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5 Isle Of Wight Attractions You Haven't Visited
Alright, calm down, I know that’s a provocative title. Of course, some people have been to these attractions. Please stop writing in to complain. Haven't you people heard of clickbait?
What I had in mind was five of the less obvious things to do on the Isle of Wight. They aren’t exactly secret or hidden gems, but they are alternatives to the obvious attractions.
I thought it might appeal to those who have visited the Isle of Wight for the last 47 years and want to try something new.
What I had in mind was five of the less obvious things to do on the Isle of Wight. They aren’t exactly secret or hidden gems, but they are alternatives to the obvious attractions.
I thought it might appeal to those who have visited the Isle of Wight for the last 47 years and want to try something new.
1. Newport Roman Villa
Most history fans head for Brading Roman Villa, which is a very nice attraction. It is spacious, air conditioned and has a café selling attractively presented cakes.
The more obscure alternative is Newport's Roman Villa. It is considerably smaller, it has limited opening hours and it doesn't even have a proper website (there's a couple of pages on the Isle of Wight Council website, but that's about it). It's also in a rather ordinary residential road whilst Brading's Roman Villa overlooks attractive countryside.
However, Newport Roman Villa is an interesting little attraction which is much less visited. They make a good effort to make it child-friendly and the theory is that it's only a small part of a larger estate. That creates the romantic idea that several of the surrounding houses are sitting on top of Roman history.
The more obscure alternative is Newport's Roman Villa. It is considerably smaller, it has limited opening hours and it doesn't even have a proper website (there's a couple of pages on the Isle of Wight Council website, but that's about it). It's also in a rather ordinary residential road whilst Brading's Roman Villa overlooks attractive countryside.
However, Newport Roman Villa is an interesting little attraction which is much less visited. They make a good effort to make it child-friendly and the theory is that it's only a small part of a larger estate. That creates the romantic idea that several of the surrounding houses are sitting on top of Roman history.
2. White Tailed Eagle Spotting
The obvious wildlife watching on the Isle of Wight is red squirrel spotting. You'll find those little scamps hiding away in various woodland around the Island (try Brading Marshes, Parkhurst Forest or Alverstone Mead Nature Reserve).
However, for a bit of truly rare wildlife spotting head for Culver Down where you might, possibly, see a White-Tailed Eagle.
More than two centuries ago, these were pretty common along the south coast before they disappeared. In 2019, they were reintroduced to the cliffs around Culver Down.
You might like to look at the conservation program website. The eagles have trackers on them, and there are sometimes updates which show where they were last seen.
A walk around Culver Down features in our guide to the best circular walks on the Isle of Wight. Please try to avoid falling off the cliff whilst peering up with a pair of binoculars.
However, for a bit of truly rare wildlife spotting head for Culver Down where you might, possibly, see a White-Tailed Eagle.
More than two centuries ago, these were pretty common along the south coast before they disappeared. In 2019, they were reintroduced to the cliffs around Culver Down.
You might like to look at the conservation program website. The eagles have trackers on them, and there are sometimes updates which show where they were last seen.
A walk around Culver Down features in our guide to the best circular walks on the Isle of Wight. Please try to avoid falling off the cliff whilst peering up with a pair of binoculars.
You might not see a White Tailed Eagle but you'll still have a nice walk around Culver Cliffs
3. Bembridge Fort
Whilst on Culver Down, you might like to complete a double bill of obscure attractions with a visit to Bembridge Fort.
It is owned by the National Trust but is much less accessible and less advertised than their other Isle of Wight attractions (The Needles Old Battery, Bembridge Windmill, Mottistone Manor Gardens etc.).
The fort is 'unrestored' so don't expect a tea rooms and trail for the kids. In fact, you can only visit it by pre-booking a tour and young children aren't allowed, presumably because they'd injure themselves rather than because they'd break the fort.
It is owned by the National Trust but is much less accessible and less advertised than their other Isle of Wight attractions (The Needles Old Battery, Bembridge Windmill, Mottistone Manor Gardens etc.).
The fort is 'unrestored' so don't expect a tea rooms and trail for the kids. In fact, you can only visit it by pre-booking a tour and young children aren't allowed, presumably because they'd injure themselves rather than because they'd break the fort.
4. A waterfall and a Dragon Shaped Tree
Let's do a little bit of expectation management here.
The Isle of Wight's 'hidden' waterfall is not Niagara. You will not be drawn to the sound of thousands of litres of water falling over a vast distance every second. Instead, Bierley Waterfall near Whitwell is a bit of a trickle near to the National Trust's Wydcombe Holiday Cottage. A few things I've read online say that the waterfall actually sits on private land, so you will need to look at it from a distance.
To help you find it, take a look at this video from Youtube by the Wandering Walkers or read our blog about a visit to the waterfall. Start on Newport Road, where there are a couple of footpaths.
Needless to say, there is more to look at in winter than during a drought in summer.
The Isle of Wight's 'hidden' waterfall is not Niagara. You will not be drawn to the sound of thousands of litres of water falling over a vast distance every second. Instead, Bierley Waterfall near Whitwell is a bit of a trickle near to the National Trust's Wydcombe Holiday Cottage. A few things I've read online say that the waterfall actually sits on private land, so you will need to look at it from a distance.
To help you find it, take a look at this video from Youtube by the Wandering Walkers or read our blog about a visit to the waterfall. Start on Newport Road, where there are a couple of footpaths.
Needless to say, there is more to look at in winter than during a drought in summer.
It's not Niagara, but Bierley waterfall gushes nicely in winter
An alternative is to visit Brighstone's Dragon Tree, which is an oak tree which grows sideways across a stream. As a result, its branches can be climbed upon, with only an 80% chance that you will fall in the stream.
The imaginative locals in Brighstone will tell you that it was once a dragon which was slain by a knight. Upon death, it transformed to wood. Please don't spoil their fun by telling them that it's a tree which fell over.
It was named as one of the best trees in the UK by the Woodland Trust in 2019. I imagine you saw the awards ceremony on Sky Arts but I'm just mentioning it for those who missed it. You can find it on footpath BS23 which is off New Road.
The imaginative locals in Brighstone will tell you that it was once a dragon which was slain by a knight. Upon death, it transformed to wood. Please don't spoil their fun by telling them that it's a tree which fell over.
It was named as one of the best trees in the UK by the Woodland Trust in 2019. I imagine you saw the awards ceremony on Sky Arts but I'm just mentioning it for those who missed it. You can find it on footpath BS23 which is off New Road.
A dragon slain by a crusading knight...or a tree which fell over? We shall never know...
5. Rarely visited Isle of Wight beaches
Finally, a selection of my favourite Isle of Wight beaches which you may not have visited.
The Isle of Wight is particularly good for this. There are several beaches which are usually completely empty, even on a sunny day.
We've written a separate blog about these called 'How to avoid people on the Isle of Wight's quietest and most remote beaches' which includes Gurnard's hidden beach (we call it Robert's Beach), Binnel Bay in the South Wight, Orchard Bay and Woodside Bay.
It was written in summer 2020 when avoiding people was required for purposes of survival, but it also works as a guide to lesser-known beaches.
In hindsight, I would also like to include Atherfield Beach in the West Wight, Watershoot Bay near St Catherine's Lighthouse, Blackgang Beach in the South Wight and Sandhard Beach in Yarmouth.
The Isle of Wight is particularly good for this. There are several beaches which are usually completely empty, even on a sunny day.
We've written a separate blog about these called 'How to avoid people on the Isle of Wight's quietest and most remote beaches' which includes Gurnard's hidden beach (we call it Robert's Beach), Binnel Bay in the South Wight, Orchard Bay and Woodside Bay.
It was written in summer 2020 when avoiding people was required for purposes of survival, but it also works as a guide to lesser-known beaches.
In hindsight, I would also like to include Atherfield Beach in the West Wight, Watershoot Bay near St Catherine's Lighthouse, Blackgang Beach in the South Wight and Sandhard Beach in Yarmouth.
Sandhard Beach in Yarmouth is hidden away near the harbour
