| Isle of Wight towns make ideal locations for a | | | | Ryde is a delight, with many streets full of well |
| relaxing break, all offering excellent | | | | known retail outlets, as well as plenty of shops |
| accommodation to suit every pocket. With many | | | | unique to the Island. |
| being on the coast, it makes the Island a popular | | | | Sandown is the Island's premier seaside resort, |
| holiday destination. Whether your idea of fun is a | | | | which was developed by the Victorians. It can be |
| good old traditional "bucket and spade" holiday by | | | | found on the south-east coast and has a superb |
| the seaside or perhaps visiting places of interest, | | | | golden beach. The town is bursting with visitor |
| you will be sure to find at least one of the Isle of | | | | attractions, including a fun-filled pier. The Esplanade |
| Wight towns satisfies your requirements. | | | | features many fine Victorian and Edwardian hotels |
| Below are the main Isle of Wight towns. | | | | which overlook the English Channel. The sea-front |
| Brading is one of the oldest towns on the Isle of | | | | and bustling town centre has numerous shops, |
| Wight. It boasts the pretty Norman church of St | | | | restaurants, pubs and amusements which appeal |
| Mary's, as well as a whipping post, a set of | | | | to all ages. It is home to the Isle of Wight Zoo |
| stocks, a bullring and a Roman villa. It is located in | | | | and Isle of Wight Airport. |
| the east of the Island, between Ryde and | | | | Shanklin is another popular holiday destination on |
| Sandown. | | | | the Island, but is more sedate than its close |
| Cowes (also known as West Cowes) is the | | | | neighbour, Sandown. The Old Town with its |
| world's most renowned yachting resort. It is linked | | | | gorgeous thatched cottages is a major attraction |
| to East Cowes across the River Medina by an | | | | for tourists from all over the world and includes |
| old-fashioned chain ferry, one of the last working | | | | the Island's first tourist attraction, Shanklin Chine. |
| examples in the country. At the end of July, | | | | The High Street is full of great shops, cafes and |
| Skandia Cowes Week, the main event on the | | | | restaurants. There are also plenty of places to |
| Island, explodes into life. Countless spectators | | | | eat and drink along the sea-front, with fantastic |
| converge in the town to view the hundreds of | | | | views across the sandy beach and out to sea. |
| yachts that participate in this annual extravaganza. | | | | Like Sandown, there is an abundance of excellent |
| The Royal Yacht Squadron headquarters is | | | | hotels to choose from, to suit every pocket. |
| located at Cowes Castle, where cannon fire | | | | Ventnor is located on the south coast of the |
| marks the start of the races. Cowes is also | | | | Island, about 3 miles from Shanklin. It is built on |
| known for its designer clothes shops, fine | | | | steep slopes and cliffs leading down to the sea. |
| restaurants and lively pubs. | | | | Its sheltered position means the area experiences |
| East Cowes is home to Osborne House, the | | | | a microclimate, giving some of the best weather |
| former summer retreat of Queen Victoria and | | | | in the UK. This also means that several subtropical |
| Prince Albert. It is situated next to West Cowes | | | | plant species thrive here. There are quite a few |
| at the northern tip of the Island. | | | | good shops in the town centre, including some |
| Newport is the county town of the Isle of Wight. | | | | selling antiques. Cafes, pubs and restaurants are |
| It is located in the centre of the Island and is an | | | | also well catered for here, including several along |
| ideal base for exploring the Island. It is a popular | | | | the sea-front. Once again, like Sandown and |
| shopping centre, with an abundance of lively pubs, | | | | Shanklin, there is a lovely golden beach for |
| cafes and restaurants. There is also a cinema | | | | holidaymakers and locals alike to enjoy. |
| multiplex as well as theatres, galleries, museums | | | | Yarmouth is the oldest town on the Isle of Wight |
| and nightclubs. There are two main squares, St | | | | and its pier at the pretty harbour was first |
| James' which used to be the cattle market and St | | | | opened in 1876. It is located on the coast in the |
| Thomas' Square which is dominated by St | | | | west of the Island. It is a picturesque fishing and |
| Thomas' Church which was built around 1840. | | | | yachting port and includes the cross-Solent ferry |
| Ryde is the largest town on the Isle of Wight, | | | | terminal for visitors arriving from Lymington on |
| with a population of around 30,000. It is positioned | | | | the mainland. A major landmark in the town |
| on the north-east coast and boasts 6 miles of | | | | centre is Yarmouth Castle, which was built in 1547 |
| superb sandy beach. It has everything you would | | | | and commissioned by Henry VIII. It is now owned |
| expect in a seaside resort. Along the Victorian | | | | by English Heritage. Tourists should make a point |
| Esplanade, you will find an ice rink, putting green | | | | of visiting the attractive town square, flanked by |
| and a 22 lane ten pin bowling alley. There are the | | | | the old 18th century town hall. Yarmouth is also |
| usual seaside shops and arcades, as well as many | | | | noted for its small specialist shops and fine pubs |
| trendy cafes, bars and restaurants. Shopping in | | | | and restaurants. |