Best Seaside Resorts on the Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight is the perfect pocket-sized beach holiday destination for families because despite being England's largest island, it only measures a mere 23 miles long by 13 miles across, making it very easy to conquer. For such a pint-sized isle it is astonishing to find out that it is in fact home to a record breaking 17 Blue Flag beaches!

These vary from traditional English resorts with deck chairs and beachfront amusements to the more natural esplanades. And there are many more that have no blue flag award but are just as beautiful and worthy of a visit. Many of which are dog friendly beaches year round. These shores incorporate all kinds of gems, from craggy coves to fully loaded commercial beaches, as well as a number of quality surfing beaches. Dogs and their owners will also love the many cliff walks that overlook the Big Blue one side and the Old Blighty on the other.

But it's not just about the beaches, the Isle of Wight is filled with historical sites, endless Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and charming seaside towns that bustle all summer. There are in fact 15 core towns on the island which all offer a unique set of beaches, sites and attractions. I suppose we should start with the world famous Cowes that is famous for its sailing events and also boasts a number of popular beaches ideal for water sport fanatics and dog lovers as well as some of the island's best supermarkets for stocking-up the cupboards. But the biggest and most commercial of the island’s towns is Ryde, which is best known for its retail therapy, arts, crafts and buzzing cafes that line its beach. Beyond these each town hides a treasure trove of natural and manmade delights. On the East coast lies the pretty town of Bembridge, a proud harbour port that has a very dainty church green and some cracking beach houses to rent. Here there are beaches in all shapes and sizes with enough spaces for dogs to enjoy some seaside fun too. Shanklin is famous for its beautiful beaches, which are lined by lush sub-tropical gardens and there are some exquisite nature sites to visit near the old town plus the social scene is very buoyant in the summer months.

The charming southern town of Ventnor is all Victorian splendor, thanks to a health resort heritage and a gloriously sheltered beach. Another Victorian favourite is the pretty village of Freshwater, which lies on the west coast and is well known for its superb surfing conditions including the popular Compton Bay. Last but not least on the surfing roster is Brighstone, a well-recognized scenic surfing spot with great waves. Finally there is the western town of Yarmouth, a hive of adventure and activities and the perfect spot for entertaining all the kids on a rainy day. Not that there are many of those, as the island is generally associated with good weather all year round.

If you and your family love the outdoors, then you'll love to explore the many parks, lush valleys and woodlands perfect for young families to roam, cycle and play in. Many of them offer great outdoor activities for all ages and are also dog friendly. A favourite with kids is Robin Hill Adventure Park & Gardens, which includes a guided tour on a fabulous steam railway. Kids will also love the Isle of Wight Zoo, which is infamous for its exotic array of creatures and animals. And there is much more wildlife to discover on the hundreds of countryside walks. But the most popular activity here by far is cycling and it is considered one of the top 10 cycling destinations Worldwide. Another very popular outdoor sport is horse riding and hiking, thanks to over 500 miles of country routes and bridleways to run, trot or ride free along. And for those who are looking for something a tad more extreme especially large groups, then there is plenty for you as well with climbing, paragliding and all manner of water sports to choose from.

Finally, those who like a bit of history and culture shouldn't leave the island without visiting at least some of the museums, galleries and historic sites, including Needles Rocks, The Lighthouses, Carisbrooke Castle and Yarmouth Castle, which all bring a rich historic insight into the Island’s role in centuries gone by. Historians will also be fascinated by the evident Dinosaur heritage here and kids will love the organised trails and Dino hunts for visitors. There are also gourmet experiences for those on a luxury short break to be had here with locally produced food and drinks available in restaurants, farm shops and the Farmer’s Market. But wherever you are on the island there will be plenty of opportunities to sample traditional food, acquire hand crafted jewelry and carvings ensuring there is no shortage of souvenirs to take home…a small compensation for having to leave this beautiful place behind.