Welcome to the Isle of Wight
Explore the beautiful beaches of the Isle of Wight.
Situated off the south coast of England, the Isle of Wight lies just off the coast of Hampshire and is the largest island in in the English Channel. It's been a popular holiday destination since Victorian times thanks to its sandy beaches and seafront promenades.
YHA hostels in the Isle of Wight
YHA Isle of Wight Totland
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Things to do on the Isle of Wight
Five free things to do on the Isle of Wight
Quarr Abbey
This working monastery, set in scenic surroundings between Binstead and Fishbourne, invites visitors to observe the monks' tranquil way of life and view the art on display in its gallery.
Quay Arts
Quay Arts is the Isle of Wight's leading art gallery and regularly serves as a venue for live arts events. There's also a theatre and café/bar on site.
Beaches
There are 11 award-winning beaches on the island, so you're never far away from golden sands and clean water if you fancy a dip. Compton Bay is a popular spot with surfers, while Sandown Beach is great for families.
Shanklin Old Village
Part of the town of Shanklin, the Old Village has some of the oldest dwellings on the island. Seeing the thatched roofs and quaint tearooms is like stepping back in time.
Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary
The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary is a great place for kids to get close to animals - they can even stroke the donkeys! While entry is free, donations are appreciated to help the sanctuary continue its important work.
Indulge in the beautiful scenery of the Isle of Wight
The largest island in England, the Isle of Wight has been a popular tourist destination for hundreds of years. With a rugged coastline and beautiful scenery - in fact, more than half the island is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - and charming towns and villages to discover, there is always plenty to see and do.
The Isle of Wight Festival is one of the most famous reasons to visit the island, but there are many more permanent tourist attractions - the zoo, the steam railway, the Dinosaur Isle museum and Carisbrooke Castle are just a few.
Blackgang Chine Theme Park
Blackgang Chine is an eccentric mix of exciting rides, goblins and fairies, dinosaurs and nursery rhyme characters designed to appeal to the child in all of us.
Carisbrooke Castle
A wonderfully preserved castle, known as the place where King Charles I was imprisoned. Don't miss the wonderful Princess Beatrice Garden. There are also regular tournaments and jousts, as well as...
Climbing in Totland Bay
There are various indoor and outdoor climbing walls in close proximity to the Youth Hostel. For something a little different, why not try tree climbing? Companies providing this service operate on the...
Cowes Maritime Museum
This museum situated in Cowes Library incorporates all aspects of local maritime activity from shipbuilding to sailing. The museum displays a selection of objects and images which help to tell the...
Cycling in Totland
There are plenty of good cycle routes marked on the island. Cycle around the island in a day or two or even three or four. There are big hills around Ventnor but there are flatter routes that follow...
Fort Victoria Country Park
One of the best vantage points for watching boats, the park has an aquarium & a reptilarium, history of the Sea museum, model railway, and observatory & planetarium. Visit the Fort's website
Isle of Wight Pearl
Isle of Wight Pearl is not only home to an unmissable collection of pearl jewellery – but there are spectacular cliff-top views over the English Channel, a butterfly meadow, and a café where you can...
Mountain Biking in Totland
The Isle of Wight is heaven for cycling, both on and off road. With tracks over the downs and through Brighstone Wood and Parkhurst Forest, you'll find the perfect trail for you. Buy your "Bicycle...
The Needles
You can't go to the Isle of Wight and not see the iconic Needles - a series of chalk stacks which protrude into the sea. At the top of the cliff, on the headland, is the Old Battery and New Battery...
Totland Bay beach
Great for anyone who enjoys a quiet relaxing time on the beach or wants an easy walk along the promenade to Colwell Bay. Visit the website
Walking and Rambling in Totland
The hostel is surrounded by National Trust land and footpaths galore. Footpaths go north to Yarmouth, south to Lord Alfred Tennyson's Monument on the Tennyson Trail, east to Freshwater Bay and west to...
Watersports in Totland
Totland Bay and Freshwater Bay provide surfing, kayaking, paddleboarding and coasteering. Colwell Bay is great for kite surfing and at Compton Bay you can go surfing. Yarmouth and Cowes are the places...
View some of our popular Isle of Wight blog posts
Why you should look to an island for your next adventure
Exploring the UK doesn’t have to be restricted to the mainland. Some of the finest experiences in England and Wales are found offshore, on the multitude of different islands that scatter the fringes of the map...
Five awesome things about hostelling
Staying in a hostel is a fantastic way to explore more of England and Wales — and we have so many different places to choose from! Here are five of our very favourite things about hostelling...
My family’s love of YHA through the years
How many of you would think of yourselves as children of YHA? My story begins in the early days of YHA, as my grandparents met in the walking group of YHA Ealing in the late 1940s...