Location: Isle of Wight
Top Things to do in Isle of Wight
Things to do in Isle of Wight, England: The Best Historic Sites
The Isle of Wight is the perfect place to enjoy some peace, quiet and natural beauty. Except perhaps in the summer, when the Isle of Wight Festival draws visitors from all over the world. In 1970, the Festival was the largest rock-music event ever held. It was called Britain's Woodstock and featured Jimi Hendrix and The Who. (Not so much peace or quiet that week.) The island is also known for its world-famous sailing and lovely resorts, where people have been vacationing since Victorian times.
Restaurants in Isle of Wight
1. Culver Battery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
On Culver Down, near Bembridge on the Isle of Wight, are the concrete emplacements for two 9.2" Guns. The battery was constructed in 1906 and was known as Culver Down Battery. The battery remained operational throughout WW2 until it was disarmed in 1956.
Reviewed By elliegascoyne - Bedfordshire, United Kingdom
Free car parking is available on the hill. The view is remarkable and historic information posts are very interesting.
2. Osborne House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,408 reviews
Former retreat for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert (circa 1845) still retains a large collection of the royal couple's possessions, art work and photographs. Also home to the Swiss Cottage for Victoria's children, and the private beach and bathing machine.
Reviewed By 836michaelc836 - Saltash, United Kingdom
Excellent house to visit well worth the money lots to see and do House interesting well presented Guides well informed and polite Gardens well maintained and excellent Swiss Cottage interesting Good walks available Beach worth walking to
3. Godshill Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 222 reviews
Reviewed By 65ralphl - Hanslope, United Kingdom
Interesting church. Interior worth a look and there is plenty of information about the church and the local families. Pleasant walk to the church from the village via some steps or follow the road.
4. The Needles Battery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,225 reviews
Reviewed By Lorettatata - Bristol, United Kingdom
Walked up from the car park near the amusements area in thick mist, rewarded with amazing calm sea and blue sky a great vantage point with views of the needles landmark by the time we arrived at The Battery, as the sun had burned off the mist. The military history of the battery is well presented and made it an interesting if not too long visit. Tea room charming in 1940s period style. Loved it. We received 20% off car park for NT members.
5. St. Catherine's Oratory
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 94 reviews
Reviewed By 269simonk - Portsmouth, United Kingdom
Bearing an uncanny resemblance to a stone rocket which is ready for lift-off, the impressive tower of England's only Medieval Lighthouse stands in splendid isolation atop St. Catherine's Hill - one of the highest points on the Isle of Wight - and commands a panoramic 360-Degree view which, on a clear day, stretches all the way from Weymouth in the West to Hindhead in the North-East, via Swanage, Bournemouth, the New Forest, Southampton, Portsmouth and the South Downs. The story of this impressive and iconic structure began on 20th April 1313 when a French merchant ship, the Saint Mairie of Bayonne, was wrecked in Chale Bay and Walter de Goditon, Lord of the Manor, helped himself to some of its cargo. For this act of plunder de Goditon was duly fined by the secular courts in Southampton, but because the casks of wine which he had stolen belonged to a Monastery, he was tried again for the same offence in a Church court! After being found guilty for the second time, de Goditon was ordered to do penance by building a Lighthouse-cum-Chantry on St. Catherine's Down and paying a Priest to pray for the souls of those lost at sea. During the Dissolution of the Monasteries by King Henry VIII, around the year 1540, the financial endowments which supported the Chantry were confiscated, leaving the last Priest to turn the lights of the lighthouse off as he left! Although the rectangular Chantry dedicated to St. Catherine soon fell into disrepair, the four-storey stone tower was maintained by local landowners as an aid to navigation. The Grade II Listed Building is currently in the care of the National Trust It's always possible to get inside the Tower, which has an entrance but no gate, however there are no longer any internal structures (such as floors or ladders) which would allow visitors to get higher than ground level. There is no vehicular access to the 35-foot high tower, known affectionately as the "Pepper Pot", but intending visitors can park their cars at nearby Blackgang Chine and walk from there via a Public Footpath.. Alternatively, the open-top 'bus service from Ryde Esplanade to Alum Bay stops nearby. Although a stiff climb over springy Downland turf is required to reach the tower, the amazing views which it commands - over virtually all of the Isle of Wight - make the effort needed to get there more than worthwhile. A stone's throw from the "Pepper Pot" - although unfortunately not accessible to the public, as it's inside the perimeter of a radio relay station - is the Isle of Wight's very own "Salt Cellar" ... the base of a modern Lighthouse which was started in 1785 but ultimately never completed.
6. Farringford Estate
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 70 reviews
2021 visit the lovingly restored Garden & Parklands at Farringford Estate. Unfortunately due to Covid Restrictions the House Tours remain closed. The home of Alfred, Lord Tennyson which has now been restored to its former glory with a beautiful walled garden. From 1853 until his death in 1892, Farringford was the main home of the renowned Victorian poet Alfred,Lord Tennyson. In this secluded spot on the Isle of Wight, the new Poet Laureate and his family sought a retreat from the clamour of London life. But while Farringford provided a tranquil domestic haven, it also attracted many of Tennyson's eminent friends, becoming a focus of intellectual and artistic activity. The Garden & Parkland are open from May 19th 2021 to October 2021 Wed/Thur/Fri/Sat only. Booking not required. Entry by card at the ticket office.
7. Newport Roman Villa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 86 reviews
** Now closed for 2020 season, reopening Spring 2021 ** Newport Roman Villa is a Scheduled Ancient Monument in the care of the Isle of Wight Council Heritage Service. The well-preserved remains at Newport Roman Villa provide a fascinating insight into country life in third century Britain. The Villa has a superb bath suite with under floor heating and remnants of mosaic floors. Discover the plants Romans would have used in the beautiful herb garden. 2021 Opening: TBC. Booking advised. Admission: Adult - £3.75; Seniors - £3.25; Children (5-17 yrs) + Students - £2.75; Children under 5 – Free; Families - £11.00 ** Please visit our website for further information and Covid-19 safety procedures **
Reviewed By BirdsInTheTrees
Took my 7 year old here and spent around an hour or so having a look round. What I liked about this particular site is that its right in the middle of an ordinary street of houses so really brings home the history beneath our feet! We also liked the garden and the information board about what the Romans used various plants and herbs for. My son enjoyed any gruesome fact he saw and the little trail they gave him. The staff were really helpful and friendly, small gift shop on exit. Went when it first re opened after lockdown and the additional covid measures they had in place were good too.
8. Dimbola Museum & Galleries
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 249 reviews
Home and workplace of celebrated Victorian photographer Julia Margaret Cameron. Visit for: - Year round exhibits celebrating Julia's life and work - Vintage cameras - Programme of changing exhibitions - Victorian dressing-up room (currently unavailable) - Isle of Wight Festival displays - FREE entry to the award-winning Tea Room and Museum Gift Shop Lively programme of talks and events, check website for further information. Coach parties and large groups welcome, please book in advance. Group and tour rates available.
Reviewed By vegan-brightonian - Brighton, United Kingdom
Fascinating little museum about a little-known pioneer photographer and the Isle of Wight festival. We stumbled across this place and were very pleased.
9. Arreton Barns
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 844 reviews
Reviewed By Feedbird
Well worth a visit good farm shop nice selection of fresh and cooked meat and cakes good pub great sweet shop and love glass sculpter great designs great service and friendly staff love it!!!
10. Yarmouth Castle
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 287 reviews
Reviewed By SammyL07 - Bristol, United Kingdom
Entrance hidden up a a lane yards from the ferry terminal, lovely views of the channel and right next to the ferries coming and going
