West Wight Accommodation

Alum Bay's coloured rocks have attracted visitors since Victorian times
A quieter bay in West Wight is Totland Bay and its shingle beach
The Needles is a major attraction in West Wight
Heathland walks on the Downs above Alum Bay
Pick up open top bus tours at Yarmouth
The open top bus tours take you all around the attractions in West Wight
The popular beach at Freshwater Bay

West Wight Tourist Information The Needles Alum Bay Yarmouth Ferry Isle of Wight

West Wight is much more rural than some other parts of the Isle of Wight. It's a fantastic place for walking along the chalk downs that give you excellent views of the coast. Alum Bay on the far western point of the Isle of Wight draws thousands of visitors every year. The main attraction is The Needles, the iconic chalk rocks that jut out into the sea. If the family don't fancy traipsing along the cliffs then The Needles Park has plenty of attractions to keep everyone happy.

Yarmouth is a pretty harbour town on the north coast. Here you can pick up ferries to Lymington in Hampshire. It's also a very pleasant place to while away a few hours with its castle and pier to visit or just to take in the sea views. Around on the southern coast in West Wight is the popular beach at Freshwater Bay.

Featured Hampshire Accommodation

Self Catering Holiday Cottages - Isle of Wight

Personally inspected holiday cottages on the Isle of Wight

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Yarmouth Tourist Guide Isle of Wight Ferry

Yarmouth is a popular town to visit on the north west coast of the Isle of Wight. It's one of the island's ferry ports with regular services sailing across the Solent from Lymington.

The town was defended by one of Henry VIII's fortifications, Yarmouth Castle, which you can visit today. The town itself is a lovely laid back place to stroll around with cafes, pubs and a selection of independent shops to browse. If it's the wilder side of the Isle of Wight you're after the River Yar and estuary are fantastic for birdwatching throughout the year.

Alum Bay The Needles Park National Trust Walks Birdwatching

Alum Bay and The Needles is something of a must-see on the Isle of Wight and certainly the honeypot visitor attraction in West Wight. The walk along to The Needles is a great walk giving you views of the whole bay and its coloured sands. All around this area of West Wight the chalk downland provides some good walking country surrounded by wildlife rich habitats.

For families The Needles Park on top of the cliffs has all sorts of child-friendly rides and amusements. You can see demonstrations of glass blowing or see how hard boiled sweets are made before filling up on them!

The chalk downs around Alum Bay are fantastic walking country. If you carry on walking south and west of The Needles you'll come to Tennyson Down - obviously named after the poet who lived and found inspiration here. The Tennyson Trail takes you along the Down and up to the Tennyson Monument. Click on the link right for a leaflet showing the trail of the Tennyson Trail.

Isle of Wight Bus Tours

One way to see West Wight's sights is to pick up one of the bus tours. Southern Vectis run several tours around the island and The Needles Tour takes in West Wight's countryside and tourist attractions. Open top buses take a circular hop-on-hop-off route from Yarmouth down to The Needles around to Freshwater Bay and back up to Yarmouth.

The journey takes around an hour in total but you can get off at particular places of interest and pick up another bus later on. You pay the one price no matter how often you get on or off.

You can buy the tickets on the bus or at travel points around the island. There is a family ticket for two adults and up to three children or you pay individually. There is no charge for accompanied children under five.

Check out the weblink right for more information on The Needles Tour and other Isle of Wight tours by open top bus.

Freshwater Bay Tourist Guide Isle of Wight Alfred Lord Tennyson

Freshwater Bay is another popular seaside village in West Wight. The beach at Freshwater Bay with its south facing aspect and sheltered cove is great for soaking up the sun. For something more active you can take walks over the wildlife-rich Downs either side of the bay.

Freshwater Bay's most famous resident has to be Alfred Lord Tennyson who moved here with his wife in 1853. They spent the next forty years living at Freshwater, said to be the happiest period of his life.

If golfing's your game then the Freshwater Bay Golf Club above the bay is an excellent links course with fantastic views over the English Channel.