Driving on the Isle of Wight

When you drive off the ferry at Yarmouth, East Cowes or Fishbourne, the Isle of Wight’s road network is laid out before you.

So, why not Say Yes to a tour around the magical coastline, or a scenic drive through our picturesque countryside and chocolate box villages.

And, if you have left the car at home, why not rent a vehicle. One quirky way of seeing the best of the Wight is by hiring a classic VW campervan from Isle of Wight Campervan holidays.

While you are out on the road, you will come across some lovely pubs and restaurants for a pitstop on your travels.

Roads not to miss

Military Road

Did you know that the Isle of Wight has one of the top five driving roads in the whole of Europe? Well, that’s what the travel team at the Telegraph said about the Military Road in 2016.

This stunning 13-mile route, from Freshwater Bay to Chale, takes in the magnificent south west coast and gasp-inducing views across the chalk cliffs of Tennyson Down and to Dorset in the distance are the undoubted highlight. If you fancy pulling over, then the National Trust car parks at Compton Bay and Brook give easy access to the dinosaur fossil laden beaches that are popular with locals and visitors alike.

A cream tea at Isle of Wight Pearl near Brighstone is another treat to break the journey.

Middle Road

This undulating route from Carisbrooke to Freshwater is framed by dramatic downland and pretty farms. At Calbourne, stop off for a pint at The Sun Inn, watch the cricket and divert into picturesque Winkle Street with its thatched cottages.

Further along, you will pass Tapnell Farm, now one of the Island’s top attractions with a great restaurant called The Cow.

But back in 1970, around a quarter of a million people descended on this farm to watch Jimi Hendrix, The Who and other rock gods play at the legendary Isle of Wight Festival.

The Downs Road

As with most places, height gives an added dimension to views of the landscape.

One great road to explore for amazing vistas to all corners of the Island is The Downs Road, which leads from Downend on the outskirts of Newport (ask directions to The Hare and Hounds pub) across the spine of the Island before forking off to Brading or Ryde.

Before you reach this junction though, you can drop down into delightful Newchurch with its wooden spired church, Pointer Inn pub and The Garlic Farm, home of one of the Isle of Wight’s most iconic products.

Along the route into Brading, you will find a pull-off car park where you can grab an ice cream and pause to enjoy the stunning vistas across Sandown Bay.

Other high spots!

There are lots of accessible downland spots on the Island and Culver Down on the eastern tip is a nice little drive with a car park and a pub, the Culver Haven, at the top next to the monument.

More than 700ft high at it's peak, St Boniface Down near Ventnor offers stunning views across the Island, as well as of the English Channel. St Boniface is the Island’s highest point. 

Villages not to miss

Why not get out your map and plot a route through some of our lovely villages, and get your passengers to keep their eyes peeled, they may spot one of our native red squirrels.

Brighstone and Shorwell are two pretty villages worth a visit, each with their own pub and delightful cottages galore. Then carry on through equally lovely Mottistone, Hulverstone and Brook.

Godshill is another popular eye-catching settlement, boasting a lovely church, tearooms galore and even a model village. Park up here and take a stroll.

Over in the east, Bembridge, Seaview and St Helens are all worth a stop-off.

Eat and Drink

Wherever you go on your travels, the Isle of Wight has some fabulous pubs and restaurants which may be off the beaten track, but are well worth a visit.

The Highdown Inn, Totland, offers the perfect place to sit back and unwind - as well as enjoying some delicious local seafood, or, if you are out west, how about the Wight Mouse at Chale, a favourite of Islanders and holidaymakers for many years, it looks out over the Military Road and West Wight coast.

The White Hart Inn, Havenstreet, is a stone’s throw away from the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, offering the chance to stop off for a bite to eat - before checking out one of the only remaining stations from the old Island lines and over at Bembridge, park at the nearby car park and take a short stroll to the Crab and Lobster, where you can enjoy the shellfish in its name while looking out over the ocean where they came from!

If you're looking for a place to stop off and eat, have a look at our eat and drink section to find something which suits you.

Plenty to see and do

Why not fill up a picnic hamper with some of the delightful local foods available across the Island - and then take yourself on a magical tour of the Island - stopping for a break and a bite to eat in some areas of outstanding natural beauty. Take a look at the map below and plan your day out on the road.

Isle of Wight Road Map

Parking and petrol

We all know the perils of trying to park in an unfamiliar town and village but here, we have given a few hints and tips, like where you can park using the Isle of Wight Council permit and using the PaybyPhone app.

Petrol stations are to be found at major supermarkets around the Island and there are still some independent stations at Freshwater, Northwood and Sandford near Godshill among others.