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Isle of Wight camping - 20 of the best campsites and touring sites
An Isle of Wight camping holiday is a cheap option for families looking for a break during the school summer holidays. Camping came top in our guide to the cheapest accommodation options on the Island by some distance, because whilst prices at hotels and holiday cottages increase significantly during peak times, you'll find Isle of Wight campsites are still pretty affordable.
Here is our guide to 20 of the best Isle of Wight campsites, along with a rough price comparison. We looked at prices for a basic 4 berth tent plot for two adults and two children (aged 10 and 12) from August 8th - 15th 2020 (prices checked in September 2019). We looked at the cheapest option and included electricity. Touring generally costs the same as camping, although there are slight differences at some sites.
Here is our guide to 20 of the best Isle of Wight campsites, along with a rough price comparison. We looked at prices for a basic 4 berth tent plot for two adults and two children (aged 10 and 12) from August 8th - 15th 2020 (prices checked in September 2019). We looked at the cheapest option and included electricity. Touring generally costs the same as camping, although there are slight differences at some sites.
Campsites in Sandown, Shanklin and Ryde
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Isle of Wight camping around Sandown, Shanklin and Ryde is a good option if you want easy access to the Isle of Wight's busier seaside resorts.
You'll find some of the best equipped holiday parks are around these towns which tend to be popular with families looking for ways to entertain the children. |
Sandown is a peerless seaside resort, although it isn't pierless
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Holiday parks such as Whitecliff Bay and Landguard have facilities like swimming pools and sports pitches which are perfect for high energy children but perhaps less perfect for romantic couples trying to avoid children (although there are some quieter campsites in the East Wight if you head a little way inland).
It's worth having a read of our guide to Which Isle of Wight Town Should I Stay In? if you aren't familiar with the different parts of the Island.
It's worth having a read of our guide to Which Isle of Wight Town Should I Stay In? if you aren't familiar with the different parts of the Island.
1. Whitecliff Bay - Bembridge
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Location is king at Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park, which has access to one of the prettiest beaches on the Isle of Wight (as long as you can cope with a ridiculously steep slope).
It is more towards the Isle of Wight's quieter area around Bembridge than the busier towns of Ryde or Sandown. |
Whitecliff Bay at high tide
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The park and campsite itself is a well-equipped family friendly type with loads for children to do (as opposed to the quiet options which tend to have fewer facilities). There are indoor and outdoor swimming pools at Whitecliff Bay, as well as a sauna, sports lounge, bar, indoor playground, mini golf, outdoor adventure playground and shop.
Dogs are allowed at Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park.
I'd recommend getting a ferry inclusive camping pitch as that is usually cheaper than booking the ferry yourself (accommodation providers get preferable prices). It's one of the add-on options when you book.
Price comparison: £338 (large pitch, up to 6 people, shower and toilets, entertainment passes).
Dogs are allowed at Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park.
I'd recommend getting a ferry inclusive camping pitch as that is usually cheaper than booking the ferry yourself (accommodation providers get preferable prices). It's one of the add-on options when you book.
Price comparison: £338 (large pitch, up to 6 people, shower and toilets, entertainment passes).
2. Nodes Point holiday park - St Helen's, near Ryde
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Nodes Point is one of the four Parkdean Resorts sites (formerly Park Resorts) on the Isle of Wight and it sits a little way outside of Ryde in the (arguably) prettier area around St Helen's and Priory Bay. Ryde itself is very good for toddlers and smaller children with seafront amusements, a small cinema and other attractions. It's about 20 minutes from the ferry at Fishbourne.
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Nodes Point is near to St Helen's beach
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Nodes Point is a busy holiday park with an indoor pool, sports courts, bar and launderette, an adventure play area for children, restaurant and shop (Lower Hyde has slightly more facilities because it also has an outdoor pool and a sauna/spa).
Nodes Point is a dog friendly campsite, although you can't bring dogs if you are staying in the ready to use tents (dogs cost £4 per dog per night at the time of writing, 2019)
Price comparison: £274 (camping/touring pitch with electricity for a family of 4 people for a week in August 2020).
Nodes Point is a dog friendly campsite, although you can't bring dogs if you are staying in the ready to use tents (dogs cost £4 per dog per night at the time of writing, 2019)
Price comparison: £274 (camping/touring pitch with electricity for a family of 4 people for a week in August 2020).
3. Lower Hyde Holiday Park - Shanklin
In my humble opinion, Lower Hyde Holiday Park is the best equipped Park Resorts/Parkdean Resorts holiday park on the Isle of Wight (and perhaps the best equipped of all the Isle of Wight campsites). Facilities include indoor and outdoor pools, a sauna/spa, sports courts, an adventure playground, restaurant, bar, launderette, darts and pool.
It isn't right by the sea, but it's only about 20 minutes walk away from Shanklin beach which is good for children with things like seafront minigolf and amusement arcades.
For an extra £3 per dog, per night, you can bring pets along as well.
Price comparison: £346 (camping pitch, electric for a week in August 2020)
It isn't right by the sea, but it's only about 20 minutes walk away from Shanklin beach which is good for children with things like seafront minigolf and amusement arcades.
For an extra £3 per dog, per night, you can bring pets along as well.
Price comparison: £346 (camping pitch, electric for a week in August 2020)
4. Landguard Holiday Park - Shanklin
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Landguard Holiday Park is another Isle of Wight camping option with swimming pools and other facilities
It's another Park Resorts/Parkdean Resorts site which has lots of static caravans, but it also takes campers and is fairly near to Shanklin beach (Lower Hyde is their other site in the area). |
Landguard is near Shanklin's sandy beach
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It's another one to consider if you want a busy park with lots of things for younger visitors to do. There are indoor and outdoor pools, a restaurant, playground, launderette, shop and bar. It doesn't seem to have a sports area, unlike similar sites at Thorness Bay, Nodes Point and Lower Hyde.
It's about a 20 minute walk from Shanklin's busy seafront. Shanklin also has a train station which connects with the passenger ferry at Ryde Pierhead.
Landguard Holiday Park is one of the Isle of Wight's most popular dog friendly campsites.
Price comparison: £292 (camping pitch, electric for a week in August 2020)
It's about a 20 minute walk from Shanklin's busy seafront. Shanklin also has a train station which connects with the passenger ferry at Ryde Pierhead.
Landguard Holiday Park is one of the Isle of Wight's most popular dog friendly campsites.
Price comparison: £292 (camping pitch, electric for a week in August 2020)
5. Southland Caravan club campsite - Newchurch (requires membership)
Southland campsite is about 10 minutes drive inland from the sandy beach at Sandown. There's a toilet and shower block alongside a large playground and ball game area. Southlands is mostly for caravans but they have some spaces for tents as well.
Price comparison: £272.30 for a 'fully serviced' pitch for a family of four for a week in August 2020. Membership was about £50 a year when I checked.
Price comparison: £272.30 for a 'fully serviced' pitch for a family of four for a week in August 2020. Membership was about £50 a year when I checked.
6. Whitefield Forest - Ryde
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Whitefield Forest is an Isle of Wight campsite in a forest setting near Ryde, so it will be popular with nature fans who are looking for the resident red squirrels. Facilities are limited to a small shop on site and shower blocks, so one to consider if you want a week closer to nature rather than a week sliding down flumes and hitting red golf balls into a windmill.
Price comparison: £272 (includes electricity, showers for a week in August 2020) |
There are several campsites near to the sandy beach at Appley
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7. Carpenters Farm - St Helen's
Carpenters Farm is a rural 16 acre site near St. Helens with play area, charging points, shower block and toilets. Another one which came out as one of the Isle of Wight's cheapest campsites in our test, although we only looked at one particular week in August 2020.
Price comparison: £175 (electric pitch, includes showers, for a week in August 2020)
Price comparison: £175 (electric pitch, includes showers, for a week in August 2020)
8. Adgestone Camping and Caravanning Club site - near Sandown
This one is a Camping and Caravanning Club site, although it is also available to non members. Facilities include a launderette, shop, play area, swimming pool and fishing. It is in Adgestone, which is a little way inland from Sandown.
Price comparison: £338 for an electric pitch for a week in August 2020 for a family of four (non members price)
Price comparison: £338 for an electric pitch for a week in August 2020 for a family of four (non members price)
9. Roebeck Country Park - Ryde
Roebeck Country Park is a family run rural Isle of Wight camping park in 14 acres of land towards Ryde, so nice and near to the ferry from Portsmouth. There are lakes for fishing which will appeal to dads who have been secretly trying to plan an angling holiday. The kids can be entertained in the space for ball games and there is a picnic and barbecue area for meals. Shower blocks are also provided.
Price comparison: unavailable when we searched, but our previous study from 2016 found it was £210 for a camping pitch for a week in August 2020
Price comparison: unavailable when we searched, but our previous study from 2016 found it was £210 for a camping pitch for a week in August 2020
10. Ninham Country Holidays - Shanklin
Ninham Country Holidays Park is slightly inland, towards Shanklin (personally I prefer Shanklin to Sandown but others will disagree and they are very near to each other). There are decent facilities across its 18 acre site with a swimming pool, sports area, showers, games and TV room. Keen on sustainability so recycling is compulsory and bikes are recommended for getting around the campsite! Some parts don't allow dogs in summer season.
Price comparison: £322 for a pitch with electric for a family of four in August 2020
Price comparison: £322 for a pitch with electric for a family of four in August 2020
11. Kite Hill Farm - Wootton Bridge
Kite Hill Farm is a simple campsite at Wootton Bridge, part way between Newport and Ryde. It is a 12 acre site and describes itself as 'traditional'. Facilities include a children's play area, toilets and showers, washing machine and tumble dryer. Nice and near to the Portsmouth to Fishbourne ferry port if you don't fancy a long drive on Island (although to be honest, there's no such thing as a long drive on the Isle of Wight unless you get stuck behind a tractor).
Price comparison: £178.50 for a week in August 2020 for a family of four, including an electric hookup.
Price comparison: £178.50 for a week in August 2020 for a family of four, including an electric hookup.
Campsites in the West Wight (Yarmouth, Freshwater, Alum Bay and Brighstone)
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The West Wight is a quiet spot for some Isle of Wight camping with a small population (more animals than people I would guess), lovely crumbly cliffs full of fossils, beaches for water sports and not much else. If you want amusement arcades and McDonalds on your doorstep, don't stay in the West Wight. If you want to admire nature, see the stars at night and live the simple life then it's a great option.
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Fun and games at Compton Bay
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The West Wight is probably my favourite part of the Isle of Wight, but don't tell the rest of the Island that I said that.
12. Heathfield Farm Camping - Freshwater
Rural campsite near Freshwater with views towards the Solent. There is a barbecue area, dog walking area, showers, toilets, wheelchair accessible shower and toilet.
Price comparison: £322 for pitch with an electric hookup in August 2020 for a family of four
Price comparison: £322 for pitch with an electric hookup in August 2020 for a family of four
13. Orchards Holiday Caravan and Camping Park - Newbridge
Orchards is a family owned rural holiday park in Newbridge, which is a little way inland in the West Wight. Facilities for campers at Orchards Holiday Park are more than most Isle of Wight camping sites offer with a shop, take away food, indoor swimming pool, coffee shop, playing field, pool table, table tennis, play area, dog walking area. Optional extras such as discounted ferry travel are available (you might also like to read our discount Isle of Wight ferry travel guide).
Price comparison: £315 for a pitch with an electric hookup for a family of four in August 2019 (2020 wasn't available when we checked).
Price comparison: £315 for a pitch with an electric hookup for a family of four in August 2019 (2020 wasn't available when we checked).
14. Stoats Farm - near Freshwater
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Stoats Farm is a family run Isle of Wight campsite near to Freshwater Bay, Tennyson Down, Alum Bay and The Needles. Facilities include toilets, showers, washing up area, barbecue, shop, lending library, phone charging point, fridge.
It's run by Isle of Wight Adventure Activities, so you can get a discount off their activities if you are staying there. They run things like kayaking and archery. Price comparison: August 2020 was unavailable when we checked |
Stoats Farm is near to Freshwater Bay - as seen in my artsy photo
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15. Grange farm - near Brighstone
Grange Farm is a coastal campsite on the quieter west side of the Island, so worth considering if your idea of the perfect Isle of Wight camping holiday is looking at the stars and walking along a quiet beach (rather than eating chips in a soft play area on the Pier). There is a launderette, hair dryer, hot drinks and hot water for showers. Bundle deals including Wightlink and Red Funnel available (check out our ferry guide for other ferry deals).
Price comparison: £297.50 for a week camping or touring in August 2019 for a family of four (2020 wasn't available when we checked).
Price comparison: £297.50 for a week camping or touring in August 2019 for a family of four (2020 wasn't available when we checked).
16. Brighstone Holiday Centre - near Brighstone
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Old school 'Heidi Hi' campsite with indoor pool and quirky huts. Cliff top location along the quiet but stunningly pretty West Wight coastline. 10 acre site with play area, launderette, ironing (just so you can look your best on the campsite), kitchen, toilets, hot showers and a small shop.
Price comparison: £178.50, camping for a family of four for a week in August 2020. Includes an electric hookup. Touring was slightly more expensive at £210. |
The colourful huts at Brighstone Holiday Centre
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17. Compton Farm - near Freshwater Bay
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Pretty location in the unspoilt West Wight near the rolling hills of Afton (home of the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival) and the cliffs and surfing of Compton Bay. There are old tractors to play on, ducks to feed and eggs to collect for those looking for ol' fashion fun. There are also showers, toilets and a small laundry.
Price comparison: £245 for a family of four for a week in August 2020 (electric not available as far as I can tell) |
The cliffs around Compton Farm
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18. Chine Farm Camping Site - near Brighstone
Chine Farm Camping Site is on the Isle of Wight's pretty Military Road which runs along the south west coastline. There is space for up to 100 tents, with gorgeous sea views from the clifftop location. Facilities include toilets, showers, wash basins, laundry service, play area and games field.
Price comparison: £259 for an electric pitch for a week in August 2019 for a family of four (2020 not available when we checked)
Price comparison: £259 for an electric pitch for a week in August 2019 for a family of four (2020 not available when we checked)
19. Camp Wight - Near Yarmouth
Now, this is what I call 'proper' camping.
Camp Wight describes itself as a 'back to basics' camping or touring experience, which is based a couple of miles outside of Yarmouth in the rural West Wight. You camp amongst woodland and there's no electricity or any other fancy modern technology.
However, you do get 'water, composting toilets, solar showers and device charging facilities' and there's a pub within walking distance in case it turns out that the great outdoors isn't quite as great as you'd imagined. You can also hire a pre-erected tent rather than bringing your own.
Price comparison: according to my calculations it was only £87.50 for a week for a family of four in 2019 (2020 prices not available when I checked), but that's less than half the price of the second cheapest so I'm wondering if I've got that right!
Camp Wight describes itself as a 'back to basics' camping or touring experience, which is based a couple of miles outside of Yarmouth in the rural West Wight. You camp amongst woodland and there's no electricity or any other fancy modern technology.
However, you do get 'water, composting toilets, solar showers and device charging facilities' and there's a pub within walking distance in case it turns out that the great outdoors isn't quite as great as you'd imagined. You can also hire a pre-erected tent rather than bringing your own.
Price comparison: according to my calculations it was only £87.50 for a week for a family of four in 2019 (2020 prices not available when I checked), but that's less than half the price of the second cheapest so I'm wondering if I've got that right!
Campsites in Newport and Cowes
20. Thorness Bay - near Cowes
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Thorness Bay is the cheapest Park Resorts/Parkdean Resorts holiday park in our comparison, so it's worth considering if you fancy a bit of Isle of Wight camping alongside family friendly facilities. The beach at Thorness Bay is fairly scrubby but has stunning sunsets and is popular with fishers. It backs onto a nature-reserve-type area which is good for exploring.
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Sunsets at Thorness Bay are hard to beat
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Facilities at Thorness Bay include an indoor swimming pool, sports court for youngsters to burn off energy, an adventure play area, restaurant, bar, shop and launderette for washing your smalls.
Thorness Bay allows dogs on their campsite for a small charge (£4 per dog, per night).
Price comparison: £198 for an electric pitch with a family of four for a week in August 2020
Thorness Bay allows dogs on their campsite for a small charge (£4 per dog, per night).
Price comparison: £198 for an electric pitch with a family of four for a week in August 2020
21. Waverley Park - East Cowes
Waverley Park is a busy campsite and holiday park in East Cowes (as opposed to Cowes which is where Cowes Week is held). It is only a couple of minutes from the Red Funnel car ferry, so certainly convenient from Southampton.
The park has more facilities than many, which generally means it will attract families looking for somewhere for the children to burn off energy. There is a bar with nightly entertainment and views of the Solent, an outdoor pool in the summer months (can't imagine you'd want to use it in winter anyway, unless you fancy ice skating), a children's play area, showers and washrooms. It's also close to a fairly large public playground on East Cowes Esplanade.
Price comparison: £287 for a serviced pitch with electric for a week in August 2019 for a family of four (2020 unavailable when we checked)
The park has more facilities than many, which generally means it will attract families looking for somewhere for the children to burn off energy. There is a bar with nightly entertainment and views of the Solent, an outdoor pool in the summer months (can't imagine you'd want to use it in winter anyway, unless you fancy ice skating), a children's play area, showers and washrooms. It's also close to a fairly large public playground on East Cowes Esplanade.
Price comparison: £287 for a serviced pitch with electric for a week in August 2019 for a family of four (2020 unavailable when we checked)
22. Windmill Campersite - Carisbrooke
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Windmill Campersite is a couple of miles out of Newport in the Bowcombe Valley area. It's on the very edge of the West Wight where it suddenly gets rural as you drive out of Carisbrooke. The site is one of the quirkiest on the Isle of Wight with a solar powered musical shower and a barbecue called Bertha.
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Windmill Campersite is also home to Galahad the helicopter
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As well as their strange glamping options (there's a helicopter called Galahad you can stay in ) they also have space for camping and motorhomes/campervans (up to 7 metres). Facilities are fairly basic, but they do have some posh toilets.
Price comparison: £323 for a pitch with electric hookup for a family of four for a week in August 2019 (2020 unavailable when we checked).
Price comparison: £323 for a pitch with electric hookup for a family of four for a week in August 2019 (2020 unavailable when we checked).
Campsites in South Wight and Ventnor
There aren't many campsites in the South Wight (the area around Ventnor, Niton, St Lawrence and Whitwell. It's a really lovely part of the Island, which feels more remote and perhaps even foreign compared to towns like Ryde and Newport.
23. Appuldurcombe Gardens Holiday Park - Wroxall
Appuldurcombe Gardens is a slightly inland site towards the south of the Isle of Wight (heading towards Ventnor) with shop, cafe, bar, play area, outdoor heated pool, launderette and showers. It is also near to the rather grand Appuldurcombe House, which is a partially restored stately home which hosts weddings.
Price comparison: unavailable as they were only offering breaks via Red Funnel which included ferry travel and which lasted for 3, 5 or 10 nights
Price comparison: unavailable as they were only offering breaks via Red Funnel which included ferry travel and which lasted for 3, 5 or 10 nights
24. Ventnor Botanic Gardens - Ventnor
The phrase 'hidden gem' is applied to anything that doesn't have a neon sign nowadays, but camping at Ventnor Botanic Gardens isn't widely known about. The park itself is obviously very well known, as it is a special collection of various plants and flowers which wouldn't normally grow in England.
Isle of Wight Camping - price comparison
Ranking (cheapest first) |
Isle of Wight campsite |
Price |
1 |
Carpenters Farm, St. Helen's |
£175 |
2 |
Brighstone Holiday Centre, West Wight |
£178.50 |
3 |
Kite Hill Farm, Wootton Bridge |
£178.50 |
4 |
Thorness Bay, nearish Cowes |
£198 |
5 |
Whitecliff Bay, Bembridge |
£210 |
6 |
Compton Farm, West Wight |
£245 |
7 |
Chine Farm Camping Site, West Wight |
£259 |
8 |
Southland Campsite, Newchurch |
£272 |
9 |
Whitefield Forest |
£272 |
10 |
Nodes Point, St Helen's, near Ryde |
£274 |
11 |
Waverley Park, East Cowes |
£287 |
12 |
Landguard Holiday Park |
£292 |
13 |
Grange Farm, West Wight |
£297.50 |
14 |
Orchards Holiday Park, West Wight |
£315 |
15 |
Ninham Country Holiday Park |
£322 |
16 |
Heathfield Farm Camping, Freshwater |
£322 |
17 |
Windmill Campersite |
£323 |
18 |
Adgestone Camping and Caravanning Site |
£338 |
19 |
Lower Hyde, Shanklin |
£346 |
We looked at prices for an electic plot for two adults and two children (aged 10 and 12) from August 8th - 15th 2020 (prices checked in September 2019). Obviously this is just one week, and so the results may well we different at different times of year. We looked at the cheapest option with electricity.
We didn't search around for discount codes and special offers. Some campsites include a discount for members of clubs. We looked at the price for non-members where available.
We also excluded adult only campsites (such as Riverside Paddock or Rosemary Vineyard which is 14+), because our criteria included children. We also excluded Glamping as that is more akin to self catering holiday cottages in my mind and isn't a fair comparison because you are paying to hire accommodation provided by the owner rather than a patch of grass with facilities.
We didn't search around for discount codes and special offers. Some campsites include a discount for members of clubs. We looked at the price for non-members where available.
We also excluded adult only campsites (such as Riverside Paddock or Rosemary Vineyard which is 14+), because our criteria included children. We also excluded Glamping as that is more akin to self catering holiday cottages in my mind and isn't a fair comparison because you are paying to hire accommodation provided by the owner rather than a patch of grass with facilities.
The-Isle-of-Wight-Guru-Don't-Blame-Us-Disclaimer™ The information on this website is correct, as far as we know, but please do check opening times and details with attractions directly if you are planning a long journey - and please contact us if you find anything inaccurate.
