Our guidebook for Ventnor & around
Entertainment & Activities
There are lots of beautiful coastal walks for free, and of course Ventnor beach is right on your doorstep. However, here are a few paid activities you can do nearby!
Courts are available to hire by the hour, please allow a minimum of 2 hours notice. All details available at their website.
Ventnor Tennis Club
Courts are available to hire by the hour, please allow a minimum of 2 hours notice. All details available at their website.
Essentials
In the town centre a few mins drive up the hill, there is a Co-op (park free outside or round the back) and there's also a Tesco Express for essentials. Tesco is open 7.00am - 11.00pm. You can normally park right outside or opposite. If you want to walk allow about 15 mins, includes a steep hill. Easier on the way back!!
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Co-op Food
1 Pier StIn the town centre a few mins drive up the hill, there is a Co-op (park free outside or round the back) and there's also a Tesco Express for essentials. Tesco is open 7.00am - 11.00pm. You can normally park right outside or opposite. If you want to walk allow about 15 mins, includes a steep hill. Easier on the way back!!
There is a Boots in the centre of the town, a few mins drive or 15 min walk away. Sells the usual Boots items!
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Boots
3 High StThere is a Boots in the centre of the town, a few mins drive or 15 min walk away. Sells the usual Boots items!
I put a petrol station on here as there aren't any in Ventnor, which isn't very helpful in this day and age. So there is a petrol station at Lake about a 10 min drive east or there's one at on the way to Godshill, go past Donkey Sanctuary and turn left at roundabout, is down on the right about half a mile. No idea what it is called but the petrol pumps are a giveaway, you'll find it.
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Morrisons
South StreetI put a petrol station on here as there aren't any in Ventnor, which isn't very helpful in this day and age. So there is a petrol station at Lake about a 10 min drive east or there's one at on the way to Godshill, go past Donkey Sanctuary and turn left at roundabout, is down on the right about half a mile. No idea what it is called but the petrol pumps are a giveaway, you'll find it.
Food scene
The Isle of Wight is amazing for food, and Ventnor happens to be a bit of a foodie hotspot.
Directly opposite is the award winning Spyglass Inn and a few mins stroll along the seafront is The Smoking Lobster, The Met and Besty & Spinky's cafe.
In Ventnor town you can find The True Food Kitchen (also open at Castle Haven beach for lunch Mar-Oct), The Drunken Lobster (cocktails and Japanese inspired dishes), Stripped, Cantina, The Bistro and Masala Bay. The Royal Hotel is just at the top of the hill and does fantastic afternoon tea.
Further afield we really recommend for breakfast and lunch, The Garlic Farm and Harvey Browns (has a large farm shop attached). Also The Hut in Colwell Bay is excellent, open Mar-Nov.
Delicious Asian influenced seafood and steak. Located a few mins walk along the seafront. Is very popular, and on the higher scale of the budget, advance booking essential. Not sure why it says bar on this listing but is definitely a restaurant.
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Smoking Lobster
EsplanadeDelicious Asian influenced seafood and steak. Located a few mins walk along the seafront. Is very popular, and on the higher scale of the budget, advance booking essential. Not sure why it says bar on this listing but is definitely a restaurant.
Great cafe for full a english breakfast, a few mins walk at the eastern end of the Esplanade and lots of seating outside if the weather allows. Won best cafe in IOW in 2023. It's run by our friends Allen Best and Michael Spink so say you're staying with us!
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Besty & Spinkys
Eastern EsplanadeGreat cafe for full a english breakfast, a few mins walk at the eastern end of the Esplanade and lots of seating outside if the weather allows. Won best cafe in IOW in 2023. It's run by our friends Allen Best and Michael Spink so say you're staying with us!
Part of the Smoking Lobster group this is place offers cocktails and small plates of Japanese style food. The staff are always upbeat in a TGI Friday/Tom Cruise Cocktail kind of way (just showing my age there). Located up in the town it is quite small so booking advised. One of my favs.
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Drunken Lobster
2 Pier StreetPart of the Smoking Lobster group this is place offers cocktails and small plates of Japanese style food. The staff are always upbeat in a TGI Friday/Tom Cruise Cocktail kind of way (just showing my age there). Located up in the town it is quite small so booking advised. One of my favs.
Currently only open at the weekends this small restaurant offers great German inspired food. I think they do breakfast as well. Booking advised.
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Cantina
20 High StCurrently only open at the weekends this small restaurant offers great German inspired food. I think they do breakfast as well. Booking advised.
The Garlic Farm has an amazing restaurant located in a cosy converted barn with wood burners. It is about a 15 minute drive and situated in a beautiful spot just beyond Newchurch. As you might of guessed garlic does feature a lot in the food! They are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Booking recommended.
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The Garlic Farm Shop And Restaurant
Mersley LaneThe Garlic Farm has an amazing restaurant located in a cosy converted barn with wood burners. It is about a 15 minute drive and situated in a beautiful spot just beyond Newchurch. As you might of guessed garlic does feature a lot in the food! They are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Booking recommended.
Great food in an slightly more formal setting. Literally a few mins walk up Bath road. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and they also do a fantastic afternoon tea. If the weather is nice you can sit outside on the terrace. Booking advised.
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The Royal Hotel
Belgrave RoadGreat food in an slightly more formal setting. Literally a few mins walk up Bath road. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and they also do a fantastic afternoon tea. If the weather is nice you can sit outside on the terrace. Booking advised.
Traditional home cooked Italian food in an old pub. It's a bit quirky and low key but the food is great and popular with locals. Run by my good friend Adrian, who is an outspoken Italian. Tell him I said that if you go. Located at the top of Bonchurch about a 5 min drive or 20 min walk. Booking essential.
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Bonchurch Inn
Bonchurch ShuteTraditional home cooked Italian food in an old pub. It's a bit quirky and low key but the food is great and popular with locals. Run by my good friend Adrian, who is an outspoken Italian. Tell him I said that if you go. Located at the top of Bonchurch about a 5 min drive or 20 min walk. Booking essential.
This is a lovely pub about a 20 min drive away at Hulverstone. Has a west facing garden with sea views so ideal spot in the evening to catch the sunset.
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The Sun Inn
This is a lovely pub about a 20 min drive away at Hulverstone. Has a west facing garden with sea views so ideal spot in the evening to catch the sunset.
Hugely popular restaurant in Colwell Bay on the west side of the island (about 30 mins drive). Set in a lovely bay overlooking the sea with wonderful food. There is a public car park about 200 metres away. Booking essential. Closed from Nov-Mar.
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The Hut
Colwell Chine RoadHugely popular restaurant in Colwell Bay on the west side of the island (about 30 mins drive). Set in a lovely bay overlooking the sea with wonderful food. There is a public car park about 200 metres away. Booking essential. Closed from Nov-Mar.
The True Food Kitchen is located up in the town and does really fantastic Asian inspired food. This restaurant is having it's moment! In the summer they operate next to a beach at Castle Haven but in winter they are based back in the town. Very popular so booking advised.
High Street
High StreetThe True Food Kitchen is located up in the town and does really fantastic Asian inspired food. This restaurant is having it's moment! In the summer they operate next to a beach at Castle Haven but in winter they are based back in the town. Very popular so booking advised.
Masala Bay
9-11 Pier StGreat Indian restaurant in the town, sit in or take away.
Historic old pub with good food, also has outside garden overlooking the sea. Situated in Niton which is about a 15 min drive.
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The Buddle Inn
Saint Catherine's RoadHistoric old pub with good food, also has outside garden overlooking the sea. Situated in Niton which is about a 15 min drive.
Over in Freshwater this cafe does amazing food. It doesn't have a view, although there is a field opposite! Has an excellent breakfast menu and sometimes has live music at the weekend. Opening times can be bit sporadic in winter so check before!
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Piano Cafe
Gate LaneOver in Freshwater this cafe does amazing food. It doesn't have a view, although there is a field opposite! Has an excellent breakfast menu and sometimes has live music at the weekend. Opening times can be bit sporadic in winter so check before!
This is a local favourite located in Sandown. Honestly it doesn't have the best location in Sandown high street but the Chinese food is great and lots of traditional decor and atmosphere make up for it!
Royal China
16 High StThis is a local favourite located in Sandown. Honestly it doesn't have the best location in Sandown high street but the Chinese food is great and lots of traditional decor and atmosphere make up for it!
Located just up the cascade in Ventnor we have heard favourable reviews about The Bistro. We haven't been personally but is supposed to be good.
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The Bistro
30 Pier StLocated just up the cascade in Ventnor we have heard favourable reviews about The Bistro. We haven't been personally but is supposed to be good.
Same amazing food as Ventnor but in Cowes! Booking essential.
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Smoking Lobster Cowes
127 High StreetSame amazing food as Ventnor but in Cowes! Booking essential.
A great pit stop on the sea front at Ventnor. Delicious home made cakes and tea/coffee.
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Toni's Tea Room
EsplanadeA great pit stop on the sea front at Ventnor. Delicious home made cakes and tea/coffee.
Very lovely owner. Situated along the seafront, serves cake, cream tea, ice cream and probably more!
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Lady Scarlett's Tea Parlour Isle Of Wight
The EsplanadeVery lovely owner. Situated along the seafront, serves cake, cream tea, ice cream and probably more!
Sightseeing
An absolutely beautiful cove about a 20 min coastal walk west from your cabin, well worth a walk. I used to live here as a child so bear in mind I'm totally biased. Head west through the car park and follow the footpath.
Please note the cafes here are closed during the winter. Open for lunch usually from April but worth checking.
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Steephill Cove Chalet
Steephill RoadAn absolutely beautiful cove about a 20 min coastal walk west from your cabin, well worth a walk. I used to live here as a child so bear in mind I'm totally biased. Head west through the car park and follow the footpath.
Please note the cafes here are closed during the winter. Open for lunch usually from April but worth checking.
Nearly a thousand years old, this is a magical little church in an equally beautiful setting. It is about a 30 min walk east along the seafront, when at Bonchurch head up the footpath behind the Victorian Terrace of houses. Go past the stream, throw in a stone and make a wish, and the church is up on your left. Has some interesting old grave stones if you like that kind of thing.
Vecchia chiesa di San Bonifacio
Bonchurch Village RoadNearly a thousand years old, this is a magical little church in an equally beautiful setting. It is about a 30 min walk east along the seafront, when at Bonchurch head up the footpath behind the Victorian Terrace of houses. Go past the stream, throw in a stone and make a wish, and the church is up on your left. Has some interesting old grave stones if you like that kind of thing.
A lovely place to visit and free! I mean who doesn't love a donkey? Has a nice cafe and shop and of course, as you would expect, lots of rescued donkeys. About a 5 min drive towards Newport.
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Donkey Sanctuary station
A lovely place to visit and free! I mean who doesn't love a donkey? Has a nice cafe and shop and of course, as you would expect, lots of rescued donkeys. About a 5 min drive towards Newport.
Visit the holiday home of Queen Victoria over in East Cowes, about a 20 min drive from Ventnor. You can wander around the inside and stroll through the grounds down to the sea. Ask about the ghosts. Also has a café and shop.
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Osborne House Osborne House Estate
Visit the holiday home of Queen Victoria over in East Cowes, about a 20 min drive from Ventnor. You can wander around the inside and stroll through the grounds down to the sea. Ask about the ghosts. Also has a café and shop.
Located in the next town along (about a 10 min drive), the chine is a beautiful ravine in the rock with waterfalls, trees, lush vegetation with a few animals thrown in. It's a bit like stepping back in time! Floodlit in the summer but closed over winter months.
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Shanklin Chine
3 Chine AveLocated in the next town along (about a 10 min drive), the chine is a beautiful ravine in the rock with waterfalls, trees, lush vegetation with a few animals thrown in. It's a bit like stepping back in time! Floodlit in the summer but closed over winter months.
Located about a 15 in drive on Sandown seafront, this zoo is now re-branded as an animal sanctuary. It's quite a decent size and in particular home to lots of re-homed tigers. Owned by Chris Packham and his partner.
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Isle of Wight Zoo
Yaverland RoadLocated about a 15 in drive on Sandown seafront, this zoo is now re-branded as an animal sanctuary. It's quite a decent size and in particular home to lots of re-homed tigers. Owned by Chris Packham and his partner.
Most of this historical building is now a ruin but still worth a walk around for it's eerie atmosphere. If you are interested in ghosts (like sadly I am) then put this on your to do list! Plus it's free which is always welcome. Located in Wroxall about a 5 min drive out of Ventnor.
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Appuldurcombe House
Most of this historical building is now a ruin but still worth a walk around for it's eerie atmosphere. If you are interested in ghosts (like sadly I am) then put this on your to do list! Plus it's free which is always welcome. Located in Wroxall about a 5 min drive out of Ventnor.
We love this place, as has somehow retained a feeling of history when you step inside the walls. There isn't much of the interior that remains but you can see where King Charles I was imprisoned and there are lots of donkeys kept on site who demo the water wheel. Has good gift shop and modest café, so maybe head somewhere else for lunch.
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Castello di Carisbrooke
Castle HillWe love this place, as has somehow retained a feeling of history when you step inside the walls. There isn't much of the interior that remains but you can see where King Charles I was imprisoned and there are lots of donkeys kept on site who demo the water wheel. Has good gift shop and modest café, so maybe head somewhere else for lunch.
Love this place a lot and take the dog for a walk here several times a week. A beautiful sheltered garden that also does decent coffee and cakes, also has a very good gift shop. Lots of interesting plants as you would expect in a botanical garden. Situated just behind Steephill Cove, so you could park and visit both. If you want to walk from The Cabin it takes about 20 mins. Open all year, which is a Godsend.
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Giardino botanico di Ventnor
Undercliff DriveLove this place a lot and take the dog for a walk here several times a week. A beautiful sheltered garden that also does decent coffee and cakes, also has a very good gift shop. Lots of interesting plants as you would expect in a botanical garden. Situated just behind Steephill Cove, so you could park and visit both. If you want to walk from The Cabin it takes about 20 mins. Open all year, which is a Godsend.
Neighbourhoods
We are located right on Ventnor Beach. We are on the south side of the island, sheltered by the downs behind so enjoys a mild micro climate being the warmest place in the UK, we even have lizards! The beach is easy to get to and has deckchairs, umbrellas, windbreaks available to rent. The esplanade has several pubs, coffee shops and good restaurants, and a small harbour shop selling fresh fish. The town itself is a 10 min walk up the hill where there are more restaurants and shops.
Ventnor is a very pretty town, with houses set into the hillside. Nightlife is low key but it is a foodie hotspot.
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Ventnor Beach
We are located right on Ventnor Beach. We are on the south side of the island, sheltered by the downs behind so enjoys a mild micro climate being the warmest place in the UK, we even have lizards! The beach is easy to get to and has deckchairs, umbrellas, windbreaks available to rent. The esplanade has several pubs, coffee shops and good restaurants, and a small harbour shop selling fresh fish. The town itself is a 10 min walk up the hill where there are more restaurants and shops.
Ventnor is a very pretty town, with houses set into the hillside. Nightlife is low key but it is a foodie hotspot.
Consigli per viaggiatori
Muoversi in zona
Bus is good way to explore!
There is a great bus service around the island, but limited trains. The nearest train station is Shanklin, but there is a direct line to Ryde Pier head where the Wightlink FastCat (Foot Passenger) departs.