LOCAL AREA

Freshwater Bay is one of the most picturesque beaches in West Wight and lies just to the South of the town of Freshwater. The beach is covered in a mixture of grey flint and chalk pebbles that make a unique sound as the waves rise and fall onto the shore. There is sand below the low water mark and some sandy areas to sit if you walk to the more eastern side of the bay. There is also a rock ledge revealed at low tide at this side, which is great for rockpooling with your kids.

The Bay has been hewn from the chalk cliffs that surround it by thousands of years of exposure to the waves and the small river that runs from here to Yarmouth. Now dammed at this end, leaving a marsh in the hollow of the bay area, the river Yar flows northwards from here and the sea wall and coastal road prevent its egress to the sea.

Smugglers once used the caves around the bottom of the chalk cliffs that are exposed at low tide – if you wish to explore them it is best to find a local guide as you can become cut off by the tide. Kayaking is the ideal way to see them and the other small bays, Watcombe and Scratchells, that are also hewn from the chalk. This beach is popular for surfing and watersports and boats will moor offshore to come ashore. The Freshwater Independent Lifeboat is launched from this bay when required by those in trouble at sea.

Eat & Drink

The Piano Cafe, Freshwater bay

An independent cafe, bar and mezze restaurant, serving delicious barista made coffee, mouth-watering breakfasts and lunches, as well as mezze-style food on Friday and Saturday evenings. Live music once a month as well as events throughout the year.

Dimbola Tea Room, Freshwater bay

Come and enjoy delicious homemade cakes, cream teas and light lunches in our cosy tearoom or on our new sunny terrace, overlooking the stunning views of Freshwater Bay.

Off The Rails, Yarmouth

Set along the old railway line (“Causeway") in Yarmouth’s former train station, the restaurant overlooks the outstanding natural beauty of the Yarmouth Marshes and Mill Copse. There is no other view like ours in Yarmouth. Being located along the Causeway makes it the perfect pitstop for walkers, cyclists and those visiting the Isle of Wight as the restaurant is just a 5 minute stroll from the Yarmouth Wightlink Ferry terminal.

The Highdown Inn, Totland

Set in outstanding natural Isle of Wight surroundings complimented by a rich history across the West of the Isle of Wight. Mingle with the locals in our friendly bar whilst selecting your meal from the daily blackboard specials, and enjoy an excellent meal either at a table in the bar or in our sumptuous restaurant. We are noted for our seafood and shellfish and you can compliment your meal with a wine from our extensive stocks or a cold beer or real ale..

The Red Lion, Freshwater

The Red Lion is a traditional country pub in a quiet location in Freshwater on the Isle of Wight. The bar is comfortably furnished and you won’t be deafened by music and the log fire burns peacefully throughout the winter. The Isle of Wight countryside around the pub is amongst the finest in the country and is a haven for walkers, golfers and those who like to take a step back in time.

The Hut, Colwell Bay

An easy-going beach restaurant that delivers an unrivalled passion for simple yet delicious food, in a relaxed, beach-front location with stunning views. Serving delicious fresh seafood and grilled meats in an alfresco and buzzy atmosphere, the Hut creates a unique dining experience which is informal but unforgettable.

On the Rocks, Yarmouth

On the Rocks Yarmouth is an exciting restaurant experience in the heart of Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight. They have fine food, wines and a varied menu to suit most tastes. We are the islands only dedicated Black Rock Grill experience. So pop in and enjoy a wonderful flavoursome meal On the Rocks.

Totties Fish & Chips, Totland

Offering a great selection of takeaway options. Some would say the best fish and chips the area has to offer.

Supermarkets

Tesco, Freshwater

Sainsbury's Local, Freshwater

Orchards, Freshwater Bay

Newport is approximately a 20minute drive away and has a large selection of supermarkets including Morrisons, M&S, Asda and others.

Beaches

Freshwater Bay

Compton

One of the Isle of Wight’s best kept secrets is Compton Beach. Located in West Wight, Compton offers a two mile stretch of contrasting golden and dark sands, with rolling seas, tumbling multi-coloured sandstone cliffs, and the white chalk cliffs at Freshwater in the distance.
Newly restored steep steps lead down to the beach from Hanover Point/Shippard's Chine where there is a large National Trust (NT) car park, toilet facilities and fresh water tap or drive further west to Compton Chine/Farm and find a smaller NT car park on the opposite side of the coastal road and tiered steep steps down to the beach.
Compton is a great place to pick up fossils, including those of dinosaurs, and you can book tours on the beach to see the dinosaur footprints in the sandstone ledge at Hanover Point that are exposed at low tide (link). The beach is ideal for games and sandcastle making, especially at low tide and you may catch sight of paragliders passing over the cliff line or kite surfers out at sea. Compton was recommended by the Marine Conservation Society for the quality of its waters in 2012.
Please note there are seasonal restrictions on dogs for this beach.

Totland Bay

Totland Bay is a picturesque sandy beach, ideal for swimming, with clear turquoise waters and far reaching views to the mainland. The Bay is located on the West of the Isle of Wight, close to the village of Totland. The beach has a number of groynes along its sandy shores, backing onto a seawall where the sand turns to pebbles. The coastline here is rocky yet for the most part covered in a thick blanket of trees and greenery. Check the tides before making the trip to Totland as at high tide the beach all but disappears, although the sea wall makes a great place to sit and wait for it to recede.
Walk further east at dusk and you will find rod and line fishers, or local youngsters having beach parties on the shore. Boats moor offshore during the day, with their occupants using the clear waters to bathe or come ashore to collect supplies and enjoy the restaurant.

Colwell Bay

One of many picturesque beaches in West Wight, offering spectacular views back across the Solent to mainland England. It is a small, easily-accessible beach on the north-west coast, with clear, calm waters and gently sloping sand and shingle, making it an ideal beach for swimming. The beach is down a short road from the main Yarmouth to Totland road, there is a good sized car park with toilets and access for the disabled is good. There would is a lovely walk from here along the sea wall to Totland Beach with stunning views across the Solent.
Included in the panoramic views from here across the Solent is the striking Hurst Castle, and just along the Island coast to the right you can spy the former Victorian gun tower of Fort Albert. This is an ideal place to see yachts sailing by on the Solent waters as the gap between the Isle of Wight and the mainland at this point is relatively narrow.

Things to do

The Needles Landmark & Old Battery

Originally, there were four rocks – you can see the gap very clearly, like a missing tooth. The name the Needles comes from the fourth rock, which was needle-shaped and known as ‘Lot’s Wife’.

An invigorating downland walk from Freshwater Bay or a short drive, with a splendid view of the iconic Needles, a 19th-century fort, a Cold War rocket test site and a monument to a Victorian poet laureate. And along the way you can refuel with a takeaway bite to eat from the National Trust Needles Old Battery tea-room.

Tennyson Down

You can start from the Needles, or approach from Freshwater Bay with its views ahead to the Dorset coast and Old Harry Rocks. Either way, you’ll see exactly where you’re going, as the huge granite cross towers ahead, erected in 1897 on the highest point of the Down. You can also start from the National Trust car park at the end of High Down Lane, just up from the High Down Inn, Totland. The path climbs some steep steps, emerging onto the down directly below the monument.

Alum Bay

Alum Bay is well known for its multi-coloured sand cliffs and stunning views across the Solent. Many homes around the world have a glass object filled with sand as a memento of a visit to Alum Bay and The Needles, but perhaps less well known is the recent history of Alum Bay.

Approximately 70 million years ago, the sea bed rose, was eroded and then sank beneath the sea again. The new sea was shallow and it laid down a series of sands and clays. Some 10 million years later, movement in the bedrock caused these sediments to be pushed nearly vertically to form the multi-coloured cliffs that are visible today.

Coast path & cycle paths

You can, of course, walk along the coastal path at any point on the Isle of Wight, but the stretch around the West Wight is probably the nicest bit.
There's a short section of former railway line which has been turned into a cycle track in Yarmouth (the route details can be found on Red Squirrel Trail Website). It's alongside a bike hire place called Wight Cycle Hire and there's a cafe en route if you decide you'd rather spend the day sipping a latte. More adventurous cyclists can tackle the West Wight section of the Round The Island route.

Fossil hunting

The Isle of Wight is widely regarded as the best place in Europe to find dinosaur fossils. Although fossils can be found all over the United Kingdom and Europe, there are few places that members of the public can go to find their own fossilised dinosaur remains.

Don’t miss the large three-toed footcasts of Iguanodon at the base of the cliffs just to the east of Compton Bay car park at Hanover Point. These are between 1 and 2 feet (300–600mm) across. They are stone now, but were formed when mud and sand filled footprints left by the dinosaurs.

Freshwater Bay Golf Club

One of the most spectacular courses in the UK. Set on the downlands overlooking the English Channel, this seaside links style golf course is 5,725 yards long, par 69 which provides a challenge for golfers of all abilities. If you like a leisurely game of golf in the midst of beautiful coastal scenery, then you will really enjoy the 18-hole course at Freshwater Bay Golf Club. Visitors are welcome and they provide very reasonable rates.

Dimbola Museum & Gallery

The home of the celebrated Victorian photographer Julia Margaret Cameron. It is now a museum and galleries dedicated to her life and work, which also showcases contemporary exhibitions from photographers around the globe

Tapnell Park Farm

A former dairy farm, turned all-weather attraction, surrounded by the beautiful landscapes of the Isle of Wight. It is one of most popular things to do on the Isle of Wight, and a great family day out whatever the weather!

Meet the animals in our Animal Barn, and get up close and personal with some of Tapnell’s cutest and smallest residents. Wander round the Wallaby Walkabout with our mob of tame wallabies, and admire the marvellous meerkats as they stand guard. Venture into The Paddock and enjoy the views in the company of our friendly goats, alpacas and their other animal chums.

West Wight Alpacas

A trekking and alpaca and llama stud farm set within 23-acres of picturesque countryside in the village of Wellow on the Isle of Wight and is home to a wonderful herd of unique Suri alpacas and wooly & Suri llamas.

You can go trekking with these adorable animals and get to know your cushing from your pronking or you can just as easily drop into our farm café and shop, while you watch the alpacas roam around.

Freshwater Bay Coasteering

Coasteering is an adventure sport that treats the natural environment as a giant eco playground. When you Coasteer you navigate and manoeuvre along a stretch of coastline using a variety of different methods to explore the high energy impact zone of where the water meets the land. These techniques and methods include sea level traversing, rock climbing, sea swimming, body surfing, caving, rock jumping and even belly flopping!

OLD COASTGUARD COTTAGE

FRESHWATER BAY, ISLE OF WIGHT

LOCAL AREA