Bembridge

Bembridge is a small village on the eastern tip of the island that is family friendly as well as offering visitors good amenities and great sailing opportunities. There are 2 local sailing clubs with dingy and keel boat racing through the summer and Illusion sailing for the hardy sailor from Bembridge Sailing Club during the winter.

Bembridge has a variety of easily accessible beaches, safe for swimming, crabbing and walking. The beaches are a mix of being sandy and shingly and provide fun rock pools for children. A local riding stables offer rides on the beach at low tide and is definitely a must for children. The beach extends around the village of Bembridge and is wonderfully varied depending which stretch you choose to enjoy.

The RNLI lifeboat station sits on the North-eastern corner of the village and is an iconic attraction to be visited, also Bembridge Windmill is an historic windmill overlooking Bembridge countryside and is the only one left on the Island.  This beautiful windmill was built around 1700 and sits high up on a hill near Bembridge. The Windmill has been opened to the public by the National Trust and it is possible to climb up inside the mill and look at how it once operated. On the ground floor there is a small museum with some activities for children. The mill is within a pleasant walking distance from Bembridge town centre and makes a great detour on the way to Whitecliff Bay.

With its many stunning coastal walks, Bembridge is also a popular destination for walkers. We recommend a walk from Bembridge Harbour to Priory Bay which is one of the most beautiful beaches on the Island and is rated as one of Britain’s top 10 hidden beaches. With its golden sandy bay, clear shallow waters, carved drift wood and tall trees hugging the beach this beach is really stunning and well worth a visit.

The village offers a variety of shops including; art galleries, a florist, greengrocer, fishmonger, an excellent butcher, a bakery that sells fabulous artisan bread, lifestyle home ware and many trendy restaurants and cafe’s offering a real feast for all the senses. Fishing nets and crabbing lines can be purchased from the local fishmonger.

For dining out there is much choice on offer from tapas bars, to restaurants, cafes, traditional pubs, ‘The Propeller Inn’ at the local airfield and ‘The Beach Hut Cafe’ on Forelands beach, also  ‘The Pilot Boat Inn is next to the harbour beach and Bembridge Yacht Club. Alternatively you can order fresh local caught seafood down at the harbour and dine in.

Bembridge has a small airport to the west of the town centre, on the way towards Sandown. From the top of Culver Down, you can spend the day overlooking the airport, with its small pleasure craft coming and going. Behind this you will look out to Bembridge and St. Helens with The Solent and Mainland beyond. The shipping channel is always busy and you will be able to watch container ships, coasters and cruise liners pass by and then round The Nab Tower as they head off into The English Channel.

If you fancy something a little more vibrant, a 15 minute drive away is the larger Victorian seaside town of Ryde offering a greater array of shops, a fine selection of bars, a cinema, bowling alley and skating rink – perfect if in search of something to amuse the children, especially if wet weather joins you on your stay.

Between Ryde and Bembridge is a large 24hr Tesco’s, a Mc Donalds, Busy Bee Garden Centre with restaurant and a 9 hole golf course with driving range at Westridge. Also there are other golf courses available at Newport, Ryde, Sandown, Freshwater and Cowes.

Bembridge Beach

The beach at Bembridge is a sand and shingle beach on the East of the Isle of Wight between Sandown and Seaview. The beach extends around the village of Bembridge and is wonderfully varied depending which stretch you choose to enjoy.

Most popular is the area near Bembridge Lifeboat Station where there is a car park. Here the beach is a mix of sand and shingle and there are views across to St Helens and the main land beyond.

A promenade behind the beach can be followed around to the southern end of the beach towards White Cliff Bay and here you will find wonderfully peaceful sections of the coast which you can enjoy all to yourself.

Bembridge Windmill

Historic Windmill Overlooking Bembridge Countryside

This beautiful windmill was built around 1700 and sits high up on a hill near Bembridge. The Windmill has been opened to the public by the National Trust and it is possible to climb up inside the mill and look at how it once operated.

On the ground floor there is a small museum with some activities for children.

The mill is within a pleasant walk distance from Bembridge town centre and makes a great detour on the way to Whitecliff Bay.

Maya Cafe – Bembridge

A little cafe ideal for breakfast.

This charming little cafe is located in very near the centre of Bembridge and has a rich earthy red frontage which is matched inside with warm colours and a warm welcome. The menu is varied enough and the coffee is good which is enough to attract in the locals even in the off peak seasons.

St Helens Beach

St Helens has a sandy beach with occasional patches of shingle on the East coast of the Isle of Wight between Bembridge and Seaview. This fantastic beach is a wonderful escape from more popular beaches and can be reached easily by car or on foot via the coastal path.

St Helens Beach is tucked away so here is how to find it: Go to the North end of St Helens Village towards Seaview till you get to a sharp left hand bend with a road turning off to the right. Follow this right hand road to the beach.

The Bembridge Deli

Exciting little deli with fantastic foods

This bright and welcoming little shop offers a fantastic range of meats and cheeses as well as an excellent selection of jams, olives, homemade quiches and everything one needs to make a Mediterranean meal at home.

Bembridge deli also operates a cafe with seating at the front and in the garden at the rear. They offer very satisfying light lunches which are made up from the fresh ingredients in the shop and is always served with a smile.

Baguettes and sandwiches are available and they will prepare and picnic of your choice so you can enjoy your meal on the beach or along the many walks in the area.

Whitecliff Bay Beach

One of the most beautiful beaches on the Island with soft sand and a gently sloping beach which also makes it ideal for swimming.

On Whitecliff Bay Beach there is a small shop selling snacks and lunches as well as an assortment of things to help you get the most fun out of a day on the beach.

The beach is directly below the North side of the Culver Downs and the hill shelters the beach. To the North is Bembridge which can be accessed by the coastal path.