East wight

Steep chalk cliffs at Culver, rolling farmland rising to grassy downland summits inland, sophisticated towns and villages all form part of the charm of East Wight.

Bembridge

Windmill © IW Tourism

Beneath the headland of Culver is the village of Bembridge. Its harbour is a home for houseboats and yachts. To the east at Lane End is the Lifeboat Station which is, at times, open to the public.

The High Street offers a superb range of village shops along with a maritime museum. Inland is Bembridge Windmill (pictured) with a stone tower complete with sails and containing much of its original wooden machinery.

To the south, a scenic cliff walk leads to Whitecliff Bay with it's fine sandy beach and seaside cafes.

Seaview

Commanding a wide outlook over the Solent, Seaview is aptly named. With its narrow streets and alleyways, this village still retains much of its Edwardian feel.

In the High Street and nearby are many good shops, cafes and restaurants. The old Saltern Cottages once housed workers from the salt pans in the marshes and Rope Walk got its name from the practice of laying out new rope to be stretched.

Nearby is Seagrove Bay with its sandy beach. From Seaview you can walk to Ryde along the seawall and promenade with Puckpool Park along the way.

St Helens

The Village Green is the centre of village life in St Helens. It provides cricket and football pitches, a children's playground and seats, as well as a view right across Bembridge Harbour below.

The Duver, a wide stretch of grass and sand dunes along the north bank of Bembridge Harbour, is home to many rare flowers. Here a whitewashed wall is all that remains of an ancient church built in Saxon times.

Brading

The ancient town of Brading received its first royal charter in 1285 from Edward I. St Marys Church dating from the 12th century is one of the oldest on the Isle of Wight.

Next to the churchyard is the Old Town Hall where the old stocks and whipping post are preserved. Opposite the church stands what is reputed to be the oldest house on the Island which now houses a wax works and across the road there is also a doll museum.

Close to the town are Nunwell House and Morton Manor, two historic Island houses with lovely gardens and a Roman Villa with particularly fine examples of mosaic tiled floors.