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5 Best National Trust Isle of Wight Holiday Cottages (2024)
The National Trust has got about 20 holiday cottages scattered around the Isle of Wight. They tend to be more interesting than your average self catering cottage, as they have former lives as coastguard cottages or parts of grand estates.
We've picked out the five most interesting National Trust cottages on the Isle of Wight after weeks of research, intensive inspections and after pulling together a panel of world-beating experts (Ed: I think you may be exaggerating).
The National Trust use a cutesy 'acorn' rating which is their equivalent of stars. It tells you how luxurious it is. Presumably this is to fend off idiots who complain about a 15th century cottage having a low ceiling and only one dishwasher.
You can get a 15% discount with Wightlink if you're booking a National Trust holiday cottage. It's worth checking the Red Funnel price as well, as there are often deals and discounts (see our discount ferries guide for all the deals we know about).
At the time of writing, you also get free entry to National Trust properties on the Isle of Wight when you show your booking. That includes The Needles Old Battery, the very nice gardens of Mottistone Manor and Bembridge Windmill.
We've picked out the five most interesting National Trust cottages on the Isle of Wight after weeks of research, intensive inspections and after pulling together a panel of world-beating experts (Ed: I think you may be exaggerating).
The National Trust use a cutesy 'acorn' rating which is their equivalent of stars. It tells you how luxurious it is. Presumably this is to fend off idiots who complain about a 15th century cottage having a low ceiling and only one dishwasher.
You can get a 15% discount with Wightlink if you're booking a National Trust holiday cottage. It's worth checking the Red Funnel price as well, as there are often deals and discounts (see our discount ferries guide for all the deals we know about).
At the time of writing, you also get free entry to National Trust properties on the Isle of Wight when you show your booking. That includes The Needles Old Battery, the very nice gardens of Mottistone Manor and Bembridge Windmill.
1. Needles Headland Coastguard Cottages, West Wight (sleep 4-5 or 14 as a group)
Alright, alright, I've cheated here and combined three different properties together.
Varvassi, Irex and Pomone are three National Trust cottages in a row which can either be booked individually (4-5 people) or as a set of three (14 people). Think of them as a set of three on a Monopoly board. They are described as being in Totland, but they're actually at The Needles headland without any other houses nearby.
They were once home to coastguards and are named after three famous shipwrecks. I do wonder if the coastguards would have been preferred to have been remembered for the ships they saved but let's not worry about that...
One of the shops was Varvassi, which crashed in 1947, sending its cargo of wine onto the beach.
They're all dog friendly and have an outstanding location, right by The Needles and Alum Bay. You are mere metres from the Old Battery and New Battery which are fascinating relics of rocket testing and paranoia about the French.
The caveat is that it's rather remote and windswept up on them there hills. The Needles is often mentioned on news reports as being the windiest place in the UK during a storm. Also, it's at the pointy bit of the Isle of Wight, so a journey across to Ryde or Shanklin is getting on for an hour. Islanders would consider you foolhardy for driving such a colossal distance without booking a B&B half way.
They all have an 'acorn rating' of three out of five which means they have "a good standard offer" but could have "a few compromises".
For example, the water system means that you are advised to "spread baths out over the day". On arrival, you might need to have a discussion which begins "Right then, who wants the midnight bath slot?".
Anyway, the winning factor for this one is the sea views, which show off one of the busiest and most interesting stretches of water in the UK.
Now I come to think of it, perhaps I should have pursued a career as a Victorian coastguard. Staring at the sea all day long from the top of a cliff does sound rather nice.
Varvassi, Irex and Pomone are three National Trust cottages in a row which can either be booked individually (4-5 people) or as a set of three (14 people). Think of them as a set of three on a Monopoly board. They are described as being in Totland, but they're actually at The Needles headland without any other houses nearby.
They were once home to coastguards and are named after three famous shipwrecks. I do wonder if the coastguards would have been preferred to have been remembered for the ships they saved but let's not worry about that...
One of the shops was Varvassi, which crashed in 1947, sending its cargo of wine onto the beach.
They're all dog friendly and have an outstanding location, right by The Needles and Alum Bay. You are mere metres from the Old Battery and New Battery which are fascinating relics of rocket testing and paranoia about the French.
The caveat is that it's rather remote and windswept up on them there hills. The Needles is often mentioned on news reports as being the windiest place in the UK during a storm. Also, it's at the pointy bit of the Isle of Wight, so a journey across to Ryde or Shanklin is getting on for an hour. Islanders would consider you foolhardy for driving such a colossal distance without booking a B&B half way.
They all have an 'acorn rating' of three out of five which means they have "a good standard offer" but could have "a few compromises".
For example, the water system means that you are advised to "spread baths out over the day". On arrival, you might need to have a discussion which begins "Right then, who wants the midnight bath slot?".
Anyway, the winning factor for this one is the sea views, which show off one of the busiest and most interesting stretches of water in the UK.
Now I come to think of it, perhaps I should have pursued a career as a Victorian coastguard. Staring at the sea all day long from the top of a cliff does sound rather nice.
Inside, the coastguard cottages are cosy and homely. You can book all three if you're travelling en masse
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This view is only a short walk from the Coastguard Cottages at the New Battery
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2. Rosetta Cottage (sleeps 10) and East Rosetta Cottage (sleeps 6), Cowes
Rosetta Cottage and East Rosetta Cottage are good choices if you like sea views and history, which presumably is a good proportion of visitors to the Isle of Wight. If you don't like either of those, I recommend a fortnight in Milton Keynes instead.
The main cottage sleeps 10 whilst the smaller bit next door sleeps another six. You've probably already figured out that you could combine the two to make a house for 16 people.
It's slap bang on Cowes seafront, with the shingly beach just over the road. If it wasn't owned by the National Trust it probably would have been replaced with a vast modern thing with six balconies and more glass than The Shard.
As it is, it's got a pleasant garden overlooking the beach where you can eat your tea and passers-by can pretend they aren't looking at you.
The history of Rosetta Cottage is that Winston Churchill's parents met here during Cowes Week in 1873. History does not record whether Randolph Churchill and Jennie Jerome wore red trousers and drank Pimms, but it's fair to say they didn't waste much time. They met in the summer of 1873 and Winston was born in November of 1874.
Rosetta Cottage is slightly plusher and better equipped than East Rosetta Cottage. Rosetta Cottage gets a 'four acorn' rating from the National Trust, which means it will have "more premium furniture, fittings and lighting".
The area is much less remote than most of the National Trust self catering cottages on the Isle of Wight so it has Wifi.
The main cottage sleeps 10 whilst the smaller bit next door sleeps another six. You've probably already figured out that you could combine the two to make a house for 16 people.
It's slap bang on Cowes seafront, with the shingly beach just over the road. If it wasn't owned by the National Trust it probably would have been replaced with a vast modern thing with six balconies and more glass than The Shard.
As it is, it's got a pleasant garden overlooking the beach where you can eat your tea and passers-by can pretend they aren't looking at you.
The history of Rosetta Cottage is that Winston Churchill's parents met here during Cowes Week in 1873. History does not record whether Randolph Churchill and Jennie Jerome wore red trousers and drank Pimms, but it's fair to say they didn't waste much time. They met in the summer of 1873 and Winston was born in November of 1874.
Rosetta Cottage is slightly plusher and better equipped than East Rosetta Cottage. Rosetta Cottage gets a 'four acorn' rating from the National Trust, which means it will have "more premium furniture, fittings and lighting".
The area is much less remote than most of the National Trust self catering cottages on the Isle of Wight so it has Wifi.
Rosetta Cottage in Cowes was where Winston Churchill's parents met
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Watch yachts on the Solent from your bedroom at Rosetta Cottage
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3. Knowles Farm Cottage, Niton (sleeps 4)
Knowles Farm Cottage is another National Trust holiday cottage which combines history and sea views. It's at the other end of the Island to Rosetta Cottage, so is a better choice if you like your holidays remote and quiet. Don't come to Niton in search of nightlife.
It sleeps four people in two bedrooms and has an 'acorn rating' of three, which is a mid-table performance by National Trust Holiday Cottages standards. You can bring a dog with you.
Guglielmo Marconi lived at Knowles Farm and carried out some of his earliest experiments from here at the start of the 20th century. It's pretty remarkable that you can stay here, rather than it being a museum.
I am sure Guglielmo would be amused that his work brought the world together...but that there's no Wifi at Knowles Farm Cottage. I wouldn't rely on a good phone signal either, the South Wight is quite patchy. My phone often thinks I'm in France when I visit Ventnor.
The local area is excellent for exploring. St Catherine's Lighthouse is on the doorstep and there are rocky beaches which are usually occupied by one lonely walker and a dog. You can't go in the lighthouse any more, but it's still very attractive to look at. The local beaches are rustic and remote, but Ventnor is only 15 minutes away if you want something for kids.
Knowles Farm Cottage is a long way from the ferry ports. I wouldn't stay here for Cowes Week, as you couldn't be further away. However, it's an atmospheric location with a rich history.
It sleeps four people in two bedrooms and has an 'acorn rating' of three, which is a mid-table performance by National Trust Holiday Cottages standards. You can bring a dog with you.
Guglielmo Marconi lived at Knowles Farm and carried out some of his earliest experiments from here at the start of the 20th century. It's pretty remarkable that you can stay here, rather than it being a museum.
I am sure Guglielmo would be amused that his work brought the world together...but that there's no Wifi at Knowles Farm Cottage. I wouldn't rely on a good phone signal either, the South Wight is quite patchy. My phone often thinks I'm in France when I visit Ventnor.
The local area is excellent for exploring. St Catherine's Lighthouse is on the doorstep and there are rocky beaches which are usually occupied by one lonely walker and a dog. You can't go in the lighthouse any more, but it's still very attractive to look at. The local beaches are rustic and remote, but Ventnor is only 15 minutes away if you want something for kids.
Knowles Farm Cottage is a long way from the ferry ports. I wouldn't stay here for Cowes Week, as you couldn't be further away. However, it's an atmospheric location with a rich history.
Knowles Farm Cottage is one of the world's most important sites in the history of telecommunications (well, I reckon it is)
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Knowles Farm is on the left with St Catherine's Lighthouse on the right
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4. Longstone Cottage, West Wight (sleeps 6)
Are you a pagan astronomer? If so, you've just found your ideal Isle of Wight holiday cottage - Longstone Cottage. Congratulations.
This National Trust holiday cottage is in one of the most remote spots on the Isle of Wight, so light pollution should be pretty low (apologies if the council have added a streetlight since I wrote this). Bring your telescope and you'll have a whale of a time. Or is it 'wail of a time'? Nevermind, I'm too busy to check.
It also overlooks the Isle of Wight's pagan hotspot - The Longstone. This Neolithic monument is the closest thing the Isle of Wight has to Stonehenge. What do you mean they "just look like a big rock next to a little rock"? Have some respect.
It gets an 'acorn rating' of two out of five. That means it has a 'mid-quality range of furniture and fittings' rather than anything too fancy. I would have thought three out of five would be mid-quality but let's not get bogged down in details...
Take note that Longstone Cottage does not have Wifi at the time of writing. If you're bringing teenagers with you, I would make them aware of this beforehand. You can attempt to spin it as a "chance to get back to nature" but I guarantee they'll be asking for a lift back to the ferry after 20 minutes.
The location is the West Wight which is famed for peaceful beaches, minimal development and everyone going to bed at 7pm sharp.
This National Trust holiday cottage is in one of the most remote spots on the Isle of Wight, so light pollution should be pretty low (apologies if the council have added a streetlight since I wrote this). Bring your telescope and you'll have a whale of a time. Or is it 'wail of a time'? Nevermind, I'm too busy to check.
It also overlooks the Isle of Wight's pagan hotspot - The Longstone. This Neolithic monument is the closest thing the Isle of Wight has to Stonehenge. What do you mean they "just look like a big rock next to a little rock"? Have some respect.
It gets an 'acorn rating' of two out of five. That means it has a 'mid-quality range of furniture and fittings' rather than anything too fancy. I would have thought three out of five would be mid-quality but let's not get bogged down in details...
Take note that Longstone Cottage does not have Wifi at the time of writing. If you're bringing teenagers with you, I would make them aware of this beforehand. You can attempt to spin it as a "chance to get back to nature" but I guarantee they'll be asking for a lift back to the ferry after 20 minutes.
The location is the West Wight which is famed for peaceful beaches, minimal development and everyone going to bed at 7pm sharp.
The National Trust's Longstone Cottage is ideal if you like dark skies and ancient monuments
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The cottage isn't as fancy as some National Trust cottages but the location is idyllic
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5. Compton Farm Cottages, West Wight
These two adjacent cottages are in prime location to visit the nicest part of my favourite beach on the Isle of Wight. They're known as 1 Compton Farm Cottages and 2 Compton Farm Cottages.
You'll find them on the Military Road, between Freshwater Bay and Hanover Point.
We spent many hours on Compton Bay as children, since my father preferred quiet, crumbly, unspoilt beaches rather than amusement arcades and deckchairs.
Reaching the beach requires a walk through a field and a climb down steep steps which are perilous. However, once you reach the bottom you'll find a mostly-sandy paradise which is surrounded by high cliffs.
The two cottages both sleep four people and are given an 'acorn rating' of three. That puts them in the middle in terms of plushness and facilities.
At the time of writing, the cottages have no Wifi and 'poor' mobile reception. That matches with my experience of failing to use a phone around that part of the coastline. If you're planning on working from home whilst on holiday then you'll struggle.
You can't bring dogs to Compton Farm Cottages.
You'll find them on the Military Road, between Freshwater Bay and Hanover Point.
We spent many hours on Compton Bay as children, since my father preferred quiet, crumbly, unspoilt beaches rather than amusement arcades and deckchairs.
Reaching the beach requires a walk through a field and a climb down steep steps which are perilous. However, once you reach the bottom you'll find a mostly-sandy paradise which is surrounded by high cliffs.
The two cottages both sleep four people and are given an 'acorn rating' of three. That puts them in the middle in terms of plushness and facilities.
At the time of writing, the cottages have no Wifi and 'poor' mobile reception. That matches with my experience of failing to use a phone around that part of the coastline. If you're planning on working from home whilst on holiday then you'll struggle.
You can't bring dogs to Compton Farm Cottages.
Compton Farm Cottages couldn't be better located for visiting my favourite beach
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The nearby beach is rarely busy as it's a bit of bother to access
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