For a small island, the Isle of Wight has something for everyone. Visit Isle Wight is a great source to check what’s on during your visit. Some of the more popular attractions can be fully booked during busy dates so we recommend pre-booking on their websites.
Key dates
There are few events for which the island is famous and gets very busy such as the Festival and Scooter weekends. You might want to avoid visiting during these times unless you are attending the event. Other events taking place are:-
2026
Shanklin Theatre Behind the scenes tour - 3rd March, 23rd April, 18th May, 23rd June, 11th July, 6th September
Coach and Bus Museum Opens - 15th March
Easter Events - 3rd-6th April
Ultra Walk (around the whole island!) - 2nd - 3rd May
Walking Festival - 9th -17th May
Walk the Wight - 10th May
Open Studios - 15th - 25th May
Cowes Fringe Festival - 22nd - 24th May
3 Rivers Music Festival - 29th & 31st May
IOW Festival - 19th - 22nd June
Cider and Sausage Festival - 4th July
Summer in Nashville - 5th July
Round the Island Race - 11h July
Royal Isle of Wight County Show - 11th & 12th July
IOW Proms - 11th -12th July
Ventnor Fringe - 17th - 26th July
Cowes Week - 1st - 7th August
Sandown Regatta - 9th August
Ventnor Kids Carnival - 12th August
Ventnor Illuminated Carnival -15th August
Garlic Festival - 15th & 16th August
Yarmouth Carnival Week - 15th - 22nd August
Scooter Weekend - 28th - 31st August
Ryde Carnival - 3rd September
Ryde Illuminated Carnival - 5th September
IOW Randonne - 6th September
Steam Punk Festival -18th - 20th September
Walking Festival (part 2) - 3rd -11th October
Literary Festival - 8th-11th October
Go to www.visitisleofwight.co.uk/whatson to find out more information about these and other events.
Here are a few suggestions of the many places you may want to visit.
Historic
Osbourne House – the holiday home of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. A must visit if you have never been before. The gardens and grounds are wonderful and you can spend the whole day here.
Carisbrook Castle – romantic ruins with fantastic views over the local countryside.
Hidden Treasures
Farringford - The historic home of Alfred Lord Tennyson who came to the Isle of Wight to escape the hectic life of London. Recently restored, this is a must see attraction
Dimbola – the island home of photographer Julia Margaret Cameron. Part of the artistic set who called the Island their home during the 1860’s.
Transport
Isle of Wight steam railway - not to be missed! Check the website for dates, to see which of the engines is ‘pulling’ and to check what special events are on. Don’t miss the museum.
Historic Bus & Coach Museum – entry is free. An interesting selection of historic buses and under cover so a good attraction for a rainy day. Opens 6th April 2025. Look out for the opportunity to ride these historic treasures. May and October 2025.
Gardens
Ventnor Botanical Gardens – situated at the heart of the Undercliff, this historic garden has its own microclimate so grows plants from many regions of the world.
Mottistone Gardens – there has been a building on this site for over 1,000 years. Todays Manor House was constructed in the 15th and 16th centuries. The stunning garden was created in the 1960s.
Outdoors
As well as the miles of walks there are a number of popular outdoor attractions. Here are just a couple:
Robin Hill Country Park – 88 acres of parkland, woodland, countryside and water gardens.
Blackgang Chine – the UK’s oldest theme park. Fun for all ages.
Tapnell Farm Park – home to the Islands newest attraction -The Aqua Park, with over 20 waterbased obstacles opened in 2020. The remainder of the park is farm themed.
Wildlife
The island caters well for animal lovers! If you are one don’t miss:
Wildheart Animal Sanctuary – home to rescued lions and tigers as well as many other animals. Two new rescued tigers arrivedin 2023. Destined to be butchered for Chinese Medicine, they will now live out thier life on the Island. Two recue bears - Bengi and Balu, who had been incacerated in a concrete cage in Azerbaijan, arrived in 2025. They are living thier best life in a purpose built environment.
Donkey Sanctuary – a great place to visit. You can even adopt a donkey and check the website for take a donkey for a walk day!
Monkey Haven – if monkeys are your thing this is the place for you! Houses rescued primates.
Exploring
The delightful villages, stunning sea views and cute cottages abound on the island. There are many beautiful places to see but here are just 3 to demonstrate the wide range of places available:
Godshill – so picturesque featuring some of the islands oldest architecture. Home of the Model Village.
Ventnor – a pretty, traditional seaside town with the fishing harbour, beach and famous Spyglass Inn.
Seaview – an attractive Edwardian resort, overlooking the Solent. A great place to pause and watch the world go by.
Food and Drink
The island has many artisan food and drink producers including Mermaid Gin, Goodards Brewery, Isle of Wight Whiskey, Adgesone Vineyard, Wight Knuckle Brewry and Quarr Abbey Brewery.
On the food side there is the Garlic Farm, Briddlesford Diary (makers of the famous Gallybagger Chese), Calbourne Dairy, Calbourne Mill for Meusli and Porridge. A must visit is Crave Ice Cream, Ventnor. They re-open Easter 2025. The Island baker is Grace's Bakery with 4 shops on the Island. There is also Island Roasted coffee who sell thier products from Cafe Isola, their artisan cafe in Newport based in an old congregational church.
