Isle of Wight is without doubt one of the best places for a day trip in the United Kingdom.
The island is famous for its idyllic landscapes, gorgeous seafronts, dramatic cliffs, promenades, castles, cottages and so much more.
A quick boat trip from Portsmouth is all it takes to reach the Isle of Wight.
The vast number of exciting attractions on the picturesque island means there is so much to do and explore.
A day trip to Isle of Wight should be on top of your travel bucket list. This is regardless of whether you are a local or tourist in the UK.
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Where exactly is Isle of Wight Located?
The Isle of Wight is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve located on the south coast of England.
It is separated from mainland Great Britain via a strait known as The Solent.
Situated within the English Channel, the island is quite close to the coastal city of Portsmouth.
The ferry crossing takes only 22 minutes from Portsmouth harbour to Ryde Pier Head in Isle of Wight.
This acts as the closest point between Portsmouth and Isle of Wight at just 4 nautical miles.
The distance from Portsmouth means you can easily plan action-packed day tours to Isle of Wight.
How to reach Isle of Wight from Portsmouth?
The best way to reach Isle of Wight from Portsmouth is via the daily passenger ferry service.
Depending upon the ferry or catamaran, you can bring your car or be a foot passenger.
There are three Isle of Wight ferry service providers.
- Wightlink
- Red Funnel
- Hovertravel
Isle of Wight Ferry Services Information
1) Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde Pierhead
Operated by Wightlink.
Foot or bicycle passengers only.
Takes 22 minutes for the ferry crossing.
Multiple sailings daily from early morning to late evening.
Ferry ticket prices start from about £10.20 per person and can go around £19. Early morning ferries are the most expensive and gets cheaper during the day.
2) Portsmouth to Fishbourne
Operated by Wightlink
Foot passengers, bicycles, cars, vans and Lorries allowed.
Takes 45 minutes for the ferry crossing.
Multiple sailings daily from early morning to late evening.
Ferry ticket prices can fluctuate a lot depending on various factor. This includes if you are a foot passenger, traveling with your car, taking the morning or afternoon ferry etc.
3) Southsea, Portsmouth to Ryde
Operated by Hovertravel. This is a hovercraft
Foot passenger only.
Takes only 10 minutes for the ferry crossing.
Multiple sailings daily from early morning to late evening.
Return tickets are around £28. This is a super-fast and convenient way to travel for day trips to Isle of Wight for foot passengers only.
Other Isle of Wight Ferry Services
Besides the above ferries from Portsmouth, you can also reach Isle of Wight via ferry from these routes:
- Lymington, New Forest to Yarmouth via Wightlink
- Southampton to East Cowes via Red Funnel
- Southampton to West Cowes via Red Funnel
The ferry journey from Portsmouth to Isle of Wight is quite scenic.
You can take a great photo of Portsmouth from the water. Don’t forget to check out the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
While booking your tickets, do check which ferry terminal you need to visit at the Portsmouth ferry port or harbour.
Public Transport on Isle of Wight
A lot of tourists prefer getting their car thanks to the scenic drive on offer.
However, Isle of Wight has excellent public transport available for all visitors. This includes regular bus service and trains.
Buses are the perfect way to explore the great attractions of Isle of Wight for foot passengers.
There are buses plying between hotels and the towns of the island. You also have hop-on, hop-off buses that offer stunning views of the island’s landscape.
For those arriving at Ryde Pierhead via ferry, can also take the train from the pier itself.
Island Line train service runs between Ryde pierhead to Shanklin, with stops at multiple locations.
Things to do during Day Trips to Isle of Wight from Portsmouth
Isle of Wight is one of England’s most beautiful and awe-inspiring locations.
It’s beauty and what many describe as ‘variety of distinctive landscape’ has attracted tourists for decades.
It comes as no surprise that Queen Victoria herself was mesmerized with the island. So much so, she built the grand former royal residence, Osborne House at Isle of Wight.
This is where she took her last breath as well. Isle of Wight is replete with history, majestic natural landscape and interesting geology.
If you are a day tripper, you will be spoilt for choice. There is so much to do and see.
I am giving below the most popular things to do at Isle of Wight. You can choose which activities appeal to you the most.
At the end, I have provided suggested themes to build the perfect itinerary for your day trip.
Of course, you can always make multiple day trips to savour every aspect of this wonderful island.
You can book private tours and activities online here (affiliate link).
Osborne house
Visit to the Osborne House in Isle of Wight is a must for first time day trippers to the island.
It was built in 1845 as the then royal residence of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
Queen Victoria is said to have been completely in love with Isle of Wight. She spent a lot of time at the island.
Osborne House was also where Queen Victoria took her last breath in 1901.
Although it is classified as a house, it is no less than a palace. Osborne House is steeped in rich history and is open to the public as a museum.
Its beautifully landscaped gardens are part of the Register for Historic Parks and Gardens in England.
Osborne House itself is part of the National Heritage List for England.
It is located at East Cowes, a nice, tranquil part of Ise of Wight.
Norris Castle
Norris Castle is located next to Osborne House at East Cowes. The two places are usually covered as part of the same travel itinerary to Isle of Wight.
Unlike Osborne House, Norris Castle is closed to the public at the moment as it is awaiting restoration.
The surrounding areas of the castle though are nice and scenic with wonderful waterfront and 225 acres of greenery.
Norris Castle was built by Lord Henry Seymour in 1799.
Carisbrooke Castle
Keeping up with the castles and palace theme, next up is the historic Carisbrooke Castle.
As the name suggests, it is located at Carisbrooke, a village near the town of Newport.
Norris Castle to Carisbrooke Castle is about a 20-to-25-minute drive.
Carisbrooke Castle, is famous for being the place of imprisonment of Charles I, before his trial.
The castle itself is a motte-and-bailey castle, that has an interesting history dating back to almost 1100.
With over a thousand years old, you can imagine the rich history of the place.
Carisbrooke Castle is managed by English Heritage and you can buy entry tickets from their website.
Advanced ticket booking is not necessary though. Keep in mind, it does take a long time to see all of Carisbrooke Castle.
If you are really interested in seeing it all, it can take about 2 hours to completely explore the historic castle.
Model Village Godshill
Model Village Godshill is a fun, 1/10th scale model village, inspired by the charming village of Godshill.
The entire model village is built to perfection with perfectly manicured paths, outstanding replicas of actual cottages, churches, pubs etc.
Honestly, walking around Model Village Godshill will give you great idea of an actual English village.
It is fun for the entire family and a great picnic area.
Model Village Godshill is recommended for families or tourists interested in learning more about English village life.
On average, a leisurely walk around the model village will take around 45 minutes.
Godshill Village
Isle of Wight’s own official tourism website describes Godshill Village as a quintessential English village with a delightful medieval church.
I personally feel a stroll through Godshill village is a must at Isle of Wight.
Walking around the winding streets with thatched roof cottages, beautiful churches and traditional tearooms is such a delight.
Godshill village is not only one of the oldest villages at the island, it has the distinction of being the first site of Isle of Wight festival.
You can easily spend a nice late afternoon at the village. Don’t forget to indulge in some amazing tea and check out local craft work.
Needles Landmark Attraction with Alum Bay
You can easily spend the entire day at the Needles Landmark Attraction and Alum Bay.
There is so much to do here, I don’t even know where to begin.
Firstly, the entire location is simply spectacular.
Alum Bay is famous for its multi-coloured sand cliffs, Alum Bay Pebble Beach, and beautiful ocean waters.
It is of significant geological importance. Enthusiasts can spend hours just learning about the unique geology of the place.
Then there is the Needles Landmark Attraction, outstanding panoramic chairlift, pleasure cruises or ferry rides plus more.
The Needles, is a geological marvel with three 30-meters high chalk rising from between the ocean.
You can take a chairlift ride from the Needles Landmark Attraction to go past Alum Bay with its stunning beach and view the Needles.
The chairlift ride is about 10 minutes either way.
Tourists often choose to go down by foot to the Alum Bay Beach through the scenic cliffside steps.
Families can also spend time at the Needles Landmark Attraction amusement park. There are several rides, games and other attractions for kids and entire family.
To summarise, things to do at Needles Landmark Attraction and Alum Bay are:
- Take the panoramic chairlift for stunning views of the entire bay.
- Visit The Needles, a geological wonder.
- Check out The Needles Lighthouse.
- Marvel at the multi-coloured sand cliffs of Alum Bay.
- Spend time at Alum Bay Pebble Beach.
- Take pleasure cruises or ferry rides.
- Play games and have family fun at the Needles Landmark Attraction.
This is a great place for the entire family. You have games, beaches, unique cliffs, geological wonders, fun chairlift ride, stunning views plus a lot more.
Definitely one of the most picturesque locations in all of Isle of Wight.
Shanklin Chine
Shanklin Chine is a historic gorge located in the town of Shanklin.
This is a 10,000-year-old deep gorge that has some of the best bio-diversity on Isle of Wight.
You do need a ticket to enter. Ticket prices are about £8.50 per adult. There are special prices for families, large groups, children or those who are mobility impaired.
The great thing about the ticket is that it is valid for an entire week. So, you can return as many times as you want in that time.
Evenings are especially gorgeous not just because of the stunning views, but because of the special illuminations at the gorge.
All the paths, streams, waterfalls etc. get lit with hundreds of distinctive lightings.
You also have easy access to the Shanklin Beach from here. Once at the beach, do visit Fisherman’s Cottage, the only pub on the beach at Isle of Wight.
Ventnor Beach
Ventnor beach is one of the most popular beaches in Isle of Wight.
It is known for being a nice family friendly beach with gentle slopping sand, gorgeous ocean waters and a fun paddling pool.
You can spend time having fun on the beach and later explore the town of Ventnor.
There are lots of lovely cafes, bars, ice cream parlours and shops that you can try.
If you are up for it, you can visit the famous Royal Hotel at Ventnor. It is the premier luxury hotel in Isle of Wight with great food and an impressive menu.
Isle of Wight Steam Railway
Isle of Wight Steam Railway is a delightful train experience for the entire family.
At about 3.7 miles or 6 kilometres from the town of Ryde, you have Havenstreet Station. This is the starting point of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.
Completely restored to its original glory, the Victorian and Edwardian carriages and locomotives will take you back to a bygone era.
A journey on the steam railway will help you experience tradition, get unhindered views of the beautiful countryside and learn history.
You can either take the ride which is of approximately one hour or just visit the station to experience the train.
While at Havenstreet station, you can also visit the Train Story Discovery Centre. It’s an interactive museum that helps you discover the history and beauty of the steam railway at Isle of Wight.
Wildheart Animal Sanctuary
Formerly known as the Isle of Wight Zoo, Wildheart Animal Sanctuary specializes in caring for rescued animals.
If you are an animal lover or with young children, you should definitely visit the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary.
There are several wildlife species here including tigers, lions, monkeys, lemurs, various reptiles, birds and lots more.
If you have the time, do indulge in one of the many experiences on offer. They allow you to get up close and personal with the wild animals.
You also get to learn a lot about animal rescue, care and conservation efforts of our precious wildlife.
Quarr Abbey
Quarr Abbey is a monastery set amidst 100 acres of gorgeous countryside greenery.
This is a wonderful, tranquil location with some unique experiences on offer.
You can explore parts of the main monastery, the wonderful grounds, pathways, art gallery, farm and tea shop.
The architecture of Quarr Abbey will leave you spellbound and so will the nature rich greenery all around.
This is a nice place to unwind, walk around and just feel the peaceful environment of the location.
Things to keep in mind before planning a day trip to Isle of Wight
Before you visit for a day trip, do keep a few things in mind so that you can plan the perfect day at Isle of Wight.
1) Many of the attractions are seasonal. Typically, everything is open during the summer months. During other times, do check if your preferred activity is available for the public.
2) If you want to take your car to Isle of Wight, you will have to take the ferry to Fishbourne from Portsmouth.
Ferry to Ryde Pierhead is for foot passengers only.
3) The ferry ride is a wonderful journey with incredible views. Don’t forget to take lots of pictures.
I have come across so many people who feel you can take a great photo of the Spinnaker tower or other landmarks from the ferry.
4) You will not have a problem with ferry timings. There are several sailings daily from early morning to late evening.
5) Do book tickets in advance for both the ferry and local attractions to avoid potential last-minute disappointment.
6) You can plan your day trip itinerary to Isle of Wight based on a theme, such as:
- Historical landmarks including castles and palaces.
- Best beaches of Isle of Wight including Alum Bay Beach, Ventnor Beach, Yaverland Beach at Sandtown and Shanklin Chine Beach.
- Best natural and geological landmarks.
- Best towns of Isle of Wight.
Final thoughts
Isle of Wight is an absolute gem.
The entire island is filled with historical landmarks, geological wonders, picturesque natural landscapes, stunning beaches and a whole lot more.
No matter how many times you visit Isle of Wight for a day trip, you will have a great time, every time.
