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Discover lots of gardens, historic houses, days out at the coast and more.
Isle of Wight
Discover gardens, forts and a windmill on the Isle of Wight – not to mention 17 miles of beautiful coastline and more than 5,000 acres of countryside. Find out what to see and do on this treasure island.
Places to visit
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Top places to visit on the Isle of Wight
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Compton Bay and Downs
One of the Island's favourite beaches and biggest expanses of open downland
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The Needles Headland and Tennyson Down
Beautiful open downland,sheer chalk cliffs and dramatic sea views
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The Needles Old Battery and New Battery
Victorian coastal defence and secret rocket testing site perched high above the Needles Rocks
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Newtown National Nature Reserve and Old Town Hall
A quiet backwater with a busy Medieval past, now bursting with wildlife and a town hall with no town...
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Bembridge and Culver Downs
Dramatic chalk cliffs and open downland with coastal views, military history and wildlife.
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Mottistone Gardens and Estate
Enchanting gardens set in a sheltered valley and surrounded by rolling downland
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St Catherine's Down and Knowles Farm
A wild rocky coast with jutting cliffs, a windswept down and sheltered wooded valley
Top things to do on Isle of Wight
What's coming this spring?
Discover the Secrets of The Needles: Guided Walks at the Old Battery
Experience the history of The Needles in a whole new way as our knowledgeable guides take you around the Old Battery. Learn about the daily life of those who lived and worked in the battery and discover its key features that played a crucial role in defending the Needles passage. Hear about lesser-known parts of the battery, such as the boiler rooms and sea-level tunnels featuring wartime stories on World War II, the recovery of its guns, and the shipwrecks that lie in the surrounding waters.
Discover the Secrets of The Needles: Guided Walks at the New Battery
Join our guides on a journey through time and discover the history of the New Battery. Learn why the New Battery was built and what life was like here during World War II, including its vital role in radar operations. Hear fascinating stories about shipwrecks in the bay and the lighthouse that once stood on the cliffs. Then, journey to the High Down site, where Saunders-Roe - a pioneering aviation and engineering company - helped shape Britain’s space programme. Learn how they built and tested rockets, leading to the historic launch of Prospero, the UK’s first satellite. Next, explore the New Battery’s former ammunition storage area, where ground-breaking advancements once took place.
Compton Bay fossil walks
Various dates throughout the spring and summer. Join award-winning Wight Coast Fossils for guided walks at Compton Bay and discover evidence for dinosaurs once roaming the Island. Compton beach is one of the best places to encounter the Island’s rich geological past. During one of the walks, you'll learn more about this amazing history; have an opportunity to find fossilised bone, teeth and wood; and even see huge dinosaur foot casts laying on the beach. Booking is essential. Please follow the link for more information.
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Things to see and do for families in Mottistone Gardens
Discover the family-friendly things you can get up to in Mottistone Gardens. From exploring the gardens and woods, to ever changing trails, there's always something to keep little visitors entertained.
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Family friendly things to do at Bembridge Windmill
Discover the family-friendly things to do at Bembridge Windmill, from searching for the mice to dressing up as a miller and making mud pies in the mud bakery.
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Things to do at Newtown National Nature Reserve and Old Town Hall
Spend a day at the Isle of Wight’s only nature reserve and discover wildflower meadows, a network of secluded creeks and waterways, and a town hall without a town.
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Visiting the Needles Old Battery and New Battery
Explore the defensive site that helped protect a nation from invasion. See guns, underground tunnels and the secret rocket testing site plus views across the Solent.
Buildings on the Isle of Wight
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Things to see and do at Bembridge Windmill
Discover the highlights of Bembridge Windmill, the last surviving windmill on the Isle of Wight. Climb to the top, play in the Mud Bakery or make friends with a tree in the grounds.
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The Shack at Mottistone Gardens and Estate
The Shack was a neat, compact retreat for 1930s architects Seely & Paget where they designed projects like Eltham Palace. It is still furnished as it would have been in their time.
Forts on the Isle of Wight
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Bembridge Fort
Bembridge Fort is an unrestored Victorian fort set on dramatic chalk cliffs. You can see the outside of this fascinating example of military architecture on a walk around Bembridge and Culver Downs.
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Needles Old Battery and New Battery
Explore the defensive site that helped protect a nation from invasion. See guns, underground tunnels and the secret rocket testing site plus views across the Solent.
Places to stay on the Isle of Wight
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Dog-friendly holiday cottages
Our holiday cottages are set in scenic locations, by rugged coastline and wild countryside. Bring your dog along for the adventure in one of nearly 300 dog-friendly cottages.
Join a local supporter group
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Supporter groups on the Isle of Wight
Join the Isle of Wight Association to get involved in local events, meet like-minded people and support the upkeep of National Trust places.
Upcoming events
Event
Afton Down Nature Rambles: Spring Birds
Compton Bay and Downs, Isle of WightJoin us for a series of guided nature walks at Afton Down, starting with birdwatching and exploring the wildlife of this beautiful landscape, led by expert birder Nick Lever.
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Discover the Secrets of The Needles: Guided Walks at the Old Battery
The Needles Old Battery and New Battery, Alum Bay, Isle of WightUncover the rich history and hidden secrets of The Needles Old Battery with educational and fascinating guided walks led by our knowledgeable walking team.
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Discover the Secrets of The Needles: Guided Walks at the New Battery
The Needles Old Battery and New Battery, Alum Bay, Isle of WightUncover the rich history and hidden secrets of The Needles New Battery with educational and fascinating guided walks led by our knowledgeable walking team.
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Dawn Chorus Walk
Newtown National Nature Reserve and Old Town Hall, Newtown, Isle of WightOn Sunday 4th of May join us for a gentle guided stroll through the meadows and woodland at Newtown National Nature Reserve to listen to the dawn chorus.
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A Shortcut to Nature Journalling
Newtown National Nature Reserve and Old Town Hall, Newtown, Isle of WightThis workshop will show you how to capture your nature observations in a beautiful little nature journal.
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Wellbeing Walk
Newtown National Nature Reserve and Old Town Hall, Newtown, Isle of WightReconnect with Nature at Newtown National Nature Reserve
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Radar, Bunkers & UFOs – The Hidden History of St. Boniface Down
St Catherine's Down and Knowles Farm, Blackgang, Isle of WightJoin us for an eye-opening journey into the hidden history of St. Boniface Down!
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Compton Bay Fossil Walks
Compton Bay and Downs, Isle of WightVarious dates through the summer holidays. Join Wight Coast Fossils at Compton Bay and travel back in time 130 million years to the Cretaceous period as you discover the fossils of the Compton coast.