Discover Open Spaces

As an Island we are pleased to have been given Tier 1 status, a result of the conscientious and responsible actions of our local community, industry and visitors throughout the pandemic. 

The Isle of Wight is one of the most happy and healthy destinations in the UK and to help us maintain this status, we ask visitors to be responsible in your planning and adhere to all Government guidelines and rules put in place by local businesses travelling to and while visiting the Isle of Wight. 

Help us to protect everyone wanting to enjoy the Isle of Wight so that we can continue to share the Island with you.

Staycation “the WIGHT way”. Read more. 

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On the Isle of Wight we are lucky to boast an abudance of wide open space, making it the ideal destination for reconnecting with nature and the great outdoors. 

Awarded UNESCO Biosphere status in 2019, the Island is recognised for it's lush unspoiled landscape, thriving wildlife and clean surrounding waters, a unique haven for both adventurers and those looking for a tranquility rarely found in modern day life.

From towering chalk cliffs to golden sandy beaches, from rolling rural vistas to lush marshland - come and discover the best of the UK's impressive landscape all in one unique place.

Explore the Isle of Wight at your own pace on foot or by bike, take a wander and enjoy the views or put your metal to the test with our 70 mile round Island route. Pack a tasty picnic using amazing local produce like garlic, cheese, fresh seafood...and gin! Discover interesting and secluded places to stay, tucked away in the best of our countryside or a stone's throw from the sea. Try something new – walking, water sports, cycling, horse riding, tree climbing, sailing, fossil hunting…there’s something here for everyone.

Here’s some of our favourite areas of outstanding beauty for you to add to your Isle of Wight bucket list...

MUST SEE!

Three distinctive white chalk stacks, the Needles rise from the sea on the west of the Island. Walk from the town of Freshwater across Tennyson Down and explore grassland home to skylarks and small blue butterflies. Pass the famous Tennyson landmark and follow the clifftop to the Needles Old Battery, overlooking the Needles and Alum Bay. Marvel at colourful chalk cliffs and turquoise waters as far as the eye can see. Feeling brave? Why not take the vintange chair lift down to the beach. Don't forget your camera!

WALK WITH DINOSAURS

A popular spot for surfers and kiteboarders, Compton Bay is also a must for avid beachcombers and explorers. Known as ‘Dinosaur Island’, this two-mile stretch of rugged coastline is lined with towering cliffs hiding prehistoric treasures. Jump in your wetsuit, grab your board and keep your eyes peeled for fossils dotted along the bay. Enjoy some of the best views out to sea with a picnic along the cliff top, or stay for BBQ at sunset - you won't be disapointed. Please respect the countryside and remember to take your rubbish with you.

CONNECT WITH NATURE

Newtown Creek is the Island’s own National Trust Reserve, offering stunning views and ultimate peace and quiet. Home to a wide variety of birds year-round, Newtown Creek is a haven for walkers, bird watchers and those looking for time to themselves. Take a stroll around the creek looking out for visiting birds, waders and waterfowl, as well as summer orchids, wildflowers and red squirrels. A nature lovers paradise. Please respect the tranquility of this natural sanctuary and keep noise to a minimum.

GET TROPICAL

Home to hundreds of species of plants, trees and wildlife including wall lizards, Ventnor Botanic Garden boasts its own microclimate. Sat beneath the cliffs, the gardens are protected from harsh northerly winds while trapping a warm southerly breeze, making conditions ideal for sun loving plants and succulents. Ventnor was also a haven for smugglers! Why not walk in their footsteps along to the picturesque Steephill Cove, another amazing location to take in the sunset.

THE PEPPERPOT

The last surviving medieval lighthouse, the 11 metre St Catherine’s Oratory stands on one of the highest points of the Island. Take a ramble from Chale and reward yourself with stunning sea views and a picnic beneath the lovingly nicknamed “Pepperpot” dating back to 1328!

WALK IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ROYALTY

A wander through the gardens at Osborne House is a must for any nature lover. The beloved holiday home of Queen Victoria, these beautifully tended gardens beneath the golden "beach house" offer a rainbow of colour, attracting bees and butterflies. Stroll through the extensive grounds along pathways lined with regal statues and ancient trees. At the foot of the sloping gardens you'll find the estate's private beach, a secluded seaside paradise where Victoria would often take a dip, as well as woodland area home to a host of creatures included red squirrels, hedgehogs and birds, cultivated by Prince Albert and the royal children. Make a day of it with a picnic in the grounds.