The western side of the Isle of Wight is a favourite of many Islanders, with its varied landscape and untouched beaches.
Amidst the beaches and villages is Freshwater, which once attracted Victorian artists and now welcomes paddleboarders, walkers, and rockpoolers looking for the dreamiest of settings for a coastal stay.
From watersports to history, here are some of our favourite things to do in Freshwater on the Isle of Wight.
The Needles
One of the most famous sights on the Island, The Needles is well worth a visit when staying in Freshwater. The iconic landmark can be accessed by walking from Freshwater, which takes in the stunning surrounding scenery, or you can embark on a memorable boat trip and get up close to the rocks with Needles Pleasure Cruises.
For the most dramatic views, you can climb aboard the chairlift at the top of Alum Bay cliffs, giving you an incredible vantage over the chalk-white stacks and colourful cliffs behind as you make your way to the beach below.
Alongside the salt-kissed sea stacks, you’ll find a whole host of activities along the headland, including the longest-established glassmaker, the eye-popping Isle of Wight Sweet Manufactory where you can see how your favourite sweet treats are made, and a series of family-friendly rides and games for all ages, from adventure golf to a dinosaur safari!
Dimbola Museum and Galleries
Dimbola combines good food with a museum celebrating notable Victorian Julia Margaret Cameron. An experimental photographer who would nowadays be called an 'early adopter', Charles Darwin and Lord Tennyson were amongst those who agreed to be photographed, as she treated her cameras as a means of creating art rather than something more clinical and practical. Some credit Julia Margaret Cameron as being the inventor of the close up photograph, and for many years her portrait of Darwin featured on the back of a £10 note.
The museum also houses a permanent museum about the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival, held at nearby Afton. Dimbola's statue of Jimi Hendrix is a reminder that it was his final concert in the UK.
Some estimates say that 700,000 people attended the three-day festival in August 1970, with other acts on the lineup including The Doors, Joni Mitchell and The Who. The impact was so great that it was another 32 years before the Isle of Wight Festival returned!
Watersports
With such a beautiful coastline at your fingertips, Freshwater promises some truly magical days on the water, from swimming to kayaking to paddleboarding.
Explorers should sign up with Freshwater Bay Coasteering, who will guide you round the stunning coastline to a hidden beach called Watcombe Bay. The beach was once used as a landing spot for smugglers, who made the most of the beach's large cave. Although a wonderful way to explore the coastline, it’s advised that you don't attempt to visit this beach without an expert guide, as there's a high risk of getting cut off by the tides.
Tapnell Farm Park
As you leave Freshwater and head towards Newport you will pass Tapnell Farm. This former dairy farm has grown over the last decade into one of the Island's most popular family days out.
For younger visitors there is the farm park, which is jam-packed with indoor and outdoor fun, including zip wires, two jumping pillows (a kind of giant bouncy castle without the walls), minigolf and farm animals. Regular events take place throughout the year, such as pumpkin carving, summer evening shows, and Christmas extravaganzas.
There’s also the Isle of Wight Aqua Park, where you can conquer the inflatable obstacle course for a truly exhilarating experience! Or how about a round of football golf? It’s the only course of its kind on the Island and is a great outlet for the more competitive members of the family.
Recharge by bringing the family together at The Cow at Tapnell, which has won awards for its burgers and relaxed atmosphere.
Beaches
One of the most beautiful beaches on the Isle of Wight, the famous Freshwater Bay draws visitors from near and far, with the turquoise waters and striking white cliffs making it hard to believe you’re not on an island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea!
On calm days, the sea sparkles and glows blue in the shallower sections around the famous Mermaid and Stag Rocks that make up the incredible views. When the surf picks up, Freshwater Bay delivers a mighty roar as the waves pound the cliffs.
The main section of beach at Freshwater changes its appearance throughout the year. At times you will find generous patches of sand, ideal for evening games. After a storm, mother nature rearranges the beach, depositing sizeable pebbles and giving it a rustic makeover.
At low tide, you can walk round to the right where you'll find the second half of Freshwater Bay, backed by tall cliffs and overlooked by Fort Redoubt. The cliffs provide shelter while the rocks are ideal for spotting sea creatures that dart out and run for cover at the first sign of movement. Keep an eye on tide times for your return journey.
Walks
From the beach, you have a choice of some of the Island’s best walks. Turning left as you face the sea takes you onto the cliff tops overlooking the bay where you can get a closer view of the Mermaid and Stag rocks. There was once a third rock, shaped into an arch, but it came crashing down in a storm in 1992. You can still see its base peeping through the water at low tide.
In the other direction is the wonderful walk up to the Tennyson Monument, which was erected in honour of the village's most famous former resident. The Poet Laureate lived at the historic Farringford, which is open for tours on certain days. The walled garden has been carefully restored to resemble how it looked in Tennyson's day, based on journals and watercolours.
The climb up to the Monument is only about 1.5 miles in each direction, but it rises 150 metres - luckily there are plenty of breathtaking (or rather breath-catching) spots along the route. If you carry on walking you will eventually reach The Needles and the famous multicoloured sands of Alum Bay.
The Causeway is another delightful spot for a walk in Freshwater. Take a wander or a cycle along this former railway line, which runs parallel to the River Yar. The route is wide and traffic-free, so it’s a good choice for younger cyclists. At the end of the track is the former Yarmouth railway station, which now operates as a themed café called Off The Rails.
Places to eat
Freshwater is home to a mouthwatering selection of eateries, giving you endless choice when returning from your coastal walk or beach day.
Named after Queen Victoria’s piano tuner who lived in the building, The Piano Café is a firm favourite amongst locals and visitors alike, with the welcoming café offering up delicious barista made coffee and scrumptious cakes, as well as takeaway Greek dishes on Friday and Saturday evenings.
For some traditional pub grub head to The Red Lion Inn, which boasts a charming red-brick exterior and cosy vibes inside, with a log fire for winter warming and a lovely pub garden for sunny afternoons.
A little further afield sits one of the Island’s fabulous Michelin recommended restaurants, The Hut. Perched on the water’s edge in Colwell Bay, this dreamy restaurant serves up top-notch food with a side of sea views, making it ideal for special occasions and celebrations.
With a stunning collection of holiday cottages in Freshwater and along Freshwater Bay, you can explore this incredible stretch of coastline yourself.
