Mary's Guidebook
Historic tourist attraction
This was queen Victoria's holiday Palace and it is the place she died. It has many interesting rooms and grounds to explore and is an English Heritage place of interest
44 locals recommend
Osborne
York AveThis was queen Victoria's holiday Palace and it is the place she died. It has many interesting rooms and grounds to explore and is an English Heritage place of interest
Carisbrooke Castle is a historic castle with a museum which is run by English Heritage. There is a cafe inside and a beautiful walk around the outside with great views of the countryside. It is not far from Newport. 15 mins by car from my home
133 locals recommend
Carisbrooke Castle
Castle HillCarisbrooke Castle is a historic castle with a museum which is run by English Heritage. There is a cafe inside and a beautiful walk around the outside with great views of the countryside. It is not far from Newport. 15 mins by car from my home
Fun for kids
Robin Hill is a lovely country park with peacocks and hunting birds talks. There are rides, slides and treetops adventures for the kids. Admission fee is quite expensive but you can return free for 7 days with your ticket
101 locals recommend
Robin Hill
Downend RoadRobin Hill is a lovely country park with peacocks and hunting birds talks. There are rides, slides and treetops adventures for the kids. Admission fee is quite expensive but you can return free for 7 days with your ticket
Blackgang Chine
Blackgang is a fun adventure park for kids near ventnor
Tapnell farm is a fun farm/adventure place for kids with an indoor soft play
113 locals recommend
Tapnell Farm Park
Newport RoadTapnell farm is a fun farm/adventure place for kids with an indoor soft play
The Isle of Wight is known to be a places for discovering dinosaur fossils due to the erosion of the cliffs on the back of the island. This is our dinosaur museum
35 locals recommend
Dinosaur Isle
Culver ParadeThe Isle of Wight is known to be a places for discovering dinosaur fossils due to the erosion of the cliffs on the back of the island. This is our dinosaur museum
A small zoo with lots of interesting animals to see including big cats such as tigers and lions
54 locals recommend
Isle of Wight Zoo
Yaverland RoadA small zoo with lots of interesting animals to see including big cats such as tigers and lions
Beaches
Compton Beach is my favourite beach on the island. It is sandy and has fantastic views
38 locals recommend
Compton Beach
Compton Beach is my favourite beach on the island. It is sandy and has fantastic views
Ryde Beach is the safest beach for kids on the island with soft golden sand and shallow warm water. There are plenty of ice-cream huts and fun things for kids to do
23 locals recommend
Ryde Beach
EsplanadeRyde Beach is the safest beach for kids on the island with soft golden sand and shallow warm water. There are plenty of ice-cream huts and fun things for kids to do
Colwell Bay
Beautiful beach near Totland in the west of the island
Freshwater Bay
Stoney beach with clear water in the west of the island
Sandown Beach
10 Pier St, Sandown PO36 8JP Pier StSandy beach on the south of the island
Shanklin Beach
Luccombe RoadBeach of the South of the island
Yaverland Beach
Lovely sandy beach which is popular for water sports
Ventnor Beach
Nice Stoney beach on the south of the island
Places of beauty
Ventnor botanic gardens are a beautiful place to visit with some beautiful tropical and interesting plants
87 locals recommend
Ventnor Botanic Garden
Undercliff DriveVentnor botanic gardens are a beautiful place to visit with some beautiful tropical and interesting plants
This is a walk to an amazing viewpoint on the island where you can see the needles (rock formations which go out to sea with a lighthouse at the end)
Headon Warren National Trust
This is a walk to an amazing viewpoint on the island where you can see the needles (rock formations which go out to sea with a lighthouse at the end)
Pretty towns/villages
Ventnor is a scenic town on the south coast of the Isle of Wight with quirky shops and a pub called the spyglass which overlooks the bay. Its a perfect place to stop for lunch when exploring the back (south) of the island
37 locals recommend
Ventnor
Ventnor is a scenic town on the south coast of the Isle of Wight with quirky shops and a pub called the spyglass which overlooks the bay. Its a perfect place to stop for lunch when exploring the back (south) of the island
Gurnard is a short walk along the promenade from Cowes. It has a nice beach and green area with a playground for kids and a pub with outdoor seating with fantastic views of the sunset
24 locals recommend
Gurnard
Gurnard is a short walk along the promenade from Cowes. It has a nice beach and green area with a playground for kids and a pub with outdoor seating with fantastic views of the sunset
Godshill is a pretty village with classic English thatch cottages and tea rooms
Godshill old village (isle of Wight )
Godshill is a pretty village with classic English thatch cottages and tea rooms
Good pubs
Great pub with outdoor seating, perfect place to watch the sun go down
20 locals recommend
The Woodvale Hotel
1 Prince's EsplanadeGreat pub with outdoor seating, perfect place to watch the sun go down
Nautical theme pub in the centre of Cowes. Has live music on the weekends and good burgers
31 locals recommend
The Anchor Inn
1-3 High StNautical theme pub in the centre of Cowes. Has live music on the weekends and good burgers
The Spyglass Inn
EsplanadeNautical theme pub with views of Ventnor Bay and beach
Nautical theme pub on the river near Newport with lots of interesting boating artifacts hung from the walls. You can cycle from my house along the river on the cycle track in 25 minutes
12 locals recommend
The Bargeman's Rest
Nautical theme pub on the river near Newport with lots of interesting boating artifacts hung from the walls. You can cycle from my house along the river on the cycle track in 25 minutes
Pier View
25 High StThe Pier view is a good pub with nice beer and food in cowes
Places to eat
Bistro bar with great food. Has a woodfired clay pizza oven!
69 locals recommend
The Coast Bar & Dining Room
14-15 Shooters HillBistro bar with great food. Has a woodfired clay pizza oven!
High end restaurant with fusion menu. It is expensive but it's a great place to go for a treat
13 locals recommend
Smoking Lobster Cowes
127 High StreetHigh end restaurant with fusion menu. It is expensive but it's a great place to go for a treat
Quirky fusion restaurant with great bao buns. More on the expensive side
8 locals recommend
Gastronomy Cowes
High StreetQuirky fusion restaurant with great bao buns. More on the expensive side
Bahar Tandoori
44 High StNice Indian restaurant in cowes which has been there a long time
Murrays Seafood Restaurant
106 High StTasty seafood
Mojac's Restaurant and Bar
10A Shooters HillIntimate dining, good for a date
Corries Cabin
17 Shooters HillFish and chips
Moocow
55 Cross StDelicious tapas with quirky seating in cowes
Jolliffes Eatery
11 Shooters HillQuirky cafe with beautiful stained glass frontage in cowes
On The Rocks
Bridge RoadHot rock dining experience with nice steaks, seafood and cocktails
Off The Rails
Station RoadQuirky place to eat on the platform of an old railway
The Garlic Farm Shop And Restaurant
Mersley LaneLovely food. Great place for breakfast
Lovely cafe with Isle of Wight produce. Great place for breakfast
11 locals recommend
Bluebells At Briddlesford
Briddlesford RoadLovely cafe with Isle of Wight produce. Great place for breakfast
The Sugar Store
Great pizza and beer with a view of Cowes Harbour