to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
Recent research placed the Isle of Wight as the second most popular UK destination on Instagram, when it comes to Isle of Wight National Landscape (formerly known as Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty).
Recognised with UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Status in 2019, the Island’s contrasting landscapes, rugged coastline, miles of sandy beaches, glistening sea, and exceptional sunsets and sunrises make it the perfect backdrop for your selfies! For inspiration, why not head to our Instagram channel?
See how many of these you can include on your next visit (all free, apart from your journey across):
1. Your journey over on the ferry
Whether you’re travelling with Wightlink, Red Funnel or Hovertravel, you’ll be surrounded by opportunities for stunning photos from the minute you set sail from the mainland. Passing yachts / cruise ships, 19th century forts that stand in the water, the sparkling sea, blue skies, the wind in your hair … all make it the ideal background!
2. The Island’s iconic landmark, The Needles
Go to the heather-covered hills of Headon Warren to get the best view from land of The Needles and the classic red and white striped lighthouse.
3. One of the world’s best beaches
Named as one of the world’s best beaches by The Sunday Times, Compton Bay provides a stunning backdrop with its long sandy beach, rugged sandstone cliffs and stunning views of the white chalk cliffs. A photo taken from the National Trust car park will be totally insta-worthy!
4. A scenic coastal road built by prisoners of war
Military Road on the south side of the Island sweeps along the coastline and offers picture perfect scenery from start to finish. Take the iconic drive from Chale to Freshwater Bay and stop at the Blackgang Viewpoint car park, for stunning cliff top views of the Tennyson Heritage Coast and West Wight.
5. The Tennyson Monument
From the Tennyson Monument you’ll have a dramatic 360-degree panoramic view of the Island. Overlooking Freshwater Bay, the imposing memorial to Alfred, Lord Tennyson, the Victorian Poet Laureate, stands on the highest point of Tennyson Down, a long chalk ridge with sheer cliffs on its south side.
6. Idyllic thatched villages
Shanklin Old Village and Godshill are the perfect chocolate box villages with their quaint thatched buildings.
7. Brading Down
Overlooking Sandown Bay, your selfies will have views across the bay towards Shanklin, Sandown and Culver Down. Time it correctly and you could even capture a plane landing below you at Sandown Airport!
8. Culver Down
There are spectacular views from Culver Down across Sandown, Shanklin, Whitecliff Bay and Bembridge. The chalk soils of Culver Down provide an ideal habitat for a variety of beautiful blue butterflies which may photobomb your selfie!
9. Vibrant beach huts
With endless lines of beach huts to choose from on the Island, the multi-coloured quintessential seaside beach huts at Small Hope Beach, Ryde, Colwell Bay, Gurnard or St Helens, to name a few, provide the perfect background for a day out at the seaside. All you need to add is a local Minghella’s ice-cream!
10. The Pepperpot
St Catherine’s Oratory (known locally as the Pepperpot) overlooks Chale Bay, one of the highest parts of the Island. It is the only medieval lighthouse surviving in England, dating back to 1328. The tall octagonal tower, which bizarrely looks a bit like a rocket, is all that survives of an oratory built as penance by a local landowner (he plundered church property – casks of wine – from a shipwreck).
11. The highest point on the Island
St Boniface Down is the highest point on the Island, at 241 metres, it has stunning views and a history going back centuries. If you visit the Island during the Spring, you’ll be in awe of the carpet of gently swaying bluebells!
12. Freshwater Bay
Freshwater Bay is one of the most picturesque beaches in West Wight. A pebble beach bookended by chalk cliffs with two sea stacks to add drama to an already particularly photogenic setting.
13. East Cowes esplanade
Your best selfie spot is by the paddling pool. There you’ll have great sea views, Cowes in the distance, and with a variety of vessels regularly moving through the Solent, you’re sure to have a nautical element in your photo!
14. Steephill Cove
A hidden gem tucked away at the foot of the Ventnor Undercliff area. Steephill Cove offers a great mixture of beautiful scenery and clear swimming waters, like a tropical island. The buildings in the cove add to its charm with brightly coloured beach huts and old fisherman’s cottages with traditional deck chairs, lobster pots and fishing tackle dotted around.
15. Spectacular sunsets
There are lots of special places to end your day with an incredible sunset view. Some of the best spots on the Island are Gurnard Beach, Colwell Bay, Totland Beach, Headon Warren, Yarmouth, from the harbour wall and looking west from the Pepperpot.
16. For wide beaches carpeted with golden sand
For golden sand wide beaches that rival those abroad, visit Ryde, Sandown or Compton. Although you’re only 20 minutes away from the mainland, your selfies will look like they were taken in the Med!
Reminder: When taking a selfie, please always stay at a safe distance from the cliff edge.
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