just Dickens who loved Ventnor - Karl Marx, Sir Winston Churchill and Mahatma Gandhi were among icons of the past to take the town’s air.

Things to do

Ventnor Fringe has become a real centre point of the town’s season, promising top comedians, theatre and music and much more for all ages and tastes.

Ventnor was well known as a health resort in Victorian times and on the site of the former chest hospital you will find Ventnor Botanic Gardens, which takes advantage of the mild climate to put on an incredible display of plants from around the world.

If you have little ones in tow, the iconic Isle of Wight-shaped paddling pool on Ventnor seafront is well worth it and will provide a holiday snap that you will treasure forever.

Take a stroll along the coastal path to the hidden delight that is Steephill Cove, with a couple of eateries serving Ventnor Bay crab and a delightful beach.

Ventnor Carnival week is a colourful experience with floats and pedestrians from across the Isle of Wight converging on the town.

If you are around in November, the town puts on a fantastic bonfire night fireworks display outside the seafront Spyglass Inn.

Visit the iconic art deco Winter Gardens that overlooks the bay, for a bite to eat or to see a show.

Families will love nearby Blackgang Chine – the UK’s oldest amusement park – with tons of fun to tire your little terrors out under the gaze of the Blackgang pirate.

Be sure to visit the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary at neighbouring Wroxall to ooh and aah over the lovely residents.

Places to eat

Ventnor is a haven of fine dining with restaurants such as The Royal Hotel, with its pop up Se7en restaurant at the weekends and to-die-for cream teas.

Smoking Lobster, Cantina and The Hambrough producing some mouthwatering food containing plenty of Isle of Wight ingredients.

Also nestled in the town is The True Food Kitchen, whose chef-owner Adam Fendyke produces scrummy Asian fusion food.

For a quirky afternoon tea experience, look no further than Lady Scarlett’s Tea Parlour, with its delicious honme-made cakes and sandwiches.

There are lots of cafes, pubs and restaurants along the seafront while the town centre provides a number of other choices.

Places to stay

The Royal is recognised as one of the Island's premier 4 silver star hotel, offering its renowned 5 star service. Originally built in 1832, once frequented by Queen Victoria and Charles Dickens, this historic hotel is nestled into exotic gardens overlooking Ventnor Bay's stunning coastline. Fine dining is a must in the 2 AA Rosette Geranium Restaurant. A favourite destination for an Afternoon Tea, Wedding or celebration. 

Another well established guest house in Ventnor is St Maur, in Castle Road, with a reputation for home-cooked food and friendly service.

If it is just a cozy, romantic, in-town location you are after, then Suites 3 could be the one for you. This one-bedroom apartment is right on the High Street.

For a more rural experience, award-winning Appuldurcombe Gardens Holiday Park, in the grounds of the historic Appuldurcombe House, has self-catering units, caravans and touring pitches as well as a heated outdoor swimming pool.  

Another self-catering venue with stunning views is Chale Bay Farm, a couple of miles outside Ventnor but boasting views over the south west coastline.

Getting there and getting around

A number of Southern Vectis bus services link Ventnor to Ryde, Newport, Sandown and Shanklin (services 3 and 6), while the seasonal Island Coaster service gives great views of some lovely Island countryside and coastline.

Travel to Shanklin to pick up the Island Line trains to Sandown, Brading and Ryde.