Brighstone village

Slap bang in the middle of the Isle of Wight National Landscape (formerly known as Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), you will find one of the Island’s prettiest villages.

Full of rose-clad picture postcard thatched cottages, a historic church and close to the Island’s own dinosaur coastline, you should Say Yes to Brighstone on your Isle of Wight holiday.

At the village centre stands North Street, a row of attractive traditional cottages owned by the National Trust.

Dramatic downland walks, a forest that is a haven for horse riders and mountain bikers and its very own tourist attraction in Isle of Wight Pearl, mean you should make a beeline for Brighstone.

Things to do

Be sure to visit Isle of Wight Pearl on the famous Military Road. Book in for a pearl masterclass with one of the centre’s experts and discover how pearls are cultured, cultivated and turned into beautiful jewellery. You can also hand-pick an oyster from the oyster pool and watch as it’s opened to reveal your perfect keepsake.The Pearl Café provides breathtaking views across Brighstone Bay.

Explore the downs for fabulous views along the Tennyson Trail or dive into Brighstone Forest for a spot of mountain biking or just a gentle stroll among the trees.

Brighstone is less than a mile from the world-renowned dinosaur hotspot of the Island’s south west coast. Stay at Lower Sutton Farm (the Dinosaur Farm) and go dinosaur hunting. 

Alternatively, you can just marvel at the beauty of this coastline. Brighstone Bay, Brook Bay and Compton Bay are popular with Island families for a day on the beach and surfers catch some spectacular waves while kitesurfers soar above the waves.

Stroll among the village lanes and delight in the chocolate box cottages. Visit the historic church at nearby Mottistone, or find out more about this settlement at the Brighstone Village Museum.

If you have green fingers or like a manor house, the Mottistone Estate is well worth a visit.  Enjoy the country gardens, walk on the network of paths or head up to the neolithic Longstone, where the Island pagan community meets on its high days.

Places to eat

The Brighstone area has some great country pubs with traditional English inn names…there are two Suns, Three Bishops and a Crown, not to mention a Wight Mouse!

The Three Bishops is Brighstone’s village pub but there is also the Crown Inn at neighbouring Shorwell with its famous trout stream running through the gardens. You’ll be amazed at how big they are!

Now to those two Sun Inns. The Sun at neighbouring Hulverstone is perfect to grab a bite and a pint while enjoying beautiful views over the south west coastline; while the Sun Inn at Calbourne has just undergone a change of ownership but remains at the centre of village life, even overlooking the cricket pitch.

Not a pub goer? Then the Pearl Café at Isle of Wight Pearl on the Military Road is a stunning location for a cream tea or a sandwich and is on the coastal path. And new for 2023, the café has introduced The Island Deli concept to its menu, using the best Isle of Wight produce from Cheverton Farm meats to Isle of Wight Garlic and Grace’s Bakery breads.

Explore your choices here.

Places to stay

There are lots of farmhouse bed and breakfasts, plus self-catering options in the area but where better to start than with a couple of lovely National Trust properties.

Rose Cottage is situated behind the church in Mottistone Village. This lovely home sleeps four and is perfect for exploring the area.

But if you want to get more ‘off grid’ then Longstone Cottage would be a great choice. It has no mains electricity, just a gas cooker and cooking and drinking water in bottles, with solar lighting. Longstone sleeps six in one double and two twin bedrooms.

Also in Shorwell is Northcourt Manor, which offers accommodation for bigger groups (14 or 18) in two units within this historic manor house set in lovely gardens.

On the iconic Military Road is Driftwood Cottage, with tremendous views out over the coastline and great accommodation for up to seven people.

Be sure to check out the caravan and campsites nearby on the coast with breathtaking sea views.

Tourist information

Brighstone’s renowned village store, with its mouth-watering local produce, is also the Tourist Information Point.

Getting here and getting around

Southern Vectis’s number 12 bus and seasonal Island Coaster sightseeing bus serve the village.