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Romantic Isle of Wight Holidays For Couples 2024
I might be wrong but I fear that the Isle of Wight has a bit of an image problem when it comes to young couples looking for a romantic holiday.
The Island is certainly seen as a great spot for a simple family holiday in the UK and it’s hugely popular with older visitors who want a traditional break or a coach trip.
But I suspect that a lot of people wouldn’t think of the Isle of Wight as a good location for a romantic holiday or a honeymoon. If you’re getting married soon, test this out and ask your fiancé what they think about a honeymoon on the Isle of Wight. I reckon you'll get a raised eyebrow.
So, here’s my attempt to bump up those numbers with some advice on where to stay and 10 things to do on a romantic Isle of Wight holiday.
The Island is certainly seen as a great spot for a simple family holiday in the UK and it’s hugely popular with older visitors who want a traditional break or a coach trip.
But I suspect that a lot of people wouldn’t think of the Isle of Wight as a good location for a romantic holiday or a honeymoon. If you’re getting married soon, test this out and ask your fiancé what they think about a honeymoon on the Isle of Wight. I reckon you'll get a raised eyebrow.
So, here’s my attempt to bump up those numbers with some advice on where to stay and 10 things to do on a romantic Isle of Wight holiday.
Where is the best place for couples to stay on a romantic Isle of Wight holiday?
I would start by looking at posh hotels on the Isle of Wight or somewhere quirky, such as a glamping yurt or an interesting National Trust holiday home.
If you want a small boutique hotel I would start with:
If you want a small boutique hotel I would start with:
- The Hambrough in Ventnor (sea views, three-minute walk to the beach, former holder of a Michelin Star, still in the Michelin guide for its excellent restaurant)
- Haven Hall Hotel in Shanklin (highly rated hotel on clifftop, serves breakfast, restaurants nearby on Shanklin esplanade, good views)
- Seaview Hotel in, er Seaview (respected hotel with good food and a short walk to the fairly sandy beach. The hotel restaurant - Aquitania - features in the Michelin Guide)
- Foresters Hall (smart town centre hotel in a yachty location, short walk to an esplanade but not really a sandy beach. Previously known as North House)
- Koala Cottage in Godshill (very small, but great reviews and aimed at couples, inland but only a short drive to the beach)
There are plenty more in our luxury hotels guide.
The Hambrough in Ventnor has a highly rated restaurant
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Haven Hall Hotel is on a clifftop in Shanklin
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If you want a bigger, posh hotel then I would start by looking at:
- Lakeside Park Hotel and Spa in Wootton Bridge (indoor swimming pool, spa facilities)
- The Royal Hotel in Ventnor (posh hotel with outstanding service that has appeared in every Michelin guide for more than a century).
- Bembridge Coast Hotel (coastal hotel owned by Warner Leisure that is popular with older couples, and which does ferry + hotel bundle deals).
The Royal Hotel in Ventnor is popular with Isle of Wight Festival artists
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Warner Leisure's Bembridge Coast Hotel is very popular with older visitors
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Alternatively, you could go for somewhere with a hot tub such as:
- Buttercup Barn Retreats in Wootton (circular wooden lodges in a rural spot)
- A 'couples' ark' with a hot tub in Northwood (converted pig’s homes which are now perfect for couples, apparently).
- A couples' treehouse at Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat (cool little treehouses next to the beach)
These treehouses with hot tubs are two minutes from an isolated beach
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Anyone fancy a hut with a hot tub?
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Other quirky options which would impress Mrs Guru include:
- Log cabins at Alverstone Lakes called Hobbit's Landing and Willows End.
- Glamping such as Yurts at The Garlic Farm in Newchurch (loads more glamping options here)
- The Enchanted Manor near Niton (four poster beds, chandeliers etc)
- A former lighthouse keepers' cottage at St Catherine's Lighthouse
- A Tiny Home (one-bedroom eco-friendly home)
- A potting shed in Ventnor Botanic Gardens (quirky little lodge in the gardens full of plants from around the world)
There are lots of quirky places for couples to stay, including these yurts...
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...or a cottage overlooking St Catherine's Lighthouse
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What to do on a romantic Isle of Wight holiday
The key thing on a romantic break is to avoid people, particularly children. They’ll only ruin the mood so plan carefully or you’ll end up dining out next to a soft play area.
It very much depends on what you enjoy, but my top ten suggestions are:
It very much depends on what you enjoy, but my top ten suggestions are:
1. Eating out with a sea view
The most romantic evenings out that we’ve had on the Isle of Wight have all had a sea view. There are loads of highly regarded inland pubs and restaurants but there's nothing like hearing the waves whilst you sip on your shandy and whisper sweet nothings.
You can read our full guide to Isle of Wight restaurants with a sea view, but some of the more romantic ones include:
If fine dining is your thing, then the best resource I've found is the Michelin guide which lists the posher restaurants on the Isle of Wight. An appearance in the Michelin guide is not the same as a Michelin star, but it's still commendable.
You can read our full guide to Isle of Wight restaurants with a sea view, but some of the more romantic ones include:
- The True Food Kitchen in Castlehaven (off-the-beaten-track restaurant by an isolated beach in the South Wight). Entirely outdoors, so be prepared to hand over your jacket to your shivering spouse as a romantic gesture.
- The Fisherman’s Cottage in Shanklin (thatched, relaxed pub on the beach with a simple menu. Pay about £10 to walk down floodlit Shanklin Chine for a romantic start to the evening)
- The Hut in Colwell (trendy restaurant on the seafront with good sunsets)
If fine dining is your thing, then the best resource I've found is the Michelin guide which lists the posher restaurants on the Isle of Wight. An appearance in the Michelin guide is not the same as a Michelin star, but it's still commendable.
Steephill Cove is home to a small seafood restaurant...
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…whilst Shanklin has a thatched pub on the beach
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2. Isle of Wight Seaside sunset Strolls
Is there anything more romantic than a sunset over a sandy beach?
Our two favourite spots for evening sunsets are Gurnard near Cowes and Compton Bay in the West Wight.
Gurnard has a little hidden beach round the back of the sailing club that we call Robert's Beach and there’s a nice walk along the esplanade to Cowes.
Compton Bay is gorgeous at low tide, particularly in the early evening when the rest of the world has gone home for their tea. You might even like to kick off your shoes and paddle in the water whilst pretending it isn't freezing cold.
See our guide to short walks of around one mile for more suggestions.
If you want a romantic barbecue as the sun sets, then you might like to try the little-known Sandhard Beach in Yarmouth. It has some barbecue stands and good views of the Solent. If you leave your rubbish behind, you will be hunted down and forced to eat charcoal.
We used to have romantic barbecues at Compton Bay, but the National Trust isn't keen on such things anymore as it's a fire risk on the cliff tops in summer.
Some other beaches which are usually quiet enough for a romantic moment include:
I would stay away from Appley, Sandown, Shanklin and Colwell during the day if the sun is shining as they are popular with families and get a bit crowded.
See our beaches map for locations and more ideas.
Our two favourite spots for evening sunsets are Gurnard near Cowes and Compton Bay in the West Wight.
Gurnard has a little hidden beach round the back of the sailing club that we call Robert's Beach and there’s a nice walk along the esplanade to Cowes.
Compton Bay is gorgeous at low tide, particularly in the early evening when the rest of the world has gone home for their tea. You might even like to kick off your shoes and paddle in the water whilst pretending it isn't freezing cold.
See our guide to short walks of around one mile for more suggestions.
If you want a romantic barbecue as the sun sets, then you might like to try the little-known Sandhard Beach in Yarmouth. It has some barbecue stands and good views of the Solent. If you leave your rubbish behind, you will be hunted down and forced to eat charcoal.
We used to have romantic barbecues at Compton Bay, but the National Trust isn't keen on such things anymore as it's a fire risk on the cliff tops in summer.
Some other beaches which are usually quiet enough for a romantic moment include:
- Priory Bay, East Wight – quite a faff to access, but it is beautifully sandy and backed by a woodland
- Brook Chine, West Wight – next door to Compton Bay and a good one if you’ve also brought a dog with you. Unspoilt crumbly cliffs
- Freshwater Bay, West Wight – stony beach which is popular with surfers on a stormy day (head round to the right rather than visiting the main beach)
- Dunroamin Beach, East Wight – the quiet bit between the busy resorts of Sandown and Shanklin
- Woody Bay, South Wight – one of many quiet beaches along the South Wight coastline where you can avoid people even on a busy day
I would stay away from Appley, Sandown, Shanklin and Colwell during the day if the sun is shining as they are popular with families and get a bit crowded.
See our beaches map for locations and more ideas.
Compton Bay sunsets are hard to beat...
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...although Gurnard is pretty good too
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3. Walk the West Wight coastal path
If the rain is pouring down and the Isle of Wight is facing a howling gale...then I wouldn’t go for a walk.
However, if the sun’s shining, I would head out for a walk in the West Wight. The West side of the Isle of Wight is much quieter and unspoilt than the amusement arcades and ice cream huts of the East Wight.
The coastal path along the South West of the Isle of Wight is a beautiful walk with massive views and several beaches that you can walk down to. The South Wight is also a good choice, particularly the stretch from Ventnor to Steephill Cove.
If you just want a short stroll with a view, try the walk up from the Blackgang viewpoint car park to St. Catherine's Oratory (often called The Pepperpot).
Another favourite short walk of ours in the West Wight is from Freshwater Bay up the hill to the Tennyson Monument on Tennyson Down. On one occasion we had a romantic evening dining out at Freshwater Bay thanks to a touring pizza van. I’m getting a bit emotional just thinking about it.
See our guide to the Isle of Wight's 10 best circular walks of 3-9 miles if you want to cover a few more miles.
However, if the sun’s shining, I would head out for a walk in the West Wight. The West side of the Isle of Wight is much quieter and unspoilt than the amusement arcades and ice cream huts of the East Wight.
The coastal path along the South West of the Isle of Wight is a beautiful walk with massive views and several beaches that you can walk down to. The South Wight is also a good choice, particularly the stretch from Ventnor to Steephill Cove.
If you just want a short stroll with a view, try the walk up from the Blackgang viewpoint car park to St. Catherine's Oratory (often called The Pepperpot).
Another favourite short walk of ours in the West Wight is from Freshwater Bay up the hill to the Tennyson Monument on Tennyson Down. On one occasion we had a romantic evening dining out at Freshwater Bay thanks to a touring pizza van. I’m getting a bit emotional just thinking about it.
See our guide to the Isle of Wight's 10 best circular walks of 3-9 miles if you want to cover a few more miles.
The Pepperpot has fabulous views on a sunny day...
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...much like Tennyson Down in Freshwater
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4. Book in for afternoon tea or a spa
If you like having cucumbers placed a) on your eyes or b) in your sandwiches, then you might consider an afternoon tea or a spa break on the Isle of Wight.
Bembridge Coast Hotel offers afternoon tea, or you might prefer the posh Champagne Tea at the Royal Hotel in Ventnor. We’ve only been to the one at the Royal but enjoyed it greatly.
Spa day options on the Isle of Wight include Lakeside Park Hotel Spa or Warner's Bembridge Coast Hotel. They've both got swimming pools and offer things like massages, facials and - most importantly - lunch. See our Isle of Wight spa days guide for more suggestions.
Bembridge Coast Hotel offers afternoon tea, or you might prefer the posh Champagne Tea at the Royal Hotel in Ventnor. We’ve only been to the one at the Royal but enjoyed it greatly.
Spa day options on the Isle of Wight include Lakeside Park Hotel Spa or Warner's Bembridge Coast Hotel. They've both got swimming pools and offer things like massages, facials and - most importantly - lunch. See our Isle of Wight spa days guide for more suggestions.
No idea what the pebbles achieve, but it makes a nice photo to illustrate a spa day
5. A night at the theatre/cinema
The biggest theatre on the Isle of Wight is Shanklin Theatre, which seats 600 and has good quality shows including musicals and that-guy-off-Strictly who is doing a national tour. There are lots of other smaller theatres, including artsier ones that are covered in our days out for adults guide.
If it’s pouring with rain, you might like the refuge of the 11-screen Cineworld cinema in Newport or the smaller cinema in Ryde.
If it’s pouring with rain, you might like the refuge of the 11-screen Cineworld cinema in Newport or the smaller cinema in Ryde.
6. Historic attractions and art galleries
Is history ideal for a romantic holiday or does it just feel like a school trip where they hand out clipboards and tell you to take brass rubbings?
If you’re interested in Victorian history, Osborne House is worth a visit. Queen Victoria's beach is even nicer than the house (in my opinion) so try and visit on a sunny day. Carisbrooke Castle has terrific views from the keep, but your smooth moves will probably be interrupted by a school party wearing matching caps.
See our guide to historic attractions for other old stuff including steam trains, lighthouses and piers. Gents, please don't drag your wife to a day out at a steam railway unless you are certain that she is genuinely interested.
Another option is to visit an art gallery and combine with a trip to a café or some live music. The biggest art gallery on the Isle of Wight is Quay Arts in Newport, which has new exhibitions regularly. It also has a café and a theatre which has music and comedy. Young sorts might like live music at Strings.
A good alternative is the photographic gallery at Dimbola in the West Wight. Combine it with a trip to their café or the nearby Piano Café and then a walk to Freshwater Bay.
If you're in the Ryde area, your best bet is Monkton Arts which has a couple of galleries, live music and a café. If you want to buy some local art from a gallery, then head for one of the posher seaside towns where you'll find Yarmouth Gallery or Seaview Art Gallery. In Cowes, you've got a choice of Kendalls Fine Art and Bath Road Gallery.
If you’re interested in Victorian history, Osborne House is worth a visit. Queen Victoria's beach is even nicer than the house (in my opinion) so try and visit on a sunny day. Carisbrooke Castle has terrific views from the keep, but your smooth moves will probably be interrupted by a school party wearing matching caps.
See our guide to historic attractions for other old stuff including steam trains, lighthouses and piers. Gents, please don't drag your wife to a day out at a steam railway unless you are certain that she is genuinely interested.
Another option is to visit an art gallery and combine with a trip to a café or some live music. The biggest art gallery on the Isle of Wight is Quay Arts in Newport, which has new exhibitions regularly. It also has a café and a theatre which has music and comedy. Young sorts might like live music at Strings.
A good alternative is the photographic gallery at Dimbola in the West Wight. Combine it with a trip to their café or the nearby Piano Café and then a walk to Freshwater Bay.
If you're in the Ryde area, your best bet is Monkton Arts which has a couple of galleries, live music and a café. If you want to buy some local art from a gallery, then head for one of the posher seaside towns where you'll find Yarmouth Gallery or Seaview Art Gallery. In Cowes, you've got a choice of Kendalls Fine Art and Bath Road Gallery.
Osborne House is one of the busiest attractions on the Isle of Wight
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Carisbrooke Castle is impressive - but it may be occupied by school parties
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7. Visit an Isle of Wight Vineyard, distillery or art gallery
There are a few food producers on the Isle of Wight which offer tours and the like.
I would consider a self-guided tour of Adgestone Vineyard if you're into wine. The Isle of Wight Distillery is where they make Mermaid Gin but their Ryde venue is more of a bar than a tour (you can peer through a window)
For something a bit quirkier, you could go to The Garlic Farm.
You could also try making something yourself at somewhere like Mulberry Tree Wood Turnery, a Beekeeping experience at Bunbury Bees or the rather classy Tregear Pottery in Niton.
See our Isle of Wight Food and Drink Tour which includes 10 foodie places to visit.
I would consider a self-guided tour of Adgestone Vineyard if you're into wine. The Isle of Wight Distillery is where they make Mermaid Gin but their Ryde venue is more of a bar than a tour (you can peer through a window)
For something a bit quirkier, you could go to The Garlic Farm.
You could also try making something yourself at somewhere like Mulberry Tree Wood Turnery, a Beekeeping experience at Bunbury Bees or the rather classy Tregear Pottery in Niton.
See our Isle of Wight Food and Drink Tour which includes 10 foodie places to visit.
Mermaid Gin is made at the Isle of Wight Gin Distillery. Hiccup.
8. Stand up paddleboarding or swimming
Who doesn’t like a bit of watersports on a romantic weekend? (Ed: Stop giggling at the back).
Most watersports are a bit cold and hard going for a relaxing break but stand-up paddleboarding looks idyllic at least.
You can hire equipment from Wight Water Adventure Watersports in Lake or Tackt Isle in the East Wight. You'll also find them being hired out by people with bum bags on the beach in Shanklin.
See our guide to Isle of Wight watersports for advice on where to take your paddleboard.
Swimming in the sea around the Isle of Wight is a favourite activity of mine, but it does take a certain amount of courage to cope with the temperature. If you fancy it, there are plenty of good swimming beaches to choose from. I enjoy the choppy waters of Compton Bay, but the busy beaches at Appley, Sandown and Shanklin are very popular with swimmers (see our guide to the best beaches).
Obviously, it is wise to read the safety notices when you arrive at the beach, take note of tides and you might also like to check the safer seas map, which tells you how clean the seawater is.
Most watersports are a bit cold and hard going for a relaxing break but stand-up paddleboarding looks idyllic at least.
You can hire equipment from Wight Water Adventure Watersports in Lake or Tackt Isle in the East Wight. You'll also find them being hired out by people with bum bags on the beach in Shanklin.
See our guide to Isle of Wight watersports for advice on where to take your paddleboard.
Swimming in the sea around the Isle of Wight is a favourite activity of mine, but it does take a certain amount of courage to cope with the temperature. If you fancy it, there are plenty of good swimming beaches to choose from. I enjoy the choppy waters of Compton Bay, but the busy beaches at Appley, Sandown and Shanklin are very popular with swimmers (see our guide to the best beaches).
Obviously, it is wise to read the safety notices when you arrive at the beach, take note of tides and you might also like to check the safer seas map, which tells you how clean the seawater is.
"Just one cornetto, give it to meeeee!"
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Freshwater Bay is a popular location for kayaking and paddleboarding
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9. Take a ride on a tandem or a boat
My only tandem dating experience didn't go especially well. There was quite a lot of huffing and puffing and phrases like "this is much harder than it looks".
However, I am still married to my fellow tandem rider so perhaps it was bonding.
At the time of typing, you can hire tandems from Route 57 (Shanklin) and Wight Cycle Hire (Yarmouth). The Isle of Wight is blessed with a decent length of mostly car-free cycle tracks so you won't be wobbling next to a dual carriageway. Take a look at the Red Squirrel Trail website for routes or our Isle of Wight cycling guide for more waffle. My personal favourite is hiring a bike from Wight Cycle Hire in Yarmouth and then enjoying a Frappuccino at Off The Rails.
Finally, a boat ride can be good fun although there’s certainly a risk that it will end up with you stuck onboard with noisy children.
If you can cope with that then take a look at Black Rock Cruises which leave from Yarmouth. The Needles Pleasure Cruises are good fun, but it is in the middle of one of the busiest attractions on the Island so you’ll need to time it carefully to avoid school parties.
If you do end up at The Needles, I would visit the Old Battery rather than the Pleasure Park. The small tea rooms at the Old Battery has one of my favourite views on the Isle of Wight - which obviously means it is one of the best views in the world.
However, I am still married to my fellow tandem rider so perhaps it was bonding.
At the time of typing, you can hire tandems from Route 57 (Shanklin) and Wight Cycle Hire (Yarmouth). The Isle of Wight is blessed with a decent length of mostly car-free cycle tracks so you won't be wobbling next to a dual carriageway. Take a look at the Red Squirrel Trail website for routes or our Isle of Wight cycling guide for more waffle. My personal favourite is hiring a bike from Wight Cycle Hire in Yarmouth and then enjoying a Frappuccino at Off The Rails.
Finally, a boat ride can be good fun although there’s certainly a risk that it will end up with you stuck onboard with noisy children.
If you can cope with that then take a look at Black Rock Cruises which leave from Yarmouth. The Needles Pleasure Cruises are good fun, but it is in the middle of one of the busiest attractions on the Island so you’ll need to time it carefully to avoid school parties.
If you do end up at The Needles, I would visit the Old Battery rather than the Pleasure Park. The small tea rooms at the Old Battery has one of my favourite views on the Isle of Wight - which obviously means it is one of the best views in the world.
A bicycle made for two...is hard work
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The Needles lighthouse from the National Trust's Old Battery
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10. Spot a red squirrel or smell some flowers
The Isle of Wight is famous for its red squirrels, which have been overtaken by grey squirrels from the USA on most of the mainland (I'm still working on an analogy for that one). They are notoriously shy and are quite rightly treated like royalty on the Island, with regular exclamatory road signs warning motorists that they should avoid running them over.
If you fancy a walk with the possibility of seeing a red squirrel, I would try Brading Marshes, Alverstone Mead Nature Reserve (near Sandown), Parkhurst Forest (near Newport) or Borthwood Copse (near Sandown). I did see one in my mum's garden once, but it isn't currently open to the public.
If you’re interested in neatly trimmed bushes and blooming flowers, try Ventnor Botanic Garden or Mottistone Manor Gardens.
Ventnor Botanic Garden has lots of plants which shouldn’t really grow in the UK thanks to its sheltered and sunny spot. Mottistone Manor Gardens is a National Trust property which is very well presented (warning: there’s a risk of bumping into my children during school holidays).
As mentioned earlier, Shanklin Chine is a pretty attraction. It’s essentially a gorge which leads from Shanklin's twee thatched village to the beach, but it is a nice wander and there’s a tearooms you can visit. It's illuminated at night for an extra bit of romance. It costs about £10.
If you fancy a walk with the possibility of seeing a red squirrel, I would try Brading Marshes, Alverstone Mead Nature Reserve (near Sandown), Parkhurst Forest (near Newport) or Borthwood Copse (near Sandown). I did see one in my mum's garden once, but it isn't currently open to the public.
If you’re interested in neatly trimmed bushes and blooming flowers, try Ventnor Botanic Garden or Mottistone Manor Gardens.
Ventnor Botanic Garden has lots of plants which shouldn’t really grow in the UK thanks to its sheltered and sunny spot. Mottistone Manor Gardens is a National Trust property which is very well presented (warning: there’s a risk of bumping into my children during school holidays).
As mentioned earlier, Shanklin Chine is a pretty attraction. It’s essentially a gorge which leads from Shanklin's twee thatched village to the beach, but it is a nice wander and there’s a tearooms you can visit. It's illuminated at night for an extra bit of romance. It costs about £10.
Mottistone Manor Gardens is free to National Trust members
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