Where to stay to see the stars on the Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight is famed for its dark skies, and is a stargazers delight. With a recognised Dark Skies Park at Fort Victoria on the north west cost of the Island, the south coast of the Isle of Wight is also widely recognised as an incredible to sit (or lie down) and just gaze at the stars.

Here’s just some of the great places to enjoy the sky at night…

Knowles Farm Cottage, Niton

At St Catherine's Point, the southern most tip of the Island, the National Trust Knowles Farm self-catering holiday cottage is in a remote and wild spot close to the lighthouse and, you'll be please to know, the foghorn is no longer used. 

Sleeping four people in 1 double and 1 twin bedroom, the seashore and beaches at Castle Haven and Rocken End are close by and you have lovely views across a small, walled garden and fields to the sea. The lounge is warmed by a cosy open fire and there are exposed beams and barn doors throughout the cottage.

Take a walk away from the beam of the lighthouse and look up – you’ll be amazed at what you see!

Compton Farm

Set in the stunning West Wight, close to both Compton Bay Beach and Freshwater Bay, you’ll find Compton Farm, a traditional camping and static caravan site on a working farm. The location here is one of the top spots on the whole Island for stargazing, thanks to the remoteness and the very limited light pollution. Set in a valley where National Trust, SSSI and Isle of Wight Landscape meet, it is a magical place to spend a  few nights under the stars.

National Trust Longstone Holiday Cottage, Mottistone

This spacious, detached Edwardian National Trust self-catering holiday cottage with far-reaching views along the Longstone Valley, is a perfect 'away from it all' holiday retreat. That's partly because there's no electricity, just solar lights, and cooking and drinking water is provided in bottles, making it an off grid hideaway. A small fridge and gas cooker is available.

Sleeping six in one double and two twin bedrooms, it has far-reaching views, a large, peaceful garden and, with a network of footpaths on the doorstep, is an ideal base for walking holidays. There's a cosy log burner in the living room and a lawned garden opening out onto fields.

The isolated nature of the property, set below hills means that there’s very little light pollution – what a place to pop yourself outside when the sun goes down!

Tom's Eco Lodge, Yarmouth

Award-winning Tom’s Eco Lodge takes glamping to the next level with five beautiful Safari Tents, two Wooden Cabins, two Modulogs, two Eco Pods and five Geodesic Domes – all nestled away in the glorious surroundings of Tapnell Farm in the West Wight. You’ll find stunning views, space to roam and sandy beaches nearby, making the perfect farm stay for an adventurous family holiday, relaxing group get-together or even a romantic hideaway. The sunsets here are beautiful and a night’s sleep in the clear domes guarantees a night of amazing stargazing.

Ninham Farm, Shanklin

Set in an idyllic location, Ninham Farm is surrounded by mature woodland and rolling countryside on the eats of the Island. Ninham provides the perfect base to discover the many sights and attractions, with footpaths and bridleways leading directly from the site. A firm emphasis is placed on being nature-friendly and all guests are expected to adhere to a strict recycling policy and the countryside code. Make sure to take your binoculars with you for a spot of stargazing in the evenings.

The Mill House, Brighstone 

This beautiful detached Georgian house dates back to the 1700s. It is attractively situated in a quiet country lane and has spectacular views across fields to the downs and is a ten-minute walk from the sea. A pleasant ten-minute walk beside the stream leads from The Mill House to the picturesque village of Brighstone with its village shops and public house. This is a marvellous walking area and footpaths can also be followed to join the coastal path leading to Tennyson Downs and the Needles. The secluded sandy bays of Compton, Totland, and Colwell are within a short drive from The Mill House.

Ruskin Lodge B&B, Freshwater

Guest House situated in Freshwater Bay, Isle of Wight with prices from £38 per person per night, breakfast included. 

In the beautiful West Wight, Ruskin Lodge is often described by guests as having a warm, relaxed and friendly feel. All rooms are large, light and airy and great care has been taken to retain the period feel of this late Victorian home, with features such as fireplaces retained where possible.

Ruskin Lodge is home to a number of powerful telescopes these include a 10 inch reflector and a six inch refractor. Guests are welcome to take advantage of the dark skies of the West Wight and enjoy superb views of the cosmos, conditions permitting.

The Little Barn, Shorwell

The Little Barn is a spacious, timber clad, cottage set in beautiful surroundings on the South West coast of the Isle of Wight. Sleeping 4 comfortably and up to 6 by special arrangement, it is designed to be your ‘home-from-home’. There is a large kitchen/diner, living room, wet-room, 2 bedrooms and an en-suite shower room.

The secluded location also benefits from a lack of light pollution, making night skies beautifully clear and great for star gazing. There is a Dobsonian telescope for guests to use.

Camp Wight, Yarmouth

Offering a relaxed and low-density woodland camping experience, Camp Wight is set on the outskirts of Yarmouth in the West Wight. Camping guests can choose to bring their motorhome, caravan, hammock, or tent. Alternatively, the owners can provide pre-rigged hammocks for a unique night under the Isle of Wight’s stunning dark skies.

Sustainability is key here with composting toilets, which are recycled on-site, showers which are heated by solar and there are sink units with drinking water placed across the site.

Orchards Holiday Park, Newbridge

Set amongst the rolling countryside of the Isle of Wight and with stunning panoramic views over an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Solent, The Orchards is a special place to make memories, kick back and relax or explore. With over 60 holiday caravans, private guest house and 120 touring and camping pitches, there is something to suit everyone at The Orchards.

Waterlodges at Yarmouth Harbour

For a different and memorable way to spend your holiday, why not try staying in the recent addition of a waterlodge at Yarmouth Harbour? These floating apartments offer a comfortable and peaceful retreat, with stunning views across the Solent and easy access to the charming historic town of Yarmouth. A great spot for amateur stargazers, you’ll find the Island Planetarium at nearby Fort Victoria Country Park. This immersive dome 3D theatre takes you through what you can see in the sky that night - so make sure to pack your telescope to check they got it right!

Stargazers' Retreat, Ventnor

Enter the open plan living space and it feels like walking into a fairytale. Beautifully furnished to complement fabulous craftmanship, Stargazers' Retreat combines eclectic furnishing and contemporary design with panache. The cosy sitting area has a toasty wood-burner, ideal for warming cooler evenings and an added feature of the yurt to make it the perfect year-round getaway is the central heating, meaning you can wake up nice and warm even in the winter months. 

At the rear of the yurt a beautifully crafted king-size bed takes centre stage, adorned with gorgeous bed linens for a great night's sleep. 

Climb the ladder to the mezzanine level and discovering a gorgeous sleeping space will be a holiday highlight, as will watching the moon and stars through the traditional Toono window. 

Grange Farm, Brighstone

Grange Farm is one of the few unspoilt coastal campsites with unpolluted sea air, situated on the beautiful southwestern clifftop coast of the Island, with easy access to the beach below,  with picturesque views of the Chine and Brighstone Forest. There’s minimal light pollution here, making the campsite and its surroundings a great spot for stargazing once the sun goes down.