Bembridge Village

Bembridge is situated on the most easterly point of the Isle of Wight, lying behind the spectacular headland of Culver.

It is also claimed to be the largest village in England, with a population of approximately 4,000 residents.

Bembridge stretches around most of the Eastern tip of the Isle of Wight which includes its harbour and three beaches, and has its own airport.

We're pleased to announce that Bembridge Village has won 'Village of the Year' in the BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards 2019! They called Bembridge village a "wonderful coastal setting with a pier and lifeboat station, plus a busy village community with independent shops, cafés and restaurants. With three great beaches and the white cliffs of Culver Down on the doorstep, the village is a perfect base for exploring.".

Click here to download a map of Bembridge.

Things To Do in Bembridge

As the village runs along the coast many of the things to do in Bembridge are related to the sea.

The three beaches Lane End, the Ledge and Bembridge Beach are very popular for exploring with contrasting coastlines, rock pools and stunning panoramic views out to sea.

With its substantial harbour Bembridge is a very popular destination for sailing.

On the Lane End Beach you will find the new Bembridge Lifeboat station which stands offshore to form a striking image.

The natural timber building was only completed in 2010 but has become one of the most iconic and most photographed structures on the Isle of Wight in recent years.

Another of the Isle of Wight’s most recognisable pieces of architecture is Bembridge Windmill, on the outskirts of the village, which is maintained by The National Trust.

A short distance from Bembridge is Culver Down, the white cliffs of which can be seen from Sandown Bay all the way through to Shanklin.

The chalk down of Culver has a fascinating mixture of wildlife and natural features, mixed with several remaining military features including a monument with the adjoining remains of a former barracks, a substantial fort owned by The National Trust and a 2nd world war anti-aircraft battery at the end of the cliffs.

Beneath Culver on the Bembridge side is the magnificent Whitecliff Bay, a sheltered cove well worth exploring and best accessed through the Whitecliff Bay holiday park.

Places To Eat in Bembridge

At the heart of Bembridge village there are a number of independent shops and eateries.

Most of the places to eat in Bembridge serve locally caught fish, and there are a number of small restaurants with very high reputations for their food.

If you are looking for something more traditional the pubs in Bembridge also offer a good selection of English food.

Places To Stay in Bembridge

Bembridge retains much of the village charm despite its size, and as a result many of the places to stay locally are either holiday cottages or self-catering. Wight Coast Holidays, an islandbased holiday home agency, is based in the High Street within the village with properties to rent in Bembridge and across the Island. 

There is however a large hotel located to the back of the Bembridge Ledge Beach, and if you want to enjoy a completely unique experience you can get a guesthouse experience on a houseboat in Bembridge Harbour.

Once owned by George V’s Lord in Waiting, Bembridge Coast Hotel overlooks the Solent. And the late Queen Mother came here to watch the yachts racing during Cowes Week. The hotel has a wonderful beach, and is an ideal base for touring the Isle of Wight. Balcony rooms allow guests to enjoy the sunrise over the Solent, followed by a dinner in the Four Tides restaurant. Then there is the option of live music and dancing in our Late Lounge. During your stay, why not take a long coastal walk, or come and try archery, bowls or rifle shooting with tuition from one of the lovely team.

Getting Around Bembridge

Frequent buses link the East Wight with both Ryde and Newport.